Josh started off as a keyboard player in local Blues and Rock n Roll bands, learning to play by ear and off of lead sheets. Before getting serious about music and finding a teacher, Josh had already performed on stages up and down the Front Range.
In 2013, a serious hand injury nearly ended Josh's playing days. Josh was lucky, and after recovering full use of his left hand he rededicated himself even further into music. He began his classical training under the guidance of Doctor Abram Minzer, along with the help of Professor Sara McDaniel. Under their great artistry and tutelage, Josh received his Associate of Arts in Music from Pikes Peak Community College with honors as a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Not content to rest idly in his off time, Josh studied supplementally with touring concert pianists Ioana Ilie, Jamina Gerl, Katharina Truetler and Marianna Prjevalskaya. Coming back to his roots as a Blues pianist, Joshua also studied jazz piano and voicing under Brad Bietry and William Malone and has recently got back into performing jazz in Colorado Springs. Still pursuing his lifelong passion of music, Josh continues study under Doctor Zahari Metchkov, close to completing his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Colorado State University in Pueblo. He continues to play in the Pikes Peak region and enjoys working with his former teacher, Abe Minzer as the Assistant Director of Classically Alive.
With a lifelong passion for music, performance experience in nearly every style of music, and the patience and understanding of a father with 3 of his own daughters, Josh can help students develop their own sense of passion for music at any level or age.
Trista, a Colorado Springs local, brings 8 years of Classical Voice training with emphasis in Opera/Art Song, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary/Pop styles. Her musical journey began in high school where she was heavily involved in her school’s choral and theatre programs. She has 14 years of choral experience with a large, dynamic vocal range singing everything from Alto II to Soprano I and everything in between.
Her educational pursuits led her to study Music Performance with a Voice emphasis at Pikes Peak State College under the mentorship of Gayle Grace before transferring to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where she studied Vocal Performance under Dr. Matthew Schloneger. During her time in Wichita, she prioritized her studies in Italian, German, French and English Diction, and fell in love with Vocal Pedagogy immersing herself in the science and physiology behind singing.
Some of Trista’s notable stage credits include Roselinde in “Die Fledermaus”, Madam Goldentrill in Mozart’s “The Impresario”, Rose Lennox in “The Secret Garden”, and Luisa in “The Fantasticks”. Trista has also had the privilege of being the Soprano soloist for Handel’s “Messiah”, Mozart’s “Coronation Mass”, Schubert’s “Mass in G”, and John Rutter’s “Gloria”.
Beyond the stage and honing her teaching and pedagogy skills, Trista has spent the last 7 years singing in many different churches throughout Wichita and Colorado Springs. Her contributions range from solo performances to serving as a hymn/song leader, a choral section leader, and as a choir director. During the pandemic, she assisted in helping to kickstart her local church’s contemporary Wednesday Night Light service which ignited her passion for Contemporary Worship. Trista’s favorite genre to sing includes Contemporary Christian and Gospel, which reflect the profound influence of her personal faith.
Committed to vocal health and sustainable singing techniques, Trista strives to equip her students with the skills and knowledge for lifelong vocal longevity. She strives to cultivate a joyful learning environment tailored to individuals of all ages, backgrounds, skill levels, learning styles, and is passionate about inclusivity for those with learning disabilities drawing from her own experiences. Trista firmly believes that singing is an art form accessible to all.
Outside her musical pursuits, Trista finds solace in nature through hiking, running, and long walks. She indulges in her love for video games with some of favorite games being Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing. She’s an avid baker and cook, and also loves spending time with her two cats, Abbott and Costello.In 2013, a serious hand injury nearly ended Josh's playing days. Josh was lucky, and after recovering full use of his left hand he rededicated himself even further into music. He began his classical training under the guidance of Doctor Abram Minzer, along with the help of Professor Sara McDaniel. Under their great artistry and tutelage, Josh received his Associate of Arts in Music from Pikes Peak Community College with honors as a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Not content to rest idly in his off time, Josh studied supplementally with touring concert pianists Ioana Ilie, Jamina Gerl, Katharina Truetler and Marianna Prjevalskaya. Coming back to his roots as a Blues pianist, Joshua also studied jazz piano and voicing under Brad Bietry and William Malone and has recently got back into performing jazz in Colorado Springs. Still pursuing his lifelong passion of music, Josh continues study under Doctor Zahari Metchkov, close to completing his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Colorado State University in Pueblo. He continues to play in the Pikes Peak region and enjoys working with his former teacher, Abe Minzer as the Assistant Director of Classically Alive.
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