Meet our
wonderful
music instructors
Laura Lee Crandall
Owner / Drums
Laura Lee has performed and taught in Kansas City for over 15 years, and received her degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Laura Lee loves teaching the drums and has a firm belief that every child should be issued a drum set upon birth. 😉 She teaches rock, pop, country, jazz, blues, and more!
Laura Lee performs on drum set, hand drums, and percussion. Currently, she drums and sings with bands Midwest Mixtape and Midnight Rodeo.
Matt Crandall
Guitar, Bass, and Woodwinds
Matt has been teaching music for 20 years and loves to share the joy of creating music. Matt received his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and is certified to teach K-12 instrumental and vocal music. Currently he teaches choir and guitar at Horizons High School, in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Matt performs on guitar, bass and saxophone and has been a member of the 312th Army Band since 2001. He plays guitar and sings with Midwest Mixtape and performs as a solo saxophonist at weddings and private events.
Karren Schiele
Piano & Voice
What Karren absolutely loves to do: teach music in a way that is motivating and understandable.
Karren Schiele is a graduate from University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and completed her Masters of Music and Worship Degree in 2019. She has over 20 years teaching experience. Ms. Schiele is the Primary Staff Musician at Grace Baptist Church of Greater Kansas City. She has a variety of outstanding abilities as a vocal coach, piano instructor, vocal seminar clinician, vocal arranger, accompanist for the Adult and Children’s choir, and small Choir Ensemble director.
She has worked with many musicians in the Kansas City area and had the opportunity to work with gospel legend, Karen Clark Sheard.
Besides being an amazing professional, Karren is warm, fun, and a blast to be around!
Mark Sepulveda
Voice
Mark Sepulveda is an enthusiastic and positive teacher! Mark is an Alumnus of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, College of the Performing Arts (AMDA) Los Angeles and holds his BFA in Music Theatre as as well as a Graduate performance certificate in Voice/Opera from The University of Missouri Kansas City.
Mark is a versatile Entertainer known for performances in Film, Musical Theatre, Television and Opera. He portrayed the role of Johnny Lazia in Nelly Don The Musical Movie which premiered in 2023 and as of 2025 is still running in Theaters.
Mark shines in musical theatre, performing roles such as Enoch Snow in Carousel, Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific and Padres in Man of La Mancha.
Caden Bradshaw
Piano
Caden is a jazz and classical pianist in Kansas City with playing influenced by Bud Powell and Wynton Kelly. Initially, Caden studied classical piano under the tutelage of Scott Smith in the Kansas City School of Music, with a strong focus on music theory to understand the music he played. After graduating high school, Caden shifted focus to jazz under Dr. Justin Binek at Kansas City Kansas Community College in which he won a Downbeat Award for original composition and another Downbeat Award as a member of the KCKCC Funk Band. Currently Caden is pursuing a bachelor’s in Jazz Studies under Dan Thomas, and taking lessons with Brian Ward at Ottawa University.
Bryson Thomas
Guitar & Bass
Bryson Thomas is a musician from Wichita, recently relocated to Kansas City. Bryson graduated from Fort Hays State University, where he focused on jazz and audio production. He also has a deep love for experimental rock, funk, and pop music. Bryson is fantastic at connecting with students and helping them achieve the next level of musicianship, focusing on the songs and genres they are excited about.
When not teaching, he performs with several bands in Kansas City and the Midwest.
Nathan Slinkard
Guitar & Bass
Nathan Slinkard is an actively performing musician in Kansas City and teaches Rock, Pop, Jazz, and Blues Guitar and Bass. He can take a brand-new beginner and get you rocking fast, and take advanced students to the next level! Nathan has his Bachelors in Media Production and Minor in Recording Arts, from Missouri State University. He is knowledgeable in music theory, ear training, & musical notation. Nathan is a positive and encouraging teacher!
Nick Baker
Drumset
Nick Baker is a patient and kind music educator and performer with a wonderfully wide skill set on drums and percussion. Nick studied at UMKC Conservatory for his Bachelors in Percussion Performance, received his Masters from the University of New Mexico, and is almost finished with his Doctorate at UMKC! His deep knowledge and skill in a wide range of styles means he can help the newest of drummers up to highly advanced player!
Ezra Hallman
Piano
A Kansas City native who also grew up in western Kansas, Ezra began taking piano lessons at the age of 13. He quickly learned to love the sounds of piano legends like Elton John and Billy Joel.
His natural aptitude led him to study piano at Kansas State University, playing both classical and jazz music, as well as playing the tuba in the K-State marching and concert bands.
Music has always been an important part of Ezra’s life, and there is no other creative outlet that fulfills him quite like getting lost in practicing piano. He has used his gift in the church worship band ever since he started playing over 20 years ago, and he loves playing all genres of music.
Ezra’s heart is to connect with his students and patiently guide them to discover the same joy of music and playing the piano that he has found.
Ron Tillman
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
Ron has taught guitar, ukulele, and bass for over 30 years! Literally thousands of students have got their start in music, or advanced their playing, under his tutelage. He comes from a musical family and is originally from New York City.
Ron is also a working musician and played in many bands in the South Florida area before recently relocating to Kansas City. Being a professional musician gives Ron a unique ability to teach students how to work together in a fun and exciting musical environment.