Dr. Cayla Bellamy - Summer 2025
Dr. Cayla Bellamy is a performer, collaborator, and pedagogue dedicated to advancing the music field through redefining standard practices in the bassoon studio and chamber ensemble settings. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Bassoon at Colorado State University, where she teaches applied bassoon, chamber music, and instrumental and virtual pedagogy, in addition to performing regularly with the Colorado Bach Ensemble and Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra. As a bassoonist and advocate for new music, she most recently completed a performance series presenting modern concerti by Joan Tower, Libby Larsen, James Stephenson, Mathieu Lussier, and Dana Wilson.
Cayla holds a Doctor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance and Literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, in addition to Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Bassoon Performance from the University of Georgia, where she was distinguished as a National Presser Scholar. Her primary teachers include William Ludwig, Amy Pollard, and William Davis, with additional studies with Nancy Goeres and Per Hannevold at the Aspen Music Festival and School. In addition to professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, and as state chairperson for the National Association of Wind and Percussion Instructors, she serves currently on the staff of the International Double Reed Society as Communications Coordinator and was previously on the conducting faculties of the New York Summer School of the Arts and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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Cayla holds a Doctor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance and Literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, in addition to Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Music Education and Bassoon Performance from the University of Georgia, where she was distinguished as a National Presser Scholar. Her primary teachers include William Ludwig, Amy Pollard, and William Davis, with additional studies with Nancy Goeres and Per Hannevold at the Aspen Music Festival and School. In addition to professional affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, and as state chairperson for the National Association of Wind and Percussion Instructors, she serves currently on the staff of the International Double Reed Society as Communications Coordinator and was previously on the conducting faculties of the New York Summer School of the Arts and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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Sam Cooper - Assistant Conductor
Sam Cooper is currently pursuing his master's in instrumental conducting at Colorado State University under the mentorship of Dr. Rachel L. Waddell. He serves as the Assistant Conductor of Orchestras at CSU and the Assistant Conductor for the Health and Wellness Community Orchestra, a Fort Collins-based ensemble that fosters a welcoming and engaging environment where musicians of all backgrounds can enjoy playing together.
Sam studied violin with Dr. Philip Ficsor and Dr. Emily Ondracek-Peterson at MSU Denver, where he earned degrees in music performance and music education in December 2023. He has played violin with various musical groups, including the Aurora Symphony and Empire Lyric Players, and held the roles of concertmaster and assistant conductor with the MSU Denver Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Brandon Stephen Matthews. As a co-founder and violinist of the Apollo String Quartet, Sam remains actively engaged in chamber music.
In January 2025, he was selected to participate in a conducting workshop with Carl Topilow and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He looks forward to participating in another conducting workshop in June 2025 with Diane Wittry and Dr. Silas Huff in New York City. Sam encourages you to follow his conducting journey on Instagram: @cooper_conducts
Sam studied violin with Dr. Philip Ficsor and Dr. Emily Ondracek-Peterson at MSU Denver, where he earned degrees in music performance and music education in December 2023. He has played violin with various musical groups, including the Aurora Symphony and Empire Lyric Players, and held the roles of concertmaster and assistant conductor with the MSU Denver Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Brandon Stephen Matthews. As a co-founder and violinist of the Apollo String Quartet, Sam remains actively engaged in chamber music.
In January 2025, he was selected to participate in a conducting workshop with Carl Topilow and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He looks forward to participating in another conducting workshop in June 2025 with Diane Wittry and Dr. Silas Huff in New York City. Sam encourages you to follow his conducting journey on Instagram: @cooper_conducts