Meet our teachers So many great people sharing their talents! Instruction Flute Clarinet Bass Clarinet Soprano Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Bari Saxophone Piano (beginner piano only) Availability Sept 2026-May 2027 Christopher Anderson 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. Instruction Voice (ages 7-12) Voice (18+) Piano (ages 7+) Availability Sept 2026-May 2027 Patti Arntz Patti 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 and Drake University, and a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. Miss 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. She also 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. Instruction Voice (ages 12+) Piano (basic fundamentals) Music Theory Availability Sept 2026-May 2027 Robert Graham Rob has been a private music and voice instructor, professional singer, choral conductor and arts administrator for 13 years. He is passionate about working with teens and adults of all ages, and witnessing the positive benefits and health outcomes of ongoing participation in the arts. He earned a 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. Mr. Rob is currently the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence, a leading choral arts organization based in Minneapolis. He is 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. He is also a member of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and the Schola Cantorum at the Basilica of St. Mary, 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 he's 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. Instruction Piano (ages 6+) Ukulele (ages 7+) Guitar (ages 9+) Violin/Fiddle (ages 7+) Availability Sept 2026-May 2027 Bonnie Hallettt 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 Master's in Music and Art at San Diego State University. During her teaching career, Miss Bonnie has taught grades 1, 5-8 in Music, Art, English, and Reading. She played violin in country and bluegrass bands and for the Greater Grand Forks Symphony. She also headed up a bluegrass band called Prairiegrass, that played the greater metro area for a number of years and at 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 Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church choir. Instruction Piano (ages 6+) Flute Trumpet French Horn Trombone Baritone Tuba Availability currently not accepting new students Leah Toppen Leah Toppen has been teaching K-12 instrumental music for over 12+ years. She began performing piano, trumpet, and organ for congregations when she was just 12 years old. Leah’s love for music led her to Shepherd of the Lake where she recently became Associate Music Director. When she’s not sharing her musical talents at SOLLC, she can be found knitting, sewing, gardening, or paddleboarding. Leah grew up on an organic blueberry farm and now lives in Mound with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dog, Lambeau. Instruction Piano (ages 6+) Guitar (ages 6+) 5-string Banjo (ages 10+) Ukulele (ages 6+) Music Theory/Composition Availability Sept 2026-May 2027 Kyle Gray Young Kyle Gray Young is a singer-songwriter, music educator, and music historian living in Minneapolis. Originally from just north of Chicago, Kyle has been composing music and playing guitar since the age of five. He has released 11 albums and 32 books of sheet music. On stage Kyle performs a wide variety of cover songs in both English and Finnish as well as his own original English songs. He started his performing career in 2000 playing at folk clubs in Chicago while he was still in high school. Kyle has been teaching since 2014 and has a diverse roster of students across the country that learn various instruments, composition, music theory, and recording technology with him. When Kyle isn’t immersed in music, he can be found watching Star Trek, reading, playing chess, and hanging out with his cat Delila. He also partakes in daily meditation, daily walks, and enjoys a plant-based lifestyle.

SOLLC Recipe Contest Filter by Season Fall 2023 Ultimate Italian Squash Our fall 2023 recipe contest winning recipe! Pumpkin Stew This DELICIOUS stew is cooked and served right in the pumpkin shell. It makes a very “Fall like” presentation for a potluck or family gathering. Hotdish in a Pumpkin This recipe was originally printed in the October 2000 The Land Magazine and was submitted by Linda Sauer. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Yummy muffins! So good you probably want to double the recipe.

< Back Patti Arntz Patti 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 and Drake University, and a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. Miss 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. She also 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. Previous Next

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Fall 2026 >> Read the latest issue

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Spring 2026 >> Read the latest issue

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, January 27, 2026 (MINNEAPOLIS, January 27, 2026) Hopes Portage, a new transitional housing establishment for Scott County residents, will hold an Open House for the community on Tuesday, January 27 from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Established through a collaborative partnership between Scott County, Community Action Partnership (CAP), and Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, this apartment complex, featuring twelve units for families experiencing homelessness, is the first transitional housing facility of its kind in Scott County. Prior to the Open House, there will be a private ribbon cutting ceremony for those intricately involved in the creation of this initiative. Five community leaders are scheduled to speak about the project including: Scott County Commissioner Dave Beer; Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs; Pastor Dan Poffenberger, Shepherd of the Lake; Suzanne Misel, Director of Housing and Emergency Services, CAP Agency; and Julie Siegert, Executive Director, Scott County CDA. Hopes Portage will support families experiencing homelessness in a myriad of ways. Scott County, the project and facility owner, will manage the overall operations of Hopes Portage. CAP Agency will provide coordinated services and case management for families staying at Hopes Portage. Shepherd of the Lake, along with other non-profit organizations, will provide wrap-around services to support the families during their stay. These services include a food pantry with fresh and shelf-stable foods, welcome packs, apartment flipping services, and special events. ”We are proud to be part of this collaboration with Scott County and CAP Agency to provide a safe space for residents experiencing homelessness,” said John Holt, Director of Outreach at Shepherd of the Lake. “The donations and support from our community has been tremendous.” The first families are slated to move into Hopes Portage in mid-February. Shepherd of the Lake is hosting a benefit concert with the Grammy award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers on January 30 at 6pm to continue to raise funds to support this initiative. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds will go to Hopes Portage. If you wish to make a donation, go to sollc.org and click on Give and select Hopes Portage in the drop-down menu. Read the full press release