About Camp Coletrain Inc.
Welcome to Camp Coletrain Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit inspiring creativity, confidence, and mindfulness through immersive music education and outreach. Based in beautiful Buena Vista, Colorado — just two and a half hours southwest of Denver — our programs unfold in the heart of the Rockies between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River, a region celebrated for its outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and vibrant arts community.
Our mission is simple: bring people together through music in inspiring settings. We focus on rural communities, offering professionally led camps, workshops, and pop-up experiences that foster lifelong skills, artistry, and meaningful connections.
Camp Coletrain Inc. offers instruction for every level — from first-time beginners to advanced performing musicians seeking to deepen their craft. Our instructors are renowned educators and avid performers who bring a results-driven curriculum and real-world experience to every class. This combination of expert teaching and supportive community helps students of all ages reach their musical goals while building confidence and creativity.
As a non-profit, we’re dedicated to accessibility and inclusion, working to remove barriers so more people can experience the transformative power of music. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or looking to refine your skills at an advanced level, Camp Coletrain Inc. provides immersive opportunities to learn, grow, and connect in a setting unlike any other.
Coletrain Music Academy
Coletrain Music Academy is an award-winning music studio located in Buena Vista, Colorado. CMA was founded by Master Violinist and world-renowned fiddle player Coleman Smith. Coletrain Music Academy is known for teaching concepts that are proven to get you started and keep you learning music for years to come. Our curriculum in our private lessons is carried over to our Music Workshops, E-Lessons, and Masterclasses.
Coleman “Coletrain” Smith
Coleman’s love of the violin began at the age of 3 at which time he began studying the Suzuki Method. Coleman has a degree in music performance and a minor in music pedagogy and has over 15 years of experience both teaching and establishing music education programs. In 2018 Coleman moved his music school Coletrain Music Academy from Decatur, Texas to Buena Vista, Colorado where he currently serves students from Chaffee County as well as neighboring towns including Crested Butte, Breckenridge, and Aspen, as well as students from the front range. Coleman is also a founding member and fiddle player in the Internationally acclaimed and award-winning band Rapidgrass, established in 2009. Currently, when Coleman is not teaching he travels the world performing and teaching including an annual tour throughout Europe and India.
