Teachers

Brad began studying piano at age five, singing at church by age eight, and playing trumpet and singing in high school musicals at age eleven. He participated in marching band, show choir, concert choir, musicals, jazz band, 4-H Band, recitals, and the garage band Identity Crisis. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University, where he studied with professors Dr. Loretta Robinson and Dr. Robin Rice. While attending OSU he participated and had solos in University Choir, Symphonic Choir, Men’s Glee Club, Chorale and University Repertoire Band. He was active in the OSU theatre department as an actor, stage crew hand, workshop tech, soundboard operator, sound designer and assistant stage manager. He also studied with vocal pedagogue Dr. Paul Kiesgan from Indiana University. He has national and international performance experience and has performed professionally locally with Columbus Light Opera, Weathervane Playhouse, and the Cantari Singers. His experiences range from teaching German diction in Sevilla, Spain to singing the world premiere of a new vocal work in Columbus. Teaching trumpet, piano, and voice since 1997, Brad has loved music for as long as he can remember and believes that learning is fun, music is universal and love is contagious! Brad is happily married to Dr. Helen Allen and has four children- Graham, Christopher, Hannah, and William. He has been a teacher at Encore Music Studios since 2011 and Director since 2016.

Soprano, Helen Allen, a native of Yellow Springs, OH, is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned a BM, MM and DMA in vocal performance. Dr. Allen has worked with such noted artists as Shirlee Emmons, Warren Jones, Håkan Hagegård, Mark Rucker and Martina Arroyo. Some of her title roles include those in Die Zauberflöte, Mavra, Gianni Schicchi, La Cenerentola, Don Giovanni and Fidelio. Locally, Dr. Allen has appeared with Columbus Light Opera, Opera Columbus Outreach, Westerville Symphony Orchestra, and Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra. She has made numerous appearances as a soloist in such works as Messiah, Poulenc’s Gloria,Laud to the Nativity, Carmina Burana, and Benedicite. Dr. Allen has received awards for her participation in both state and national competitions and has adjudicated competitions for young singers as well. Recently, she appeared in a series of recitals with Dr. Allen McCullough, premiering the composer’s new works via a NEA grant in corroboration with Chamber Music Yellow Springs, performing around Central Ohio. Additional collaborative recitals and premieres ensued at Mercer University and Purdue University. Dr. Allen currently serves as a member of the voice faculty at Otterbein University, a position she has held since 2001. She resides in Columbus, OH, with her husband and four children.

Debbie Lynd has been pursued by music her entire life. Her father introduced her to Beethoven and encouraged her to dance to Elton John; her mother sang sweet songs over her and took her to piano lessons. She wanted to play trombone in the band, but when she pinched her finger in the slide she switched to flute. That flute took her to seven European countries with the U.S Collegiate Wind Band.

She never took voice lessons as a youth, but learned to sing alto by listening to her small home church congregation singing hymns of worship in a capella four-part harmony. She didn't major in music in college, but was offered a scholarship to enroll in music theory courses and join the campus wind ensemble. As a mom to eight kids, Debbie got to sit in on music lessons and band practices of many kinds, and even ended up joining a community steel drum band called "Pandemonium" and the marimba ensemble "Moms with Mallets". As a homeschooling mom, she didn't have any music education background, but was blessed for ten years to direct a small choir that performed at nursing homes, sang with the Denison University Gospel Choir, participated in honors choirs at Otterbein University and OMEA, and even hosted a barbershop quartet workshop. The motto for the choir was "keep a song in your heart and a heart for service".

Debbie took voice lessons for the first time in 2019 with Mary Daley-Moore at Encore, and now she finds herself surrounded once again with people who have a real heart for both music and service to others as she works as assistant director at this place that is "growing musical legacies one heart at a time".

Mary's interest and career in vocal music began under the instruction of Larry Weaver and Michele Horsefield-Carney of Central Ohio. Originally from Grandview, OH, Mary performed with the Grandview Singers and won notoriety for her solo performance of "Swinging on a Star", that she bravely performed while swinging on a large star suspended 20 feet above the audience. Mary received her Bachelors of General Studies in Musical Theater and Masters in Communication with focus on Radio Television Production and the Performing Arts from Ohio University in Athens, OH. Mary put together the Daley-Moore Singers who performed at local and national events such as America Sings. She completed her Suzuki Piano Pedagogy with Mary Craig Powell of Capital University. Mary has received a teacher enrichment grant from OMTA to study special needs and learning styles and serves as a faculty coach for CMC of Worthington, OH. She is the music specialist at Central Ohio Christian Academy and Preschool and has served as judge for Scale Olympics and Indiana Show Choir Festivals.

Evan McAuley is a recent graduate of Ohio University School of Music, where he received his Masters of Music in Music History and Literature. He received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Capital University in 2018, and his Masters of Music in Piano Pedagogy/ Performance from OU in 2020.

Evan is active in applied research, evident from his presentations at Capital’s Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2018 (titled “Teaching Music in the 21st Century: The Implementation of Technology into Popular Music Pedagogy Methods”) and at the MTNA Piano Pedagogy Symposium in 2020 (titled “What I Learned About Group Piano Teaching from Playing Video Games: Teaching Takeaways from MMORPGs”). Additionally, his most recent Masters in Music History and Literature focused on the piano works of Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov, in the hopes of bringing his multifaceted piano pieces to the forefront of advanced and collegiate repertoire. During his time at OU, he was an active member of OU’s MTNA collegiate chapter, serving as their Treasurer for two years.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Heidelberg University in Vocal Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education and Vocal Pedagogy from The Ohio State University. She taught Secondary Vocal/Choral Music in Columbus, Chillicothe, and Upper Arlington prior to being a full-time mother. She has taught private voice and piano lessons and has played for numerous local school districts at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contests, Large Group District and State Contests, Choral Concerts, Musicals, and Variety Shows. She has previously sung with BelCanto Singers, The Robert Shaw Choral Institute Festival Singers, and the LancasterChorale. She has held music positions in local churches for over 35 years including her current position as a pianist and accompanist at All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington, Ohio. In addition to teaching at Encore and serving on the music staff at ASLC, she is an Assistant at Beckenhorst Press, a local music publisher whose catalog of over 2000 titles is primarily comprised of sacred music for choir, handbells, voice, piano, and organ. Jennifer and her wonderful husband of 32 years have three beautiful adult daughters and live in Westerville.

LingLing is a passionate piano and percussion teacher. She holds a master's degree in percussion performance from Morehead State University, where her exceptional talent garnered numerous awards. With over 15 years of teaching experience, LingLing has left an indelible mark in music studios and universities in Taiwan and the United States.


Her musical journey encompasses diverse settings, from orchestras and symphonies to chamber ensembles and captivating solo performances. LingLing's prowess extends beyond percussion; her proficiency in piano, cultivated since childhood, adds a unique dimension to her artistry.

As a former teaching/graduate assistant at Ohio University and Morehead State University (2011-2017), LingLing not only shared her extensive knowledge with college students but also cultivated a great learning experience for youngsters. LingLing's dedication to nurturing talent and building fundamental proficiency defines her as a luminary in the world of music.

Violinist and tenor, Matthew Boles is a native of Westerville, Ohio. He attended undergraduate at Otterbein University where he received his BM in Violin Performance and a minor in Francophone studies, studying under Columbus Symphony Violinist, David Edge and Dr. Juan Carlos Ortega Paredes. During his time, Matthew served as concertmaster of the OtterCap University Orchestra, President of Delta Omicron's Omicron-Alpha chapter, and was the 2021 Recipient of the Ohio Music Federation Club's Agnes Fowler Award among numerous other departmental awards.

Matthew performs regularly with the Westerville Symphony Orchestra, the Otterbein Pit Orchestra, and the Central Ohio String Quartet, Strozzi, of which he is one of the co-founders. His passion for music spans multiple genres, specializing in Chamber music, Classical, and Baroque styles, in addition to Jazz and Rock on his electric violin. He was honored to play his electric violin on stage twice with Trans-Siberian Orchestra founding member, Mark Wood. Matthew hopes to inspire future musicians and performers to create and discover their passion for music and music-making. In his free time, he also enjoys traveling, composing, and performing new music of all genres.

Charlie Adams is a , violist , guitarist, and composer. Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Charlie began studying guitar at age 8, viola at 10, and began composing around 14. As a violist, he has performed with the Westerville Symphony, the OtterCap Orchestra, the Ohio Wesleyan University Chamber Orchestra, as well as several string quartets.

Charlie is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in composition and a minor in film studies. He currently studies composition with Dr. Jennifer Merkowitz, viola with Susan Locke, and guitar with David Hanna. He has worked with such composers as Libby Larsen, Gregory Mertl, Evan Hodges, and Eric V. Hachikian. He is the recipient of Otterbein's Young Artist Scholarship as well as their Olive S. Cook ’24 Memorial Endowed Award. Charlie believes that music has the power to change lives and hopes to share his passion for music with others.

David Zimmerman is from Columbus, Ohio and currently studying at Otterbein University. As a rising musician, performer, and composer, David has flourished across many different styles, such as classical, jazz, commercial, and choral. While studying with Dr. Anthony Weikel, Mrs. Peggy Kohler, Dr. Karen Eckenroth, David has succeeded in many of Otterbein's principal ensembles, including being 1st trombone in Jazz Band and 2-time bass section leader in Concert Choir.

David has his own rising jazz combo, the Blue Jays Jazz and Funk Band, for which he is an executive member. From involvement in the central Ohio gig scene, to hosting their own concert series, to multiple album releases on all professional streaming platforms, David is making his mark with the Blue Jays. Additionally, he has ventured on his own as a freelance artist, scoring church chorister positions/music positions in Columbus/Worthington, as well as performing at professional venues, such as the Columbus Museum of Art.

As a composer, David is working hard to develop his unique voice. His works stretch across multiple music disciplines, such as jazz, contemporary, and choral. He has performed his compositions in many of Otterbein's concerts, as well as professionally within the local gig scene through the Blue Jays. He receives influence from his performance experience, as well as many of the great artists of the modern world and music history, such as Elaine Hagenberg, Bach, Dan Forrest, Miles Davis, Gordon Goodwin, and more. David composes stories and messages through a vehicle of music, and strives for all his works to be expressive, emotional, and spin a narrative to communicate with the soul. As David grows in his composing prowess, spreading his pieces to more venues, competitions, and medias, he remains ever eager to learn from those around him.

David aims to share his love and gift for music with the world in a passionate, selfless way.

Craig began playing piano at age 9 and started formal lessons at age 11. He also began writing songs and composing music at age 11. From 12 years old to 18 years old, Craig studied classical piano with Beatrice Iseringhausen in the Capital University Preparatory Department in Bexley, Ohio. During this time, he began playing professionally in the Columbus area. Craig participated in the Grove City High School Marching band, the Symphonic Band and the Jazz Band all under the direction of the nationally known composer James Swearingen. After finishing his course work in the Preparatory Department, Craig began pursuing his degree at Capital University. At Capital, he studied classical piano with Verena Dambrans. He also studied jazz piano with Hank Marr at Capital. While attending Capital University, Craig was voted by his professors and his peers to be in the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble. He also worked for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Jazz Arts Group). After graduating from Capital University with a Bachelor of Music, Craig continued performing professionally across the mid-west. In 1988 Craig released his first album/CD of all original songs entitled “Fan the Spark”. All the music on this release was written, arranged & produced by Craig. He also sang lead vocals & background vocals and played all the keyboard & piano parts. Craig began his teaching career at Encore Music Studios in the spring of 1988. Through the next two decades, he continued to teach at Encore, perform professionally in Columbus, work as a studio musician, write music for various organizations and began serving as a volunteer musician at Vineyard Columbus in the worship ministry. In 2010, Rich Nathan, Senior Pastor at Vineyard Columbus, hired Craig as the Worship Pastor at Vineyard Columbus. The responsibilities of being a Pastor necessitated Craig temporarily end his tenure at Encore Music Studios until the spring of 2024. Craig continues to work in ministry as an ordained Pastor at Vineyard Columbus. He continues to perform professionally in Columbus. He is also grateful to be back on the staff at Encore Music Studios. Craig and his wife Beth have been happily married for 36 years. They have three daughters and two grandsons.

Tanner is a Hornist from Pickerington, OH. Tanner started his musical career at 7 years old when he began to learn the guitar and was part of rock bands his lesson studio teachers put together. He followed in his siblings footsteps in joining the school band in 6th grade, but instead of picking up the trumpet like his siblings, he chose the French horn. He went to Pickerington Central where he was continuously placed in the highest concert band and was also part of the marching band playing mellophone. Tanner attended and graduated from Otterbein University from 2019-2023 with a Bachelors in Music Education, where he was a horn student of Dr. Kim McCann and continued to play French horn in Wind Ensemble and mellophone in the Cardinal Marching Band. He also held the Drum Major position with the marching band for his Junior and Senior years. Tanner is currently a traveling middle school and high school string orchestra teacher in the Columbus City Schools district as well as an assistant marching band director.

Daniel began his musical career at the age of ten when he began to study the flute. He found great enjoyment in this, and continued to participate in musical studies throughout his life. Daniel has a background in concert band, marching band, concert choir, and musical theatre.

Daniel was not satisfied playing music only at school. At the age of twelve, he decided that he would play the guitar as well. Having no access to an instructor, he went on to teach himself to play the guitar. He quickly became passionate and to better understand his craft, began to learn music theory. Daniel has been teaching guitar and bass lessons at Encore since April 2024, but he has now been playing and teaching guitar for over 10 years.

Daniel is currently studying for a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, and has plans to formally study music upon graduation. Outside of music and engineering, he enjoys reading, writing music, poetry, and cooking/baking.

Alexis is a professional flutist located in the Columbus and Central Ohio area. She recently relocated to Westerville upon completing her Master's degree, and is currently employed at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington. She is also a freelance musician, performing with the Westerville Symphony, Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra, and Ohio Capital Winds Wind Ensemble. She worked at Encore Music Studios in Westerville from 2021-2022 before beginning her Master's degree, and is happy to return!

Alexis obtained her Bachelor's in Music Performance from Otterbein University in 2021, and received her Master's in Music in Flute Performance from the University of Akron in 2024. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from both institutions - she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant during her Master's. and was the tutor for the Otterbein Music Department from 2019-2021. In addition to high academic achievement, she has a diverse record of performance in solo, chamber and ensemble settings in classical, jazz, and modern genres. Her passion for music and performing carries into teaching - she has taught privately for over ten years, finding joy in bringing musical fulfillment to students of all age and ability levels.

New York City-based cellist Michael Bent has gained national and international popularity for his performances in the United States, England, Thailand, and the Caribbean Islands.

Throughout his musical career, Michael has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments. From television appearances on the Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Queens Public Television in New York City, and performances on stage at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Currently, Michael is residing in Columbus, Ohio, and is an educator at Zenith Academy. He studied Cello Performance and received a Bachelor of Music at Nyack College (Alliance University), and is Suzuki trained from the School for Strings Suzuki School in NYC. He is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education.

When Michael is not in the classroom, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, teaching cello lessons privately and online, especially to his niece, Morgan.