|
Vertical Divider
Alejandra O. Hudon, MS, MFT
Co-Founder, Integral Steps About Alejandra Hudon
Alejandra specializes in early childhood development and infant mental health with a focus on attachment and early childhood trauma. Originally from Venezuela, Alejandra has been a licensed Clinical Psychologist in her country since 2006, and holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology here in the US. Her early childhood specialization came after training at UCSF Child Trauma Research Program in 2009 and at University of Colorado School of Medicine Harris Infant Mental Health Program. While living in Colorado she worked as a full-time child & family therapist at Aurora Mental Health Center and served as a member at the Colorado Preschool Programs (CPP) Advisory Board. She also became part of the Fussy Baby Network and completed a certification as an Infant Massage Instructor. Alejandra's practice is defined by her diverse background. Growing up as a martial arts pupil of Grand Master Su Yu Chang, she also studied music and was exposed to different mindfulness practices and the benefits of alternative medicine from a very young age. These experiences have led her to strongly believe in the need for an integrative focus to her work, promoting inner-growth through a balanced approach to life. |
Vertical Divider
Weronika Balewski, Dalcroze Certificate, MM, BFA
Teaching Artist & Virtual Dalcroze Meet-Ups Administrator About Weronika Balewski
Weronika believes the Arts have the power to build connection, relationships, and community. This idea is central to her work as a flutist and music educator. A co-founder of Marvento Duo, Weronika performs on modern and Baroque flutes and loves inviting audiences into the magic of music. She is passionate about building a joyful learning environment for her students based on the principles of Dalcroze and Integrative Education. In addition to teaching summer camps with Integral Steps in Colorado, she teaches private flute and piano lessons in her studio in the Boston area and is on the Flute Faculty at the Concord Conservatory of Music. Born in Poland, Weronika brings a lifelong interest in science, history, and foreign languages. She is a graduate of the Integrative Education Fellowship program at Integral Steps. Courses
Rhythmic Solfège I - III Music in Motion Piano Moves Instrumental Academy |
Vertical Divider
Nicole Thomas, BS
Virtual Dalcroze Meet-Ups Manager About Nicole Thomas
Individualistically minded, Nicole loves to support children and adults one-by-one. From developing content that is easily accessible to relaying focused information, she thrives on the harmony produced. Her belief in community has often translated to passionate involvement in local non-profits. In addition, she often heads outdoors to bike with her husband, run marathons with her daughter, and climb 14ers with her son. |
Vertical Divider
Ann Suda, BA, MIB
Music Together North Manager and Teaching Artist About Ann Suda
Music has always been an important part of Ann's life. Ann has played flute in the Springfield, MA Young People's Symphony as well as in jazz and marching bands. While earning her BA in Economics and French from UMASS Amherst, she continued with music by playing in the college marching band and symphony. Ann went on to obtain her Master's in International Business from Pepperdine University where she lived and worked in France (and of course brought her flute with her). Ann participated in Music Together® classes with both of her children for a total of seven years and experienced firsthand the joy and learning that took place in and out of class. Ann is a Certified Level I Music Together Instructor and has taught Music Together Mixed Age classes since 2010. She loves how Music Together fosters community music making and enjoys seeing children grow and express themselves through music and movement. Courses
Music Together® |
|
Meghan O'Quinn
Teaching Artist Vertical Divider
About Meghan O'Quinn
Meghan is excited to join Integral Steps as a new teacher! Music has always been a big part of her life and continues to be today. She has two children, Eva and Armando, who love to sing and dance along to all music, especially the Music Together collections. Meghan and her kiddos started classes in 2024 and fell in love with the Music Together program, so much so that she decided to get her certification to teach. Meghan believes that we are all born with the capacity for making music and that the early years are a crucial part of that development. As a teacher, she wants to share her passion for music with children and their families in hopes that they develop their own love for music, movement and self-expression. Her favorite instrument to play is the violin. Outside of the class, she enjoys hiking with her kids, husband Armando and dog Chewy. She also spends time playing the violin, making homemade pizza and travelling with her family. Her favorite places to travel are Italy, for the food of course, and Mexico, to practice her Spanish (and also for the food!) |
Abigail Olson, BA
Teaching Artist Vertical Divider
ABOut Abigail Olson
Abigail Olson’s music career inhabits many different spheres. You might find her teaching a 4-year-old beginner pianist, a high schooler learning their first concerto, eurythmics lessons, or a toddler and parent music class. Perhaps you’ll run into her rehearsing for or performing in a chamber music concert, a solo piano recital, or a choral concert. Creating music with others and watching students experience success are her most rewarding moments as a musician. As a teacher, she relishes sharing creativity, listening, and attention to sound production with her students, but she also knows that technical fluency, dedication, and perseverance are the less appealing, but ever-so-necessary ingredients to progress for students. Finding ways to motivate young pianists and encourage joyful repetition is a favorite challenge of hers. With advanced degrees in performance, pedagogy, and collaborative keyboard as well as certifications from The Royal Conservatory of Music and ongoing training in Dalcroze eurythmics, Abigail has a strong pianistic and pedagogical foundation, and both are some of her favorite things to discuss. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen, swimming, learning foreign languages, fellowship with friends and her church family, attempting (and usually failing) to grow another plant, reading a good book, and visiting a new coffee shop. Courses
Music in Motion |
|
Vertical Divider
Sara Parkinson
Consultant About Sara Parkinson
Sara Parkinson has dedicated over 25 years to music education, performance, and program development, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the Colorado music community since 2006. She holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Iowa (BM), New England Conservatory (MM), and CU Boulder (DMA, Collaborative Piano). Sara’s leadership in the arts is exemplified by her roles as Director of Education and Community Engagement (2019-2020) and Executive Director (2020-2023) of the Boulder Philharmonic. As an accomplished pianist and conductor, she regularly performs across the Front Range, including engagements with the Colorado Ballet, Central City Opera, PlainsSong Symphony Orchestra, and as founding member of the chamber ensemble Grande Orquesta Navarre, specializing in tango, classical, and original compositions. Most recently, she conducted the PlainsSong Symphony with Calexico at Levitt Pavilion and performed with Devotchka at the Denver Botanic Gardens. |
Vertical Divider
Melissa Overbury, MEd, BA, PGCE
Consultant About Melissa Overbury
Melissa has always had a lifelong love of music and is deeply passionate about education. Previously an English and Drama teacher in UK, Melissa now works as a consultant to multiple non-profits, assisting with website design, donation campaigns, and registration needs. She has worked with Integral Steps on a variety of projects, including teaching at summer camps, and believes in the mission of building community through music. |
Vertical Divider
|
Instrumental Academy Teachers
Piano
|
Vertical Divider
Adriana Ausch, Dalcroze License, MM
Teaching Artist |
Flute
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
Emma Shubin, MM, BM, BA, Dalcroze License & Certificate,
Flute |
Vertical Divider
Greg LaLiberte, MM, BM
Teaching Artist Flute and other woodwinds About Greg Laliberte
Greg LaLiberte is a multi-instrumentalist, a performer of the flute, saxophone, clarinet, oboe, Brazilian percussion, and sings in Portuguese. He has performed with the Colorado Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, has backed up singers such as the Four Tops, Rita Moreno, and Barry Manilow, and has opened for Jethro Tull at Chicago's Grant Park. He founded the Colorado Brazil Fest and the Boulder Samba School and performs with Ginga and Brazil Quarter, Brazilian ensembles that perform nationally since 2001. Greg has nearly 45 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages. Greg enjoys meeting a student where they are, enhancing the skills they bring, and addressing the particular needs and interests they have in their journey toward their music goals. Greg's current and former students include professional and pre-professional musicians, college students, middle and high schoolers, and amateurs seeking further development and inspiration for their playing. Whether you are studying classical music, improvisation in any style, jazz, Brazilian music, theory, or composition, you will find warm encouragement and skilled guidance in Greg's studio. Lessons are fun, engaging, and challenging. Greg has also worked with harpists, trombonists, guitarists, pianists, and other instrumentalists. He holds a Masters of Music from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelors of Music from the University of Minnesota. Greg also owns and operates Boulder Woodwind Repair as a repair technician since the early 90's. Courses
Instrumental Academy |
Other Instruments
|
Kat Fritz, BA
Teaching Artist Violin Vertical Divider
About Kat Fritz
As a longtime performer and educator, Kat weaves together classical and world music into her teaching, drawing from experiences studying, performing, and teaching in Europe, Russia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. She loves the process of working closely with her students and families, blending the Suzuki and traditional methods of string study. Each small gain is celebrated, knowing that through each accomplishment, a strong technical foundation, deep musical sense, and most importantly, a beautiful heart is developed. Since moving to Boulder in 2011, Kat has worked with various local and national arts organizations including the Center for Music Arts, Suzuki Association of the Americas, Suzuki Association of Colorado, Boulder Suzuki Strings, and the Old Town Suzuki Teachers Association. She teaches individual and group classes in Louisville and Boulder, as the General Music teacher at Horizons K8 Charter School in Boulder, performs in the area, and loves to go on hikes with her dog, Rusty. Courses
Music Together Violin Moves Instrumental Academy |
Matt Fuller, MM, BM
Teaching Artist Guitar Vertical Divider
About Matt Fuller
Guitarist Matt Fuller is both an active performer as well as a passionate teacher. Some of his performing highlights include several US Tours, a performance at the Kolkata Jazz Festival in India, three years spent as a freelance musician in NYC, and several performances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He has over twenty years teaching experience, varying from beginning children to college masters students and professionals. He currently teaches jazz ensembles and guitar classes at Denver School of the Arts and is a faculty member at Rocky Ridge Jazz Camp. Matt runs and teaches at the Lafayette Park Guitar Studio, his private teaching studio in Lafayette, CO. Matt holds a MM degree in Jazz Performance/Pedagogy from CU Boulder, a BM degree in Music Education from Ft. Lewis College, and is a long time student of celebrated veteran jazz guitarist Dale Bruning. For more info, please visit: www.mattfullermusic.com Courses
Instrumental Academy |
Kendra Johnson, MM, BM
Teaching Artist Oboe Vertical Divider
About Kendra Johnson
Oboist Kendra Johnson has spent the last twenty years collecting experiences that span four continents and all areas of music making. She has performed with orchestras large and small, and loves playing chamber music and performing recitals as well. She has also been found backstage in administrative roles, running a chamber orchestra or producing opera. Most of all, Kendra loves to teach, whether it be in private lessons, in a classroom, or in a circle with little ones! When she’s not making music, she enjoys being in the mountains with her partner and two daughters. Courses
Music Together Instrumental Academy |
Meet Our Board Of Directors
|
Brett Nickerson, B.A.
President of the Board of Directors As a long time resident of Louisville, Brett brings his theater, teaching and corporate business experience to his role as President of the Board of Directors. Having served on the Louisville Cultural Council along with Emma Shubin he is intimately familiar with the vibrant and creative local community and is honored to be able to support Integral Steps with their strategy and growth for the future. Brett has performed and directed in local theater for the last 20 + years and is proud to watch his own daughter, who has also been a student at Integral Steps, catch the bug for hitting the stage too. He was fortunate to spend 9 years teaching skiing throughout his career in Colorado, Vermont and New York so he has a keen appreciation for experiential learning and helping people overcome fear and frustration to achieve their goal. Throughout his career he has held sales, technical and marketing positions at GE, NetApp, Arrow Electronics, TD SYNNEX and enjoys merging his large company experience to support a small/local creative business. Brett holds a B.A. in Communications and Human Relations from Western Connecticut State University. |
|
Heather Boak
Secretary of the Board of Directors Heather has lived in Colorado for 20 years and brings with her a strong joy for life and passion for the development and support of growing children. As the mother to Annabelle, Heather recognizes the important role that music plays in the experience of a child and how it supports the development of their kinesthetic awareness and attunement to their own internal rhythms. Heather is a strong believer in the connection between self, music and emotion and is astounded by how the Integral Steps programs help to develop well connected and emotionally grounded human beings. Heather has been the managing partner in a successful holistic Physical Therapy practice in Boulder for 14 years. She feels that her experience in running a business aligns with supporting this vibrant child focused organization. As the parent of a child in the program, she understands the importance of staying focused on the mission of Integral Steps while also prioritizing the needs of the children and families that it serves. As a class parent and a community volunteer she is grateful for the opportunities she has been given to support others in her life. Heather has a deep love of the arts, cooking, the sound and smell of the ocean, hiking, traveling with her family and being immersed in different cultures, spending hours perusing museums and attending music concerts of all kinds. She lives in Boulder with her loving family, her daughter Annabelle and husband Karl, and travels with them often to her birth home at the Jersey Shore to be surrounded by the love of their broader family. |
