

Media from the 2026 Summit
Pictures
Video


2026 Artists
Sponsored by
Dylan Fixmer

Colorado based composer, musician, educator and scholar Dylan Fixmer (b. 1987), is a genuine and passionate artist whose works in a variety of genres reflect his diverse music career which includes his residency with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, works published by RWS Music Company and commissions nationally and abroad. Fixmer’s music is inspired by the beauty of nature and the human spirit, and draws upon a multitude of musical styles and traditions culminating in projects centered on portraying the varieties of human experience.
Recent works include commissions and premieres from the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture, Javier Vinasco, Opera Guanajuato, the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Becky Kutz Osterberg, the Front Range Chamber Players, the Crested Butte Music Festival, The Burroughs, Towards a Shinning Light, Old Machines Duo, UCHealth and the
University of Northern Colorado Faculty Recital Series. Fixmer is currently the Composer in Residence for the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra who premiered his Concerto for Violin: In Memory of Terri Sternberg with violinist Sarah Off, “which received a rapturous reception when it was performed” (The Times of London) on September 24, 2022. Previous residencies include the Mt. Blanca Fine Arts Association and the North Fork Community Chorus. As a multi-faceted and imaginative composer, Fixmer writes for multifarious contexts from orchestral and traditional solo and ensemble work, to theater, choir, film, and narrative including the soundtrack for the audio book “Adventures of a Mystic Warrior” by Robert Rocco D’Ordine, and author Craig Child’s multi-media production “Dark Night”. Fixmer’s Four Portraits for Strings was selected as Editor’s Choice by J.W. Pepper in 2023 and his music has been featured on Colorado Public Radio Denver and CPR Classical, Radio Classique - Paris, The Times of London, Le Figaro - Paris, KAFM-Grand Junction, Rifle Community Television, KVNF-Paonia, KDNK-Carbondale, KAFK - Greeley, and on albums by Javier Vinasco, Sarah Off, The Embodying Rhythm Marimba Ensemble, Paul Elwood and Alice Simmons, The Scones, Sarah Louise Pipelow, The Mollie Scholars, and many more.
An active and dynamic performing artist, Fixmer performed with the Embodying Rhythm Marimba Ensemble, and “Traditionish”, in addition to various solo and ensemble performances. He has appeared with artists from Glen Valez and Loire Cotler to Blackie O’Connell and Cyril Cyril O Donoghue to Gao Hong, and in performance venues from the Montrose Pavilion and Boettcher Hall to The IBar Ranch, Blue Sage Theater, Rob Miller’s “Pickin in the Park”, The New Ute Event Center, and Paradise Theater. He has recorded numerous albums including Embodying Rhythm Marimba Ensemble’s “Music for Everyday Life”, Traditionish “Traditionish”.
Becky Kutz Osterberg

Becky Kutz Osterberg is a versatile freelance musician performing both acoustic and electric cello. She serves as Principal for the Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, and Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, and as Assistant Principal for the Cheyenne Symphony. Other orchestra and opera ensemble performances include Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Opera Colorado, Colorado Bach Ensemble, Larimer Chorale and Laudamus Chorale.
Mrs. Kutz Osterberg received her Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California as a student of Ron Leonard, retired Principal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and her Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Akron, Ohio where she studied with Michael Haber and Richard Weiss. Additionally, she studied Orchestral Excerpts and post graduate work with Daniel Rothmuller, retired Associate Principal of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Beyond her classical experiences, Mrs. Kutz Osterberg has performed with a wide variety of artists including Josh Groban, Guns and Roses, Sarah McLachlan, Mannheim Steamroller, Kaleo, Frank Sinatra Junior, Ten Tenors, Sarah Brightman, Wu-Tang Clan, and a 60-city national tour with John Tesh. She has recorded for independent studio producers in both Colorado and California. Mrs. Kutz Osterberg is a founding member of
Synesthesia, an eclectic mix of Flute, Clarinet, Electric Cello, and Ukulele playing a wide variety of musical styles including Pop, Celtic, Klezmer and Classical.
Her instructional experience includes teaching and ensemble coaching for more than 30 years. Mrs. Kutz Osterberg has an established private cello studio in Fort Collins and in Steamboat Springs. She has coached cello and chamber music at various summer festivals including Western State in Gunnison, CSU in Fort Collins, Omaha Conservatory and Arrowbear Music Camp in Southern California.
Mrs. Kutz Osterberg’s Acoustic Cello was made in 1785 in Salisbury, England by Benjamin Banks. Her Electric Cello is a Yamaha SVC-110SK.
Derek McDonald

Derek McDonald is a luthier that resides in Boulder, CO and has been servicing the student and professional string community in the Front Range for over a decade. Derek specializes in repair and restoration of all violin family instruments and specifically focuses on the importance of set-up, playability, and quality of sound, bringing each instrument to their full potential. Derek is not only a luthier, but also a professional musician who performs in many of the professional orchestras in the area including the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, among others, and understands the importance of a well-playing and incredible sounding instrument, how it helps achieve a higher level of musicianship and enjoyment to the player, and elevating the overall experience of performing.
Derek works from his workshop in his home that he shares with his two beautiful daughters, his fiancée, and his best shop assistant Mini (his sleepy and very lovable dog).

Masterclass with Rainer Eudeikis
***Special Event in partnership with The Boulder Philharmonic***
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Photos from the masterclass with Rainer Eudeikis
About
Board Members
Founded in 2018, the Colorado Cello Summit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that in partnership with Metro State University of Denver holds a yearly event that brings Colorado cellists together to connect, play and celebrate the cello. Past presenters and facilitators at the Summit have included: Daniel Rothmuller, David Requiro, Alice Yoo, Matt Zalkind, András Fejér, Dr. Charles Lee, Doug Moore, Evan Orman, Rich Slavich, Gil Selinger, Margaret Romney, David Rutherford, Christopher Dungey, and Deborah Miles.
In addition to the yearly event, the Colorado Cello Summit strive's to help build and foster the cello playing community in Colorado by providing a strong online presence where performers, students and teachers can go to learn about cello related events, cello teachers in the area, performance opportunities and upcoming concerts in the area.
Chair
Secretary
Peter Linder
Treasurer
Members
Charles Lee
Trevor Minton
Erin Patterson
STAFF
Artistic Director - Adam Riggs

Summit Videos

Summit Photos
2025 Cello Summit

2024 Cello Summit

Photos by Adam Riggs with AR Pictures


















































































































