Executive Director, Steve Blatt, brings 45 years of experience in marketing and communications to the organization. Prior to founding Bringing Music to Life, Steve created, developed and managed the first four instrument drives at Colorado Public Radio. He has served as Executive Director for 14 years.
“As the son of a pianist/composer/conductor, I was fortunate to always have music in my life, and I wanted other children to have that opportunity.” Steve played violin as part of the family trio, and now picks up his guitar when he can. “Frets on a fingerboard are very forgiving.”
Assistant Executive Director, Christine Andresen, has been involved with Bringing Music to Life since its inception as the Instrument Drive at Colorado Public Radio. Over the years, she has served as administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator; she is currently editor of the quarterly newsletter, Quarter Notes. A resident of Denver, CO, she is serving her third 3-year term on the board and is a paid staff member.
For Christine, it is “The notes – short stories, really – that donors leave tucked in the cases of their cherished instruments that have drawn me to BMTL since the very beginning. I am not a musician, but I have experienced the sense of belonging to a creative community and pride in accomplishment which their notes describe. I find meaning in conveying their gifts to another generation.
Michael Frank, Board Chair, is a retired pediatrician with a lifelong passion for music. During the final years of his medical career, he even earned a BA in music composition from Regis University. Michael also serves on board of Developmental FX, a Denver based nonprofit that focuses on children with developmental disabilities. A resident of Littleton, CO, he is serving his second 3-year term on the Board.
Michael was motivated to join the board of Bringing Music to Life because of a love of music and a passion to help promote it among school-aged kids. “I greatly admire the mission of BMTL and all the opportunities it provides for our youth today. Music is a gateway to so many opportunities and experiences both individually and in a group setting.” After 20 years Michael also retired from a local band called FreeStyle for which he played guitar, bass, harmonica, and did vocals, but still performs with a friend at charity house parties. However, most of his current creativity is currently put into composing classical instrumental and vocal pieces. Michael’s wife is a retired Family Practice Doctor and their three grown children and significant others all currently reside close by in Denver.
David & Anne Necker, Co-Chairs Emeritus, are both retired. David and Anne are active in supporting their community, and music and arts organizations including the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Public Radio. They are residents of Castle Pines, CO, have been supporters of BMTL since its founding at Colorado Public Radio, and have served as BMTL co-chairs since 2015.
Anne notes that, “At a time when public school arts education is underfunded, it is more important than ever that a child has the opportunity to play with peers in a school band or orchestra.” David values the mission of BMTL because, “Engaging youth in music-making provides many life-long skills and lasting music appreciation.” Both of them have sung in choirs during their youth and adult lives. Anne played the piano growing up and now plays in a local ukulele group dedicated to fun. David played a couple of instruments beginning in grade school followed by the clarinet and oboe in high school. David is now a member of the audience.
Bob Bassett, a Denver native, is a retired lawyer and lifetime musician. He studied piano and conducting in Denver with Dr. Antonia Brico. He studied 20th century piano with David Burge at the University of Colorado, Boulder (BFA Music) and studied composition with Morton Subotnik and piano with Leonid Hambro at California Institute of the Arts (MFA Music). He received a law degree at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, and practiced international mining law with firms in Alaska, New Mexico and Colorado.
Upon retiring from Holland & Hart, LLP in 2019 he has focused on composing music, traveling, skiing, hiking and enjoying Colorado with his wife, family and friends. Bob’s compositions have been performed by individuals and ensembles throughout America.
Rebekah Bonn, applies her past promotional experience to our organization as our social media and special events coordinator. A resident of Broomfield, CO, she is serving her second 3-year term on the Board.
Rebekah was first drawn to BMTL through volunteering to move instruments. After spending time with the Board members, and seeing the joy on the teacher’s faces, she fell in love with the mission of BMTL. Music was a main motivator for Rebekah as a youth and she has seen firsthand how it can change the trajectory of a child’s life, because she lived it. Rebekah’s first instrument was violin, then she picked up the French horn and alto saxophone. A singer and voice teacher, her lifetime ‘instrument’ is vocals.
Sue Coughlin is recently retired from Colorado Public Radio as a Development professional. Sue’s career at CPR spanned 29 years and included both corporate support and major gift fundraising. A resident of Denver, Sue is serving her first three-year term on the board.
Sue’s background also includes four years as an elementary teacher where she learned the value of music as both a teaching tool and an outlet for creative expression and inspiration. That experience, along with her fundraising at CPR, motivated her to pursue a board position at BMTL. Sue looks forward to “being involved in a non-profit that gives young people the opportunity to expand their minds and spirits through a lovingly refurbished instrument.”
Mary and Woody Emlen started their music “careers” in fifth grade playing on school violins. In time, this led to many more performances and later–and most importantly– an orchestra encounter that led to more than 55 years of marriage!
Woody has served on the Board of Denver Young Artists Orchestra, and both have served as “Suzuki parents” for their cellist son. In their non-musical lives, Mary worked as a Speech Pathologist for children and Woody was an Internist at CU Medical school (now CU Health).
“Music has been such an important part of our lives. We would love to see all children have access to music programs and instruments to help ignite their musical spark.”
