Our staff strives to create an inclusive, encouraging environment, in which all students feel valued and safe. We build a culture of positivity and fun, and then aid our students in singing musically, taking risks, and learning new skills.
Mr. Nathan Wubbena
Director, High School Ensemble
President of the Board
nathan@ascentvocals.org
​Nathan Wubbena (Mister Wubbs) has performed as a soloist and chorus member locally and internationally; he has won awards in both classical and musical theater competitions, and he been cast in several lead roles in musical productions. He has performed with critically acclaimed choral ensembles, most recently performing with the Denver-based group Kantorei. He also arranges a cappella music, which he uses with the groups he directs and performs himself; he has several years of experience with a cappella groups, both singing in and directing them, and currently directs Ascent Vocals' top ensemble.

Mr. Wubbena holds a Master of Music Education (with a Conducting Specialization) from Colorado State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Northern Colorado with his Bachelor of Music Education, specializing in Vocal, Piano, and General Music. 

​He has taught students in the public schools from K-12. He has been the director of numerous well-received musicals, and his choirs have won competitions with superior ratings. In 2015, Nathan received the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educator's Association. He is the founder and President of the organization. 

Nathan resides in Longmont with his wife, Anna, his son, James, and daughter, Claire. He enjoys cheering for the Broncos and spending time outdoors with his family and two dogs.
Mr. Ben Thompson
Pianist, Middle and High School Ensembles
Ben Thompson is a piano player, composer, and teacher that currently lives in the Boulder/Denver area. He is a versatile musician, mixing jazz improvisation, classical music, salsa, funk, and rock to create his own musical identity. Ben has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies which he attained in 2020 from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

During the summer of 2018, Ben played with the National Repertory Orchestra where he worked with Michael Stern, Chris Deviney, and She-e Wu. In 2020, he was selected to participate in the IASJ music conference in New York City before the conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    
While being a gigging and composing musician, Ben also loves teaching music. He works with CCJA (Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts), an organization that’s purpose is to let kids learn jazz from professional jazz musicians, of which he is an alumni. In addition to CCJA, he works as an accompanist at Niwot HS, as well as teaches students individually.