Ukulele and Percussion Ensemble: The Kinks

Ukulele Prerequisites: Completion of the ukulele core program or 1+ year playing experience

Percussion Prerequisites: Completion of Beginning Hand Drumming and Percussion or 1+ year playing experience

(View the current and needed instruments for all of our ensembles here.)

Help us get in tune by registering early!
To support our teachers and better accommodate the needs of our classes, we ask that students register at least 48 hours in advance of the class, lesson, and/or workshop.

Cost includes $15 School support fee. Learn more about that fee here.

Casey Cormier

UKULELE

Casey grew up in Colorado but moved to New Jersey for middle and high school. He received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford in Connecticut, performing in jazz and rock groups on the east coast in the years following until moving back to Colorado in 2012. He teaches ukulele for Swallow Hill but also plays guitar as well as electric and upright bass. When not teaching or performing, he can be found hiking, skiing, or jamming.

First concert? The Who, Quadrophenia Tour, 1997

What song could you listen to all day long? “Zebra” by Beach House

Favorite Colorado hangout? Mission Ballroom for great live shows in Denver!

What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? Swallow Hill is the best music community in Denver. From classes to concerts, festivals to jam sessions, there’s always something fun happening. My favorite is the annual Denver Ukefest, where touring artists, teachers, and enthusiasts come together to celebrate the mighty ukulele each year!

Ed Contreras

PERCUSSION

A Denver native, Ed has been playing World drums, drum kit, and percussion for over 50 years in various bands and ensembles. His music covers everything from folk, jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, African, Flamenco, Brazilian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles. He enjoys teaching and found Swallow Hill to be the perfect place to educate folks about the power and spirituality of music. He teaches World hand drums, such as congas, djembe, cajon, drum kit, and various percussion instruments from many ethnic musics. He loves the outdoors, especially the Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah wilderness. He also is a student of spirituality, and loves reading and watching movies.

First Concert: His first major concert was the progressive rock band Yes at the Denver Coliseum, performing their Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.

What song could you listen to all day long? “You Are” by Pat Metheny

Favorite hangout? Mom & Pop breakfast places, and lots of places outdoors

What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite memories are performing at the Teacher Feature Concerts, watching my son Josiah teach elementary school kids at the summer camps, and working with the Swallow Hill Choir when my wife was the director.