Ms. Lana received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Salekhard College of Culture & Arts in Salekhard, Russia. She began working in the School of Music as a music teacher and concertmaster where she provided instrumental and music training for students. She moved to the US and immediately continued her education and her desire to teach children. Ms. Lana is constantly striving to better herself and continue her training to better educate her students. She has more than 15 years experience teaching music to young children, working with children in several different settings, as well as special needs students. She tailors each lesson in accordance with the student’s skills, talent and abilities.
Lana Shilnikov
Piano Instructor
Gretchen Griffin is the founder and director of Imagine Arts Studio and a licensed Kindermusik educator. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Judson College in Elgin, Illinois and holds her Texas teacher certification. She is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and the National Music Teachers Association. Gretchen has enjoyed volunteering at her local church in their music ministry as a worship leader, background vocalist and keyboardist. She taught private piano lessons at an arts studio outside Chicago, providing her students high quality instruction together with energetic motivation. It was there she was introduced to Kindermusik through the eyes of a child. She sincerely believes in the value of early childhood music education.
Gretchen established Imagine Arts Studio when she saw the need for a studio that offers high-quality musical experiences for children and adults to enjoy.
Gretchen Griffin
Owner
Maria "Winkie" Jamail has 28 years of music experience in teaching, performing, producing, creating, writing and managing projects in dance, drama and voice. A well respected and acclaimed vocal coach, Miss Winkie trained under opera singer, Michael Laurence and at the Jose Greco Academy trained under Patsy Swayze in ballet, jazz, tap, and flamenco. She was trained in ballroom by Chris Wilson and Cecil Pickett in drama. She has performed the part of Mary Magdalende in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Miller Outdoor Theatre and has appeared at Jones Hall, The Alley, the Music Hall and major venues throughout the US in various shows. She has written and produced music curriculums for schools, band and national programs such as HISD’s Headstart program and WinRon. Miss Winkie is also a licensed Kindermusik instructor.
Maria “Winkie” Jamail
Voice Instructor
Matt Griffin
Director of Business Affairs
Matt Griffin received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and his Masters of Business Administration from Tulane University. He works at Kongsberg in Houston, TX as their Corporate Controller of their North America offices.
Matt has a passion for the culinary arts and hopes to spread his passion through the studio.
Guitar instructor, Travis Levy is an accomplished guitar player. He is lead guitarist for a local band. Presently, he attends Houston Community College and studies audio recording and music composition. Travis plans to be a professional studio musician.
Travis enjoys teaching the guitar to all ages and finds the niche that each student needs for motivation and enjoyment of the guitar. He’s very encouraging and patient as everyone learns at a different pace. Mr. Travis feels it’s important to have a balance between playing by ear and reading music. He helps his students understand both music theory and tablature.
Mindy Janis
Kindermusik Educator
Ms. Mindy's passion is helping children discover their own unique and wonderful place in the world. She has over 20 years experience in working with and teaching children including teaching creative dance, children's music and choir classes, homeschooling, and volunteer coaching. She has a BA in Communications from Brigham Young University, is a ventriloquist, and a mother of five children. When her children participated in Kindermusik over 15 years ago Mindy experienced firsthand the power of music to touch the mind, heart, and soul of a child. She now teaches Kindermusik and Creative Dance to help other families discover and use the tool of musical play for enhancing child development and empowering parents.
Ken Bentsen
Piano Instructor
Mr. Ken grew up in California and lived most his life in Illinois. He has recently retired from Pepsi and moved to Texas. Ken comes from a very musical family. His grandmother self-taught herself to play the piano and guitar. His mother played the piano, guitar, bass drum and organ. His daughters both play the piano. Mr. Ken began his musical training at the age of 6 on the piano. He also studied the accordion and won several regional awards.
He has been involved with children and music for most of his life. He has been a swim instructor, park and recreation camp director and youth sponsor. Mr. Ken has participated in his church choir and quartets for many years. He has enjoyed playing keyboard for his church for the past several years.
When Mr. Ken is not playing the keyboard or teaching, he’s out playing golf or working on his own business, selling artist brushes.
Travis Levy
Guitar Instructor
