About the Instructors/Admin
Ms. Burgess
Ms. Burgess, a native of Texas, has over 18 years experience as a violinist. In her past 18 years, she has performed with various orchestras, taught group lessons, and has fiddled in several events in East Texas. She received her Bachelor of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University in December 2020, and moved to Colorado Springs in August of 2021. She is excited to be a first-year teacher with our program and can't wait to meet all her students. When Ms. Burgess is not working, she enjoys baking and playing with her two Pomeranians.
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill is a veteran teacher with an expertise in beginning instrumental instruction. She has been teaching for over 25 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. She is excited to continue her collaboration with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra and to bring a quality program into the Mountain Vista feeder area again this year. Keeping the opportunity to play an instrument available to our kids is her top priority.
Mr. Undercofler
Mr. Undercofler started his music journey in 2007, when he started playing saxophone with a private teacher until he joined the Concert Band at Port Allegany Elementary School in 2011. Throughout the rest of his years in his hometown of Port Allegany, PA, he participated in multiple show choirs, acapella groups, concert choirs, marching ensembles, concert bands, show bands, jazz bands, and chamber ensembles. Some of the highlights include when Mr. Undercofler and the Port Allegany Chamber Choir went to Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2015 to participate in a Peace, Love, and Hope Concert; touring with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2016, ultimately becoming the Drum Corps Associates World Champions: and getting 10th place with Aftermath Percussion at the Winter Guard International World Championships for Percussion in Dayton, OH in 2016. Mr. Undercofler moved to Colorado in 2016, and finished his 10th, 11th and 12th grade years of high school at Legend High School in Parker, CO. He participated in the Legend High School Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band, as well as the Legend High School Select Mixed Choir. Mr. Undercofler also marched with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018, and Rise Percussion in 2019. Mr. Undercofler is currently the drill designer for the Hebron High School Marching Band, and the drumline arranger for the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Undercofler is also currently studying Music Education at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Mr. Undercolfer is extremely excited to teach and change the lives of the students.
Ms. Watkins
Ms. Watkins is excited to begin her 2nd year teaching at Copper Mesa and her first year at Northridge. She retired from full-time band teaching in the Colorado public schools in 2020 after 31 years. Her Bachelor of Music Education degree is from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, and her Master of Music Education is from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to teaching at Copper Mesa and Northridge, Ms. Watkins is the director of the Concert Band for the Colorado Honor Band Association and is on staff with the Heritage High School Scarlet Regiment Marching Band and the Dakota Ridge High School Marching Band as their woodwind coach. Ms. Watkins also maintains a private woodwind lesson studio and performs as a professional clarinetist in the Denver area. Her website is mariewatkinsmusic.com.