Meet our teachers

Bonnie has been a private music teacher for over 50 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music and art at Moorhead State University and received a Masters in Music and Art at San Diego State University. During her teaching career, she has taught grades 1, 5-8 in Music, Art, English, and Reading. Miss Bonnie has played violin in country and bluegrass bands as well as the Greater Grand Forks Symphony. She headed up a bluegrass band called Prairiegrass, that played the greater metro area for a number of years as well as playing in Minnesota Bluegrass Association festivals. Miss Bonnie lives in Prior Lake and enjoys visiting her four grandchildren, driving to lakes and state parks, and singing in the SOLLC choir. Bonnie teaches: • Piano (6+) • Ukulele (7+) • Guitar (ages 9+) • Violin/Fiddle (7+)

Chris has been a private music instructor for over 16 years. He graduated with a Bachelor of science degree in music Industry at Minnesota State University, Mankato where he was involved with the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Mavericks, Pep Band, and Pit Orchestras for their Department of Theatre. During his college career, Mr. Chris got to perform with Bobby Shew, Denis BiBlasio (Maynard Ferguson’s baritone saxophonist), and was an intern as a Sound Technician at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Currently, he is the Sound Technician for the band called The Stand Ups, a cover band that plays classic rock hits and soul R&B classics with a unique sound. Mr. Chris lives in Shakopee with his wife, two daughters, and Golden Doodle/Australian Shepard, Max. When he is not teaching, he enjoys spending time with the family at the cabin, being a dance dad, watching sports (especially the Vikings), and listening to jazz music. Chris teaches: • Flute (flute only) • Clarinet • Bass Clarinet • Soprano Saxophone • Alto Saxophone • Tenor Saxophone • Bari Saxophone • Piano (beginner piano only)

Leah has 11+ years of experience teaching and directing K-12 classroom music and band in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College and received a Master of Arts in Education from Hamline University. Miss Leah has performed trumpet with the Marshfield Symphony Orchestra, Winona Brass Band, Winona Community Band, Prior Lake Windjammers, and is currently a member of the Delano Community Band. She is also a member of a brass quintet, PentaSonix, who performs around the metro area. Miss Leah has also been performing piano and organ for congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota for 20+ years and enjoys accompanying local choirs and soloists. Currently, she is the organist, accompanist, and festival music director at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. Miss Leah lives in Mound with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dog, Lambeau. When she is not teaching or performing, she enjoys going to Minnesota United and Timberwolves games, hikes, paddle boards, and enjoys, playing reading, sewing, and knitting. Leah teaches: • Piano (ages 6+) • Flute • Clarinet • Saxophone • Trumpet • French horn • Trombone • Baritone • Tuba

Peter is a Minnesota-based musician best known as a member of the nationally recognized and critically acclaimed indie-rock band the Honeydogs. Having played in bands since the early 1980’s, his first national exposure was with the band Tangletown, which featured the nephew of Bob Dylan and was managed by ex-Prince drummer Bobby Z. Originally learning music on the trumpet in the 6th grade, it was his mother’s piano in the house that kept calling. His musical career developed over the years into an in demand local studio session player. He is well versed in several musical styles including rock, pop, jazz, blues, and gospel. To date, Peter has over 150 recording credits and was recognized in 2005 with the MN Best Keyboardist award. Peter has been a part of the SOLLC music team since 2014. Although taking a short hiatus in 2019, he loves the sense of community and overall message of the church. Outside of SOLLC, Peter currently plays with the band “Turn Turn Turn”and performs annually in the long running “Rock & Roll Christmas Spectacular” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. He is an avid collector of vintage keyboards and can often be found tinkering in his small home recording studio. In his downtime, Peter enjoys lake life in Minnetonka with his wife Dori, teenage daughter Lula, and Cookie the cat! Peter teaches: • Rock Piano (ages 12+) • Foundational Piano for the Older Beginner (ages 12+)

Patti Arntz has been a music educator and church musician in the Twin Cities area for over 40 years. She has degrees in music from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN, Drake University, Des Moines, IA and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.

Patti recently retired from teaching elementary classroom music with the Robbinsdale Schools in the Twin Cities area. During her 30 years of full-time teaching, she also directed the Robbinsdale All-District Elementary Honors Choir for 15 years.

Throughout her teaching career, Patti has served as an organist and director of youth/adult choirs in local churches. Keeping in touch with her elementary music roots, she serves as an online adjunct professor at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, instructing elementary education majors on teaching and integrating music into their future classrooms. She also writes curriculum for the Minnesota Orchestra’s Young People’s Concerts as the students prepare to attend concerts at Orchestra Hall.

Patti has sung with the choral organization, Singers in Accord, since 2009 and is a charter member of the choir. She enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her husband, Rolland. Her adult children, Melani and Kyle are both very involved in music in the Twin Cities area.

Fun fact: Patti enjoys traveling to other countries where she seeks out local folk songs. With those songs, she creates and publishes choral arrangements for children through adult choirs. Patti teaches: • Voice (ages 7-12) • Voice (18+) • Piano (ages 7+)

Rob Graham has been a private music and voice instructor, professional singer, choral conductor and arts administrator for 13 years. He is currently the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence – a leading choral arts organization based in Minneapolis – overseeing several education and community programs, including the renowned WITNESS School Program that celebrates African American culture and heritage. He is also the conductor of VocalEssence Vintage Voices, an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in independent living communities and senior centers. Rob is passionate about working with teens and adults of all ages, and witnesses the positive benefits and health outcomes of ongoing participation in the arts.

Rob earned the Master of Music degree in two concentrations – Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting – from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Business Administration from Xavier University of Louisiana. He is currently a member of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, a member of the Schola Cantorum at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and performs occasionally with several other choral and vocal music ensembles around the Twin Cities. Most recently, Rob concluded a 6-year tenure as a tenor section leader of the adult choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. He also enjoys providing vocal music for memorial services, weddings and other special events.

While not making music, or teaching others to make music, Rob enjoys spending most of his free time outdoors in nature, attending live music and theater productions, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Robert teaches: voice (12+) • basic piano fundamentals and rudiments • music theory