Andrew Mendizabal - Conductor Fall 2023 concert
Andrew (Drew) Mendizabal was named Assistant Conductor of the Health & Wellness Community Orchestra in 2021. Drew also works as a conductor and educator for musicians in Northern Colorado. He joined the Northern Colorado Youth Orchestra director team last fall. Their chamber orchestra traveled to and placed 3rd place at the 2022 ASTA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. In April, Drew was hired to join the music team as Orchestra Director for the new Timnath Middle-High School.
Drew is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada and received his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019, where he studied clarinet and conducting under the direction of Dr. Reed Chamberlin and Dr. Jason Altieri. He received awards for his leadership, academics and musicianship for his involvement within the UNR music department and with the university bands.
A student of Wes Kenney, Drew finished his Master of Music at Colorado State University in conducting. At CSU, Drew had many opportunities to conduct both the CSU Symphony and Concert Orchestra. In 2021, he participated in a conducting workshop with Marin Alsop, conductor Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony and Music Director of the Vienna Radio Symphony.
Drew is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada and received his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019, where he studied clarinet and conducting under the direction of Dr. Reed Chamberlin and Dr. Jason Altieri. He received awards for his leadership, academics and musicianship for his involvement within the UNR music department and with the university bands.
A student of Wes Kenney, Drew finished his Master of Music at Colorado State University in conducting. At CSU, Drew had many opportunities to conduct both the CSU Symphony and Concert Orchestra. In 2021, he participated in a conducting workshop with Marin Alsop, conductor Laureate of the Baltimore Symphony and Music Director of the Vienna Radio Symphony.
Daniel Smith - Assistant Conductor Fall 2023
Daniel F. Smith is currently the Director of Orchestras at Loveland High School, Lucile Erwin Middle School, and is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Northern Colorado Youth Orchestra. During Mr. Smith's tenure in Loveland, the orchestra programs have grown from three small groups to twelve large ensembles. These groups include multiple sections of 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Orchestra, an Advanced Middle School Orchestra, High School Concert and Chamber Orchestras, a Full Symphony, and Pit Orchestra.
Outside of Thompson School District, Mr. Smith served as the Principal Bassist for the 101st Army Band for sixteen years, runs The Arco / Pizzicato Music Studio preparing young musicians for All State Orchestra and University studies, and has had the opportunity to perform as a bassist and conductor with countless musical organizations across Colorado.
His vision of Inspiring Harmony for Tomorrow is a commitment to young musicians across Colorado to keep the arts alive in schools and our community for decades to come.
Outside of Thompson School District, Mr. Smith served as the Principal Bassist for the 101st Army Band for sixteen years, runs The Arco / Pizzicato Music Studio preparing young musicians for All State Orchestra and University studies, and has had the opportunity to perform as a bassist and conductor with countless musical organizations across Colorado.
His vision of Inspiring Harmony for Tomorrow is a commitment to young musicians across Colorado to keep the arts alive in schools and our community for decades to come.
Noelle Bauman-Stucky - Conductor Spring 2024 concert
Noelle Bauman-Stucky is a musician who serves the communities of the Front Range through music education, performing, and conducting. Originally from the Western Slope of Colorado, Noelle has resided in Fort Collins for over a decade. Her love for the town grew as she completed her undergraduate degree at CSU, gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After teaching in Fruita, CO, Noelle returned to CSU to study under Maestro Wes Kenney, and received her Master’s of Music in Performance with an emphasis in Conducting from Colorado State University.
After earning her master’s degree Noelle went directly into teaching along the front range. She applies her specialty of instructing instrumental and choral music by teaching in public schools. When Noelle is not teaching, she has spent additional time collaborating with professional communities such as Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Front Range Chamber Players, Greeley Chamber Orchestra, Health and Wellness Orchestra, Larimer Chorale, The Loveland Orchestra, and most recently, Loveland Opera Theatre.
Currently, Noelle is the Orchestra Director at Webber Middle School, and the Assistant Music Director and Children’s Music Director at Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland. Noelle enjoys the amenities Fort Collins has to offer, including the fantastic health care system, the talents of the local brewers, and the world-class mountain bike trails offered by the Colorado Front Range.
After earning her master’s degree Noelle went directly into teaching along the front range. She applies her specialty of instructing instrumental and choral music by teaching in public schools. When Noelle is not teaching, she has spent additional time collaborating with professional communities such as Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Front Range Chamber Players, Greeley Chamber Orchestra, Health and Wellness Orchestra, Larimer Chorale, The Loveland Orchestra, and most recently, Loveland Opera Theatre.
Currently, Noelle is the Orchestra Director at Webber Middle School, and the Assistant Music Director and Children’s Music Director at Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland. Noelle enjoys the amenities Fort Collins has to offer, including the fantastic health care system, the talents of the local brewers, and the world-class mountain bike trails offered by the Colorado Front Range.
Peter F. Muller - Conductor Summer 2024 concert
Director of Events at Colorado State University, Peter F. Muller has a degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied conducting with Eugene Corporon and composition with Dr. Robert Ehle, and taught for several years before joining the stage management team at the Denver Center Theatre Company. After leaving the DCPA, Peter taught for several more years in Northern Colorado before opening the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, a 450-seat equity theater, in 2006 along with Nick Turner, Gina Schuh-Turner, and Troy Schuh, where he served as owner, director, designer, or conductor for four seasons prior to leaving for his current position as director of events for the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University.
Peter has conducted, directed, or designed well over 100 shows for Colorado audiences including productions at the Denver Center Theatre Company, Colorado State University, Front Range Music Theatre, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Nonesuch Theater, Carousel Dinner Theatre, OpenStage Theatre, Longmont Theatre Company, Fort Collins Children's Theatre, Loveland Opera Theatre, and the Greeley Stampede Troupe.
In 1990, Peter received a special commendation from Governor Roy Romer for his "contribution to the culture of Colorado" for his work as music director and conductor for the Colorado Theatre Orchestra. More recently, Peter received Greeley Tribune's 'Best of the Best' awards for Best Director of a Play (Arsenic and Old Lace<), Best Scenic Designer (Arsenic and Old Lace), and Best Director of a Musical (The Sound of Music). In 2018 Peter's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with the Greeley Stampede Troupe, received nine Broadway Denver awards including Best Musical, Best Director of a Musical, and Best Scenic Design. His production of Guys and Dolls with the Troupe was nominated for six awards including Best Musical and Best Director of a Musical.
Peter has conducted, directed, or designed well over 100 shows for Colorado audiences including productions at the Denver Center Theatre Company, Colorado State University, Front Range Music Theatre, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Nonesuch Theater, Carousel Dinner Theatre, OpenStage Theatre, Longmont Theatre Company, Fort Collins Children's Theatre, Loveland Opera Theatre, and the Greeley Stampede Troupe.
In 1990, Peter received a special commendation from Governor Roy Romer for his "contribution to the culture of Colorado" for his work as music director and conductor for the Colorado Theatre Orchestra. More recently, Peter received Greeley Tribune's 'Best of the Best' awards for Best Director of a Play (Arsenic and Old Lace<), Best Scenic Designer (Arsenic and Old Lace), and Best Director of a Musical (The Sound of Music). In 2018 Peter's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with the Greeley Stampede Troupe, received nine Broadway Denver awards including Best Musical, Best Director of a Musical, and Best Scenic Design. His production of Guys and Dolls with the Troupe was nominated for six awards including Best Musical and Best Director of a Musical.