Cody Qualls
Owner, Director, and Lead Instructor
Cody Qualls has performed professionally in multiple settings including musical theater, opera, a cappella, and rock/pop music. He has been studying voice since the age of eleven. Trained in Bel Canto technique during his youth, he went on to study on scholarship at the University of Colorado under Grammy nominee Patrick Mason. A need to perform edgier music throughout rigorous performance schedules brought him to study under Dr. Scott Martin of the Juilliard School, to learn musical theater, rock and pop belting in his teens. He received his teaching certificate from the Academy of the Arts in Denver, Colorado after twelve years of study and apprenticeship with Dr. Martin. Westword Magazine reviews Qualls as “A voice that alternates between a feathery near falsetto and a Bible Belt bellow that’s beefy enough to make Meatloaf drool.”
Qualls currently composes, arranges for and tours as a lead tenor with the national rock a capella ensemble “Face.” His most current writing can be heard on his 2016 release "Big Time." He also composed on 3 tracks for Face's most recent studio album How Was the Show, for which he composed the title track "How Was the Show Last Night" and the viral video smash "The Man Dance." "How Was the Show Last Night" was named "Track of the Year" by the Recorded A cappella Review Board in 2015.
Among Face's many accolades, they were featured on NBC's The Sing-Off and performed before the celebrity judges of America's Got Talent. They were the National Harmony Sweepstakes runners up, and “Audience Favorite” award recipients in both 2005 and 2007 in San Rafael, California. Cody was personally bestowed the Jerry Lawson (of The Persuasions) "Soloist of the Evening" honors at the 2005 Rocky Mt. Regional by Mr. Lawson, himself. Along his travelings with the group he has received the opportunity to perform for former President Bush Sr., former President Clinton, and received high praise from audience members such as Henry Kissinger, Jimmy Buffet, David Rockefeller, and entertainment mogul Merv Griffin. In addition, Face has shared the stage with Clint Eastwood, Bon Jovi, Boy George and Culture Club, Robin Thicke, Home Free, The Manhattan Transfer and members of Take 6.
As a soloist, Qualls has released his EP "Pick Your Head Up," multiple videos and has been seen on stage with Broadway stars such as Alex Gemignani (Les Miserables, Sweeny Todd), Nancy Anderson (Kiss Me Kate, A Class Act), and Lawrence Street (Urine Town, South Pacific). Cody has also been an invited guest vocalist with the Ars Nova Singers as a featured quartet member. In 2015 his record, "Pick Your Head Up," was selected as "runner-up" in the Durango Songwriting Expo's "Write With a Hit Maker" songwriting contest. Additionally Qualls took 1st place the Great American Song Contest with his song "Focus On Your Rap Game" which was also semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
A composer of rock and pop music, he inked his first management contract with World Entertainment Services at the age of 16. He has since performed contemporary and classical works all over the state of Colorado including Red Rocks, Fiddler's Green Capital Hill Peoples Fair, Mile High and Invesco Field stadiums, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Hard Rock Café, Boulder Theater and the Blue Bird Theater. He has performed for Six Flags theme parks and entertains as an emcee for private ceremonies at the national level.
His original works with his rock ensemble “Kindred” were selected by Eddie Kramer, producer of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Matchbox 20 and Carlos Santana to record some of the bands original works during his visit to the University of Colorado @ Denver. During the sessions Kramer told the Denver Post, “I love the singer, I love the material, but most of all I love the attitude.”
Combined with his passion for voice Cody continues to study audio recording, composition, and piano. He has been teaching private voice for more than a decade. He encourages his students to sing from a feeling place, becoming multidimensional singers through the education of art song, musical theater, pop, rock, a capella and country music. More info at: www.codyqualls.com
Qualls currently composes, arranges for and tours as a lead tenor with the national rock a capella ensemble “Face.” His most current writing can be heard on his 2016 release "Big Time." He also composed on 3 tracks for Face's most recent studio album How Was the Show, for which he composed the title track "How Was the Show Last Night" and the viral video smash "The Man Dance." "How Was the Show Last Night" was named "Track of the Year" by the Recorded A cappella Review Board in 2015.
Among Face's many accolades, they were featured on NBC's The Sing-Off and performed before the celebrity judges of America's Got Talent. They were the National Harmony Sweepstakes runners up, and “Audience Favorite” award recipients in both 2005 and 2007 in San Rafael, California. Cody was personally bestowed the Jerry Lawson (of The Persuasions) "Soloist of the Evening" honors at the 2005 Rocky Mt. Regional by Mr. Lawson, himself. Along his travelings with the group he has received the opportunity to perform for former President Bush Sr., former President Clinton, and received high praise from audience members such as Henry Kissinger, Jimmy Buffet, David Rockefeller, and entertainment mogul Merv Griffin. In addition, Face has shared the stage with Clint Eastwood, Bon Jovi, Boy George and Culture Club, Robin Thicke, Home Free, The Manhattan Transfer and members of Take 6.
As a soloist, Qualls has released his EP "Pick Your Head Up," multiple videos and has been seen on stage with Broadway stars such as Alex Gemignani (Les Miserables, Sweeny Todd), Nancy Anderson (Kiss Me Kate, A Class Act), and Lawrence Street (Urine Town, South Pacific). Cody has also been an invited guest vocalist with the Ars Nova Singers as a featured quartet member. In 2015 his record, "Pick Your Head Up," was selected as "runner-up" in the Durango Songwriting Expo's "Write With a Hit Maker" songwriting contest. Additionally Qualls took 1st place the Great American Song Contest with his song "Focus On Your Rap Game" which was also semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
A composer of rock and pop music, he inked his first management contract with World Entertainment Services at the age of 16. He has since performed contemporary and classical works all over the state of Colorado including Red Rocks, Fiddler's Green Capital Hill Peoples Fair, Mile High and Invesco Field stadiums, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Hard Rock Café, Boulder Theater and the Blue Bird Theater. He has performed for Six Flags theme parks and entertains as an emcee for private ceremonies at the national level.
His original works with his rock ensemble “Kindred” were selected by Eddie Kramer, producer of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Matchbox 20 and Carlos Santana to record some of the bands original works during his visit to the University of Colorado @ Denver. During the sessions Kramer told the Denver Post, “I love the singer, I love the material, but most of all I love the attitude.”
Combined with his passion for voice Cody continues to study audio recording, composition, and piano. He has been teaching private voice for more than a decade. He encourages his students to sing from a feeling place, becoming multidimensional singers through the education of art song, musical theater, pop, rock, a capella and country music. More info at: www.codyqualls.com
Zakk Wooten
Voice, Guitar, A cappella, and Songwriting Instructor
Zakk Wooten has travelled and performed extensively throughout his professional singing career. He has appeared with The Cat’s Pajamas on NBC’s The Sing-Off, been an a cappella mainstay on the fabulous stages of Branson, MO, and has toured aboard Norwegian and Celebrity cruise lines as a professional entertainer.
In addition, Zakk has a degree in Musical Education from the University of Lincoln, Nebraska. He has an amazing ability to create a customized path for each and every student's individual needs. He currently sings for the professional, Denver-based a cappella group Motive and teaches group singing, group songwriting, and private vocal instruction at Whole Body Singing Studios.
In addition, Zakk has a degree in Musical Education from the University of Lincoln, Nebraska. He has an amazing ability to create a customized path for each and every student's individual needs. He currently sings for the professional, Denver-based a cappella group Motive and teaches group singing, group songwriting, and private vocal instruction at Whole Body Singing Studios.
Stephen Ross
Voice and A cappella Instructor
Stephen Ross is a high tenor and music director for Face Vocal Band. He has been a performer on NBC’s The Sing-Off and is an award-winning choral conductor.
Stephen attended the University of Colorado at Boulder in the fall of 1999 on a vocal performance scholarship. While studying with world class mezzo-soprano Julie Simson, he was a finalist for the Anderson Scholarship Voice Competition in 2000 and 2001, and won the award in 2002. Stephen received his Bachelor of Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis from CU in 2003.
From 2003 through 2015, Stephen was the Choir Director (and eventual Fine Arts Department Chairperson, and Visual & Performing Arts Academy Coordinator) at Skyline High School in Longmont, CO. As a high school choir director, Stephen directed five choirs and taught Voice Performance, Music Technology, and Beginning Guitar. His choirs received regular scores of “I - Superior” in multiple competition settings, and many of students were accepted into All-State Choir, Colorado All-State Jazz Choir, and prestigious music university programs around the country.
Since joining Face, the group has released five albums, and won many awards including “Best Band” from The Denver A-List in 2016 and “Best Local Musicians” from The Boulder Weekly in 2009, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Stephen is also a highly sought after contemporary a cappella arranger, having completed arrangements for middle school, high school, college, amateur, and professional vocal groups around the world. To learn more about Stephen, check out www.StephenRossMusic.com.
Stephen attended the University of Colorado at Boulder in the fall of 1999 on a vocal performance scholarship. While studying with world class mezzo-soprano Julie Simson, he was a finalist for the Anderson Scholarship Voice Competition in 2000 and 2001, and won the award in 2002. Stephen received his Bachelor of Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis from CU in 2003.
From 2003 through 2015, Stephen was the Choir Director (and eventual Fine Arts Department Chairperson, and Visual & Performing Arts Academy Coordinator) at Skyline High School in Longmont, CO. As a high school choir director, Stephen directed five choirs and taught Voice Performance, Music Technology, and Beginning Guitar. His choirs received regular scores of “I - Superior” in multiple competition settings, and many of students were accepted into All-State Choir, Colorado All-State Jazz Choir, and prestigious music university programs around the country.
Since joining Face, the group has released five albums, and won many awards including “Best Band” from The Denver A-List in 2016 and “Best Local Musicians” from The Boulder Weekly in 2009, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Stephen is also a highly sought after contemporary a cappella arranger, having completed arrangements for middle school, high school, college, amateur, and professional vocal groups around the world. To learn more about Stephen, check out www.StephenRossMusic.com.
Rachel Newson
Voice Instructor (Broadway, Classical, and Pop)
Rachel Newson has always had a passion for singing and performing. She has had extensive vocal training, working with renowned teachers and coaches including Julie Simson, Martin Kats, Carmen Pelton, and Cody Garner. She has been a guest teacher at BYU’s Vocal Beauty Boot Camp for the last several years. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education in Choral Music from the University of Colorado as well as a Masters of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan.
Rachel has extensive solo performance experience and has sung in several opera productions including Carmen, La Traviata, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Jackie O. Rachel is currently performing with the Colorado Repertory Singers and working to balance a singing career with her passion for teaching. She has a unique ability to help her students develop healthy singing technique, tailoring her teaching style to their individual needs.
Rachel has extensive solo performance experience and has sung in several opera productions including Carmen, La Traviata, Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Jackie O. Rachel is currently performing with the Colorado Repertory Singers and working to balance a singing career with her passion for teaching. She has a unique ability to help her students develop healthy singing technique, tailoring her teaching style to their individual needs.
Joe MoNDRAGON
Voice, Guitar, PIANO, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Drum, Acting/Performance, Songwriting Instructor
Joe Mondragon is a Denver based professional musician with 6 years of teaching experience and 14 years experience as multi instrumentalist. He has received vocal instruction at both Pepperdine University, where he studied musical theater, as well as UCDenver where he received his BA in music industries studies. Joe's musical projects have included groups who have been featured on KTCL Channel 93.3 as well as playing sold out shows around the Denver Metro area. Specializing in performance and songwriting, Joe's teaching style focuses on the individual creativity and strengths of his students. Students will learn music according to the genres and methods they favor and be challenged to achieve their full potential. Joe expands on the traditional methods by introducing ear training and musicality/performance, preparing students to create and collaborate to encourage long term growth. Some of Joe's students include members of local bands Viretta (CAM Artist, KTCL), Rocket Surgeons (Multiple Finalist for KTCL's Home Town For The Holidays) and LaRissa Vienna & The Strange (Music Connection's Top 100 National Acts). You can follow Joe's current musical career by checking out his band Creature Canopy on all social media platforms and streaming services.
Carrie Buechner
VOICE INSTRUCTOR
Carrie Buechner, mezzo soprano, is thrilled to join the Whole Body Singing staff. She has studied voice for over 10 years, and performs regularly in the Denver Metro area in choral ensembles, musical theatre, and solo for a variety of special events, church services, and celebrations. She has taught private voice lessons for over 3 years. Carrie graduated magna cum laude from Metropolitan State University of Denver in the spring of 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, emphasis in voice, and a minor in Theatre. While at MSU Denver, Carrie participated in private voice study, studio recitals, opera scenes, musical theatre productions, voice pedagogy, jazz ensemble work, and sang in the renowned MSU Denver Chorale under the direction of Dr. Michael Kornelson and MB Krueger, where she served as an alto section leader for over two years. Prior to attending MSU Denver, Carrie attended the prestigious Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University in Orange, California where she began her undergraduate studies in voice, vocal jazz, and choral music. Carrie has also competed in multiple National Associations of Teachers of Singing audition competitions, each time receiving honorable mention in the final rounds. She has lifelong training in piano and several years of guitar study. Carrie is also a guest teacher and clinician for multiple high schools and middle schools in the area, workshopping student musical theatre performances and choral selections. Carrie also sings with the Denver Pro Chorale, and occasionally accompanies the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, most recently participating as a vocalist in the Breckenridge Music Festival, the Bravo Vail Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. She is a regular vocal soloist at the PresbyterianChurch of Broomfield.
Currently, Carrie is studying at Regis University, where she is obtaining her Master of Arts in Counseling. Upon graduation, Carrie plans to obtain her music therapy certification, a subject for which she has great enthusiasm; her undergraduate thesis focused on the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder through the use of music therapy for veterans returning from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. When she is not performing, teaching, or studying, Carrie can be found rock climbing, reading, and petting every dog she meets. Carrie is deeply passionate about music and sincerely believes in its profound potential to connect, inspire, and heal.
Currently, Carrie is studying at Regis University, where she is obtaining her Master of Arts in Counseling. Upon graduation, Carrie plans to obtain her music therapy certification, a subject for which she has great enthusiasm; her undergraduate thesis focused on the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder through the use of music therapy for veterans returning from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. When she is not performing, teaching, or studying, Carrie can be found rock climbing, reading, and petting every dog she meets. Carrie is deeply passionate about music and sincerely believes in its profound potential to connect, inspire, and heal.
MaryLynn Gillaspie
VOcal Jazz instructor
MaryLynn was a founding member of the Grammy nominated vocal jazz group, Rare Silk. The group got their start in Boulder, CO. Their very first album, New Weave flew to the top of the Billboard Jazz charts and received 2 Grammy nominations.
MaryLynn and the group toured the world singing in the US, Europe and Japan. Rare Silk received acclaim working alongside artists such as Miles Davis, Branford Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and opening acts for Spyro Gyra and BB King. Their touring took them to some of the best venues in the country - The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Blues Alley in DC, New York Jazz clubs, and Boston Globe Jazz Festival, to name a few.
MaryLynn’s return to singing began about six years ago. Performing at Lannie’s Clocktower, she sold-out the club twice and has had great success creating a Vocal Showcase Series at both Lannie’s and Dazzle Jazz Nightclub. She performs locally in Louisville, Boulder and Denver with different musical configurations. She also produced a series of Jazz House Concerts at her Louisville Main St. Photography Studio. Her self-produced CD ‘Starlight’ received solid airplay on Denver’s Jazz station KUVO.
MaryLynn loves to sing an eclectic assortment of music: everything from 1940's standards, straight ahead jazz and updated versions of 60's pop tunes arranged and performed with the top of the crop of the area’s local musicians.
MaryLynn’s vocal coaching technique is called ‘Jazz Vocal Stylings’ - designed for vocalists who want to improve their understanding of Jazz phrasing and expression of the idiom. Interpreting words, moments... interpreting the music!
• If you love to sing and want to find your personal vocal expression, MaryLynn can guide you in finding your true voice.
• If you started in Broadway or Musical Theater or Pop genres and want to approach Jazz,
MaryLynn can help you find that expression thru lyrics, phrasing, and note choices.
MaryLynn and the group toured the world singing in the US, Europe and Japan. Rare Silk received acclaim working alongside artists such as Miles Davis, Branford Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and opening acts for Spyro Gyra and BB King. Their touring took them to some of the best venues in the country - The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Blues Alley in DC, New York Jazz clubs, and Boston Globe Jazz Festival, to name a few.
MaryLynn’s return to singing began about six years ago. Performing at Lannie’s Clocktower, she sold-out the club twice and has had great success creating a Vocal Showcase Series at both Lannie’s and Dazzle Jazz Nightclub. She performs locally in Louisville, Boulder and Denver with different musical configurations. She also produced a series of Jazz House Concerts at her Louisville Main St. Photography Studio. Her self-produced CD ‘Starlight’ received solid airplay on Denver’s Jazz station KUVO.
MaryLynn loves to sing an eclectic assortment of music: everything from 1940's standards, straight ahead jazz and updated versions of 60's pop tunes arranged and performed with the top of the crop of the area’s local musicians.
MaryLynn’s vocal coaching technique is called ‘Jazz Vocal Stylings’ - designed for vocalists who want to improve their understanding of Jazz phrasing and expression of the idiom. Interpreting words, moments... interpreting the music!
• If you love to sing and want to find your personal vocal expression, MaryLynn can guide you in finding your true voice.
• If you started in Broadway or Musical Theater or Pop genres and want to approach Jazz,
MaryLynn can help you find that expression thru lyrics, phrasing, and note choices.
