Founder’s Statement – Gina Holsopple
Owner & Lead Teacher, Gina Marie Music Studio

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can rememberβ€”long before I could name it. I grew up Mennonite in the middle of Kansas, in a culture rooted in community, storytelling, and shared music-making. I was born into a performing family, where music was as natural as breathing and woven into everyday life. I began piano in 1986, violin in 1987, and guitar in 1993, and I’ve spent my life playing and teaching β€œanything you don’t have to blow into.”

I believe music is the most direct line into the human heart. It helps us feel what we need to feel, when we need to feel it, and connects us to something far larger than ourselves. Music tells our stories when words fall short, and it has the power to heal, transform, and unite.

The vision behind Gina Marie Music Studio comes from a simple but painful truth: most adults carry an artistic wound. Somewhere along the way, someone told us we couldn’t sing, couldn’t play, weren’t talented enough, or shouldn’t dream within music. Those moments lingerβ€”and they hurt.

Our work is twofold. We exist to help adults heal those artistic wounds, reclaiming joy, confidence, and creative expression. And just as importantly, we work to inoculate children against that pain, creating a space where they are supported, encouraged, and empowered to explore music without fear or limitation.

At GMMS, music isn’t about perfectionβ€”it’s about belonging, expression, and lifelong connection. This studio exists to remind people of all ages that their voice matters, their creativity is valid, and music is for them.

Jenny Lapp – Professional Teacher

  • 🎸🎹🎷πŸ₯πŸŽ€ A versatile multi-instrumentalist who plays and teaches guitar, ukulele, piano, saxophone, drums, and voice

  • 🎢 Teaches guitar, ukulele, piano, saxophone, drums, and vocal

  • ⏳ Has been playing music since she was about 13 years old

  • πŸ’› Loves music for all the different ways it can make you feel

  • πŸŽΎπŸ’„ Outside of music, Jenny enjoys playing tennis and doing makeupβ€”including working a few weddings here and there

  • 🎬 Fun fact: she was once an extra in a movie

Emalee Herrington – Professional Teacher

  • 🎸🎹🎢 A true multi-instrumentalist! Emalee most fluently plays guitar (10+ years), piano (7 years), and ukulele (10+ years), and also plays violin (2 years), drums (2 years), and bass guitar (1+ year)

  • 🎀✍️ Teaches vocal, songwriting, guitar, piano, ukulele, and violin

  • ⏳ Has been making music her entire life and started her first instrument, guitar, at just 8 years old

  • πŸ’¬ Loves how every song connects differently with each listener; as a songwriter, she’s especially drawn to lyrics, meaning, and the stories behind why songs are written

  • πŸ“šβœˆοΈ When she’s not making music, Emalee loves to read and travelβ€”and tries to take at least four trips each year

  • ❀️ Fun fact (and proud moment!): At age 12, she founded Emalee’s Musical Medicine, a nonprofit that uses the power of music to support youth undergoing chemotherapy and treatment for terminal illness. 2026 marks the organization’s 10th full year of impact

Meg Adelman – Student Teacher

  • 🎹 Plays piano (9 years) and ukulele (2 years)

  • 🎢 Teaches piano, ukulele, and general music

  • ✨ Loves music because it lets her create something awesome

  • 🎿 Enjoys downhill skiing

  • πŸ“Έ Loves photography

  • 🐱 Fun fact: she has four cats

Leah Norton – Student Teacher

  • 🎀🎺🎹🎢 Sings and plays trumpet, piano, ukulele, mallet percussion, and guitar

  • 🎢 Teaches vocal, trumpet, piano, and ukulele

  • ⏳ Has been singing her whole life, playing trumpet and piano for about 9 years, and guitar, ukulele, and mallet percussion for about 4 years

  • 🌱 Loves discovering new ways to grow as a musician and express herself through performance

  • πŸ’ƒπŸŽ­ Enjoys dancing and performing in musicals

  • ⭐ Fun fact: she was selected for All-Eastern last year!

Janae Julian – Student Teacher

  • 🎹 Plays piano (primarily), clarinet, and a few other instruments at a beginner level (guitar, percussion, and violin)

  • 🎢 Teaches piano

  • ⏳ Has been playing piano since first grade and clarinet since fourth grade

  • πŸ“– Loves how music tells a story and leaves meaning up to both the musician and the listener

  • πŸŠβ€β™€οΈπŸ€ Enjoys swimming and volunteering

  • ⭐ Fun fact: has tried over five different sports!

Louisa Huff – Student Teacher

  • 🎹🎸🎢 Plays piano, guitar, and ukuleleβ€”and loves to sing

  • 🎢 Teaches piano, guitar, and ukulele

  • ⏳ Has been taking music lessons for 10 years

  • ✨ Loves that music is accessible to everyone, yet complex enough to study for a lifetime

  • πŸ“–βœοΈ Enjoys reading and journaling

  • πŸ¦† Fun fact: she used to raise ducks!

Kayne Kerling – Student Teacher

  • 🎹 Plays piano

  • 🎢 Teaches piano

  • ⏱️ Has been playing for 3 years

  • ❀️ Loves music for its ability to capture emotions and share them with others

  • πŸ³πŸ“š Enjoys cooking and reading

  • 🌍 Fun fact: collects Coke bottles from different countries around the world