Rock and Roll Academy Aspen (RRAA) began as an inspired idea in Telluride and found its home in Aspen in 2010. The program, founded by Russell Cattaneo after seeing Mark Galbo’s original concept in Telluride, has become a staple in the Roaring Fork Valley’s musical education scene. Kriss Harrison, RRAA’s executive director who took over in 2017, continues to grow the program as a space for young musicians to explore creativity, learn and perform.
Harrison’s path to leading RRAA began as a local music educator involved with Jazz Aspen Snowmass and public school band programs. When Cattaneo reached out to sell the business, Harrison realized RRAA’s format aligned with his desire to teach music to small groups of four to eight students. “I had pretty much maxed out my schedule and realized I needed to teach kids in small groups, and this format lent itself to that,” he recalled.
Initially, RRAA operated out of the Aspen Airport Business Center until 2017. Harrison then spent the next three years transporting equipment in his car from site to site, holding classes across Aspen, Basalt and Carbondale. It wasn’t until 2020 that RRAA found a permanent home at Love Rocks Studio in Willits, co-founded by Harrison’s partner, Steve Cook.
A key part of RRAA’s mission is fostering authentic creativity and expression through music. “One of the reasons that Rock and Roll Academy is doing so well is because we’ve found a space. A primary mission of the organization is to provide and protect a space for kids to experience authentic creativity and expression through music,” Harrison explained. Though still relatively under the radar, RRAA is working to spread the word and grow the program Valley-wide, focusing on inclusivity and diversity.
For families concerned about affordability, RRAA, a nonprofit organization since 2014, has always prioritized making the program accessible through scholarships.
Leslee Francis heads up outreach. Her son, Bodi, has participated in the program on scholarship. She shared her gratitude, saying, “The program profoundly impacted my son,” who spent 10 years in the program and plays drums with his band, SALT.
Securing funding is an ongoing challenge. Harrison, with Francis’ help, has been applying for grants. This year, the Town of Basalt awarded RRAA 99% of its budget request, “which was absolutely amazing,” he said.
Harrison also noted the importance of private donations and community support in helping RRAA grow. Francis said fundraising efforts will support program expansion and scholarships for students unable to afford the $895 tuition.
Students in grades 4 to 12 don’t just learn to play music; they learn to perform. Each summer camp ends with a public concert, and semester-long programs culminate in performances at The Art Campus at Willits (TACAW). Harrison has witnessed firsthand the impact of these performances, not only on the students but also on their parents. “I’ve seen the beauty of how important it is to them and the parents just go, ‘Wow, my kid just did that,’” he said.
Braden Scott, a former student and now a teaching assistant, embodies the success of RRAA’s mission. Scott began at RRAA at the age of eight and now is a guitarist for SALT. He also teaches at the academy, passing his passion for music to the next generation. “Coming in here is like going to paradise; everything outside goes away,” Scott shared. “It’s like an escape for me and a safe space for us.”
Dylan Duba, a sixth grader at Aspen Community School, is passionate about music and has participated in summer camps for two years. “I really love this program,” he said. “It helps my skills, and I get to learn new songs on guitar that I probably wouldn’t have thought of at home.” Now signed up for the fall semester, Dylan’s mother, Jacqueline Duba, added, “He’s been begging me all summer to take classes again. I’m happy to support him in something he’s so passionate about.”
RRAA’s influence extends beyond musical education by fostering a community where students form strong bonds with their peers and mentors. Harrison carefully groups students based on age and experience level, encouraging them to collaborate on song selection and performance. The program’s goal isn’t necessarily to produce professional musicians, though it has done so, but to cultivate a lifelong love of music. Harrison explained, “I want to see more regular day people playing music as part of their regular day.”
RRAA provides a structured environment for creative growth and offers a place for everyone, no matter their musical background. As RRAA continues to grow, Harrison and his team remain dedicated to making music education accessible to all, ensuring that youth across the Valley can explore their creativity and perform with confidence.
For more information about fall classes, which begin Sept. 16, donations or volunteering at Rock and Roll Academy Aspen, go to www.rockandrollacademyaspen.org