About Us
Rachel McLaird
Violin, Viola and Piano Instructor
Rachel holds a B.M. in Violin Performance from University of Redlands and a M.M from the University of Northern Colorado in Violin Performance. Her private instructors include Endre Balogh, Richard Fuchs, Elizabeth Mills, Debra Morre, Todor Pelev, Lyndon Taylor, Lucille Taylor, Juliet White-Smith. She has completed Suzuki Training with violinists Liz Arbus, Idell Low, and Marjorie Marth.
She has taught privately and at theUniversity of Minnesota Duluth Fine Arts Academy - Instructor of Violin- Lake Superior Suzuki Talent Education Program (2010-2014).
Private studio of Rachel McLaird - organised recitals and group classes, taught a studio of 60 violin and viola students in Ft. Collins Co. (1995-2007) University of Redlands - Instructor of Violin and Viola - Community School of Music and the Arts, Redlands CA.(1986-1990, 2006-7), Claremont Community School of Music, Instructor of Violin and Viola - Claremont CA. (1984-1990, 2006-7).Wrightwood Suzuki School of Music, Wrightwood CA. (1980-1986)
Rachel has performed in many orchestras and ensembles including the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Duluth MN; Friends of Chamber Music, Loveland CO; Greeley Chamber Orchestra, Greeley CO.; Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Greeley CO; Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, Cheyenne WY; Riverside Symphony Orchestra, Riverside CA; Inland Empire Symphony Orchestra, San Bernardino CA; and the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, Redlands C
John McLaird
Piano, Electric Bass and Composition Instructor
John holds a B.M.E. in Instrumental Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1990 and aM.M. in Music Theory and Composition in from the University of Northern Colorado in 1992. His private instructors include pianists Ruth Schimming and Jean Dodworth Henderson, session bassist Andy Hall, and composers Dr. Bob Ehle, and Dr. R. Evan Copley and he has Suzuki training with Pianists Rae Kate Shen and Caroline Fraser.
John has taught in the positions of Instructor of music theory at the University of Northern Colorado (1991-1994). Instructor of music theory at Southwest Missouri State University (1995)Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition (term) University of Northern Colorado (1995-2008, 1999-2008 Director of Music Technology).Instructor of piano and music theory at the University of Minnesota Duluth Fine Arts Academy - Lake Superior Suzuki Talent Education Program (2010-2014).
John has served as a clinician and presenter in Music Technology nationwide including:Broken Bow Music Technology Workshop (NE), Colorado Music Educators State Convention, Kansas Music Educators State convention, Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention (Chicago), Rocky Mountain Music Technology Workshop, Southern Oregon College Music Technology Workshop, and the Texas Music Technology Workshop (Houston).
John’s compositions have been recognized and performed by several entities includingthe Electrolune Festival, Lunel France, the International Society of Bassists, the Modern Music Festival Film Scoring Competition, the Turner Classic Movies Film Scoring Competition, and the Xenharmonic 17 tone piano project at Rice University.