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Arapahoe Philharmonic Personnel
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Scroll down to browse bios and pictures
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Charley Samson, Host/Commentator
Whether our Arapahoe Philharmonic programs feature some of your favorites or you are hearing the works for the
first time, you will appreciate the droll, thought-provoking commentary of Charley Samson. He is, indeed, a favorite
with our patrons and is on stage in person at all AP concerts.
His fresh, informative notes grace printed programs for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony,
the Longmont Symphony and the Oakland East-BaySymphony, as will as our own.
Samson has been a radio favorite for may years and is now the host of "Mid-day Mozart" and producer
of "Colorado Spotlight" on Colorado Public Radio.
Betsy Schwarm, Director of Development
Betsy Schwarm spent twenty years as a classical radio announcer and producer, particularly at KCFR and KVOD.
Currently, she teaches music at Metropolitan State College of Denver, as well as for local adult education groups,
and writes program notes for performing groups from Alabama to Zimbabwe. She gives pre-concert talks for ensembles
throughout the state and serves as recording engineer for Central City Opera.
Shel Stanfill, Assistant Conductor
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Shel Stanfill has lived in the front range area since 1979. He attended high school in Colorado Springs and received
his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Denver in 1991. Since then he has been teaching music
in the Douglas County School District. Currently, Mr. Stanfill is the Director of Orchestras at Chaparral High
School. Additionally, he is the Assistant Conductor and Principal Percussionist with the Arapahoe Philharmonic
Orchestra.
Mr. Stanfill's performing credits include the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra,
the Denver Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of the West, the Colorado Opera Festival, the Denver Municipal
Band, the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra, the Colorado Wind Ensemble, the Centennial Philharmonic Orchestra, the
Littleton Symphony Orchestra, and the Aurora Symphony Orchestra as well as many other local ensembles. He is also
a freelance musician in the front range area.
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Concert Master, Tracy LaGuardia
Tracy has been a Professional musician and music educator for the past 22 years.
Her teaching career includes private studio as well as teaching positions in the public schools (Cherry Creek School
District). A native of Colorado Springs, she received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education for the University
of Denver in 1985. She has played violin and viola for 34 years and is a vocalist in a variety of performing groups.
She is currently the Concertmaster of the Arapahoe Philharmonic in Colorado, performs in two country bands (Colorado
Country and The Trailriders), and performs in several jazz groups (electric violin and vocals) . Ms LaGuardia owns and operates her own booking agency - A Touch of Class Music which
specializes in weddings, conventions and special events. She plays in a variety of professional chamber ensembles
while maintaining a full studio of private violin and viola students.Tracy
has performed with many stars including: Led Zeppelin, Lyle
Lovett, Linda Ronstad, Kenny Rogers, Sarah Brightman, Natalie Cole, Bob Hope, Doc Severinson, John Tesh, Sandi
Patti, Dion Warwick, and Larry Gatlin.
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James Todd, Principal Cellist
Jim is in his eighth season with the APO as principal cellist since his return to
the orchestra after a 3 year absence. He had previously joined the orchestra in 1972, and has served as principal
cellist for a combined total of 18 years.
He maintains a very active schedule as a teacher and professional free-lance musician. Jim's teaching commitments
include serving on the faculty of Metropolitan State College as Instructor of Cello. In addition, he teaches private
students of all ages, including beginning adults, and has served as guest clinician/instructor at numerous music
education conferences held throughout the United States.
As a professional free-lance musician, Jim has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet
Orchestra, the Denver Chamber Orchestra, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (Broadway musicals), the Denver
Opera Company and the Colorado Chamber Players. He has appeared as guest soloist with the Arapahoe Philharmonic,
the Denver Symphony, the MSC Symphony Orchestra, the Aurora Symphony, and principal cellist with the Evergreen
Chamber Orchestra. Jim has performed in concert with many touring artists including : Stevie Wonder, Crosby/Nash,
Yanni, John Tesh, Led Zeppelin, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Lyle Lovett, Marvin Hamlisch, Wynton Marsalis, Terrance
Blanchard, Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstad, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Mannheim Steamroller, Sarah Brightman, and Smokey
Robinson. Jim has jut completedl working on a personal project of developing and producing his own CD of original
music for cello and piano. The CD is available on his website jtoddcello.com.
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