Our Staff and Conductors

Staff


Executive Director

Tiffany Pallotto

tiffany@insidetheorchestra.org

With a background in community outreach, arts education, philanthropy and partnership development, Tiffany is on a journey to advance equity in arts education and the workplace. Over her 18-year career, Tiffany has worked with Colorado Ballet, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Book Trust and Swallow Hill Music and she has served on multiple nonprofit Boards of Directors. Pallotto most recently served as the Director of Development & Community Outreach at Swallow Hill Music, helping to ensure access to music for diverse and under-resourced communities throughout the Denver area; under her leadership, programming grew by 80%.

Tiffany graduated from Regis University with a Masters in Nonprofit Management. Her undergraduate studies at Colorado State University include a BS in Early Childhood Development, and a BA in Performing Arts. Additionally, Tiffany completed the Institute for Leaders in Development program at Denver University and is a member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Leadership Denver class.

Music and arts education has meant the world to Tiffany. She loves any chance to talk about music, preferably over coffee or wine. She lives in Lakewood (where she grew up) with her two beautiful and chatty boys (ages 10 and 6).


Program Director

Valerie Johnson

Valerie@insidetheorchestra.org

Valerie has been playing flute with IO since 2011. She has an extensive and impressive educational background, including a doctorate in Musical Arts from CU Boulder. Her talents, experience and expertise in orchestral music and music education make her the ideal Program Director. And her passion for Inside the Orchestra is so encouraging and contagious.


Community & Revenue Manager

Lorena Mendez

lorena@insidetheorchestra.org

Lorena Mendez has over 10 years of Office Administration. She approaches all aspects of any job with a positive, hard-working mindset, and is passionate about helping find solutions to any challenges. She has an Associate Degree in General Studies.

Music has been a very important factor in her family gatherings as a child and is excited to bring music to young kids with Inside the Orchestra.


Dan Leavitt- Music Director

Dan has a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Denver. He has written over 500 arrangements that are played all over the world. Dan has taught music at the University of Colorado Boulder, Metropolitan State University, Colorado Christian University and Cherry Creek High School. He is currently the conductor of the Mercury Ensemble. He has also conducted the Colorado Ballet and the Denver Municipal Band. Dan has performed with numerous recording artists including Andrea Bocelli, Diane Reeves, Mel Tormé, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Bernadette Peters, Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, Lyle Lovett, Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, Michael W. Smith, Leslie Uggams, Amy Grant, John Denver, Bob Hope, Charlie Pride, Chuck Berry, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, The Canadian Brass, The Irish Tenors, The Moody Blues, Mannheim Steam Roller, The O’Jays, Kool and the Gang, Dave Brubeck, Phil Woods, Aaron Copland, Richard Stolzman, Andre Watts, and many more. He has performed four times for Presidents of the United States. He can be seen in the recently released PBS special 3 Mo’ Divas. He has recorded with the Colorado Symphony, The Boulder Brass, Rare Silk, and can be heard on Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman by Joan Tower. He has performed with the The Denver Brass, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Chamber Players, Forever in Blue Jeans, Central City Opera, The Colorado Symphony, Mercury Ensemble and many touring Broadway shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Annie, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Annie Get Your Gun, Big, Peter Pan, and others. Dan has taught at the Grenoble Jazz Summer camp in Grenoble France. Dan is very excited to be conducting Tiny Tots. He has a passion for conducting, performing, composing, and music education. “The role of an orchestra in the 21st century isn’t just playing, it’s about developing future audiences and performers.” – Leonard Slatkin


Steven Aguiló-Arbues- Conductor

Argentinian-American Steven Aguiló-Arbues enjoys his roles as a conductor, vocal coach, répétiteur, and recitalist. Outside of his work with Inside the Orchestra, he conducts the Boulder-based choir The Renaissance Project (specializing in Renaissance a cappella choral music). His love for opera has led him to work with companies like Central City Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Colorado, The Atlanta Opera, Crested Butte Music Festival, and the Miami Music Festival. He has also served on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, Centro Studi Lirica in Italy, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and a Master of Music degree as well as Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Aguiló-Arbues is also fluent in Spanish and English, helping him to communicate with countless students while educating them in music.

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