OPEN for Walk-in Service | Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm Find Us
About Us
Hi! We are CIOMIT in Castle Rock, Colorado
We’ve been contributing to the quality of music for 17 years! While technically our job is to repair instruments and teach others to start their journey into instrument repair, we also see our jobs as advocates, and craftsmen for music. We carry out these roles by staying committed to our value of excellent customer care in every area of our services!
Our History
Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Repair (CIOMIT for short!) was started 17 years ago with a vision to increase the quality of musical instrument repair not only in Castle Rock, Colorado, but around the world. We continue to pursue this goal with our high quality repairs as well as through our Repair Institute in person and online. Over the years, we have expanded to provide more services including Instrument rentals, online repair classes, school partnerships and instrument sales!
Our Core Values
EDUCATION
Equipping future generations of luthiers and musicians of all ages, as well as contributing to professional development for teachers and directors.
ADVOCACY
Supporting the individual, the community, society, and the world by being champions for the cause of music education and it's benefits.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Producing quality repairs and restorations with the highest level of precision and true caring for the instrument.
SERVICE
Providing attention to the customer that exceeds expectations in integrity and sincerity.
Meet the Owners
Meet Tom, Diana, and Stephen Bluebaugh (right to left)! This family is genuinely in love with music and all the magic that comes with it! Each one of them plays a different instrument (or two) and have continued to make music a large part of their lives! Becoming owners of CIOMIT was just another amazing step in their journey.
HOW IT ALL HAPPENED
Stephen at age 17 wanted to pursue a career in instrument repair (living in Kansas City at the time). Diana searched online, found CIOMIT and signed Stephen up for his first courses in instrument repair! Oh and Tom sent his personal trumpet on the trip with Stephen for CIOMIT to repair. Fast forward 10 years and they became the new owners of CIOMIT in 2019!
Meet the Team
Tom Bluebaugh
Owner/CEO
Diana Bluebaugh
Owner/Administrator
Stephen Bluebaugh
Owner/General Manager/Education Rep
Kelton Brown
Senior Technician/Instructor
Tim Andridge
Senior Technician/Instructor
Sam Gilbertson
Brass/Woodwind/String TechnicianTom Bluebaugh
Owner/CEO
After a successful career in Computer Sales, Tom began thinking about retirement and what he might want to do to stay busy. He decided to move to Colorado and begin exploring the mountains in his Jeep. Shortly after that, the opportunity to purchase CIOMIT presented itself and he purchased CIOMIT in March of 2019. He played the Trumpet throughout High School and College. He was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the North American collegiate honor fraternity for band members at Ohio Northern University. He has a vision for what music can accomplish in the lives of the youth of America and is striving to make that available to all students.
Diana Bluebaugh
Owner/Administrator
Diana has always had a passion for music. She began playing the Piano at age 12 and continued her education thru private lessons at the University of Missouri KC Conservatory. She founded a Piano teaching studio and taught at Calvary University. She has consistently had a full studio schedule. Prior to her move to Colorado in 2017, she began experimenting with teaching online. She developed her skills and was able to move CIOMIT’s online teaching to new heights. While continuing with her Piano studio, Keys 4 Life Piano Studio, she also administrates the CIOMIT Institute of Technical Education and is the Treasurer for CIOMIT.
Stephen Bluebaugh
Owner/General Manager/Education Rep
At the age of 17, Stephen decided to pursue a career in guitar repair. After some research, they discovered CIOMIT, and his journey began. He came to Colorado to study every summer. After completing several courses, he began working on his friend’s guitars and started a small business. Stephen graduated from CIOMIT in 2013 in Strings. A few years later, CIOMIT called to ask him to become an Ed Rep and the head of the string department. He started full time at CIOMIT in October of 2016. In March of 2019 he became a Co-Owner, and the rest is history! His instrument is the Guitar.
Kelton Brown
Senior Technician/Instructor
Kelton began repairing instruments in 2010 while still in High School. He is a 2017 Graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Kelton graduated from CIOMIT in 2018 in Woodwinds, Brass and Strings. He began working in northern Colorado after graduation. He came back to CIOMIT in May of 2019. In 2020 he became Straubinger certified and is our local Flute Expert. He also works on the horns of several Professional Musicians in the area. His instrument is the French Horn. He also repairs digital Pianos and Organs.
Tim Andridge
Senior Technician/Instructor
Tim is a graduate of CIOMIT and is trained in Woodwinds, Brass and Strings. Brass is his specialty and he is an instructor as well. His comment from the beginning has been: “I have finally found an occupation where I truly belong”. He is our resident Leprechaun, plays trumpet and baritone, writes and records his own original music and posts them to SoundCloud! You might hear him singing or playing a trumpet when you come in the store.
Sam Gilbertson
Brass/Woodwind/String Technician
Sam graduated from CIOMIT in 2022 and is trained in Woodwinds, Brass and Strings. They joined our team after graduation. They also graduated from the Galloup School of Guitar making and playing anything with reeds or strings! Sam specializes in Guitars and Orchestral Strings.