Musical Connections

Acclaimed international recording and touring guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan is an exciting and innovative leader in classical music. Noted as a "master guitarist" by Fanfare and for his “astounding technical proficiency and artistic delicacy” by the Boston Musical Intelligencer, Larget-Caplan has performed throughout the USA Europe, Russia, and Taiwan, including El Palacio de Linares in Madrid, Spain, Sheremetev Palace in Russia, and Palazzo del Te & Ducale in Mantova, Italy.

At 16 he made his debut at the Tabor Opera House and has since premiered over 120 solo and chamber compositions, soloed with orchestras, directed concert series, created commissioning endeavors, curated and published three anthologies of scores, arranged over 85 solo and chamber works, and brought classical music into schools and communities. A gifted performer and speaker, he is sought for his deft programming of new and standard repertoire, while connecting with audiences with a Bernstein-esque ease. A winner of multiple awards, including from the Société Académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres of Paris, France for his trailblazing work in music, he was Musician in Residence at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity, and the first guitairst to be invited for Artist Residency at the John Cage Trust at Bard College.

Mr. Larget-Caplan is currently collaborating with composer Vineet Shende of Bowdoin College for his multi-movement choir & guitar work Pravasa (migration in Sanskrit) and his 12 Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach, a re-imagining of Bach preludes from the Well-Tempered Clavier as if Bach were from South India (Carnatic music). Each prelude is paired with an Aaron's arrangement for guitar of Bach's keyboard prelude.

He is joining us this winter to work with our Lead Guitar and Waldorf students!

Dates: December 8-9, 2025

The OK Factor is a Minneapolis-based classical crossover string duo featuring violinist Karla Peters and cellist Olivia Diercks, known for blending folk-inspired, genre-bending compositions with expressive performance and community outreach.

Their collaboration with the Swedish folk band Jaerv—an award-winning group celebrated for its energetic, heartfelt folk music infused with jazz and pop influences—grew organically after The OK Factor opened for Jaerv in Minneapolis in 2017.

Since then, the two ensembles have toured extensively across the U.S. and Sweden, developing a deep musical rapport rooted in shared admiration for traditional Swedish and American folk traditions. During their joint residency in the Roaring Fork Valley, the musicians will present in-school performances, visit AMFS after-school programs and the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, and present a free public performance at the Basalt Regional Library on March 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM.

Dates: March 17-20, 2026

The Tonic Winds

The Tonic Winds, the graduate woodwind quintet in residence at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music, is united by commitments to education, artistry and musical outreach. The ensemble—holding a shared value in celebration of voices, community and connection—features musicians from South America, Alaska and a few of the lower 48 states. The quintet members serve as teaching assistants and mentors to the CU Boulder College of Music's vibrant applied studios and perform two recitals each year, as well as outreach programs in the Boulder community and beyond—including an educational residency with the Aspen Music Festival and School. Tonic Winds—comprising flutist Alex Westervelt, oboist Lauren Breen, clarinetist Harold Gómez-Montoya, hornist Sophie Steger and bassoonist Ben Mangonon—are coached this semester by Professor of Flute Christina Jennings and other woodwind faculty.

Flatiron Five

The Flatiron Five is the graduate brass quintet-in-residence at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. Quintet members—coached by Dr. Sterling Tanner—are DMA and MM candidates hailing from Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin. The Flatiron Five regularly performs a variety of music at CU and throughout the greater Boulder and Denver areas. In addition to performing, they are also avid educators and advocates for new music. The ensemble comprises trumpeters Adam Warnke and Connor Johnson, hornist Daniel Skib, trombonist Mark Bennett, and tubist Jared Hartl.

Combined Residency Dates: February 23-25, 2026