Young Concert Artists of Colorado Springs - A Youth Orchestra

Staff Bios

Carl Chevallard In the course of a diverse, forty-year career as a professional musician, Dr. Carl Chevallard proved himself as an accomplished performer and conductor, visionary military commander, and internationally-recognized author, educator, and producer. While serving as an enlisted bandsman in the United States Army Reserve & Iowa National Guard, he was the Instrumental Music Director of the Walnut Township Schools in Millersport Ohio; the Wind Ensemble Conductor at Iowa Wesleyan College, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and the Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University. Subsequently he became the first Director of Bands at San Jose (California) State University. In 1983, he left full-time teaching to be commissioned in The United States Air Force. He began his second career as the Assistant Director of one of the Air Force's two premier bands, The United States Air Force Concert Band, Washington, DC, Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Commander and Conductor. In 2004, after over 27 years of Army & Air Force service, he retired as a Lt. Colonel and as the Commander and Conductor of the Air Force's other premier band: The United States Air Force Academy Band, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In the course of his military career, Carl authored one book, Teaching Music through Performing Marches (GIA, 2003). He performed for five Presidents and conducted over 1500 concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Japan. His conducting credits include numerous orchestras, opera companies, choruses, chamber ensembles, symphonic bands, and wind ensembles. To reach broader audiences for the Air Force, he featured dozens of guest artists, including ensembles such as Opera San Jose, and San Francisco Ballet; actors like Constance Towers, Eddie Albert, and Bob Hope; and vocalists, including Ruth Anne Swenson (soprano, Metropolitan Opera), Toni Tennille, Charlie Daniels, "Whisperin' Bill Anderson," Gary Morris, and Trisha Yearwood. He produced over 80 digital audio recordings, including the first compact disc recorded by an American military band; a radio series for National Public Radio; and ten successful television productions-- six seen in 161 countries for 200 million viewers annually, via The Pentagon Channel, American Forces Network, and the Public Broadcasting Service. For distinguished service, Carl was awarded the "Conspicuous Creativity" award from the Disney Corporation, five Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, and four "Col. George S. Howard Awards"--the prestigious Sousa Foundation award presented only to the military's most accomplished conductors and ensembles.

Currently, Carl is an artistic advisor to Young Concert Artists-Colorado Springs. In late 2006, he launched ConductYourLife.com, a consulting firm that will enable senior business and organization leaders to gain unique insights about teamwork and leadership from the perspective of a conductor. Carl is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell, AFB, Alabama. He holds the Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University. To better serve his clients, he's now working for certification by the American Society of Training and Development and the National Speakers Association. In January, 2006, the Federal Aviation Authority awarded him the license, Private Pilot, Single Engine, Land.

Laurie Gabriel has been a school music instructor since 1984, and has taught ages ranging from 5 to 18 in the Denver Public Schools, the McLean Private School of Maryland, the Manitou Arts Academy, Academy District 20 and El Paso District Eleven, as well as in her own private lesson studio.

Her instrumental experience includes cello, bass, guitar, mandolin, violin, viola, piano, and drums. Her ground breaking middle school jazz orchestra earned the honor of performing at the Colorado Music Educators' Convention in 1999 and she continues to direct the only jazz strings group at competitions in the Denver/Pikes Peak region.

Ms. Gabriel holds degrees in both cello and voice from the University of Denver.

She performs weekly at the Broadmoor as a member of the Aspen String Quartet and has performed with the Colorado Springs Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Springs Symphony, as well as in pit orchestras for numerous theaters. An accomplished vocalist, Ms. Gabriel was named "Best Performer in a Musical" in the Gazette's Best of the Springs issue for her performance with the Colorado Springs Symphony.

She is currently teaching orchestra and guitar to International Baccalaureate students at North Middle School.

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