Shawn Murphy
After completing his Master of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Shawn Murphy is now in his fourth year directing orchestras at Thompson Valley High School and Walt Clark Middle School in Loveland, Colorado, where he was awarded an Inspiring Students Award in his first year. His teaching career began with high school and middle school orchestra in Wyoming where his groups consistently received superior ratings, then moved to Ft. Collins where his middle school orchestra program increased from 85 players to 230 in three years.
Mr. Murphy serves as guest clinician and adjudicator for numerous Colorado and Wyoming schools and districts, is a member of the Colorado All-State Orchestra board of governors, and is on the faculty for Camp Con Brio – String Camp of the Rockies. Along with his TVHS music colleagues, he will present a clinic at the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference on January 27th, 2018.
As a violinist, he studied with UNC's Richard Fuchs, Jubal Fulks & Margaret Gutierrez, and Kansas City's Gregory Sandomirsky & Ruth Sadasivan. Mr. Murphy recently appeared as a soloist with Wartburg College's chamber orchestra in Waverly, Iowa. Orchestral engagements include the Greeley Philharmonic, the Ft. Collins Symphony, and the Haller Sinfonie in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. He was first violin in the Graduate String Quartet at UNC. Currently, Mr. Murphy is the concertmaster of The Loveland Orchestra, with whom he will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216 on January 26th, 2018.
Mr. Murphy spent 2010 in Germany with his wife, Amy, where they studied German at the Goethe Institute and the Universität Leipzig, and music at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig. In August, 2017, they began their parental journey with the birth of Baby Ben, whose supernatural cuteness makes the sleeplessness more tolerable!
Mr. Murphy serves as guest clinician and adjudicator for numerous Colorado and Wyoming schools and districts, is a member of the Colorado All-State Orchestra board of governors, and is on the faculty for Camp Con Brio – String Camp of the Rockies. Along with his TVHS music colleagues, he will present a clinic at the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference on January 27th, 2018.
As a violinist, he studied with UNC's Richard Fuchs, Jubal Fulks & Margaret Gutierrez, and Kansas City's Gregory Sandomirsky & Ruth Sadasivan. Mr. Murphy recently appeared as a soloist with Wartburg College's chamber orchestra in Waverly, Iowa. Orchestral engagements include the Greeley Philharmonic, the Ft. Collins Symphony, and the Haller Sinfonie in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. He was first violin in the Graduate String Quartet at UNC. Currently, Mr. Murphy is the concertmaster of The Loveland Orchestra, with whom he will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216 on January 26th, 2018.
Mr. Murphy spent 2010 in Germany with his wife, Amy, where they studied German at the Goethe Institute and the Universität Leipzig, and music at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig. In August, 2017, they began their parental journey with the birth of Baby Ben, whose supernatural cuteness makes the sleeplessness more tolerable!
Tom Nugent
Tom Nugent is a musician, educator, conductor, and clinician from Colorado whose musical career began with playing violin at the age of 5. He grew up studying Suzuki, and continued studies as he received his Bachelors in Music Education from The University of Northern Colorado with a Spanish Teaching Endorsement in 2010, followed by a Masters in Music Education from The University of Northern Colorado in 2017. Tom has studied with and participated in masterclasses with incredible teachers, including Richard Fuchs, Russell Guyver, Juliet White-Smith, Allison Sherman, Heroutune Bedelian, and Peter Marsh.
Tom maintains an active and diverse performance schedule, though highlights have included performances with the UNC Chamber and Symphony Orchestras in Spain, Greeley Chorale, Girdwood Bluegrass Festival in Alaska, Picker’s Retreat Festival in Alaska, Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards, National Western Stock Show, and many more. Tom has performed with numerous quartets and country artists, and has been fortunate to share the stage with bluegrass greats Frank Solivan, Vince Herman, and Barefoot Bluegrass.
Tom currently serves as the Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Greeley West High School, a program that has grown to nearly 200 string musicians performing in traditional orchestras, fiddle groups, chamber ensembles, and guitar ensembles. The Spartan Strings Chamber Orchestra has been invited to perform at the University of Colorado Orchestra Invitational, received numerous Superior Ratings, and was named “Outstanding 5A String Orchestra” at the Colorado West Music Invitational in 2016. Tom has had numerous students selected to regional and All-State honor groups during his time as Orchestra Director. He has been a guest teacher and performer at the Alaska City Folk Arts Camp, Poudre School District Summer Orchestra Camp, Proyecto Luis De Lion (Antigua, Guatemala), and the String Quartet Program of Northern Colorado.
Tom resides in Greeley, CO with his wife, son, and daughter.
Tom maintains an active and diverse performance schedule, though highlights have included performances with the UNC Chamber and Symphony Orchestras in Spain, Greeley Chorale, Girdwood Bluegrass Festival in Alaska, Picker’s Retreat Festival in Alaska, Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards, National Western Stock Show, and many more. Tom has performed with numerous quartets and country artists, and has been fortunate to share the stage with bluegrass greats Frank Solivan, Vince Herman, and Barefoot Bluegrass.
Tom currently serves as the Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Greeley West High School, a program that has grown to nearly 200 string musicians performing in traditional orchestras, fiddle groups, chamber ensembles, and guitar ensembles. The Spartan Strings Chamber Orchestra has been invited to perform at the University of Colorado Orchestra Invitational, received numerous Superior Ratings, and was named “Outstanding 5A String Orchestra” at the Colorado West Music Invitational in 2016. Tom has had numerous students selected to regional and All-State honor groups during his time as Orchestra Director. He has been a guest teacher and performer at the Alaska City Folk Arts Camp, Poudre School District Summer Orchestra Camp, Proyecto Luis De Lion (Antigua, Guatemala), and the String Quartet Program of Northern Colorado.
Tom resides in Greeley, CO with his wife, son, and daughter.
Lindsay Fulcher
I am a music educator. I started playing viola at 10-years old and by age 14 felt a strong calling to be a music teacher. I pursued this dream by attending Baldwin Wallace University and earning my Bachelor of Music Education under the mentorship of Prof. Laura Joss. Then I taught high school orchestra in the public schools of Burlington, North Carolina and had a very successful program of ambitious students. I left Burlington to attend Pennsylvania State University and earn my Masters in Music Education, focusing on string pedagogy and working primarily with Dr. Robert Gardner. Shortly after starting at Penn State, my mentors suggested I extend my stay and earn a Ph.D. - so I did! I defended my dissertation in June of 2017 and am very grateful to have earned the title "Dr. Fulcher." I love my job at the University of Northern Colorado and am eager for all the new adventures that await in the 2017-2018 school year (new String Project, new Campus String Orchestra, new course structures, new colleagues)!
As I teach I continue to perform. I believe that if I lose my passion for playing and creating music I will be less effective stirring that passion in my students. In the recent past I performed regularly with the Faith United Methodist Church Praise Band and occasionally with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. Also at Faith UMC I was the founder and conductor of two kids' handbell choirs. Now in Colorado, I play the occasional gig and hope to find an ensemble with which I can regularly make music.
I am a music educator, but I am many other things as well. My son is now three and every day brings new adventures with him. I am particularly grateful for flexible summer schedules and opportunities for toddler adventures. I am a wife and my husband’s career as a Web Developer has inspired and encouraged my love of music education technology. His amateur musician status helps keep me grounded and his vast technological knowledge constantly challenges and motivates me. I am a pet-lover, particularly in love with our two cats and dog, all rescue animals. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an optimist who believes anything is possible.
As I teach I continue to perform. I believe that if I lose my passion for playing and creating music I will be less effective stirring that passion in my students. In the recent past I performed regularly with the Faith United Methodist Church Praise Band and occasionally with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. Also at Faith UMC I was the founder and conductor of two kids' handbell choirs. Now in Colorado, I play the occasional gig and hope to find an ensemble with which I can regularly make music.
I am a music educator, but I am many other things as well. My son is now three and every day brings new adventures with him. I am particularly grateful for flexible summer schedules and opportunities for toddler adventures. I am a wife and my husband’s career as a Web Developer has inspired and encouraged my love of music education technology. His amateur musician status helps keep me grounded and his vast technological knowledge constantly challenges and motivates me. I am a pet-lover, particularly in love with our two cats and dog, all rescue animals. I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an optimist who believes anything is possible.
Courtney Dowling
Courtney Dowling, previously Ms. Strauss, is an enthusiastic and passionate teacher here at Rocky. She is very proud of the work her students accomplished over the last few years and can't wait to see where they go this year. As a cellist, Mrs. Dowling enjoys playing chamber music with friends and also performs with the Longmont Symphony.
Mrs. Dowling began her collegiate studies at the University of Denver in cello performance. While here, she recieved her certification in the Suzuki Cello Method. After two years, Mrs. Dowling packed up her cello and relocated to Queens, NY where she finished her undergraduate degree at Queens College's Aaron Copland School of Music. While in New York she spent her time performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and a few eclectic rock bands while she taught cello lessons and chamber music in schools around the city as well as through college preparatory programs. She finished her Masters Degree in Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2014 and is absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Rocky.
In addition to playing music, Mrs. Dowling enjoys trying delicious food, hiking, biking, and snowboarding.
Mrs. Dowling began her collegiate studies at the University of Denver in cello performance. While here, she recieved her certification in the Suzuki Cello Method. After two years, Mrs. Dowling packed up her cello and relocated to Queens, NY where she finished her undergraduate degree at Queens College's Aaron Copland School of Music. While in New York she spent her time performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and a few eclectic rock bands while she taught cello lessons and chamber music in schools around the city as well as through college preparatory programs. She finished her Masters Degree in Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2014 and is absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Rocky.
In addition to playing music, Mrs. Dowling enjoys trying delicious food, hiking, biking, and snowboarding.