Alexis Grace Bateman plays the clarinet. She plays it very well.

How well? The Woodland Park High School sophomore has participated with four honor bands in the past year. Having already played with Tri-Peaks Honor Band, Pueblo Festival of the Winds and Top of the Nation Honor Band, she most recently performed with the Colorado All State Concert Band April 9-10 at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley.

“She thrives in music. She absorbs it,” her father, Dennis Bateman, said. “I’m very, very, very proud of her.”

Alexis has also been a member of the Woodland Park Wind Symphony the past two years. Playing with such elite musicians is energizing, Alexis said.

“It’s a really positive experience; I really enjoy it,” she said. “It’s nice being able to play with people who are closer to your level of playing.”

Performing with the Colorado All State Concert Band as a sophomore is a testament to her talent since most of the bands 200 selectees are juniors and seniors.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” Dennis said. “I really couldn’t.”

In addition to the clarinet, Alexis also plays alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, guitar, bass guitar and piano/organ. But clarinet, which he began playing in sixth grade, is her instrument of choice.

“Once I got started, it was just how easily it came to me. I found it fun,” Alexis said. “It’s the most fun out of all of them.”

She credits former WPHS band teacher Carla Garcia for much of her success.

“She’s a mentor,” Alexis said. “I kind of saw her as another mother, but at school. She is very enthusiastic about the people playing instruments; she’s enthusiastic about teaching us.”

Alexis hopes to attend The Juilliard School in New York after high school graduation.

Parenthood came late for her father, Dennis, who completed a career as a Navy fighter pilot before becoming a dad in his late 40s.

“My wife and I weren’t supposed to be able to have kids,” Dennis said.

He was in the process of purchasing a Cessna Cardinal. The plane was on its way to Pensacola for inspection and Dennis was excited about the prospect of having his own plane. As he was waiting, the phone rang. It was his wife, Suzie. Amid his excitement over the plane, she finally spoke.

“She said ‘shut up, I have something to tell you. I’m pregnant,'” Dennis recalled.

“Alexis is my Cardinal.”