Tom earned a bachelor of music in trombone performance from Berklee College of music in Boston Massachusetts, a master of music in trombone performance from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and a doctor of arts degree in trombone performance and jazz pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado. He received his K – 12 teaching credentials from Colorado Christian University, and he taught music at Adams State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Northern Colorado, and Aurora Community College. And he has taught K–12 music for Jefferson County Public schools, Denver Public schools, and Aurora Public schools. He currently teaches music for the Archdiocese of Denver as well as maintaining a private brass studio in the Denver metro area.
Dr. Ball is much in demand as a professional trombonist and euphonium player in the Denver Colorado area. He appears on dozens of recording sessions and has performed with artists ranging from Conrad Herwig, Eddie Palmieri, Maceo Parker, Christian McBride, Eddie Daniels, Dave and Don Grusin, and other fine musicians. He has been a featured artist and performed at events including the Aspen Snowmass jazz festival, Telluride jazz festival, the Kansas City blues festival, the Rafael Mendez brass Institute, International trombone festival, and the international tuba and euphonium conference.
Andy Michaud, a Colorado native, has been an active musician and teacher in the Metro Denver community for over 40 years. As a teacher, his career spanned 32 years in Jefferson County where he taught band and orchestra at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He also still loves performing on the trombone, which was his main instrument.
Inspired by his daughters’ Irish step dancing, he picked up the bagpipes 25-years ago and began playing. He has performed with the Isle of Mull Pipe Band, Denver and District Pipe Band, several small ensembles and as a soloist.
Currently he keeps himself busy as a handyman at his company, Piper of All Trades. In his free time, Andy enjoys playing gigs, fishing, hiking, restoring cars, taking trips to his summer home in Michigan and spending time with his wife and grown children.
Jason U'Ren was born and raised in SW Wisconsin where he excelled in music at a young age. He majored in Music Education at Waldorf College and Simpson College in Iowa and then taught in the Iowa Public School system for five years. He then attended the University of South Dakota for a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance before relocating to beautiful Colorado. He is currently starting his 19th year of teaching at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College where he teaches several bands, orchestras, and drumlines. Mr. U'Ren maintains an active performing schedule with several ensembles in the front range area in addition to being a full time music educator. Mr. U'Ren currently lives in Brighton, CO with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.
