About

Bio

Engaged in every aspect of music, Robert Stahly is an award-winning Seattle based musician.  As an educator Robert taught instrumental music for over a decade.  While serving as Director of Orchestras at Longmont High School from 2009-2022, Robert grew the orchestra program to over triple its size while at the same time increasing the quality and diversity of the ensembles. The LHS Chamber Orchestra consistently ranks as one of the top high school orchestras in Colorado and was selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Conference in 2016.  In 2016 Robert was recognized as one of the top six educators in the St. Vrain Valley School District with an “Encore Award” and in 2019 Robert was a finalist for “Teacher of the Year”.  He created the Music Technology and Stage Technology classes.  In 2014 he took over the AP Music Theory class. 

Outside of the classroom, Robert spent eleven years working with the Loveland High School Marching Band in a variety of capacities: Tuba Instructor, Assistant Director, Sound Engineer, and Lead Visual Instructor. He was the conductor of the Longmont Youth Symphony String Ensemble, the Denver Young Artists Orchestra String Ensemble, and is a frequent guest conductor and clinician.

As an instrumentalist Robert has performed in six countries with a variety of ensembles playing cello, tuba, and bass.  Most recently he was appointed Associate Principal Cellist of the Longmont Symphony, having previously being a member of the section.  Robert freelances with other ensembles in the area, and has appeared on several recordings. 

Robert Stahly is currently a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, pursuing a DMA in Orchestral Conducting. He completed his Master’s at Colorado State University in 2024. His undergraduate studies were also at CSU, finishing in 2008. Robert received degrees in Music Education, Tuba Performance, and a String Pedagogy Certificate. Since then, he has continued to study at programs such as the CU Conducting Workshop, Conductors Institute at Bard College, MSU Conducting Symposium, Eastman School of Music Conducting Workshop, and CCM's Opera Bootcamp.

Conductor

A consummate student, Robert continues his education to this day.  Robert is currently attending Colorado State University pursuing a Masters Degree in Orchestral Conducting. Robert has attended the Bard College Conductors Institute, University of Colorado Conducting Symposium, Eastman Summer Conducting Institute, Michigan State University Conducting Symposium, Arapahoe Philharmonic Conducting Workshops, and CCM Opera Bootcamp.  In this time, Robert was able to work with incredible and inspirational teachers such as Gary Lewis, Donald Schleicher, Larry Livingston, Harold Farberman, Eduardo Navega, Ginamaria Griglio, Guillermo Figueroa, Wes Kenney, Scott O’Niel, Lawrence Golan, Neil Varon, Kevin Noe, Apo Hsu, and Mark Gibson.  Outside of the study of conducting, Robert has also attended and presented at numerous State Music Educator Conferences, American String Teachers Association State and National Conferences, the MidWest Band and Orchestra Convention, and Boulder Bach Festival.

Classroom Teacher

Engaged in every aspect of music, Robert Stahly is an award-winning Northern Colorado based musician.  As an educator Robert has taught instrumental music for over a decade.  Director of Orchestras at Longmont High Schools, Robert grew the orchestra program to over triple its size while at the same time increasing the quality and diversity of the ensembles.  The LHS Chamber Orchestra consistently ranks as one of the top high school orchestras in Colorado and was selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Conference in 2016.  In 2016, Robert was recognized as one of the top six educators in the St. Vrain Valley School District with an “Encore Award”.  In 2019 Robert was a finalist for “Teacher of the Year”.  As the AP Music Theory instructor, over 80% of Robert’s students have passed the exam.  Students also consistently score above the State and National averages.  Wanting to provide opportunities to students not already taking music, Robert started Music and Stage Technology courses.

Teaching outside of the “school day”, Robert was heavily involved in every aspect of the award-winning Loveland High School Marching Band.  As tuba instructor numerous students of Robert’s have gone to win regional, state, and national honor band and orchestra positions.  In the last three years Robert was also the Lead Visual Instructor, teaching all visual aspects to the instrumentalists including marching technique and dance.  The ensemble has placed in the top 3 at every state competition during this time.

Diversity

The lack of diversity in classical music has troubled me since my youth. I have had incredible opportunities to travel which only increased my desire for diversity. Educators and Conductors must use their position to expand the repertoire being taught and performed. Words are not enough.

An active multi-instrumentalist, Robert is at home in many genres.  As a cellist Robert is the Associate Principal Cellist of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and freelances with other ensembles in the area including Centennial State Ballet, the Cheyenne Symphony, and Wyoming Symphony.  In the recording studio, Robert has been featured on tracks by artists such as Laura Brehm.  Though no longer an active tuba player, Robert formerly has performed with the Ascend Performing Arts ensembles on tours of Bahrain and Taiwan, and in the Broncos Stampede Band.  During his time at CSU, Robert was principal tuba for the Wind Ensemble.  As a Jazz bassist, Robert is a former member of the Kephart Trio.

Cellist

Elevation String Quartet

Longmont Symphony Orchestra

    Assistant Principal Cellist (2019-2022)

    Section Cellist (2013-2019)

Substituting with:

Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra

Loveland Orchestra

Wyoming Symphony Orchestra

Tubist

Broncos Stampede Band

Blue Knights Professional Ensemble

Tour to Bahrain

Tour to Taiwan

Bassist

Kephart Jazz Trio

Late Hit

Psycle