Monarch High School Bands

Director of Bands

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Mr. Stephen is currently in his ninth year as the band director and fine arts department chair at Monarch High School.  Under his direction the Monarch marching band has made CBA finals every year with 6 top 5 placements.  Mr. Stephen will perform with the Wind Ensemble at the 2024 Colorado Music Educators Conference. Mr. Stephen is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout Colorado and California.

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Mr. Stephen earned his BME from the University of Northern Colorado and his MA from the University of Colorado Denver.

Percussion Instructor

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I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to teach at my alma mater, MHS! I graduated from Monarch in 2006 and have been teaching the percussionists here ever since. I have gone on to earn a Percussion Performance degree from CU Boulder, and have been fortunate to perform with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadway in Boulder, and even abroad with the Doha International Orchestra. I have also been writing the music for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble since 2013, and have taught and composed for numerous other Colorado high schools. I currently teach General Music at Flatirons Elementary School in Boulder, and am a regular judge with CBA (marching band) and RMPA (winter percussion). I live in Broomfield with my wife, Becky (another MHS band alum!), and my 3 children (9, 7, 5).

Percussion Instructor

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Josh Griego is percussion instructor with lots of love for the marching arts. He’s very passionate about giving back helping students find joy in their musical pursuits and creating a fun and engaging learning environment. 

Woodwind Instructor

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I am a native to Colorado and grew up in Louisville. Currently studying Music Education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. My primary instrument is Flute and I have been playing for 15 years.

Woodwind Instructor

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​Since picking up her first saxophone at the age of ten, Riley Busch has been a lifelong music and marching enthusiast. Currently in her third year of the music education program at Colorado State University, she is also involved as acting president of CSU's CNAfME chapter. Riley is immensely excited to work with and learn alongside the students, parents, and staff at Monarch this year!

Brass Instructor

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Hello! My name is Mateo Novoa and I’m a 2021 Monarch graduate excited to work my 3rd season with the marching band. I’m a music education major who started my degree at Metropolitan State University and I’m thrilled to say that I will be continuing my education this fall at Colorado State University; go Rams! My primary instrument is trombone and I’ve recently started and enjoy playing trumpet in the Correcaminos Mariachi Band.

Brass Instructor

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Evan Allenson is a native of Louisville Colorado and Alumni of Monarch High School. He is a recent graduate of CU Boulder with a degree in Music Education  and Tuba Performance. He is currently on staff with Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corp and the Band Director at Aspen Creek K8.

Guard Instructor

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My name is Jessie Johnson, but I go by JJ!

I have been so fortunate to have been a part of the colorguard community in Colorado for about 10 years now. I started out at Centaurus high school, and since graduating have marched with Malachi from 2018-2022, Anesidora in 2023, as well as The Blue Knights DBC in 2021. I have also had opportunities to teach and share my love for the activity at Windsor, Fairview, and University High school over the past few years. Colorguard has been a huge part of my life for so long, and I just love to share my passion for it with others and in doing so help them find a love for it too. I am so excited to continue to help students learn and grow here this year! 

Guard Instructor

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My name is Madison Rule and I also go by Mado. I have spun with Malachi in the past both on the A team in 17' and 18' as well as their world team in 19', 20' and 22'. I have been involved with colorguard growing up and going on about 8 years in my own career. I love helping people find their reason and passion for doing colorguard and believe that there are so many incredible benefits for doing such an activity. 

Guard Instructor

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My name is Sallu Young and I have been a part of the Colorado Color Guard community for the past 6 years. I started my marching career at Standley Lake HS in 2017 and since then have marched with Malachi Winterguard, Anesidora Winterguard, The Academy DBC and I am currently marching with the Blue Knights DBC. Color guard has been such a huge part of my life and I am so excited to spread the passion for the activity with Monarch HS.