​Camp Con Brio
String Camp of the Rockies
2023 CAMP COUNSELORS
ADRIAN BARRON
Adrian began playing the cello a couple years after he moved to Colorado, in his middle school orchestra! He's now played for over half his life, and particularly enjoys spending his summers at camp.
Adrian has been a counselor at Camp Con Brio since he graduated from Grandview High School in 2015. He loves fostering an environment for campers to express their love for music, and always enjoys seeing those who return to camp each year!
In his free time, Adrian conducts a small art practice in northern Colorado, and studies for the day that he'll eventually return to school to pursue an M.A. in Art History. Whenever he's not playing music or making art, you're sure to find him with a book in his hand!
DIANA MUNOZ
Diana started her music journey at the age of six when she learned to play the piano. Her curiosity only grew from there, as she began playing violin at age 11 for her school's orchestra program. Now it has become a huge part of her life! Diana is studying Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado, where she has continued her educational experience as a violinist as well as learning other instruments.
This is Diana's second year at Camp Con Brio. She is very excited to return! Last summer taught her a lot as a musician and future string educator. She also met lots of amazing people who all share the same love for music.
When she isn't playing the violin, Diana enjoys listening to Latin music, traveling, arts and crafts, and camping!
JONATHAN STATEN
Jonathan was born in Montana and raised in Kansas City. He began playing violin at the age of 6. Jonathan loves the summer camp experience; it has always been one of his favorites. Summer camps and camping trips are a big part of who he is today.
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A proud graduate of Blue Valley Southwest High School, Jonathan has been involved in orchestra since elementary school. He has been a member of the East Central Kansas Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra and the Kansas High School All State String Orchestra, with the latter in its inaugural year. As a senior, he was a Sound Technician for the Blue Valley Southwest Emerald Regiment Marching Band, and loved getting to be an orchestra kid AND a band kid. He also had the opportunity to study Aerospace Engineering in the CAPS Program, through Blue Valley School District. This fall, Jonathan will be attending Kansas State University as a Mechanical Engineering Major, where he will also join the University Symphony Orchestra.
Jonathan has been involved in 4H for many years, and often mentors younger students with their projects. He also enjoys mountain biking, gaga ball, road trips, and hammocking. When he isn't eating Kansas City BBQ or practicing violin, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or spending time at his family's lake house in the Ozarks. Jonathan is really looking forward to making even more memories this summer at string camp!
BETHANY HILL
Bethany has been a string player for 13 years under Ruth Sadasivan; first on violin, then viola. She has been a member of the Kansas City Youth Symphony, as well as Assistant Principal viola for the Olathe Youth Symphony Orchestra and Olathe Youth Chamber Orchestra. During the 2021-2022 school year, she was a part of the East Central Kansas Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra and the Kansas High School All State Symphony Orchestra.
Bethany is a 2022 graduate of Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park. During her time at BVSW, she served as Tri-M Music Honor Society President and GSA Club President. Bethany enjoyed traveling with the BVSW Orchestra Program, and consistently earned excellent and superior ratings at both Regional and State Solo and Ensemble Festivals each year. She also was selected as a BVSW Orchestra Program Outstanding Senior. Bethany plans to play in the Symphony Orchestra at the University of Kansas, where she is attending this fall as an Aerospace Engineering Major. In her spare time, she bakes cookies for Crumbl and enjoys cuddling with her cats.
SAM CONNER
Samuel Conner is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he studied Music Education (Emphasis in Strings). He is a lower strings specialist, as he plays cello and double bass. Sam is highly involved as a music teacher; he is an active member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), and an active member of the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Sam has engaged in leadership opportunities within the music education sphere; he is Past-President of the CU Boulder ASTA Chapter, and served as a Mentor for the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Sam has had opportunities to present at local and national music education conferences on various topics. Sam received the 2022 Student Exemplary Service Award from National ASTA.
During the summer months, Sam has been a Counselor at different music camps, including a high school program involved with Interlochen Center for the Arts. He developed a passion for music education from his own experiences in orchestra programs growing up. Sam wishes to create a sense of community and belonging through excellence in string playing within his future orchestra programs; just as he himself was provided. Sam recently accepted his first position teaching strings - in seven different schools, 5th through 12th grade, within the Green Mountain area of Jefferson County Public Schools. He is really looking forward to meeting his students this fall.
INDIANA JONES
Indiana is a senior Music Education Major at Colorado Mesa University. She has lived in Colorado for most of her life and loves to hike and explore the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She enjoys reading and spending time with family in her free time. Indiana has been playing cello for 10 years and cannot wait to have a classroom of her own!
LAUREL AVE
Laurel has played cello for 10 years, and considers herself a music enthusiast. She is a Junior at Colorado State University, studying Music Education. Laurel is very excited to be a teacher, and can't wait for the adventures that await her. She enjoys playing the cello and spending time with family. If you ever want to nerd out about anything, and she means ANYTHING, she can do that too, whether it be music or not!