Classrooms

Mr. Aaron Graversen grew up in Topeka, Kansas and became interested in music at a very early age. He studied music at Kansas State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis in Jazz and Latin music. Mr. Graversen then went on to teach 5th grade through 12th grade band in Osage City, KS for five years before moving to Kansas City, where he taught 5th grade through 12th grade band for another six years.  He moved to Colorado in 2018, which fulfilled a childhood dream of living near the mountains.

Throughout his life, Mr. Graversen has also been an avid performer, composer, and songwriter; performing in a variety of bands of many different genres. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Leanne, as well as his friends and family. He loves playing/writing music, playing video games, and hiking Colorado’s beautiful trails. Mr. Graversen started teaching 5th grade band in JeffCo in 2021, and has loved teaching here in Colorado. He looks forward to many more years of rocking out with the 5th grade band kids.

Mrs. Carrie Welch is excited to be teaching beginning orchestra in the Columbine and Dakota Ridge area elementary schools. She grew up in Jeffco and has been teaching instrumental music in the district since 2013. She obtained her BA in Music Education from Colorado State University and has been teaching band, orchestra, and private lessons since 2009. In her free time, Mrs. Welch enjoys being outdoors (camping, biking, skiing, and playing disc golf), playing video games, and of course, playing her instruments. She is a member of the Jeffco Community Band during the school year, and Jeffco Community Orchestra over the summer. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for music with her students and the community.