About Us
MKS Studio began as a private music lessons studio founded by homeschool mom and musician Monica Koffi, where she offered private instruction for piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, and choirs. 5 years later, the studio grew beyond capacity and MKS was birthed. Established in 2021, our goal is to offer the best fine arts classes to homeschools and area youth in the metro area and beyond. We foster a love of learning, and love of music, and a love of the arts from a Christian perspective.
Our Staff
Monica Koffi -
Owner and Operator
Hi, my name is Monica Koffi, and I am a Christian, a wife and mother, and a musician. After deciding to homeschool full time in 2012, my entire understanding of education changed. As my family and I traveled through this learning process, I fell in love with learning. In 2015, I was inspired to start a private music lesson studio to share this love of learning with others through private instruction, teaching classes, and conducting choirs. Since then, I’ve had the honor of meeting and sharing my teaching with adults and kids all across the country. On a normal week, you will find me serving on my church worship team on piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, or voice, or leading worship for women’s events and bible studies. I love to push others and pour into them my knowledge and passion for Christ, music, and education. As my studio has grown, I wanted to give the chance for more people to come along on this journey with us, and MKS studio was birthed! With it’s launch, I’ve teamed up with some amazing teachers to offer the best opportunities for others to grow in their education process, so that they can also fall in love with learning!
Every lesson is passed down from her family to yours!
Kristen Culver - Operations Manager and Accountant
Hi, my name is Kristen Culver and I’m the new Content Strategist for MKS studio. As a Christian homeschooling mom with 2 kids, I have spent a lot of time planning and organizing the learning process to nurture integrity, morality, and character in my children. Our family loves to travel, and I run a blog about our adventures on the road called, "The Local Travelers". I am also owner and operator of DKC Local Designs, which designs and sells personalized marketing materials. My daughter, Rylee, has taken piano lessons with Miss Monica, and has blossomed! Seeing how this studio has helped her grow, I jumped at the invitation to come on board and bring fresh ideas and marketing tactics to the team, as well as manage the back-end details of the business. My goal is to help expand the company, in a way that allows for more students to come on board and fall in love with music. I'm looking forward to meeting you all personally and can't wait to see all that the coming year has for this studio!
Christine Courie -
Director, Teacher, Choreographer
Christina Courie is a Christian, a wife to a Pastor, and a Homeschooling mother of two. She has homeschooled her children from the beginning, and has now been homeschooling for 10 years. She has been married for 17 years. She is originally from California, and has lived in Iowa, Indiana (where her husband attended Seminary) and has called Nebraska home since her family moved here for her husband’s Pastoral call in 2019.
She loves to encourage and support others to continually learn and grow, and loves working with children of all ages, helping to show them the love of Christ, and pointing them to their identity in Christ, as they use the gifts God has given them for His glory.
She has years of experience in teaching dance and was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships for dance in her younger years. Originally a dance major at California State University, Fullerton, she changed majors several times, and put school on pause after getting married and having children, before finally going back to school full time in 2020, as an adult homeschooling mom, to complete her undergrad degree. She graduated with honors in 2021, from the University of Nebraska, Omaha with a Bachelors of Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Theatre, Business, and Psychology.
She was blessed while living in Indiana to be the choreographer for a large Christian, homeschool, theatre academy. She has had the privilege to work with amazingly talented directors, and hundreds of homeschool children from elementary through high school ages, and has choreographed Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, 100 Dresses, The Three Musketeers, Oliver Twist, Seussical the Musical, Jr. and 42nd Street.
Rachel Lynch -
Teacher
Hello, my name is Rachel Lynch. I have been a preschool caregiver and teacher for seven years, and have taught music to preschoolers for many of those years. I love imagination and learning and music! When I was a little girl, I used to sing to birds. I thought that I could speak their language and that they would teach me how to fly. More than anything else however, I love Jesus. I have taught the bible to many different ages, prayed with so many, and LOVE to see God's children proclaiming His goodness.
I will be teaching the Music and Movement class at MKS with Luann Scheufele, and am so excited for the year! I also teach piano, flute, guitar and voice lessons, and am so blessed by all the opportunities God has given me.
Candace Gould -
Conductor & Teacher
Candace Gould is an Omaha based Private Vocal Coach, Actress, and Performer. Over the past 10 years she has devoted most of her time teaching students of all ages how to find their voice through classes and private voice lessons. She has actively served in the Music Ministry at her local church her whole life as well, where she currently leads as the Minister of Music. On a sunday, you can find her leading the Praise and Worship team, Choir, working with the musicians, and heading up the Praise Dance team. Church ministry is a family affair, and her local church is pastored by her dad, with her mother and brother involved in music as well.
Even though she keeps very busy with work and various projects, she has never lost her love for performance.
In 2022 she made her debut back into theater when she starred in Giraffes Can’t Dance and The SpongeBob Musical as Sandy Cheeks, both at the Rose Theater. Her most prominent role theatrical was as Lorrell Robinson in the Omaha Community Playhouse's production of "Dreamgirls". In September of 2023, she performed on stage with Kim Burrell, and is very active as a vocalist in her church body and various outside music events. Her featured solo for the song "Operator" at our 2024 MKS Spring Concert blew us all away! Candace is thankful for the opportunity to conduct our BRIO Homeschool show choir.
Heather Alston-
Teacher and Scenic Artist
Hello, my name is Heather Alston, and I am a Christian, wife, and mother of two girls. I am currently teaching the lead art teacher at Trinity Classical Acadamy in Waterloo, Nebraska. My school is a collaborative school where teachers partner with parents to teach students in a classical model. I create and maintain the art curriculum for all grades. I have been teaching art in the public and private setting for 9 years and creating art personally for over 35. I have taught everything from pottery and drawing to embroidery and digital design.
I hold a Bachelor of arts is History and Studio Art from Peru State College. I hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching from College of Saint Mary and am currently enrolled in the Masters program from the Art of Education University where I am pursuing a Masters in Art Education.
God has gifted me with a passion for sharing his beauty of creation to anyone who is willing to listen and learn. I love all forms of visual arts! At home I mainly focus on oil paintings, drawing, and watercolors.
Chris Scheufele-
Teacher, Stage Manager
For over 25 years, Chris has been involved in music. He holds a degree in K-12 Music Education with a guitar concentration and a vocal minor. Yes, he actually went to school to be a rock star. Pretty cool, huh?
He is skilled in several styles including classical, jazz, and of course, rock. He has performed in several bands, theatre pit orchestras, worship teams, and studio projects.
Chris was a public and private school music teacher for over 10 years including elementary music (yes...that included everyone's favorite - recorders), choir, band, jazz band, orchestra, handbells, classroom guitar, and private guitar instruction.
Currently, Chris leads the worship team at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, travels the country as an author/speaker/comedian, and records music in his home studio. He is married and has 3 kids. Chris and his wife homeschool their children. (Ok...his wife does 99% of it.) His kids are involved in various MKS classes because the programs are awesome and, let's face it, even Super Mom needs a break sometimes.
Oh yeah...Chris and his family all love Jesus, too.
Ryan and Darcy Witt -
Choir Conductor
Ryan Witt is married to Darcy and homeschool dad of four children. They have been homeschooling for over 16 years. Ryan has been a Pastor for over 18 years, pastoring in Iowa and Illinois before accepting a call to pastor a church here in Omaha where he currently serves. His ministry has included over 15 years of working with children, teens, and college and career students.
From a young age, Ryan has had a rich musical upbringing. He has played violin in orchestra and currently plays guitar through worship at his church and various ministry events. However, vocal performance and participation in choirs has been his greatest enjoyment that began in Junior High. By his High School years he was involved in choir, select ensembles, musicals, vocal performance, and many years of voice lessons. By college, he participated in a 50 voice chorus for several years and traveled the country for 30 weeks on a small ensemble of 8 voices for three consecutive summers. Since college he has utilized his abilities in the church through solo, groups, and directing adult and kid’s choirs and musicals.
Ryan’s wife, Darcy, also has a love for music and a heart for young people. Darcy has a passion for Christ, has been homeschooling for more than 16 years, and married for 19 years. She has always enjoyed working with teenagers and has a bachelors degree in secondary education with an emphasis on English. She loves working with young people, especially teen girls, and encouraging them in their walks with the Lord and pursuing God through all of their interests. She has been involved in music, choir, band, and drama throughout high school and college. she has continue to be involved in music throughout their different ministries as well.
Ryan & Darcy are so thankful that God continues to bless and bring opportunities in the area of music. Music is a powerful tool and its greatest climax is when we can utilize it to exalt our Lord and Savior and share truth through its message.
Autumn Skaalen -
Teacher
Autumn Skaalen currently is a communications associate at her home church, Good News Church. She is consistently taking pictures, working on video projects, and helping manage social media content. Along with her main job, she has a personal photography business that she established this past year, Stav Creative.
She’s excited to be coming along side with MKS, as it’s similar to co-ops, the community, and hands on experience she was familiar with while she was homeschooled kindergarten through senior year.
Autumn is passionate about photography, videography, and other creative medias, as well as bringing alongside others to explore, disciple, and empower them in their skills that God has given them.
Michelle Phillips -
Teacher & Conductor
Michelle is married to Trevor and together they have been blessed with 6 children. They have been homeschooling their kids from the very beginning. Michelle has seen God's grace in her life from a young age and accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at age 7. It was around age 7 she also started taking piano lessons from the organist/pianist at her church. Michelle found her love for music and drama at an early age. It all started within the church her dad pastored where she was in a Christmas musical at the age of 9. Since middle school Michelle has been apart of choirs, select ensembles, school worship team and experiencing vocal performances. In 2003 Michelle made Nebraska All-State choir for First Soprano. She has a music minor in Vocal Performance and a Master's degree in Teaching. In college Michelle was apart of numerous choirs ranging from Gospel to Sacred. She's had opportunities to compete in vocal performances and cherishes all the lessons she's learned along the way. Every music teacher has had an impact. Her University Vocal Instructor remains her favorite. It was an honor to witness her vocal coach participate in an Opera while in Virginia. Michelle has taught piano and voice lessons inside and outside her home. When schedules allow, Michelle enjoys serving on her church worship team and leading the musical side of the kid's Christmas musicals. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys; playing the piano, working out, reading, singing and dancing, traveling, thrifting, cooking really good food and decorating her house/house projects.
Michelle and her husband own and operate Phillips Tile & Stone. The company has been in business since 2010. It is a blessing to install quality craftsmanship for Omaha and surrounding cities. Trevor enjoys training his employee's how to install tile and stone and coaching his kid's sports teams in his spare time. God has provided for their family and numerous other families as a result of Phillips Tile & Stone. They pray the company is a blessing to every client they come into contact with.
Michelle is thrilled God has made a way for her to come into the music classroom and teach her very favorite classes. She hopes to instill a love for music that glorifies God and brings people closer to Him.
Emily Perina -
Teaching Assistant
Emily Perina has grown up in choir, participating in 4 different choirs throughout middle and high school. She has a deep love of singing, music, and serving others. Emily is a Vivace alumnus, having participated for 3 consecutive seasons before graduating from the program. She then served as a Student Conductor for the 2021-2022 season. As a homeschool graduate, she loves helping others grow in music and growing her own knowledge too, and being involved in choir is the perfect opportunity for that!
Outside of MKS, Emily also serves on her church worship team through piano and vocals on Sunday mornings. You can also finder her performing with her local band called Turnbridge Collective, where she plays as the band’s keyboardist and a vocalist.
When she isn’t involved in music, Emily enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
Marissa McGeorge -
Teaching Assistant
Hello! My name is Marissa McGeorge, and I have the honor of serving your students in the Music & Movement class as the teaching assistant.
It is my goal and desire to help you and your family to grow in your musicianship, and to use your gifts for God's glory and for the good of others. I pray your family's musical learning endeavors will bring you much joy as you work dive in diligently. Whether you want to learn to sing, play an instrument, write music, or all of the above, we have something for you.
I began my music learning journey in 2009 and my music teaching journey in 2018. I currently own a private lesson studio called The Growing Musician, teaching private music lessons in families homes locally. I have also taught kindergarten at the local classical, Christian school. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect, or if you have any questions.
Rachel Liekhus -
Head of Costumes
Rachel is a Christian, a wife to Robert, and a mother of five. She has homeschooled her children for the past 9 years. She is an organizer of events and field trips in the Lincoln area for other homeschool families.
In 2019, she began her journey as a seamstress, with the goal of learning to sew in 2020. When the pandemic hit, she began sewing masks, and grew from there.
Currently, she works as a seamstress testing clothing patterns for six different pattern companies. In her spare time, you can find her in the garden, on a stand-up paddle board, and embroidery.
Sue McDonald -
Piano Accompanist
Sue loves kids and she loves music, so she is glad to be joining the MKS studio family.
Sue is enjoying retirement in Omaha, after serving with her husband for 45 years with the Evangelical Free Church. She has taught piano lessons in her home all these years, served in various church music positions and served as a Music Educator in the Public Schools for 24 years in Virginia. The McDonalds have 3 married children and 11 grandchildren.
Stephanie Strautmann-
Piano Accompanist
Stephanie is a Christian, wife to Andrew, and homeschooling mother of twins. Stephanie grew up playing the piano through private lessons. Stephanie loves listening to, singing, and playing music. In Junior High and High School she began splitting her time between singing and accompanying for the school choirs, ensembles, and soloists. During college, Stephanie taught private piano lessons while pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Nursing. She still works part-time as a clinic nurse, but her primary role is homeschooling her children. Stephanie still enjoys teaching piano to her children, however her first love is playing music. She is a piano accompanist for her local church, and loves playing sacred hymns and arrangements in her free time. Stephanie's heart's desire with music is to point others to the Savior. As she plays "songs, hymns, and spiritual songs," may others sing along in their hearts and be drawn to Him.
“A creative education has the power to catapult anyone into a new journey of expression and growth.”
— Monica Koffi, Founder of MKS Studio
