Vocals
Leah Smith
Leah Smith is an experienced performer and vocal coach with a strong background in musical theater and contemporary music. She currently serves as a worship leader at Rivers Crossing and has contributed to several Rivers Crossing Worship music albums, recently as a lead vocal on "Here I Am (Live)" released in 2023.
Leah has performed the National Anthem at multiple Cincinnati Reds games and other live events. She has played roles in multiple musical theater productions, her favorite role being Eponine in Les Misérables.
As a vocal instructor, Leah specializes in Pop and Musical Theater. Now joining Lebanon Music Academy as a vocal coach, Leah brings comprehensive experience in both performance and vocal training. Her dedication to music and education makes her a valuable asset to the academy, where she aims to foster the growth of aspiring singers.
Sarah Stevens
Sarah Stevens has been singing and playing piano for 12 years. A Lebanon native, she participated in musical theater, choir, and private music lessons. In musical theater, she took on the roles of performer, and stage manager, as well as accompanying rehearsals on piano. She has participated in many ensembles including Cincinnati Children’s Choir in which she was a member of the internationally recognized traveling ensemble. In high school, she participated in the highest level of auditioned concert choir ensemble as well as show choir. In these choirs, she took on roles of section leader, and soloist, and received the National Choral Leadership award which is the highest honor for a choral performer given at high schools across the United States. After high school, Sarah went on to study vocal music education and musical theater at Miami University. At Miami University, she studied both classical and musical theater vocal performance and was a member of the Miami University Choraliers. Sarah has a passion for teaching people of any age and has experience in preparing for auditions for musicals, choral ensembles, and college auditions and is excited to be teaching music in her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio!
Katie Oliver
Katie doesn’t remember a time without music not being a focal point in her life. Starting at age 8, she studied in piano and a few years later the guitar. At the age of 13 she switched over to study at the academy and it kickstarted her passion. She quickly started learning every instrument she could get her hands on. Including the guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, and piano. Since then she has found her sound as a vocalist and has started studying audio engineering. Katie's lessons keep students engaged and always ready to learn more!
Kala Scarpinski
Kala is a voice and guitar instructor at Lebanon Music Academy. Beginning as a student of LMA at age 9, Kala quickly realized her passion for voice and music. Kala has been a vocalist in multiple LMA viral music video productions, most notably “Kids cover of 46 & 2 by Tool.” Outside of LMA, Kala has also trained under vocal coach Bret Manning, who is known for his work with numerous Grammy, CMA, and AMA winning artists. Outside of LMA, Kala is a recording artist and the lead vocalist for her band Saving Escape. Kala specializes in vocal strengthening and control, as well as beginner guitar.
Morgan Asher
Morgan Asher cannot remember life before music. At the age of 3, he started playing the classic beginners kit, pots and pans on the kitchen floor. He received his first real drum kit at the age of 4 and haven’t stop playing since. Morgan grew up playing in multiple bands and performing at various venues from the age of 10 with bands such as Thunderhead (including various members of The Blessed Union of Souls). Around the age of 12 he started recording in studio and writing originals with various bands he was affiliated with gaining experience in musical composition. Being consumed by the idea of recording records, Morgan furthered his education by attending The Warren County Career Center for Digital Design for 2 years and taking as many music course that his high school had to offer from music theory to choir and jazz band. After high school Morgan decided to make music his life pursuit by attending Sinclair Community College for 2 years for music production and various music theory and composition classes, eventually leading him to UC for Electronic Media and Jazz Studies. While enrolled in college pursuing his education and passion, Morgan co-owned and co-operated This Is That Recording studio located in Maineville, gaining experience and knowledge that would be a defining movement in his development in life and as a musician. Being the head engineer and the drum session musician of This Is That, Morgan was challenged with having to understand and be completely comfortable with almost every type of musical genre such as R&B, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Metal, Hip-Hop, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Blues, Indie, Country, Electronica, Fusion, and Classical. Through opening the recording studio, he has been introduced to many great opportunities such as recording drums on Roy Orbison’s song “Evergreen” for the “Sun Records” label’s archive in Nashville, performing with Oregonia, appearing on Cincinnati’s own television show “Cincinnality”and performing at the Freedom Center on the 4th of July celebration in front of 5,000 people. He has recorded over 20 albums and has performed either drums and percussion or background instruments on 15 of those albums. In the 20 years of experience that he has accumulated, with the innumerable performances, recordings, extensive education and research in music, Morgan Asher is able to craft lessons that suit each student’s learning style. No one person is alike nor should they’re path to understanding be the same as any other.