Rated 4.64 / 5 from 11 reviews
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Colorado Music Institute Founded in 1996 as the Colorado Drum Institute, we grew to what was considered by many to be the largest private drum school in the nation. Then one day in 2002, the mother of one of our students said, "Gosh, I wish you taught guitar so I didn't have to drive across town for my other son." We hired a guitar instructor on spec, and basically it took off.

We changed our name to the Colorado Music Institute in 2005, and now teach Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Cello, Violin and Vocals in styles such as Rock, Funk, Heavy-Metal, Jazz, and Hip-Hop serving the entire Denver Metro area and all of Colorado. Students of all ages and levels are welcome. Band Camp starts in June and lasts all summer long. Camps are one week long and start at different times through the summer.
Highlights and features
  • Bass, Keyboard, Cello, Violin, Drums, Voice, Piano, Guitar
People
Bill Larson
Bill Larson
Bill Larson has been playing drums since 1984, starting at age 9. His love of music has been strong since early childhood, and he enjoys sharing that experience with students of all ages. After many opportunities to perform with the school band, jazz band, and rock bands with friends, he was able to play with professional musicians every weekend at age 16.
Matt Amundson
Matt Amundson
Matt began playing the drums at age 10. He has taken advantage of every drumming opportunity, and by 1999 received his B.M.E. from the University of North Texas. During his senior year in high school he was the section leader for a marching band that traveled to California for the Disney Magic Music Days Parade and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Bill Travis
Bill Travis
Bill has a Bachelors Degree in Percussion Performance, studying under Dr. John Pennington. Bill has instructed high school drum lines, leading one to first place at the state championship in Denver. He has taught private lessons since 1996.
Nate Bilo
Nate Bilo
Nate has been immersed in music since the age of ten and became a professional musician at age 15, having to get work permits in order to play in clubs and venues due to his young age. Nate's bands have toured throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
Kirk Kissleman
Kirk Kissleman
Kirk has been a Denver native all his life. Although he is 44 years old, he has managed to play guitar for 38 years and has been teaching for 23 of them. His "on the stage" experience is paralleled by none, having played 5 nights a week for 12 years - that is a lot of stage experience.
Charles Mertens
Charles Mertens
Charles Mertens
Charles began playing cello at the age of 10. By the age of 12 he had begun training on guitar and bass which would become his true passion. His bass playing led him to the Denver School of Arts for high school. There he began studying jazz and classical music on a new instrument, the upright bass.
Larisa Lewis
Larisa Lewis
Larisa enjoys sharing her passion and joy in music with her students and believes music even makes you smarter! We are delighted she moved to Colorado and excited to have her at the Colorado Music Institute! She is a member of the American Music Teachers National Association. Her students have been participating in SPA and MTNA competitions and have been awarded First Prizes.
Stacey Foote
Stacey Foote
Stacey is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she began studying voice at the age of eleven. After performing classically throughout high school, she attended Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance.
Videos
Denver Music Lessons
Denver Music Lessons
Founded in 1996 as the Colorado Drum Institute, we grew to what was considered by many to be the largest private drum school in the nation. Then one day in 2002, the mother of one of our students said, "Gosh, I wish you taught guitar so I didn't have to drive across town for my other son." We hired a guitar instructor on spec, and basically it took off.
Reviews (11)
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Travis Olsen
Feb 08, 2022
Bill Travis is 10/10. Great teacher. Highly recommend. The whole place is pretty cool too.
Mahesh Sundaresan
Oct 16, 2021
What a great place! My daughter and I had the honor of entering this school and have been taking lessons with them for well over 2 years now. From our initial interaction with the owner, we felt very confident in our decision and most of all comfortable in our learning curve ahead. My daughter has been working with Marysa B. on piano, and I have been working with Ryan S. with acoustic and electric guitar.

They both have provided so much in such a short time, as we can both attest to our gained knowledge and skillset working with them both. This place puts all their students at ease, without the pressure, and allows students to learn the music they like! The experience, energy, and skill set these two instructors bring to us each week is amazing. Well worth the investment for kids, and adults of all ages! You are great at what you do keep up the amazing work!
R. J. Whetstone
Oct 12, 2021
Every level of training for any instrument, by well qualified instructors
Eric Ratts
Aug 28, 2021
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! Due to relocating several times, my family has attended music lessons in several places. Some were in private homes, some in business locations. Colorado Music Institute far exceeds any experience we have had before as well as my expectations. First, the variety and strength of their instructors is phenomenal. One of my children is taking drum lessons from James while the other is taking voice lessons from Marysa.

Both teachers are professional, on-time, and, most importantly, prepared for the lesson! The curriculum for each of my children is customized for them. Next, the flexibility has been wonderful. They helped us coordinate the schedules so both of my kids could have lessons almost at the same time. And incredibly, if we need to miss a lesson, we can make it up, including sometimes extending a lesson or attending another time during the week.

But best of all, those credits carry over each month. Finally, terms for lessons are upfront and very simple. It is a flat fee each month and if I need to make changes, let them know by the 15th of the month. I coordinate schedule changes with our instructors. My family couldn't be any happier. Thank you Colorado Music Institute.
Lisa Herhold
Aug 09, 2021
Colorado Music Institute has brought the joy of music back into my life. My teacher, Katharine Smith, is one of the best I have ever had, and I am an older adult student who has taken music lessons her whole life. Wendy and her staff are so nice, flexible, and very clear in their communication. And the lessons are a wonderful value, especially for the amount of fun I am having! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so grateful that I found CMI; it is an important part of my life. Lisa
Ankit Sahu
Jul 19, 2021
So many reasons, first we went there after No seeing a special offer on fb which said first month will be $35 off. (before you judge- i am a student with kids, and every penny counts) which we never got even after following up the next month on this. only answer they gave was, will get back to you after talking to manager. then they have weird policies.

You cannot discontinue with them if you are not calling them before 15th of the month. Even if you are moving out of town. I am being given an option to take makeups which do not work. Other option is I can gift to someone, really? Their make ups dont work cause the teacher is very busy, I have two makes ups and so far but only 15 minutes have been given as an extra beyond the 30 mins regular class.

I have followed up with teacher multiple times and surrendered after that. Edited to add on 7/24 1. I never threatened your staff that i would leave bad review. I said I didn't have good experience and i am unhappy about it. Perhaps you understood correctly that I will leave a bad review, which you were so right. 2. The free class was a trial class which you should not boast around here. 3. your facebook ad never said that it won't be combined with referral.

Your staff was supposed to get to me after checking with manager, which never happened. 4. what about the never given make up classes i am unhappy about and following up with teacher since april? do you have s story to tell on that too, if not please come up with one. let the public know how good a storyteller you guys are. 5. I never checked with my friend if he got $25, perhaps I should check that too. 6. what about considering a special request coz I have to move out pretty soon from here.

How can we take these make ups considering 45 mins of 2 make ups are pending since april and may after multiple follow ups. take it with a pich if salt and improve on points where you can inprove rather than attacking me with false allegations.
Student Noah Prichard
Jan 27, 2021
I have been taking drum lessons for about 3 years now, and every single lesson has been absolutely outstanding. The teachers are SUPER understanding and friendly. When I walk in, I just feel so welcome. Everyone is welcomed here, so much so that it almost feels like a second home. Would definitely recommend this school to anyone who wants to take music lessons.
Katie McDonald
Dec 11, 2020
My son has been doing violin here for almost a year and we have loved it. The first teacher didn't mesh great with his personality so now we have Nerea, and she is spectacular. Everyone is kind and helpful and they are taking pandemic precautions seriously.
Kimarie Mikleton
Dec 06, 2020
My three children having been taking lessons at the Colorado Music Institute for 3 years this coming May! I can hardly believe that all 3 of my kids have continued lessons over this amount of time, but on second thought, I can. The instructors at the Institute are very skilled, fun, patient, creative and inspire learning. They definitely connect with their students.

You know that the teachers are awesome and the school is wonderful when you can get your kids to Practice! I started with one child for just after the school year to keep up with his instrument level and within no time at all, all my kids wanted to go and take lessons! During this time of unrest and "stay at home" requirements, these instructors have stepped up even further and started doing ONLINE Lessons.

My kids absolutely love it! I love it! Instead of having to take my children out of lessons when they especially need more things to do, I now can keep them learning and playing and just continuing something they so enjoy. Think it cannot be done? My suggestion is give it a try. My children take lessons in piano, drums, guitar and voice and it ALL works for us.

I am so thankful the institute and these instructors were able to offer these type of lessons. Beginner student or one that is out of their band or orchestra due to the schools being closed, consider Online lessons at the Colorado Music Institute.
Olivia Bennett
Sep 29, 2019
I absolutely love this institute. I am an adult who wanted to learn piano, I spoke with Wendy and she set me up with an amazing teacher Marysa. I cannot say enough about Marysa! She is kind, patient, extremely knowledgeable about piano and other instruments, and genuinely takes an interest in her students and the music they like to play. She has printed out music sheets with different songs that I enjoy and is helping me to learn them while following my lesson book too.

I have been going for about 6 weeks now and I am getting better each session. I am reading music, learning keys, and hearing the sounds to learn. They have people here of all ages and do a wonderful job making you feel welcome! This is a family owned business which makes it even better! I highly recommend this music institute, they are wonderful!
Satterfield Piano Studio
Jan 16, 2018
We encourage our students to perform all genres of music, at all levels and ages. Two of my eight year-old students are currently playing Beethoven and Vivaldi, and several of my advanced students are playing Debussy, Ravel and Schumann at our next recital; we have these events every three months to showcase our students' achievements and abilities. Our next recital is the first week of March. Please come. All are welcome!