CHAD FISHER
Lineage Music Studio President & Artistic Director
Mandolin, Fiddle, & Guitar Teacher
Chad started playing music in elementary school, but didn't find his instrument until 1998 when a good friend left a mandolin at his house. Since then, in a pursuit to learn from the best, he has studied with David Grisman, Darol Angor, Chris Thile, Ronnie McCoury, Adam Steffey, Pete Wernick, Mike Marshall, Byron Berline, Frank Solivan Betsy Ellis, Nate Lee and more. Formerly he played fiddle in the Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band which gave him is real introduction to being a professional musician. Truly passionate about music, teaching 6 days a week at his studio or performing with his group Lineage Bluegrass, he eats, sleeps, and breathes music.
Chad was also the coordinator the for the Laurel Strings program at Laurel Elementary School of Arts and Technology for seven years. While there, he started a Mandolin Program and created an after school program called "Bluegrass Club". His strong work ethic and passion for music caught the attention of the Laurel Elementary community and was recognized as one of Poudre School District's 2012 Employee of the Year recipients.
Lineage Music Studio President & Artistic Director
Mandolin, Fiddle, & Guitar Teacher
Chad started playing music in elementary school, but didn't find his instrument until 1998 when a good friend left a mandolin at his house. Since then, in a pursuit to learn from the best, he has studied with David Grisman, Darol Angor, Chris Thile, Ronnie McCoury, Adam Steffey, Pete Wernick, Mike Marshall, Byron Berline, Frank Solivan Betsy Ellis, Nate Lee and more. Formerly he played fiddle in the Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band which gave him is real introduction to being a professional musician. Truly passionate about music, teaching 6 days a week at his studio or performing with his group Lineage Bluegrass, he eats, sleeps, and breathes music.
Chad was also the coordinator the for the Laurel Strings program at Laurel Elementary School of Arts and Technology for seven years. While there, he started a Mandolin Program and created an after school program called "Bluegrass Club". His strong work ethic and passion for music caught the attention of the Laurel Elementary community and was recognized as one of Poudre School District's 2012 Employee of the Year recipients.
INSTRUCTORS
KC GROVES
Songwriting, Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, & Vocals
When K.C. Groves was a young musician she was mentored by bluegrass and acoustic music greats such as Sally Van Meter, Charles Sawtelle and Laurie Lewis. She has since become a driving force in her own right, passing on that spark and pure joy of playing music. A multi-faceted musician, spirited bandleader and inspiring mentor, K.C.’s energy, tenacity, and creativity seem to be boundless. But she’s simply, “paying it forward,” as she puts it, answering the call to keep the music she loves a living experience.
An accomplished instrumentalist (mandolin, guitar, bass), vocalist and songwriter, K.C. Groves has been at the heart of many celebrated projects. As the creative center and bandleader of Uncle Earl for over a decade, K.C. helped bring old time music to a wider audience. The "g’Earls" played major festival stages in the United States and toured extensively abroad, gaining fans and musical cohorts such as Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, who produced their 2007 album Waterloo, Tennessee. In addition to Uncle Earl, K.C. has released two solo albums of original material, and was a Telluride Troubadour contest finalist and a Detroit Music Award winner. She has teamed up with countless notable musicians, including old time musician and craftsman Riley Baugus and Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman.
K.C.’s home base in the seemingly sleepy town of Lyons in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies is home to Planet Bluegrass, the hallowed grounds that play host to RockyGrass and Folks Fest, and serves as a creative nexus for Front Range bluegrass and acoustic musicians. Along with founding the successful High Street Concert series in Lyons, K.C. has spearheaded the weekly bluegrass jam at Oskar Blues, one of the largest and longest running weekly jam in Colorado.
Songwriting, Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, & Vocals
When K.C. Groves was a young musician she was mentored by bluegrass and acoustic music greats such as Sally Van Meter, Charles Sawtelle and Laurie Lewis. She has since become a driving force in her own right, passing on that spark and pure joy of playing music. A multi-faceted musician, spirited bandleader and inspiring mentor, K.C.’s energy, tenacity, and creativity seem to be boundless. But she’s simply, “paying it forward,” as she puts it, answering the call to keep the music she loves a living experience.
An accomplished instrumentalist (mandolin, guitar, bass), vocalist and songwriter, K.C. Groves has been at the heart of many celebrated projects. As the creative center and bandleader of Uncle Earl for over a decade, K.C. helped bring old time music to a wider audience. The "g’Earls" played major festival stages in the United States and toured extensively abroad, gaining fans and musical cohorts such as Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, who produced their 2007 album Waterloo, Tennessee. In addition to Uncle Earl, K.C. has released two solo albums of original material, and was a Telluride Troubadour contest finalist and a Detroit Music Award winner. She has teamed up with countless notable musicians, including old time musician and craftsman Riley Baugus and Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman.
K.C.’s home base in the seemingly sleepy town of Lyons in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies is home to Planet Bluegrass, the hallowed grounds that play host to RockyGrass and Folks Fest, and serves as a creative nexus for Front Range bluegrass and acoustic musicians. Along with founding the successful High Street Concert series in Lyons, K.C. has spearheaded the weekly bluegrass jam at Oskar Blues, one of the largest and longest running weekly jam in Colorado.
BEVIN FOLEY
Fiddle, Violin, & Vocals
Bevin plays fiddle, sings, and writes songs for the band Trout Steak Revival. Trout Steak Revival won the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition as well as an Emmy award for a soundtrack contributed to a Rocky Mountain PBS series. Westword named Trout Steak Revival Denver’s Best Bluegrass Band and they were nominated as Momentum Band of The Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Bevin received a bachelor’s degree in music from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She was also awarded the 2018 Big Water Songwriting Residency in Lutsen, MN. For more than a decade she has shared her passion and enjoyment of music with students through private lessons and as the Strings Specialist for Littleton Public Schools.
Fiddle, Violin, & Vocals
Bevin plays fiddle, sings, and writes songs for the band Trout Steak Revival. Trout Steak Revival won the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition as well as an Emmy award for a soundtrack contributed to a Rocky Mountain PBS series. Westword named Trout Steak Revival Denver’s Best Bluegrass Band and they were nominated as Momentum Band of The Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Bevin received a bachelor’s degree in music from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She was also awarded the 2018 Big Water Songwriting Residency in Lutsen, MN. For more than a decade she has shared her passion and enjoyment of music with students through private lessons and as the Strings Specialist for Littleton Public Schools.
HANNAH BARNES
Violin, Fiddle, & Viola
Hannah has been a musician and performer for as long as she can remember. She began violin lessons at the age of eight, when she begged her mother to be enrolled in Suzuki method group classes taught by Sue Mogan at Hackberry Hill Elementary. Hannah enrolled in private lessons shortly thereafter with Carole Smith in West Denver. During her time as Carole’s student, she auditioned and was accepted into the Denver School of the Arts as an orchestra major in 2002. She was also accepted into the Denver Young Artists Orchestra in 2003 at the age of twelve, under the tutelage of Adam Flatt. Encouraged to pursue advanced technical training, she was accepted as a private student of Eugenia Alikhanova (of the renowned Moscow String Quartet) in 2003. She soon began to dedicate the majority of her free time to music, and began teaching private students of her own in 2007 at the age of sixteen. In 2009, Hannah was accepted into the studio of Ron Francois as a Violin Performance major at Colorado State University. During her time at CSU, she was mentored by maestro Wes Kenney and served as concertmaster of the CSU Symphony from 2010-2013. Hannah had the privilege to perform solo works such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Prokofiev’s 2nd Violin Concerto with the orchestra. She currently performs with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra and the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.
Hannah also attended Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp for several summers as a teenager, and enjoys exploring alternative styles of violin playing and fiddle music. She continues to enrich her knowledge of bluegrass, Celtic, and swing fiddle styles, and any other musical genres that spark her creativity and interest.
Violin, Fiddle, & Viola
Hannah has been a musician and performer for as long as she can remember. She began violin lessons at the age of eight, when she begged her mother to be enrolled in Suzuki method group classes taught by Sue Mogan at Hackberry Hill Elementary. Hannah enrolled in private lessons shortly thereafter with Carole Smith in West Denver. During her time as Carole’s student, she auditioned and was accepted into the Denver School of the Arts as an orchestra major in 2002. She was also accepted into the Denver Young Artists Orchestra in 2003 at the age of twelve, under the tutelage of Adam Flatt. Encouraged to pursue advanced technical training, she was accepted as a private student of Eugenia Alikhanova (of the renowned Moscow String Quartet) in 2003. She soon began to dedicate the majority of her free time to music, and began teaching private students of her own in 2007 at the age of sixteen. In 2009, Hannah was accepted into the studio of Ron Francois as a Violin Performance major at Colorado State University. During her time at CSU, she was mentored by maestro Wes Kenney and served as concertmaster of the CSU Symphony from 2010-2013. Hannah had the privilege to perform solo works such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Prokofiev’s 2nd Violin Concerto with the orchestra. She currently performs with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra and the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra.
Hannah also attended Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp for several summers as a teenager, and enjoys exploring alternative styles of violin playing and fiddle music. She continues to enrich her knowledge of bluegrass, Celtic, and swing fiddle styles, and any other musical genres that spark her creativity and interest.
AARON YOUNGBERG
Banjo, Pedal Steel, & Sound Engineer Lead
Banjo, Pedal Steel, & Sound Engineer Lead
JENS DAVIS
Bass & Jam Instruction
A true Colorado native, Jens has lived his entire life in the shadow of the Front Range. While able to pick out melodies on a Casio keyboard from a young age, Jens' musical path has always been in the Bass Clef. Starting in school band with Baritone horn, flitting through the low brass family, until the magical day when he happened upon a pawn shop '76 Fender Jazz Bass. School band provided another avenue of delight, the upright string bass. Playing both Symphonic and Jazz through High School supplied Jens' only formal musical education. Jens' musical approach has always been reliant on playing by ear and feel, a blend of hard driving rhythmic roots accented with floating melodic interplay. Jens also plays kazoo, mandolin, guitar, and jaw-harp. When not playing music, Jens takes his passion for food to an extreme as 1 of only 600 ACS Certified Cheese Professionals®. Jens is a proud father of two inquisitive and energetic daughters, and is joined in life and love by his compassionate, understanding, patient wife Kristi. Together they own Love Your Pet Care, a mobile pet grooming service in Longmont, CO.
Bass & Jam Instruction
A true Colorado native, Jens has lived his entire life in the shadow of the Front Range. While able to pick out melodies on a Casio keyboard from a young age, Jens' musical path has always been in the Bass Clef. Starting in school band with Baritone horn, flitting through the low brass family, until the magical day when he happened upon a pawn shop '76 Fender Jazz Bass. School band provided another avenue of delight, the upright string bass. Playing both Symphonic and Jazz through High School supplied Jens' only formal musical education. Jens' musical approach has always been reliant on playing by ear and feel, a blend of hard driving rhythmic roots accented with floating melodic interplay. Jens also plays kazoo, mandolin, guitar, and jaw-harp. When not playing music, Jens takes his passion for food to an extreme as 1 of only 600 ACS Certified Cheese Professionals®. Jens is a proud father of two inquisitive and energetic daughters, and is joined in life and love by his compassionate, understanding, patient wife Kristi. Together they own Love Your Pet Care, a mobile pet grooming service in Longmont, CO.
TAYLOR SHUCK
Bass, Banjo, & Guitar
Local Bluegrass musician most commonly known for his role in Woodbelly the Fort Collins Bluegrass Band and 2018 Telluride Bluegrass Contest Winners. His work became on Lineage Music's radar as the bass player for Lineage Music Alumni Eli Slocumb. Taylor's has a well rounded set of musical skills and a positive approach to everything he is involved with. As a private instructor assisting with the creation of an in school banjo program for students in Fort Collins and a respected musician who makes time to give back to his musical community he is perfect for Lineage Music's Mission.
Bass, Banjo, & Guitar
Local Bluegrass musician most commonly known for his role in Woodbelly the Fort Collins Bluegrass Band and 2018 Telluride Bluegrass Contest Winners. His work became on Lineage Music's radar as the bass player for Lineage Music Alumni Eli Slocumb. Taylor's has a well rounded set of musical skills and a positive approach to everything he is involved with. As a private instructor assisting with the creation of an in school banjo program for students in Fort Collins and a respected musician who makes time to give back to his musical community he is perfect for Lineage Music's Mission.
MIKE FRITZ
Banjo
"Fritz" is known for clean tasty banjo playing that displays the importance of dynamics and drive. His instruction is patient and precise adding Scruggs style picking combined with elements of jazz, blues, classical & rock music. Mike's Grandpa gave him his first banjo, and he has been hooked from the start. You could say that the banjo "picked" him. He has studied with many great players such as Tony Trishka, Rob McCoury, Pete Wernick, & Aaron Youngberg. Fritz is also a home-brewer, and enjoys tasty craft beverages alongside tasty banjo licks.
Banjo
"Fritz" is known for clean tasty banjo playing that displays the importance of dynamics and drive. His instruction is patient and precise adding Scruggs style picking combined with elements of jazz, blues, classical & rock music. Mike's Grandpa gave him his first banjo, and he has been hooked from the start. You could say that the banjo "picked" him. He has studied with many great players such as Tony Trishka, Rob McCoury, Pete Wernick, & Aaron Youngberg. Fritz is also a home-brewer, and enjoys tasty craft beverages alongside tasty banjo licks.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Chad Fisher
TREASURER/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - Brad Kuch
SECRETARY/COMMUNITY RELATIONS - Jill Kuch
YOUTH JAM OUTREACH - Tina Cooley
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST - Michael Blackmore
PROGRAM RESEARCH - Debra Davison
PROGRAM RESEARCH - Ben Slocumb
TREASURER/DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - Brad Kuch
SECRETARY/COMMUNITY RELATIONS - Jill Kuch
YOUTH JAM OUTREACH - Tina Cooley
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST - Michael Blackmore
PROGRAM RESEARCH - Debra Davison
PROGRAM RESEARCH - Ben Slocumb
ADMINISTRATIVE
KRISTA KENNEDY
Business Support and Development
Krista Elise Kennedy is an event planner and arts administrator working in diverse festivals and organizations across the country. She has experience in event management, development and fundraising, catering, merchandise sales, and office management of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, where she earned a BA in Music and a Music Business minor. During her time pursuing her Bachelor's degree, she participated in many musical ensembles, gave a Junior piano recital, and worked for the Musicology department as a TA. In addition to her love of festival and nonprofit administration and music, she also is an avid traveler and has been to many European countries, Morocco, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, and counting. After receiving her Bachelor's degree, she volunteered for 5 weeks in Merida, Mexico, working with an NGO called UBELONG through business development, including web content editing, blog writing, photography, and marketing cultivation.
Business Support and Development
Krista Elise Kennedy is an event planner and arts administrator working in diverse festivals and organizations across the country. She has experience in event management, development and fundraising, catering, merchandise sales, and office management of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, where she earned a BA in Music and a Music Business minor. During her time pursuing her Bachelor's degree, she participated in many musical ensembles, gave a Junior piano recital, and worked for the Musicology department as a TA. In addition to her love of festival and nonprofit administration and music, she also is an avid traveler and has been to many European countries, Morocco, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, and counting. After receiving her Bachelor's degree, she volunteered for 5 weeks in Merida, Mexico, working with an NGO called UBELONG through business development, including web content editing, blog writing, photography, and marketing cultivation.