Our Faculty’s Bios

Mr. Kay is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Westmont College, and the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory College. Indebted to his instructors for their commitment and care in his musical training, Mr. Kay was fortunate to study under Mary Jane Kolodziej, David Thrall, Rebecca Ensworth, Louise Zeitlin, Eugenia Poustyreva, Yue Deng, Thierry Stoeckel, Dr. Han Soo Kim, Linda Wang, Kathleen Spring, Ian Swensen, Alexander Barantschik, Jay Christy, David Halen, and Bing Wang. 

A member of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Isaac Kay has performed with the Omaha Symphony, Opera Colorado, Colorado Ballet, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and the Bakersfield and Yakima Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Kay has performed with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, alongside Pamala Z and Steve Schick as concertmaster with the SFCM Chamber Orchestra, and as concertmaster for the Santa Barbara Master Chorale. In addition to performing principal second violin under P.D.Q. Bach during his lively concert experience at the Brevard Music Festival (North Carolina). 

An avid educator, Mr. Kay is excited in his new role as Director of Primavera Place. Past teaching posts include Santa Barbara Strings, Aspen Music Festival and School’s P.A.L.S. Program in the Roaring Fork Valley, The Amabile School (San Francisco), FreshStart Music (Irvine, CA), and a Graduate Teaching Assistantship under Linda Wang at The University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. 

Mr. Kay currently is a Visiting Artist at Westmont College, in addition to serving on the faculty of Metropolitan State University-Denver. Mr. Kay has also served on the faculty at Credo Chamber Music Festival. His students have won their concerto competitions, soloed with orchestra, and attended prestigious festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and School. 

Mr. Kay performs on a 1765 Johannes Helmer instrument on generous loan from the Riesenfeld family of Santa Barbara.  

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.

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.

Ms. Khalil is a passionate violinist and teacher.  She began her violin career at the age of 9. She was a member of the Kansas City Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 12.  Ms. Khalil was awarded a full scholarship for the University of Kansas's Midwestern Music Camp for 4 consecutive years.  In 2003, she became an active teacher of the Missouri String Project under the guidance of Mrs. Leslie Perna, where she was awarded the String Project Teaching Award, subsequently starting her own private teaching studio.  

In 2007, Ms. Khalil earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she studied with Eva D. Szekely.  She has performed with the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, Missouri University Chamber Orchestra, and the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra. 

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In 2008, she began her Suzuki Violin Training at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, under the instruction of James Maurer and Kathleen Spring, where she received her Suzuki Violin Pedagogy Certificate for Books 1-8.

Ms. Khalil has taught as a violin and viola teacher for the Augustana Arts City Strings Program, as a violin quartet coach for the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, as a music instructor for the Cherry Creek Elementary Instrumental Music Program, and has performed with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.  Ms. Khalil believes every child has unique talents and the ability to learn and develop those talents when provided with the right tools, instruction, and a healthy supportive environment.

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.

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.