Driving along the frontage road near Hilltop, the Evergreen Conservatory of Music has its name on an unassuming brick building. Many travelers may pass by the Conservatory every day without giving it a glance. Little do they know of the magic happening inside as students from preschool age to senior citizens are inspired to pursue their love of music. The conservatory emphasizes the importance of learning through composition, improvisation, creative thinking, and artistry.
“We have a strong vision and world-class faculty who raise talents,” says Elena Keil, founder of the Conservatory. “We are proud to offer our students teachers and mentors who foster their musicianship and develop their ability to succeed in the world. ”
High Standards Promote Success
The conservatory sets high standards for the musicians who walk through its doors. Students commit to disciplined practice, performance preparation, and a desire to realize their full potential. The track record of Conservatory students is impressive with a current high school percussionist having played with a band at Carnegie Hall, an elementary school-aged pianist winning her category at the Colorado Teaching Music Association’s Rising Starts Festival, a drummer earning an outstanding musicianship award from the Mile High Jazz Festival, and an adult amateur pianist student winning top place at the American Virtuoso Competition. Students of the Conservatory continue to be nominated for the National Youth Orchestra.
The Conservatory provides guidance and structure to help shape students’ technique, build their repertoire, participate in recitals, and have the option to enter competitions in the United States and abroad. It also encourages improvisation through the jazz program, taught by highly-accomplished professional musicians. Open to all levels of ability, jazz program students learn the rich history and fundamentals of jazz, while also forming mentoring relationships with seasoned performers.
Balance: A Key to Developing Musicians for Life
While the Conservatory distinguishes itself by the more rigorous standards of a preparatory school, Elena emphasizes the goal of engaging students in lighthearted activities to maintain a healthy balance. Whether doling out Hershey’s Kisses or stickers to her young students at the end of a lesson, creating a Halloween party for kids to enjoy with their peers, or inviting youngsters to a jam session, promoting the joy of music is paramount.
“In music, it’s important to ‘do it right,’ but it’s also essential to have fun and develop a hobby for life,” said Keil. “We want to nurture a passion for music. Summer is a time when students ‘put away the books.’ If our students want to learn the soundtrack to Minecraft, play from Taylor Swift’s song portfolio, or compose music to accompany a video game, summer is a time for exploration and fun!” She says students sometimes incorporate their learnings into new projects without even realizing it.
Learning the Language of Music as a Toddler
The Conservatory believes in introducing toddlers to music at the same time as they are learning language. One of the popular offerings is Kindermusik, the world’s leading provider of music and movement education for young children from birth to age six. This research-based music program has used the power and joy of songs, instrument play, parent/child bonding, and movement to help maximize whole-child development and establish a lifetime love. Also promoted by the Conservatory is the Little Drummers percussion class that helps students develop coordination, listening, and a sense of rhythm while making music together. Students 4-6 years old can learn the fundamentals of tone, pitch and technique on the My Little Violin course based on the Shinichi Suzuki method, piano with My First Piano Adventures, and voice through the “The Full Voice” course.
“We have a very supportive community of teachers and parents,” said Keil. “We must create balance for kids to understand that setbacks are okay—it’s part of development. We also need to inspire their creativity. They are like flowers needing water.”
Learn more at evergreenconservatory.com
