Our Music Instructors - Starling Music Studio

Vocal | Piano | Songwriting

Sally Howell

Hi! I am Sally Howell, owner and instructor at Starling Music Studio. I come from a small town in Missouri and literally grew up IN a theatre. I have been performing from a young age in my family-owned theatre The Calvin Opera House where I was a part of melodramas, musicals, and a family band.

I have studied Opera at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC, and then received a BA in commercial voice from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville I worked on Music Row, and after college I toured nationally and internationally with an all girl country band. After life on the road, I took my songwriting to another level and signed with Ash Street Music Publishing. I sang demos for studios all across town, and performed with my blues band, Candi Apple Red. Over a 13 year period living in Nashville, I worked with several major producers, including Chuck Howard and Trey Bruce, and recorded several albums. In 2006 I starred on a National tv show series where I clogged, yodeled, sang and danced.

In 2009 I moved to the town of Benton, AR and began teaching at Little Rock Jams in Little Rock where I taught piano, voice, and songwriting for 9 years. I am extremely excited about the opening of my own Starling Music Studio and I can’t wait to share the joy of music with you or your child!

Oneta Winkler

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to a family of musicians and singers, Oneta began singing and performing publicly in early childhood. She received early musical training from her mother, an educator and accomplished pianist. After her family relocated to Benton, Arkansas, she studied classical piano with Mrs. Earnest Maner.

Oneta is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Little Rock with a BS in Education. For many years, Oneta has been active in church music ministry in a variety of roles: worship leader, writing/directing dramas/musicals, song writing, director of adult and children's choirs, soloist, pianist, music teacher Pre-K through 8th grade for 3 years at a parochial school. Oneta currently serves as director of music at aMabelvale Methodist
Church.

Students of all ages will ﬁnd a warm welcome in her music room.

Piano

Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn

Art Holiman

I was born in Little Rock and raised in Benton. I earned a Music Education degree at Henderson State University, with an emphasis in brass instruments, and did graduate work in Louisiana and Texas. After teaching in Louisiana, I returned to Arkansas and directed the Central Arkansas Community Concert Band, as well as playing trumpet in various bands, pit orchestras, brass quintets, and other groups (most notably the GroanUps).

I look forward to working with Starling Music Studio to support school music programs in the area, as well as preparing students for Region Band competition.

Katelyn Bayless

Hi! I am Katelyn Bayless. I grew up in Monticello, Arkansas and have recently moved to Bryant. I graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education in 2021 and am currently working on my Master’s through the University of Georgia which I should be earning Summer 2023. I am also the music teacher at Bryant Elementary School.

I am a certified FAME First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfège teacher, which teaches children to be tuneful, beatful and artful.

I have been singing for as long as I can remember, starting to perform in front of an audience at the age of 3. Singing and playing piano have been a huge part of my life and I can’t wait to share my skills with your child! I am very excited to work with your students and watch them learn and improve as they practice their instrument!

Piano/Voice

Piano, Pre-K Music, Special Needs Music

Carol Holiman

I am so excited to be a part of the teaching team at Starling Music Studio! My connection to music began with my family at an early age. I have a background in piano and percussion with a music degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. I have continued my piano studies with Ms. Sally at Little Rock Jams since 2009, and joined the staff there as a music instructor. I received additional training in music for children with special needs from James Madison University and University of Arkansas. My teaching areas will include Pre-K, children with special needs and beginning piano for any age.

Casey Penn

Hi, music lovers! I’m Casey Penn, a Southerner by transplant from the great state of Wyoming. When I was just nine years old, my father moved us here to attend the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock. It didn’t take me long to pick up a Southern accent and a love for good, skillet cornbread.

I wanted to play fiddle as far back as I can remember and heard fiddle stories centered around my grandfather and great-grandfather, who played dances in his youth. I now play my great grandfather’s fiddle as my main instrument!

As a fifth grader, I was finally able to take violin lessons and stayed in school orchestra through grade eight. I value the few years I had of Suzuki method, but then our family moved to a school without an orchestra. From there on out, I was pretty much self-taught and didn’t play as much as I could have. I wish I had known that there were music folk all around me who were sitting on front porches just waiting to welcome a fiddler into the fold.

Fiddle

As a young adult, I played in church, and with our family singing gospel music here and there. When my girls grew past young childhood, I finally ventured into “fiddling,” through lessons from fiddle greats like Junior Marriott and Megan Lynch Chowning. I began to venture into jams in Mountain View and organized jams here in Benton. I’ve only entered one fiddle contest, as an adult. What a thrill it was, and if I could I go back to childhood and know about the contest scene, I would have jumped into that arena headfirst.

As it is, I’m thrilled to learn what I can and incorporate rich string music into my life wherever possible. Whether I am playing “fiddle” or “violin” is up for debate, but I’ll say this …

No matter what you call it, this pretty box of wood adds beauty to any style of music! I have so much yet to learn, and I plan to keep learning. I’d love to help you get started on your own journey with this beautiful instrument.

Best,
Casey

Guitar, Bass, Ukulele

Wayne Willems

Wayne has been playing guitar since the early 1980s. He grew up playing in a family band and soon ventured off to perform with many local acts over the years. Along the way, Wayne has taught many inspiring guitarists his method of teaching.

Wayne performs Classic Rock, Country, Blues, R&B, Pop, Americana, Christian, and Folk music.

Currently, he plays lead guitar with the variety classic rock & dance band Liquid Kitty. He is also the owner of Little Rock Entertainment Agency, where he performs his duties as a booking agent for DJs, Bands, and other specialty entertainers.

Wayne enjoys working with young musicians and adults. Beginning and advanced guitar students are always welcome in his classroom.

Mandi Carreiro

My name is Mandi Carreiro and I am a Little Rock born and raised native. My music journey started before I could even talk. My dad is my church music minister and I have been blessed to be surrounded by music my whole life. I remember my voovoo (grandfather in Portuguese), spinning me around as a little girl singing Shirley Temple songs. I am so lucky that my career now revolves around music and the theater arts.

I have a Bachelors in Vocal Performance with a minor in theater from UA Little Rock. After working for UA Little Rock’s Alumni Association for a few years I returned to my love of education in the form of teaching. Last year I received my Master of Art in Teaching from UCA and have been teaching in elementary music as well as middle and high school choral and theater programs. I currently teach at Landmark Elementary School.

I spend my spare time working with Wildwood Park for the Arts as their Costume Mistress. Some of my favorite shows I have worked on include Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical, and H.M.S. Pinafore. I enjoy a good book outdoors with my dog, Luna, or a nice cup of tea gaming on my computer with my cat, Loca.

Piano/Voice

Drums

Bernie Quell

Bernie Quell began playing drums during Beatle Mania. He was in grade school when three of his friends, who recently signed up to take guitar lessons, turned to Bernie and said; “We’re gonna need a drummer, go sign up for drum classes”,…and he did! Bernie and his friends were soon playing music at school dances throughout the cities South of Detroit where he grew up. Detroit at that time was a hot bed for all the developing local music groups who later made it on the National Stage. It was no big deal to go and hear Bob Seeger or Ted Nugent who were playing dances at local roller skating rinks. MoTown, Rock and Roll, the British Invasion all had an influence on Bernie’s early drumming style.

In the late 70’s, Bernie moved to the Northwest region of Arkansas. There he developed his Country style by being the house drummer at the Cove Club and later the Candle Light Supper Club in Grove, Oklahoma. He also played a season at a music hall in Rogers, AR.

In the mid 80’s, he moved to Central Arkansas and was a mainstay for the Tuesday night Blues Jam at Juanita’s in Little Rock. He and some friends formed the group Make No Mistake which played local and regional venues throughout Arkansas. Today, Bernie works with Starlings own Don Tucker in a group called the Grand Trio. Bernie looks forward to being on the Starling staff of talented musicians to further the development of other future talent.

Tiffany Turner

Growing up in Mountain View Arkansas, I was introduced to bluegrass music at an early age. Beginning lessons at six years old, I learned to play Scruggs 3 finger style banjo and bluegrass flatpickin' & worship style guitar. Music has always been my happy place! As a teenager, I traveled with my family performing at church concerts and festivals throughout the southern states. In recent years, I have toured with different bands including The Maharreys and Legendary Sullivan Family. I am so thankful for the opportunities music has given to me! One of my fondest memories happened when I was 16 years old. I was blessed to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Little Roy Lewis and Earl Scruggs! Performing on stage alongside my two favorite banjo pickers was the highlight of my music career!

I now reside in Saline County, and a part of the worship team at Benton First Assembly of God Church. A few years ago, I decided to begin teaching because I want to help others experience the joy of music. Bring your instrument and we will have some fun together! I look forward to meeting you!

Banjo

Guitar

Michael Shipp

Michael Shipp has been a professional touring and studio musician for over 4 decades. He has worked extensively in recording studios in Los Angeles, Nashville, Austin and Memphis, as an artist and producer. Michael released his first CD in 2003, The Adventures of Roosterboy, on Tiffer Records. The CD was produced by Michael and Nashville’s Steve Tolson. During this time, Michael was a touring member ofAcademy Award Winner, Billy Bob Thornton’s, band that did 2 world tours and several North American tours. In addition to Billy Bob Thornton, Michael also worked either on stage or studio with ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons and Dusty Hill, Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Pat Travers, Dwight Yoakum, and even the late Johnny Cash. In 2012, Michael released another CD that was co-produced with Billy Bob, several guest artists and songwriting collaborations, SHIPP Crow Loudly. Michael Shipp’s CD’s have sold worldwide in over 30 countries. The SHIPP Crow Loudly CD included the regionally played single, Razorback Boogie that was featured on several Arkansas Rock Radio Stations across the state, as well as heard throughout many tailgate events. Michael’s band, SHIPP, is a Southern Rock and Roots band featuring phenomenal drummer Peyton Shipp.

Michael Shipp is happy to share his musical journey and guitar teaching abilities at Starling Music beginning in December 2022. Michael is also a Real Estate Broker in Saline County with Century 21 Parker & Scroggins Realty. Married for 26 years to Lovely Wife Kim, they have 2 teenagers, Peyton Shipp,18, and Presley Shipp, 16.

Emory Tyson Molitor

Emory Tyson Molitor is an Arkansas native and performer in musical theatre and music events in Little Rock at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse and other central Arkansas theatres. Emory is an alumnus if the ATU music and speech/theatre departments and holds a Masters of Science in Developmental Therapy from HSU. With more than 12 years of experience directing children’s choirs and musicals and over six years as a Developmental Therapist, Emory can captivate the attention of her youngest students. She is also the soprano section leader in her church choir. Her singing experience includes musical theatre, jazz, classical, pop and country. Emory is Mom to two grown daughters and Emmy to her granddaughter.

Voice

Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Cello, Violin, Piano, Ukulele

Hannah Smoke

Hannah Smoke is currently a senior music education student at the University of Central Arkansas, and gives woodwind and piano lessons around the area. Hannah has worked with many beginning and intermediate clarinet and saxophone students at Mayflower Middle School, Central Academy Christian Schools, and Bigelow High School.

Her students have gone on to make placements at All-Region and All-State. Hannah is a member of the UCA Wind Ensemble, the UCA Bear Marching Band, and the Hot Springs Concert Band. She plays a variety of instruments in addition to woodwinds and piano, including cello, violin, and ukulele. She is excited to share all of her musical knowledge with her Starling students!

Site Links

Address

Starling Music Studio

3614 Marketplace Center

Suite 4 & 5

Bryant, AR 72022

Phone: (501) 653-7464