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Andrew Gentzsch, a native to Iowa City, is the violin instructor at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Dr. Gentzsch has led the Unversity of Deleware Chamber Orchestra and the Unversity of Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Dr. Gentzsch received music degrees from the University of Wisconsin Madison studying with David Perry and the University of Deleware studying with Xiang Gao. Whilte at the University of Deleware, Dr. Gentzsch performed the Bach Concerto for Two Violins with Dr. Gao, both performing violins from the Boorse Collection of Contemporary Violins. Dr. Gentzsch received his docorate in of musical arts at the University of Iowa. He is a founding member of Concerts in the Shed and actively performs multiple solo recitals a year as well as chamber concerts.

Brittany Lensing is a musician and piano teacher who loves guiding others in learning and playing music. A native Iowan, Lensing earned her B.A. in Music at Huntington University and her M.M. in Piano pedagogy and performance at the University of Northern Iowa. While at UNI she taught undergraduate group piano as a graduate assistant and later as a temporary adjunct. In addition to her appointments at UNI, she taught private and group lessons through the UNI Community Music School, group piano classes at Aplington-Parkersburg high school, then later served as an adjunct piano instructor at Iowa Wesleyan University. Lensing currently keeps a full studio at Marion Music Academy and enjoys various seasonal outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, snowshoeing, and ice skating.

Candy Deister grew up Cincinnati Ohio, learning piano at 6 years old, scooting her older sisters off the bench for a chance to try the keys. In her junior and high school years, 1970-1976, she studied with John K Toedtman, through the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, and continuing with him into her adult years.

Candy earned a Bachelors of Music Performance and Piano Pedagogy, Cum Laude, from The Wichita State University, 1990, where she studied under Dr Julie Bees. Living in St Louis, Holton and Olathe Kansas, and now Marion, Candy continues to accompany and teach piano students.

You can usually find Candy in her sewing room creating quilts, cross-stitching, beading, or gardening. She and her husband Jerome have 3 adult children, a 15 year old Lhasa-Poo Charlie and a parakeet who says “you’re so cute”.

Felisha Jones is a native and current resident of Center Point Iowa. She has performed on all 5 woodwind instruments in pit orchestras across Iowa, Wisconsin and Georgia. She hold degrees from UNI (flute BM), UW-Madison (Multiple woodwind MM) and University of Georgia (double reed performance DMA). She is currently professor of oboe and bassoon at Grinnell College. She subs in several local groups such as CR Muni band, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and several others. She spends most days with her 2 young boys going to parks, gardening, baking and walks at nature areas.

James Ellis is a cellist from St. Clair Shores, Michigan and has received three music degrees: a Bachelor from Western Michigan University, studying with Bruce Uchimura; a Masters from University of Georgia, studying with David Starkweather; and a Doctorate from the University of Iowa, studying with Charles Wendt. James has played with 17 professional symphones in Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina, and Iowa. He currently maintains a bustling studio in Linn County and teaches at Cornell College. He has served as principal cellist with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, the Southeast Iowa Symphony, the Waverly Community Orchestra, and the Quad-Cities Symphony. He is also a member of the Durward contemporary chamber music ensemble which will perform in North Carolina and Illinois late this spring.  James also plays regularly with the Iowa City Community Orchestra and the Iowa City Chamber Singers. In his spare summer months, he works at Pleasant Valley golf course.

Jason is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher with decades of experience on multiple instruments: guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano. He’s an experienced performer, with over 1,000 concerts across Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Texas. Notable performances include opening for President Barrack Obama in 2012, the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair, and opening for Andy Frasco & the U.N. in 2016. Jason graduated from Kirkwood College in 2009 with an emphasis in music.

Jason tailors lessons to the student’s age, ability, and interest, while focusing on fun and practical applied music theory in a variety of modern styles. 

Kate O’Connell is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, where she received 
bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and English & Creative Writing. She is a classically 
trained soprano who has performed in a wide variety of operatic and musical theatre productions. 
During her time at Iowa, Kate was active in the University’s opera program, appearing as 
Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte and Rumer in the Iowa premiere of Fierce, composed and directed by 
Iowa Professor of Jazz, Dr. William Menefield, among other roles. In addition to her operatic 
performances, Kate has appeared in productions of The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre 
Dame, and Sweeney Todd. Kate frequently performs as a featured soloist; Handel’s Messiah and 
Schubert’s Mass in G have been among her favorite works to perform. 

In addition to her operatic and theatre experience, Kate has spent many years singing in 
various choirs throughout Iowa. She enjoys singing in all capacities, and approaches teaching 
with an emphasis on vocal technique and musicianship. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, 
cooking, and playing with her two cats, Charlie and Dorian.   

Chia-Ti (Katie) Fang is a native of Tawain, has served on the faculty of Marion Music Academy since 2011. Previously she worked as a collaborative pianist at the University of Iowa Dance Forum and the Youth Ballet and as a teacher and collaborative pianist at Cornell College. She received a bachelor's degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, a master's degree and performance certificate from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Iowa.