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

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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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