Lancaster Conservatory of Music

Our teachers have a passion for music that will ignite your desire to learn.

Our Business

The Lancaster Conservatory of Music was formerly Studio One @ Sweetman.  In January 2007, the business came under new ownership with a new focus on providing quality music lessons to the Lancaster area.  Our mission is to give students a professional music experience.

Who We Are

Marty Francis (violin) has a great passion for his instrument.  He has studied extensively all over the country and teaches in Circleville and Lancaster.  Mr. Francis is also a pastor in Stoutsville.

Michael Ingalls (cello, violin) has a Bachelor of Music degree in cello from Baldwin-Wallace College and has played and studied music for over forty years.  He enjoys many styles of music, including classical, folk, and rock.  He has played bluegrass on Prairie Home Companion and currently attends and plays at many open mikes.  Mr. Ingalls also teaches beginning violin lessons.

Lois Kempton (piano, guitar) has a Master's Degree in interdisciplinary studies from Ohio University.  She has been teaching private piano lessons for nearly fifty years and has also taught in schools both in Ohio and in Brazil.  She continues to share her love of music with her students.

Barry Mancz (guitar) has taught and studied guitar in the Columbus area for several years.  He customizes lesson plans to the goals of students and is comfortable teaching in all styles of guitar playing. 

Mitchell McCrady (apprentice piano) is a Junior at Berne Union High School.  He has studied piano with Elizabeth Walls for three years and also plays french horn and mellophone in the B. U. band.  Mr. McCrady began teaching at L.C.M. in January and enjoys sharing his love of music with beginning students.

Rex McMurphy (woodwinds, brass, piano) holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Northern Kentucky University and Wright State University and has taught K-12 music in public and private schools.  He now works as an entertainer throughout the central Ohio area.

Lisa Muth (brass, woodwinds) is currently finishing her law degree at Capital University.  Ms. Muth holds a Bachelor of Music with Highest Honors from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and a Master of Music from Ohio University. 
She completed additional graduate study in music theory at the University of Tennessee, where she was a graduate assistant in tuba and theory, and performed at Carnegie Hall with the UT Wind Ensemble.  In addition to teaching, Lisa plans to pursue a career in various aspects of music law.

Timothy O'Rourke (voice, piano) has a degree in vocal education from Wright State University.  In addition to teaching private voice and piano lessons, he directs the Conservatory Children's choir.  Tim has student taught all age groups.  He works to find music that will best fit students' voices.

Benjamin Tiller (percussion) recently graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Education.  He is a graduate of Fairfield Union High School and served in the United States Marine band, where he was a percussion leader.  He will teach students all aspects of percussion playing, from snare to bells to set.

Elizabeth Walls (piano, woodwinds) completed coursework for a Master's Degree in Music History at Ohio University and received a Bachelor's Degree in Flute Performance from West Virginia Wesleyan College.  She was principal flute in wind ensemble and orchestra both places and has been studying piano for over twenty years.  Ms. Walls teaches students of all levels and has had several students continue to study music at the college level.