Meet Our Musicians:
Karla - Violist
Karla is the owner and founder of Crescendo Trio. She started playing the viola at age 10 and continued her music education at UMKC where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Karla offers private music lessons from her home and downtown music studio and teaches violin and viola lessons.
She has had the privilege to perform on stage with some very famous musicians including; Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman and the world renown Trans-Siberian Orchestra just to name a few.
When she is not performing around the midwest or teaching she loves to practice yoga, a favorite hobby of hers and spending time with her family. She also has two miniature schnauzer’s and a fuzzy hamster named Bear!
Beth - Violinist
Beth has played Violin since she was 10 years old and went to college and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and has been an original member of Crescendo Trio since 2011.
She loves teaching band and choir to kids ranging from K - 8th grade. She currently serves as the Principal Violist for the Westwood Ensemble and is also involved with the Band of Angels, a non-profit that provides musical instruments to students in need.
Beth is also the Handbell Director at Bethany Lutheran Church in Overland Park, KS. Beth is happily married and has four children that are the love of her life.
Myra - Cellist
Myra’s formal studies began on the piano at age 5 and then the cello at age 9. She continued her musical studies at the University of Kansas where she received a B.A. in Music and Bachelor’s in Music Education. Myra has been a dedicated and passionate member of Crescendo Trio since 2011, contributing her talent and commitment to the group’s continued growth and success.
For the past 20 years she has taught the cello, as well as beginning violin, piano and guitar lessons. Myra has played at hundreds of weddings, but the most memorable was when she played at a nudist colony!
Tina - Violinist
A classically trained violinist based out of Kansas City, with a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance. Tina has expanded her skillset, education and capabilities at every opportunity as an effort to be the best version of herself both personally, and as a professional artist.
Tina’s dedication to music rewarded her with the prestigious honor of becoming Concert Master for the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City. When not playing music for weddings and private events she is at home taking care of 20+ chickens. If you like farm fresh eggs ask her to bring some to the next event!
Wesley - Harpist
Wesley is a professional, freelance harpist who received her degree in Music Performance from the UMKC Conservatory. She performs throughout the Midwest region, and is Principal Harpist for the Starlight Theater Orchestra and the St Joseph Symphony. Wesley has also played with the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Lyric Opera, Kansas City Ballet, Tulsa Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Topeka Symphony, Lincoln Symphony, Sioux City Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and the St Louis Repertory Theater.
Wesley has also played in backup orchestras for such artists as Josh Groben (4 times), Idina Menzel, Il Divo, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and most recently Sarah Brightman. She teaches harp through the UMKC Academy and Bridges Program, the Music Arts Institute, and in her private music studio.
Kaia - Pianist / Vocalist
Kaia is a contemporary piano player and singer-songwriter with a Classical background. She started playing piano by ear at the age of 3 and quickly started learning to read music before learning to read words! She studied classical piano until she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder for a BA in Vocal Performance (opera), before transferring to the Denver campus to study Music Entertainment & Industry studies (contemporary singing and songwriting).
Kaia also writes and sings original songs with guitar and piano, and has a background leading worship bands in various traditional and contemporary church settings. This gives her a unique perspective, with a familiarity with Catholic and Protestant liturgy and hymns, as well as modern wedding music. Being comfortable both sight reading and playing by ear, allows a rare versatility to sing and play “A Thousand Years” for a ceremony and turn around to play the Hallelujah Chorus as exit music.
Grateful to be making music for a living, Kaia also enjoys frequenting local KC coffee shops, teaching music lessons, and travel to unique Airbnbs and roadtrips with her husband.