Our Faculty’s Bios

Ronnie Crisp received his musical education from the University of South Carolina (Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, Honors College, Graduate Certificate in Performance) and the University of Denver (Master of Music in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy). He studied violin under William Terwilliger and Mark Rush, as well as being mentored by Rebecca Hunter, Katherine Knight, Eli Kalman, and Jameson Cooper-among other-in chamber music. Additionally, Mr. Crisp received a majority of his pedagogical approach from Kathleen Spring during his study at the University of Denver.

An avid reader, Mr. Crisp researches the impact previous pedagogical figures have had on present day, implementing philosophies and pedagogical approaches to his students.  

Mr. Crisp believes that music provides children the opportunity to learn and grow through play and having fun. This opportunity helps to develop the curiosity and inquisitive spirit in child that will serve them well in every walk of life.

Chloe Schans is a violinist and teacher well versed in multiple genres of music. From solo repertoire, to symphonic performances, chamber ensembles, as well as premiering modern compositions, Chloe brings a high level of insight and experience to the stage. 

Chloe graduated from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver where her academic endeavors were supported through university awarded performance-based scholarships. 

Chloe began her career as a violinist through the Suzuki method. Now a dedicated Suzuki instructor, Chloe values the merit of innovative pedagogical approaches to music. With an affinity for teaching, Chloe hopes to continue to serve as a catalyst for music making and artistic freedom. Chloe’s mission is to provide solace through music. By performing, teaching, and collaborating, she hopes to use music as a lens in which beauty and artistry can be sought out. 

She continues to validate that classical music is not a dead art form. Instead, she hopes to demonstrate that it is the embodiment of history that we can feel on a personal and emotional level. 

Kelcey completed post-graduate studies at the University of Southern California in 2023, after having graduated summa cum laude with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School and the University of Denver. Recent highlights for her include concerts across NYC at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and throughout Lincoln Center, masterclasses with Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, and Frans Helmerson, performing cello concerti with ensembles

throughout the western United States, recording as a studio musician in Los Angeles, and performing regularly as a substitute cellist in the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. 

She has felt fortunate to attend the Aspen, Bach Virtuosi, Heifetz, Olympic, Scotia, and Toronto Summer Music Festivals, Music Academy of the West, and New York String Orchestra Seminar.

Originally from Colorado, her major teachers have been Silver Ainomae, Matthew Zalkind, and Timothy Eddy.

Kelcey believes passionately in the positive impact of music education, and has taught

students of all ages and abilities in private lessons, as well as through community-focused educational partnerships offered by USC Thornton and the Juilliard School.

 Kathy Langston started playing the violin in 4th grade after watching her school orchestra perform. The teacher looked at her hands and said “they are so small” and then she wrote Violin on my sheet to take home.  40 plus years later, here I am, still playing the Violin!

In Middle and  High School she studied with Janice Carlson and Lee Wilkins. She was accepted to the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival Program in New York State, and played in the Orchestra for 4 years. This was life changing and opened my eyes to what the possibilities were in music!  

She then attended Butler University and received a Bachelor of Music in Violin performance. While at Butler she had an amazing opportunity to travel and Tour Taiwan’s 3 Major city’s and perform with the Butler Symphony Orchestra.

Key teachers that she studied with at Butler were: Davis Brooks, Lisa Brooks, Lawrence Shapiro & William Grubb. 

Kathy has also received a Master’s of Music in Violin Performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

While at Hartt she was fortunate to study Violin with Teri Einfeldt, Brian Lewis, and Katie Lansdale. She also had Masterclasses with Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet.

The Suzuki Pedagogy that she learned at Hartt from Teri Einfeldt, Linda Fiore, Dominic Fiore, and Kathy Ahlmquist changed her life and set her on a path that she is eternally grateful for!!

After Graduate school Ms. Langston moved to Wisconsin and  taught Suzuki lessons at Lawrence University and at the University of Wisconsin @ Oshkosh.  She was the principal 2nd violinist of the Fox Valley Symphony and a first violin section player in the Oshkosh Symphony. 

Kathy has lived and taught lessons in Denver for the last 25 years.  She taught group classes at Denver Talent Education and then was the director for the past 10 years.  

She is very excited to be starting a new chapter at Primavera Place this fall! 

In addition to teaching she is the Assistant Concertmaster of the newly formed Lumina Chamber Orchestra, and before that she was the Assistant Concertmaster of Stratus Chamber Orchestra and Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra. She has soloed with both orchestras, and traveled to Prague to perform with the Multicultural Music Festival.

Ms. Langston has furthered her education by studying violin pedagogy with the following prominent teachers: Everett Goodwin, Craig Timmerman, Doris Preucil, Alice Joy Lewis, Brian Lewis, Carol Tarr, James & Jackie Maurer, Sandy Reuning, and Carrie Reuning.

I just love figuring out how students think, and empowering them to feel confident and in control of their playing.  I really like to take the time to see the student for what they need, and where they are at. We learn, we laugh, we make mistakes, and we do that to make beautiful music!

When I am not playing my violin or teaching I love to ride one of my 1966 vintage vespas around, and to laugh and enjoy life with my family and friends.

 One of Arlette Aslanian-Townsend's greatest missions in life is to help students develop skills, confidence, discipline and joy through playing the violin and viola. She has had extensive training and expertise in teaching the Suzuki method. Coming from a family of professional musicians, she was first introduced to the method as a five year-old Suzuki student in Illinois under the tutelage of Paul Rolland. After spending her formative years performing as a violinist, ballet dancer and actor, she decided to pursue a career in teaching which combined her philosophy of life with her passion for music -making. Her first long-term teacher training was completed with William Starr, who is credited with being one of the founding members of the American Suzuki movement. Through his guidance and support, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Colorado, and was registered by the Suzuki Association of the Americas in violin books 1-10. Subsequently, she taught alongside him on the faculty of Boulder Suzuki Strings for 10 years. 

     Arlette was then awarded a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Music degree in Suzuki pedagogy and performance at the University of Denver. There, her quartet won the chamber music competition and was featured at a Takács performance sponsored by the Friends of Chamber Music. At DU, she was again registered in violin books 1-10 after studying with James Mauer. At his invitation, she joined the faculty of Denver Talent Education, the program he and his wife Jackie Mauer began. She taught with them in their program for over 20 years. 

     After being asked many times to teach viola in various settings, Arlette decided to get trained in the Suzuki viola repertoire as well. She is registered through book 8 and did her viola training with Elizabeth Stuen - Walker.

     Arlette is the past-president of the Suzuki Association of Colorado. She was also the coordinator for the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas at the Suzuki Association of the America's national conference. She has been published in the American Suzuki Journal. She has also been an adjudicator for many competitions. Arlette has taught at countless institutes and workshops around the country. It was at one of these where she first met and worked with Kathleen Spring, the founder of Primavera Place Suzuki School. Meeting Kathleen led to her joining the faculty and she is extremely excited to be working with some of Denver's finest teachers to nurture and train the future generations of Suzuki students! 

     In addition to a full teaching schedule, Arlette is the Concertmaster of both the Lumina Chamber Orchestra and the Denver Rock Orchestra. For almost 30 years, she was the Concertmaster of the Stratus Chamber Orchestra ( formerly known as the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra). She is regularly hired as the Concertmaster of numerous local pick-up orchestras and is a founding member of the New Dawn String Quartet. 

Besides music, Arlette and her husband love to travel, cook international cuisines, play backgammon, hike, bike, swim, and play with their cats Hansel and Gretel.

Leah started the violin at age 5 under the guidance of the Black Hills Suzuki School. She continued to cultivate her musical skills by twice studying at the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute. Leah successfully competed in the Rapid City Young Artist competition and performed a solo with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, Leah earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and received the Instrumental Performance Award and the Academic Achievement Award from CUA’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music.  

In addition to performing in many classical settings, Leah has tracked violin on multiple albums and played live with numerous bands. Throughout this time, Leah has held a passion for teaching violin.  Leah completed the Certificate in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music under the guidance of Kathleen Spring. Leah is excited to more fully implement her beliefs in Suzuki Violin methodology through the Primavera Place Suzuki School.