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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”.

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.

Melanie Bell founded the Marion Music Academy in 2005, and has been Artistic Director and piano instructor ever since. She enjoys seeing her students grow and mature. Bell earned her bachelor's degree in in Music from Luther College and her master's degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Bowling Green State University. As a member of Luther College Orchestra, she performed around the United States as well as internationally in Europe. She has extensive performing experience both as a soloist and accompanist, with playing for a masterclass with Yo-Yo as a highlight. Bell served on the faculty of BGSU teaching group piano for many years, as well as maintaining a private piano studio in Bowling Green.

Sara Ulmer studied music at UNI and William Jewell College graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Church Music. A Marion native, and Linn-Mar High School graduate, Sara has been teaching piano in the Marion/Cedar Rapids area since 1995. Her passion is to make learning fun and to inspire excellence in musicianship and character.