Meet our
wonderful
music instructors

Laura Lee Crandalll

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, among other bands.

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!

Ryan Sieh

Voice

Ryan sang his very first solo in church at age 4 and has been singing ever since.   He received his BA in Vocal Performance from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN.  Ryan specializes in teaching voice students preparing for choir concerts, all-state choir auditions, Solo and Ensemble contests, and auditions.   He likes to challenge his students so they can do more than they realize they can!  
    He and his wife Kristina, have three boys and have been the Creative Arts Pastors at Evangel Church since 2002. Ryan’s duties at Evangel Church include, worship leader, band leader, and choir conductor as well as several other team leadership positions. 

Jacob Fry

Piano & Voice

Jacob Fry is a dedicated vocalist and pianist from the KC metro. Jacob graduated from Ottawa University in 2024 with a Bachelors in Vocal Music Education and Jazz Studies. Through patient guidance and personalized instruction, Jacob encourages all his students to find what they love about music and pursue their passion.

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!

Martin Mendez

Drumset

Martin has been teaching the drums and percussion since 2019, in private lessons, public schools, drumlines, and as the TA at UMKC, where he is currently working on his Masters of Music. Martin also received his Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Percussion Performance from UMKC. He is a well rounded drummer that can teach rock, pop, jazz, blues, and more!