After completing a Jazz performance degree from Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied arranging with Grammy award winning pianist Bill Cunliffe, Shawn Cunnane relocated and settled in Los Angeles where he worked as a musician, instructor, and recording artist for 13 years. He taught for National Music Workshop in four different cities and has over 17 years of teaching experience with all ages and skill levels including group ensembles. He has recorded for Disney and Ubisoft as well as countless private clients. His most recent project Sheldon & Cunnane performed close to 1000 times in 4 years. The duo was easily found entertaining on a weekly basis in wineries, restaurants, and music venues throughout Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties in addition to yearly trips to the Eastern Sierras and the Gulf Coast of Florida. An avid member of the Grateful Dead community in Southern California, Shawn performed with Cubensis on over 20 occasions in place of Nate Lapointe (Bobby Womack). As a solo performer and songwriter, Shawn’s diverse style ranges from travis picking ballads with jazzy overtones to bluegrassy foot stompers. The unique textures he creates in his originals and interpretations are intimate and alluring. Shawn’s songs have been recorded and performed by many artists including David Grisman and Matt Doherty. He has been fortunate to share the stage with so many fantastic musicians including bassist Gerald Veasley and saxophonist Knoel Scott (Sun Ra Arkestra). Cunnane recently landed in Boulder County Colorado in the spring of 2018 where he has begun work on his first solo recording of original compositions. Shawn is well versed in all modern styles and enjoys sharing his connection to music with audiences and students of all ages.
Violin
Phone: 720-608-2232
Twenty-five years ago, on the West Coast, Robyn started playing the violin in her school orchestra. Music has been her biggest hobby ever since. For three years, she was also in band playing clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. She volunteered in middle school summer band camps and spent 300 hours during her senior year volunteering in middle school orchestra class. She received the Community Service Student of the Year Award for her graduating class.
Robyn moved to Colorado from the West Coast in Spring of 2013. From 2014-2018, she spent much time away from Colorado as a traveling violinist busker.The simple yet powerful human connections that these encounters often brought were profound. In addition, regularly witnessing the therapeutic qualities that live music can provide to listeners was really inspiring to Robyn. These experiences were transformative to her both as a musician and a person. Robyn is excited to teach violin lessons because she believes that music is very powerful to both the performer and the listener and her goal is to help as many people as possible to be able to experience that positive power. She now lives in Colorado year-round and performs at open mics around Denver and Longmont. Robyn's favorite method to play music is improvisation. She also enjoys playing classical, jazz, and Irish music. Violin continues to be her main instrument and she still plays her clarinet for fun. in 2019 she gifted herself a keyboard and absolutely loves practicing it.
Bag Pipes- Pipe Major, Pipes and Drums, Royal Scots, Dragoon Guards.
Geoffrey has been playing Pipes now for 5 years. In that time he's gained extensive experience in the professional side of Bagpiping, Earned the rank of Pipe Major in February of 2016, and has been teaching Bagpipes since. Based out of Boulder county, he plays in and around the entire Front Range. Geoffery lives in Longmont and teaches all ages and experience levels. He also plays piano, other types of bagpipes, and various other woodwind instruments.