Anaconda student turns construction skills into a backing track for a jazz dream
Denali Pflug of Anaconda stands out when he arrives at Highlands College for his classes as a second-year construction-technology carpentry student. He’s the only one whose bright long red hair gathers into a bun that peeks out beneath his hardhat.
If Pflug’s appearance suggests he’d be just as comfortable at an arts college, it’s because that’s true: he would be.
“Music’s my dream,” he said. “But it’s not the most stable thing, so this degree is my foundation—my backup plan. Construction is solid. I can work for a company while producing music on the side.”
Pflug was homeschooled and developed interests in clothing, art, and music from an early age. When it came time to pick a college, one major rose above the rest because it allowed for a creative outlet.
“Construction stood out because it’s very hands-on, and I love creating stuff,” he said. “It felt like something I’d be interested in, and I really wanted that college degree.”
In the Highlands College construction technology- carpentry program students construct a 3-bedroom, 2-bath modular home from start to finish. It’s knowledge Pflug wants to carry forward as he plans to move to an artistic community and pursue jazz music.
“If I hadn’t had this experience at Highlands College, it would be really hard to get into construction,” he said. “Now I’ve learned how to work with others, and I have basic experience with concrete, framing—everything that goes into building a house. It’ll help me out incredibly.”
Pflug hasn’t had to look far for creative company at Montana Tech. His closest friends are Connor Lengel, a construction technology-carpentry student from Pennsylvania (guitar) and Austin Habets, an electrical engineering student from Sunburst (drums).
The three quickly formed a garage band based out of a small shop in Walkerville.
“We got a drum set and a piano for it, and we just started practicing,” he said. “We do covers, we do improvisation—my favorite—and we write a lot of our own music.”
The trio hopes to perform at an open mic night in Butte as well as release albums.
“When I find someone else who loves music or art at a school that isn’t an arts college, it’s like—wow. I can really connect with this person,” he said.
In the meantime, Pflug released his first single “Just a Picture” on Spotify in March. It honors his late mother, who passed away in January 2025.
“My mom passed right at the beginning of the 2025 spring semester, and it was extremely difficult to keep up with classes,” Pflug said. “Music is one of the main things that brought me back to myself and helped me pass my classes. Writing this song really helped me to channel my frustrations about what my mom will not be able to be there for, including my graduation this May.”
Pflug still hopes his future includes music clubs and late-night improvisation sessions. But thanks to Highlands College, he says he’s walking toward that dream with something just as valuable: confidence and options.
“It’s interesting being on the side of the people doing the work instead of just watching it,” he said. “And it feels good to build something real.”