About 32 Bars
Kari Kraakevik Owner
Kari Kraakevik is a versatile composer, performer and teacher. Holding degrees in Music Performance, Theory and Music Composition from Pepperdine University and University of Colorado. Ms Kraakevik is constantly searching for ways to combine her loves of performing, teaching and composition.
While obtaining her masters in Music Composition from CU, Ms. Kraakevik focused her studies primarily on large-scale productions that were exclusively interdisciplinary. Working with dance, visual arts, theater and even children’s choirs, Ms. Kraakevik found that her niche in the composition world was to not have a “niche”, but rather never limit herself or others.
All of her large scale musical compositions (some over 60 performers) were successfully and completely funded with grants, donations and commissions. This in part, made her dream beyond academia… dream even bigger… What if she could get funding for a larger project….?
Living off just an adjunct faculty’s stipend.. She began to think.. Why NOT? Why not create a space that CREATES…? Luckily, her students, and their parents, supported this dream and seminal to the creation of Reel Kids!
In 2013, Ms. Kraakevik emerged in the world of entrepreneurs while still holding teaching positions at CU and Metro University in Denver. Loving the world of collaborative arts, in 2015 Ms. Kraakevik bought existing long-time music school Wildflower School of Voice and expanded the school to now, Boulder Music.
Today, Ms. Kraakevik enjoys being a full time entrepreneur, adoring her students, creating every day in a safe, collaborative FUN environment, REEL KIDS!!
Joshua Rich
Joshua Rich is a self-taught pianist, director, teacher, music director, composer and performer who entered professional at the mere age of 9. Originally from Boston, Joshua has worked from coast to coast as both a composer and performer.
Relocating to the Washington, D.C. area, Joshua began working with children as a director, music director, performer and teacher. He founded several after-school performing arts schools. He has directed and/or musically directed numerous shows, from classics like “Godspell”, “Guys and Dolls,” You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”, “Annie” to more edgier shows like “Fame,” and even “Rent,” and “Cabaret!” He is looking forward to directing “Heathers” with a select group of late-high school/college students in Fall 2021!
Joshua has created and released over 30 CDs of original music, as well as albums in the jazz, children’s and classical genres. He also had the opportunity to work as music director and choir leader for Grammy and Oscar winner Marvin Hamlisch “(A Chorus Line”, “The Way We Were”). Additionally, Joshua served as music director, choral director and pianist for several gala events, most notably playing for Hillary Clinton at the Warner Theater.
In the early 2000s, Joshua moved back Los Angeles, working with Grammy and Oscar winner Randy Newman and with-winner Luther Vandross (“Here and Now”, “Superstar”, “Always and Forever”).
In the late 2000s New York City was “home.” In NYC he found himself accompanying, directing, composing and music directing for several notable Broadway dancers, performers, and performing arts schools. His favorite collaborations were with Gail Crutchfield (original cast of “42nd Street”) and owner of Shuffles, the Broadway Tap and Musical Theater School.
Recently, Joshua relocated to Colorado, where he was fortunate enough to begin working with Kari Kraakevik, the multi-talented owner and founder of Boulder Music and Reel Kids. Putting his many years of experience to use, Joshua serves as pianist, director, teacher, music director and business manager for Kari, and the two have even formed a jazz duo, “Take Two”, which performs locally. Joshua continues to compose and release new CDs and is looking forward to sharing his love of inspiring young people through the arts for many years to come!
Collaborators
Payton Keeler
Payton Keeler is currently a pre-med undergraduate at CU-Boulder double majoring in Classics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB)!
I have been singing a wide variety of genres and performing since the age of five and most recently had the privilege of singing on stage at Carnegie Hall and The Musikverein in Vienna, Austria.
I have also taken the stage in 30 musicals and my favorite roles include Sally in Cabaret, Jo in Little Women, Veronica in Heathers, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Currently,
I am in the acapella group Extreme Measures at CU and hope to continue performing music as a life-long passion.
Maggie Hefflon
My name is Maggie and my favorite thing to do is sing.
Whether that’s in my room listening to a karaoke track or on stage singing with a band.
I love being on stage and working with amazing teachers.
I’ve come so far with them and my favorite role I’ve played is Sandy in Grease.
I’ve loved singing and acting since I was little and I can’t wait to keep growing and learning.
Keaton Darcy
Hi! I’m Keaton Darcy and I am currently in auditions and pre-screens for colleges to study Musical Theatre BFA.
I have been traveling from Colorado, to New York to Chicago and then to Missouri and Ohio with some through zoom as well!
I’ve been doing shows since my junior year of high school and some of my favorite roles have been Jack Worthing from The Importance of Being Earnest, Dennis / Sir Galahad from Spamalot, Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and most recently Doody from Grease.
Coby Mandell
My name is Coby and I am from Boulder Colorado. Currently I am studying music performance and composition at Brandeis University in Waltham Massachusetts. I’ve been professionally performing and writing music since
I was seven years old. My favorite roles include, Frank-N-Furter, in Rocky Horror Show, Harold Hill in Music Man, Roger in Rent and Clif in Cabaret. I love to sing, act, record and write!
I am in the acapella group Extreme Measures at CU and hope to continue performing music as a life-long passion.
