Rachel Rambach grew up in Springfield, Illinois, where she participated in and studied all types of music from an early age. She completed her bachelors degree in voice performance at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where she graduated summa cum laude. Rachel went on to earn her masters degree in music therapy from Illinois State University, again receiving top honors. She began her career at the Hope Institute for Children & Families, where she designed and implemented its first-ever music therapy program. Rachel is the founder of Listen & Learn Music, an online resource for music therapists and educators. She has specialized training in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy and is a member of the American Music Therapy Association. Rachel’s biggest supporters are her husband, Zach, and children, Parker & Mia Belle.

Katey Kamerad grew up in Channahon, Illinois. At a young age, Katey became actively engaged in music making of all kinds, taking guitar and voice lesson, performing and competing, and devoting herself to learning piano. She completed her bachelors degree in music therapy at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL where she graduated summa cum laude as college scholar and honors college scholar. Katey completed her internship at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL and is currently providing music therapy services through Music Therapy Connections and through St. John’s Children’s Hospital. She is a member of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy.

Alisabeth Hopper grew up in Roodhouse, Illinois where her interest in music began. By age fourteen she had devoted most of her time to performing with piano, guitar, flute, and voice. Alisabeth attended Western Illinois University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy. Alisabeth completed her music therapy internship at Music Therapy Connections, where she has become an integral member of the team.

Matthew Nall is a native of Camp Point, IL. He completed his bachelors degree with cum laude honors at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL and studied under the instruction of Dr. Garrett Allman. Matt went on to complete a masters degree in piano pedagogy from Western Illinois in Macomb, IL where he studied under the instruction of Dr. Jeffery Brown. While at Western Matt worked as a teaching assistant for class piano and taught private and group lessons through the Community Music School. Matt has participated in masterclasses with internationally known pianists such as Dr. Stephen Bues, Dr. Robert Satterlee, and Dr. Nicholas Roth. Matt is a passionate teacher of all skill levels and ages and a member of Music Teacher’s National Association. He is an avid church musician and enjoys music theory, the Great American Songbook, and spending time with family and friends.

Kristi Lecocq hails from the Twin Cities area of MN where she grew up in an extremely musical family, singing and playing piano and flute at a young age. She earned a bachelor of Commercial Music (vocal emphasis) from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and graduated magna cum laude. After a brief stint in Nashville to hone her songwriting and guitar-playing skills, she returned to central IL in 2001 and quickly became a regular on the music scene performing in numerous rock, blues and alt-country bands. Kristi joined the music industry faculty at Millikin University from 2004-2009 and in addition to teaching songwriting, she instructed a commercial vocal styles class which focused on jazz, pop, rock and country genres. She is currently a lead singer with Fireside Relics, a local original rock band whose debut CD was released in 2014.

Becky Waddell comes to Music Therapy Connections as an accomplished and well-rounded musician. Although her main instrument is the saxophone, Becky also excels in flute, clarinet, piano, voice, and is currently learning the guitar. Becky is a composer, and is published with C. Alan Publications under the name Rebecca Anne Culp. She has written many styles of music, including, but not limited to piano, piano and voice, small ensembles, wind bands, and popular music. Though composing has been placed on hold to focus on family, Becky and her husband, Jason, are currently working on creating a music production company. Becky is excited to offer private lessons in young piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and young voice. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Music Composition from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Theory from Illinois State University. She also holds a Master of Elementary Education from University of Phoenix. Becky currently resides in Pawnee with her husband and three children.

Matt Mifflin was born and raised in Springfield and has been a lifelong student of music. He began playing piano at the age of 3 and guitar at the age of 12. Matt has spent the last 7 years in the Chicagoland area teaching students of all ages and abilities while performing in a variety of venues. His approach as an instructor is to tailor each lesson according to the individuals age, ability and interest. Matt enjoys playing and learning to play any instrument he can get his hands on. Teaching music has truly become his passion and he’s excited to share it with students at Music Therapy Connections.

Elizabeth Farris recently graduated in May 2017 from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri where she received her Bachelor of Arts in music with an emphasis in vocal performance. At Webster, she received both University (cum laude) and Department of Music honors while embracing opportunities to work alongside Grammy Award winners Josh Groban and Christine Brewer. Elizabeth is also experienced working with children, including time with the St. Louis Children’s Choirs and six years as a medical technician in the emergency room at Memorial Medical Center. A Springfield native, she is excited to return home and will pursue her Master of Music in Music Therapy beginning August 2017. Elizabeth looks forward to teaching voice, piano, and other classes at Music Therapy Connections!

Laura Tam grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she trained in piano and French horn, and developed other passions in improvisation and worship music.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Laura went on to receive her master’s degree in music therapy from Illinois State University.  Laura completed her internship at Helping Hand Center in Countryside, IL, where she focused on serving adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Matt Collins Matt Collins grew up in Rochester, Illinois and has been passionate about music since childhood. He holds a bachelors degree in Business Management from Western Illinois University where he minored in instrumental music, served as president of WIU’s student S.H.R.M. chapter, and was an active member of the honors management fraternity, Sigma Iota Epsilon. He is a former member of the Springfield Municipal Band, Lincoln Land Community College Jazz Band, Taylorville Municipal Jazz Band, and currently serves on vocals and guitar for his church’s worship team at West Side Christian Church in Springfield. Outside of his musical endeavors, Matt serves on the leadership team for Memorial Health System and lives in Chatham with his wife, Kristin, and their 3 kids; Lia, Elise, and Judah.

Laurie Lewis-Fritz is a voice, piano, and percussion instructor at MTC. She is also an Adjunct Instructor of Music at Lincoln Land Community College, where she teaches Music Appreciation and private voice and piano lessons, and an Adjunct Instructor of Voice at Blackburn College, where she teaches voice classes and voice lessons. Prior to this, she was the Lead Faculty for Vocal Performance at Lincoln College and the Director of Music at MacMurray College, where she implemented the Minor in Music. Ms. Lewis-Fritz has taught, performed, and music directed across the United States and internationally, and her vocal arrangements have been performed across the Midwest. Ms. Lewis-Fritz holds a Master of Music in Opera/Music Theater with an emphasis on music directing and conducting and a Bachelor of Arts in Music, both from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

Robert Reynolds has been teaching and performing music in Central Illinois for the last 10 years. A graduate of Lincoln Christian University, Robert is most well-known for his work as the guitarist for area band Fun DMC as well as the music director at Central Baptist Church. In addition, Robert has kept a regular roster of guitar and bass students since 2008. Robert’s approach to teaching works within each student’s respective needs and goals and shapes curriculum based on the individual. When not on stage or in the studio Robert enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura and their two children, Audrey and Jack and their dog, Biscuit. Outside of music, Robert enjoys writing, running, CrossFit, 8-bit video games, and summer nights spent at the drive-in.

Emma Kovachevich is from Huntley, IL and is a graduate of Western Illinois University. She received the distinctions of summa cum laude and School of Music Department Scholar. Emma has been involved in music since a very young age. She has been taking voice lessons since she was 5 years old and participated in choir, band, and musicals throughout grade school and high school. At WIU, she was in multiple ensembles including University Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Concert Choir.

Molly Robitaille comes to Music Therapy Connections from Winsted, Connecticut. An avid musician and lover of the arts growing up, Molly completed her bachelor’s degree in music therapy at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. Molly completed her internship in the Western Suffolk BOCES school district in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Molly’s primary instrument is the oboe, though she also plays the piano, guitar, saxophone, and ukulele. Molly is excited to join the Music Therapy Connections team and put down roots in the Midwest.

Kristofer Lang grew up in Springfield, Illinois and has been a lover and learner of music his entire life. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He began his musical journey training in classical piano at age 7 and started playing the guitar at age 14. Kristofer has since played in many musical ensembles in a wide variety of styles such as classical, bluegrass, gypsy jazz, big band, calypso and rock. This vast array of experience has made him proficient in playing and teaching piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin and steel pan. Kristofer is passionate about teaching these instruments and musical skills, and is thrilled to be able to share his passion with students at Music Therapy Connections.

Mary Ann Keegan is a native of central Iowa, and has lived in Springfield for the past 10 years with her husband, Steven, and 3 children, Helen, Charlie and Margaret. Mary Ann is a graduate of St. Ambrose University, Davenport Iowa. Her interest in music began at an early age and by 6th grade was invited to sing with the Cedar Rapids Symphony Children’s Choir. In high school, Mary Ann was invited to sing with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music on their bi-Annual European trip. After college, Mary Ann was the director of music for First Christian Church in Davenport. After her move to Illinois, Mary Ann was the principal singer for St. Joseph Parish African Choir in Lockport Illinois under the direction of Father Godwin Oblugami of Nigeria, Africa. She has also been a member of the Gloriana Chamber Choir for 2 seasons. Currently Mary Ann is the Director of Liturgical Music for Church of the Little Flower. There she directs the adult and children’s choir, plans the music for all masses, cantors and plays piano, organ and flute.