Masterful Musicians

Live music for events in Colorado

Katarina

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Katarina M. Pliego completed her doctorate in Cello Performance at the University of Northern Colorado, her MM in Cello Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (UK), and her BA in Music at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge (UK

At UNC, Katarina performed in several competitions and was the winner of the Downbeat Magazine Award, Arts Innovation Award, Rocky Mountain Concerto Competition, Southard Competition at twice received second prize at the Concerto Competition. At RCS she was the recipient of a generous scholarship for most talented instrumentalist, received a distinction for her final recital and performed Brahms’ Sextet with renowned violinist Ilya Gringolts. In 2012 she performed a series of recitals with pianist Nafis Umerkulova as the winner of Jeunesses Musicales. She also received a scholarship for the Stamford International Chamber Music Festival (UK) and for the Wagner Orchestra in Bayreuth (Germany).

As a soloist she has performed with UNC Wind Ensemble, Anglia Ruskin University Orchestra, K239 Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Music School Žalec, and Nottingham Youth Orchestra. As an orchestral player she has performed with the Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra (UK) and Orion Orchestra (UK).

She has performed at the Royal Festival Hall for the British Royal Family in Cadogan Hall. In years 2013 and 2014 she toured the world as principal cellist in the Shen Yun Performing Arts and played in music halls such as Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Kennedy Center, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, Place des Arts and Sony Centre.

Outside of the classical world, Katarina has toured and recorded an album with the All Angles Jazz Orchestra, and a soul band The Burroughs. Highlights include performing at the Greeley Jazz Festival with Grammy award winning Randy Brecker and Bob Sheppard, New York Voices, and at Red Rocks with Father John Misty, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kygo and Michael Buble.

https://youtu.be/LadntLEihrk

Joe

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Joe attended Colorado Mesa State and North Texas State University where he majored in jazz studies and flute performance later graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver with degrees in Flute Performance and Music Education. He obtained his Masters degree at the University of Colorado in Music Education and Saxophone.

Joe continues to lead groups and produce jazz concerts in the Denver area primarily at the jazz venue Dazzle.

During his music education career these past 30 years Joe has worked with hundreds of students developing the “Music Beyond Borders” and Has taught in the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. Joe has also worked as adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver and has done jazz clinics for both students and educators at numerous conventions and colleges.

Ethan

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Ethan is a guitarist, music educator and scholar who has received acclaim as a soloist and chamber musician. Ethan has a passion for expanding the guitar’s possibilities through performing new works and creating exciting new arrangements. Ethan graduated Magna cum Laude from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.  While at Lamont, he was named both the Outstanding Graduating Guitarist and the Outstanding Undergraduate in Academic Achievement. In spring 2021 Ethan will obtain his DMA from the University of Colorado Boulder.

MP3 Recordings

Lob der Thranen

Standchen

Donna

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Donna holds an MM in conducting and a BM in vocal performance from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She is currently the head of the Vocal Jazz program at the Lamont School of Music and teaches music history courses for Colorado Community Colleges Online. Her diverse professional activities include work as a jazz vocalist, composer/arranger, conductor, and keyboardist.  As a vocalist and pianist, Donna is equally comfortable in both classical and jazz music.

She regularly appears as jazz vocalist, singing in duos, trios and quartets, and accompanying herself on piano.  Her critically acclaimed 2011 jazz release “Myth and Memory” featured her own compositions with a line-up of world-class musicians. She also appears regularly as a classical vocalist in groups such as The Santa Fe Dessert Chorale, The Colorado Bach Ensemble, and St. Martin’s Chamber Choir in venues all over the country from Los Angeles to Carnegie Hall in New York.. As a solo pianist and vocalist, she can give your event a touch of class with subtle music that encourages people to relax and connect with each other.

Bonnie

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Bonnie is a pianist, vocalist, and piano teacher. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Piano Pedagogy and Performance with a Minor in Voice. Throughout the 1990’s, Bonnie lived in Paris, France and performed at celebrated clubs and festivals in Paris and Europe such as The Sunset, The Duc de Lombard, and Jazz in Marciac.

She currently lives and teaches in Boulder Colorado, and performs in Boulder and other cities in the US and Europe. In addition to original compositions, Bonnie’s mellifluous, clear vocals and unique interpretations give new life to well known standards.

Adam

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Whether leading his jazz trio, performing solo, or accompanying others, Adam is a remarkably versatile pianist who joyfully excels in a variety of roles and situations. A top-call keyboardist across a multitude of styles, he has played thousands of gigs with hundreds of bands and has worked alongside and shared stages with some of the best in the biz. Featured on Masterful Musicians’ roster for several years, Adam is praised by clients and coordinators alike for his friendly demeanor and natural musical ability to complement any vibe.

Michael

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Dr. Hengst teaches trumpet, serves as brass area director, and directs the Roadrunner Pride Pep Band at MSU Denver. Prior to his appointment at MSU Denver, he served on the faculties at The University of Texas at Austin and Southwestern University. Dr. Hengst holds a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Dr. Hengst has also been nationally recognized as a 1st prize winner UGA Brass Quintet Competition of the Americas, Finalist and Honorable Mention at the Crawford Trumpet Competition, 3rd Prize winner at the 2005 National Trumpet Competition in the Master’s and Ensemble Divisions, and 4th Prize winner at the 2007 National Trumpet Competition. He is a member of the Boulder Brass, former principal solo cornet with the Colorado Brass, and has played with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet, the Boulder Philharmonic, the Fort Collins Symphony, the Breckenridge Music Festival, the Fred Hess Big Band, the H2 Big Band, the Denver Municipal Band, and the Austin City Brass Quintet and Brass Ensemble, as well as the house trumpeter for musicals at the Arvada Center for the Arts. Dr. Hengst has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and South America and taught at the InterHarmony International Music Festival held in Italy.

Hengst is a Bach trumpet performing artist.

Dexter

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Dexter has played woodwinds locally, and literally around the world, for half a century. His mainstay is clarinet, but also very active sax, harmonica, as well as bass clarinet and various flutes. He is often heard on KUVO and KGNU radio.

He also plays:

  • Brazilian instrumental jazz
  • Greek, Turkish, Arabic and Balkan music with Sherefe
  • Moroccan with El Yesfi Samir (aka Tito Malaga)
  • Award winning blues with Lionel Young Band
  • Music Meditation, a 7-piece contemplative music ensemble