About the Instructors/Admin

Mr. Cacek
Video introduction Mr. Cacek first started his music journey in the 6th grade on the saxophone and quickly became enamored. Mr. Cacek decided he wanted to be a music teacher after loving his experience being a section leader for Smoky Hill High schools Hill Regiment Marching Band. Mr. Cacek received his Bachelors of Instrumental Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2025.In addition to his duties with Douglas County, he is the Elementary Music Teacher for Eugene Field Elementary School in Littleton. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Cacek enjoys all varieties of board games, movies, and video games. He loves spending time with his family, friends, and cat. cacekmusic@gmail.com
Ms. Cox
Ms. Cox is a passionate musician and outdoor enthusiast, born and raised in Colorado. From a young age, she exhibited a love for music, beginning her journey with the viola at age 10. Over the years, her dedication and talent flourished, leading them to perform in various orchestras and choirs. Ms. Cox attended Metro State University, where she engaged in collaborative projects with teachers in the area, guest conducting several ensembles and working with students after school to learn violin. Outside of music, Ms. Cox finds joy in nature and adventure. She is an avid hiker, paddle board enthusiast, and mountain biker. She also enjoys chrocheting, sewing and reading. acox0913@gmail.com
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill is a veteran teacher with an expertise in beginning instrumental instruction. She taught for 27 years in various combinations of subjects, always including beginning instrumental instruction. Ms. Davidson-Stanfill started this program, originally in the Rock Canyon feeder area in 2009, in response to District budget cuts and in response to many people requesting that a band and orchestra program continue. Her program grew to include the Castle View and Chaparral feeder areas in 2010, won the Macaroni Kids Best Music Lessons Award in 2014, expanded to include the Ponderosa, ThunderRidge and Mountain Vista areas in 2014, and won the Macaroni Kids Best Music Lessons Award in 2016 and again in 2019. Last year, the program expands to include the Douglas County HS feeder area as well. Keeping the opportunity to play an instrument available to our kids is her top priority.d.davidsonstanfill@comcast.net
Mr. Freeman
Video introduction Mr. Freeman serves as Principal Trombone of the Denver Philharmonic and is a busy freelancer in the Colorado, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming areas. He has played with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Wyoming Symphony, the Greeley Philharmonic, South Dakota Symphony and many others in various states. In addition, he holds an associate spot with the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He has played under the baton of notable conductors such as Leonard Slatkin and Ken-David Masur performing in Carnegie hall as well as David Geffen Hall. Mr. Freeman earned a Bachelors degree from Northern Illinois University. He has a Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Performers Certificate from the University of Denver. When not playing music Darian enjoys following and playing sports as well as staying healthy and active. darian153@yahoo.com
Mr. Furlow
Video introductionMr. Furlow, a native of Southern Illinois, began his career as Director of Bands in Vandalia, Illinois, after completing his Bachelor of Music Education Degree, with a Secondary Concentration in Music Theory/Composition, from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has taught band and private studio music for over twenty years. Mr. Furlow is an accomplished pianist and low brass performer, primarily focusing on tuba and euphonium/baritone, performing regularly as the Principal Tubist with the Denver Concert Band and Aurora Symphony Orchestra. In addition to being a seasoned educator, Mr. Furlow is a practicing composer for band, orchestra, piano, and chamber groups. He enjoys writing in classical and film music styles. When not teaching or performing, Mr. Furlow enjoys traveling (he has visited 35 States so far), motorcycles, playing with his Siberian Huskies, and watching movies. Mr. Furlow will be working with Band and Orchestra students at Larkspur Elementary.bfurlowmusic@gmail.com
Mr. Goldman
Video introduction Mr. Goldman is a native South Floridian raised in a musical family. Playing in a variety of sitations throughout childhood contributed to his extensive familiarity in most genres of music. This gave him an appreciation for performing on mutiple instruments, including saxophones, flute, clarinet, piano, bass, and drums. While Mr. Goldman attended the presitgious Frost School of Music at the Univeristy of Miami on scholarship, he was able to participate in masterclasses and play alongside many notables in the Jazz world, including Joshua Redman, Benny Golson, Maria Schnieder, Jim Snidero, John Fedchock, Jeff Coffin, Troy Roberts, and many more. Recently relocated to Douglas County, Mr. Goldman is continuing his career as an in-demand freelance musicain performing for private events and sitting in with the top Jazz/Salsa orchestras in town, while also maintaining his career as a music educator. In his tenure at Pace High School in Miami Gardens, he created the cuurculum for the music program, and is a co-founder of the schools Academy of Performing/Visual Arts, providing a platform for his students to pursue their own careers in music. Mr. Goldman looks forward to new career opportunities in Douglas County Schools at Rock Ridge Elementay and teaching through the Douglas County Instrumental Music Program! rgoldman@dcsdk12.org
Mr. Mirandi
Mr. Mirandi is super excited to be a part of the DCEIM staff for the third year as well as the General Music teacher at Flagstone Elementary! Originally from New York where he got his Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from SUNY Potsdam. He taught for the first two years of his career in several different elementary schools in the Long Island area eventually moving here to Colorado for family and the mountains! He teaches both the band and orchestra programs as well as the choir program at Flagstone Elementary and looks forward to continuing teaching instruments to students. smirandi@dcsdk12.org
Ms. Owsley
Video introduction Lois Owsley has been playing the violin since fourth grade, played in orchestras growing up, studied privately from great teachers, received a BA in Violin Performance from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and an MA in Music Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She has played in symphony orchestras and other musical events as well as taught hundreds of students on stringed instruments and piano in her home-based Personal Notes Music in Louisiana, Utah, California and Colorado. She is a lifetime learner and loves attending workshops and conferences. She has created music enrichment classes in several schools and daycares. She has served 8 years as string orchestra director in the Elementary Douglas County Band/Orchestra Program, and is excited to return to Castle Rock Elementary for the 2025-26 school year.personalnotesmusic@gmail.com
Ms. Richards
Ms. Richards is thrilled to be teaching elementary orchestra! With 20 years of experience teaching private strings, Ms. Richards brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for music to the classroom. A dedicated cellist, Ms. Richards enjoys performing in local community orchestras and holds a degree in Cello Performance from Brigham Young University Idaho. As a Colorado native and resident of Parker, Ms. Richards loves sharing the joy of music with students in her home state. When not making music, Ms. Richards enjoys spending time outside and with Her spouse, three children.lezlierichards6@gmail.com
Mr. Tidaback
Video introductionMr. Tidaback has been performing and teaching music for over 30 years. Originally from a small farm town in Illinois, Doug studied Music Performance and Education from the University of Illinois, San Jose State University, Chapman University, and the University of Arizona. He has performed with the Monterey Symphony, The Temptations, The Supremes, Harry Connick Jr, Aretha Franklin, and many others. Mr. Tidaback founded school music programs at Bonny Doon School in California, Central Catholic Schools of Bloomington Illinois, and the Tucson Jazz Institute in Tuscon, Arizona. Students from his award winning ensembles have gone on to study at Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, Juilliard, Berklee, The Manhattan School of Music, Miami, USC, and other great universities. Mr. Tidaback recently moved to the Denver area to be close to family.tidaback@gmail.com