Music is blooming in Colorado
If you’ve ever been to Boulder, Colorado, on a first visit you might find it hard to miss two big details about the city: everyone seems to be riding bikes, and no matter where you look you just happen to be surrounded by glorious nature views. It was here where the Achillea Brass Quintet was born, under the majestic and inspirational landscape of the mountains.
Five driven individuals, all passionate professional musicians in the area, were lucky to cross paths and learn they shared the same goal: to bring people together through their instruments. All avid performers and educators, the group seeks to bring their unique talents to not only the concert stage, but to schools and educational clinics as well as once-in-a-lifetime events and music festivals.
The musical backgrounds of the group are diverse, and there is a wealth of experience playing not only classical chamber music, but also hip-hop, pop, rock, jazz, and taking part in various studio recordings.
Achillea Millefolium, the common yarrow
You may have seen these lovely plants growing out in the wild somewhere near you before. A local favorite, they are championed by the Xerces Society for having a strong natural appeal for insects and pollinators, and it symbolizes healing, tenacity, and emotional connection.
Rumored to have been carried by Achilles to heal the wounds of his army, this flower showcases our love for nature, and our commitment to using music not only to bring excitement and joy to those around us, but to bring healing to our communities through the unique power of music.
Meet the Members
Leilani Spurlock
Leilani is a Colorado-based musician, educator, and multi-faceted artist. She explores a variety of genres through performance in classical, jazz, commercial, and chamber ensembles. Leilani is a regular performer with chamber groups and wedding party bands in addition to being a substitute in regional orchestras across the Front Range.
Leilani is active in chamber ensembles with primary experience in brass quintets and trumpet ensembles. Prior to her Colorado move , Leilani performed in pit orchestras with Constellation Stage and Screen and played in the Tom Walsh Jazz Ensemble. Leilani received her Master’s degree at the University of Colorado Boulder and received her Bachelor’s degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Justin Sokolowski
Justin Sokolowski is an awarded trumpet player from Clearwater, Florida. After graduating high school and spending some time studying at the University of South Florida, Justin earned a spot in the United States Marine Corps fleet bands. While serving as a Trumpet player and Conductor in the Marine Corps Band New Orleans, he performed around the country for audiences including the President of the Navajo Nation, The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, and the New Orleans Saints.
Since moving to Denver, Colorado to study trumpet with Dr. Ryan Gardner at the University of Colorado, Justin has performed with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and Boulder Symphony as well as being a performing member with the Jordan Kahn Music Company. He has also earned awards from the International Trumpet Guild and National Trumpet Competition for solo and ensemble performances. Justin is an active Trumpet instructor and Instrument Repair Technician in the Denver Metropolitan area.
Performing, learning, and teaching are all at the core of Justin’s drive and passion for music. He is excited to work with students to build that passion within them, and help them grow to be the musicians they dream of being. In his free time Justin enjoys playing Disc Golf and going on hikes and adventures with his wife and two dogs.
Jordan Spivack
Jordan Spivack is a horn player, educator, and arranger based in Boulder, Colorado. He currently serves as Principal Horn of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. A versatile freelance musician, Jordan performs regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles across the country.
Jordan recently earned his Master of Music in Horn Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he currently continues his studies as an Artist Diploma candidate and serves as a teaching assistant in the horn studio. He holds a master’s degree in horn performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder as well as a dual bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Horn Performance.
In addition to performing, Jordan is passionate about teaching and mentorship, working with both American and International students of all ages. Since 2022, he has served on the staff of the Philadelphia International Music Festival and is currently the Associate Operations Director. His previous positions include playing Second Horn with the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra and the Delaware Valley Wind Symphony. Jordan also enjoys arranging music for horn and chamber ensembles.
Jesse Factor
Jesse is a tubist, educator, and freelance performer based out of Boulder, Colorado. He is currently a Doctoral student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he is pursuing a degree in Tuba Performance and Pedagogy.
Jesse currently serves as the Principal tubist for the Lumina Chamber Orchestra, and frequently performs as a substitute with orchestras across the area, as well as with various chamber ensembles and brass bands. A former member of both Gora Gora Orkestar and BaddaBoom Brass Band, he enjoys exploring diverse musical genres whenever possible, blending classical, jazz, and commercial pop music in his own writing and concert performances..
Committed to youth education, Jesse frequently travels to schools in the area giving lessons and leading brass masterclasses for middle and high school bands, in addition to teaching a private studio of students.
Tyler Stockton
Tyler Stockton is a trombonist, composer, and arranger with roots in both Texas and California. He studied trombone performance at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA and has a Master’s degree in Music Industry Administration from CSU Northridge in the Los Angeles area. Tyler was introduced to the music clearance and licensing sector during his graduate program, and continues to work in licensing today.
Tyler moved to Longmont, Colorado with his wife Megan and his pup Amanda in 2022 after four years in LA. He’s excited to continue to dive into the music scene in Colorado and grow deep connections here. He currently performs with Badda Boom Brass Band, Denver Rock Orchestra, and Unfinished Orchestra, has performed with Flatirons Community Orchestra, and has collaborated with the Longmont All-Star Jazz Band and Warriors Of Peace combo. Outside of trombone, you can find Tyler playing guitar in his basement, terrorizing Halo MCC multiplayer lobbies, or watching baseball. He also knows more about Star Wars than you do.