Our Instructors
Our talented teachers cannot wait to share their passion for music with students!
Letha Pilgrim
Founder, Artistic Director, Director of Bands Private Lesson Instructor Winds, Piano and Guitar
Ms. Pilgrim earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas with an All-Level Certification for the State of Texas.
She has 30+ years of music teaching experience including private lessons, master classes, leading worship teams, and public school band programs. Ensembles under her instruction have won numerous awards. Ms. Pilgrim was Campus Teacher of the Year in the Northwest ISD.
She also has performance experience in orchestras, pit orchestras, wind ensembles, chamber groups, marching band, church music, worship teams, and solo performances.
Her career has taken her to many countries including Mexico, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Costa Rica as well as extensive travel throughout the United States.
She loves working with students as they discover and grow their musical abilities.
Ms. Pilgrim homeschools her own children, delighting in every minute she has with them.
Karl Lampe
Director of Orchestras, Jazz Band Director, Associate Director of Bands
Mr. Lampe earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master’s degree specializing in Music Theory from San Diego State University. He currently holds a temporary All-Level Teaching certificate for the State of Texas.
He has music teaching experience in private lessons, master classes, small groups, public school band, and public school orchestra programs.
He also has performing experience as a solo performer, orchestra, band, plus marching band, chamber groups, and wind ensembles. He has performed in the United States, Mexico, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and England.
Mr. Lampe recently retired as a California music educator, where he spent the last 12 years building the elementary and middle school instrumental music programs in beautiful Ramona, California.
He currently resides in McKinney, living close to his daughter, son-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren.
Julie Lantiere
Director of Choral and Elementary Music
Mrs. Lantiere earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree (Primary Instrument: Voice) with a minor in Management from Texas Tech University and has an All-Level Certification for the State of Texas.
Mrs. Lantiere has specialized music training and certifications in the Kodály method, World Music Drumming, First Steps in Music, and Conversational Solfège.
She has 16+ years of music teaching experience in public schools, private lessons, music ministry, and most recently, CCHFA. An accomplished singer, she also plays piano, flute, and ukulele.
Her performance experience includes vocal and instrumental solos, band, choir, vocal jazz ensembles, madrigals, and TMEA All-State Choir, as well as musical theatre and opera. She has performed in choir tours across the United States, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
She was Campus Teacher of the Year and 2nd runner-up for McKinney ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2019.
Mrs. Lantiere lives in McKinney with her husband and two children whom she homeschools. She has a passion for creating a musical community where children learn through a wide variety of engaging experiences. Children singing is her favorite sound in the world!