THE 2025

TY TUTTLE (MUSIC DIRECTOR/KEYS) is a Kansas City-based pianist and musical theatre coach. Throughout his growing career, Ty has established himself as a passionate and diligent collaborator. Ty received his master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2021, where he studied under Lyric Theatre faculty members Michael Tilley, Sarah Wigley, and Julie and Nathan Gunn. Ty graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano from Eastern Illinois University. 

While at home in a variety of styles, Ty has demonstrated a deep understanding of the musical theatre genre. He has both music-directed and performed with theatre companies all over Illinois and the Kansas City area, including Music Theatre Heritage, Starlight Theatre, and The Little Theatre on the Square. Ty has also had opportunities to play in concerts, productions, and masterclasses with performers such as Allen Vizzutti, Julian Ovenden, and Baayork Lee. Additionally, his other musical avenues include accompanying collegiate choirs, churches, jazz groups, and bands. 

He currently remains active with collaborative recitals, theatrical productions, and serves as the resident music director at Music Theatre Heritage. In addition to his numerous collaborative projects, Ty spends his time cooking, hiking, gardening, and sitting on the patio with his cats. 

JEFF FRELING (Guitar) Originally from Kansas City, Jeff spent 11 years in Chicago, IL performing with Blue Man Group on electric zither at the Briar Street Theatre. Since returning to KC in 2012, he has traveled the world performing with the guitar/ukulele duo “Victor & Penny” alongside his wife and co-conspirator, actor/musician Erin McGrane. More recently, he has been composing music for various projects including the full length film “Kick Me”, short films “Insyncerator” and “Great Plains Reperatory” and Kansas City’s new multi-media experience “Atlas 9”. Jeff studied at Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA and the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in Kansas City, MO.

MATT KESLER (Upright Bass) began making records and performing at a young age. By the age of 18 he had shared the stage with Rock Legends such as Canned Heat, Alvin Lee and Mick Taylor. He was a founding member of the Pedaljets releasing 5 albums, touring the US and playing with bands like Hüsker Dü, Jason & The Nashville Scorchers, the Replacements and The Flaming Lips. Prince once appeared at one of their shows and played a set borrowing the band’s instruments. Although he was playing mostly rock music Matt has a love of jazz and joined the MidTown Quartet that has played regularly around KC over the last 30+ years.

When Matt became a father he broke into the children’s music scene with a rock band for kids called The Doo-Dads who released CDs and DVDs garnishing a #1 Hit on XMKids Radio and an Emmy Award for the “Rockumentary” ‘There Will Be Rock!’. Over the last 8 years Matt has been working in a band of long-time friends called She Said with a debut album released in May 2025. Matt has also recorded and performed with producer David George’s band St. George & The Dragons and for the last three years has played with the David George Orchestra performing the musical Christmas Ain’t A Drag.

JULIAN GOFF (Drums), a Kansas City native, has been grooving in the music scene for over 20 years. His diverse credits include performing as a member of the HAL Cats aboard Holland America Line cruise ships, musical directing numerous theater productions, and leading his own funk/soul band, Elefunk. Known for his soulful touch, versatility, and exceptional musicality, Julian brings energy and artistry to every performance.You can catch him live at The 1909 Club in Lee’s Summit every 2nd and 4th Thursday.

SCOTT REED (Tenor Sax) is a woodwind musician from Kansas City focusing mainly on saxophone, clarinet and flute. He plays multiple genres including swing jazz, rock and Americana.  His day job is restoring and repairing woodwind instruments for people all over the world. One of his passions is collecting and playing classic instruments from the 1900s- 1970s He can also be found on his YouTube channel,  “Scott’s Music Cave” where he features these instruments and dives into the real world of the music business.

CHACKO FINN (Bass Trombone) was born and raised in Kansas City and earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the UMKC Conservatory in 2018. Since 2014, he has performed at notable venues nationwide with artists such as Tito Puente Jr., Christopher Bill, Marcus Lewis, Victor Trevino, Dominique Scott, and Kadesh Flow. He has worked in numerous regional theater pit orchestras, including MTKC, MET-KC, and the Jewish Community Center, and appeared in The King in Concert at the New Theatre & Restaurant. Chacko currently performs with Gekko, Back Alley Brass Band, The Slide SyndiKCate, and Crossroads Sound. In 2022, he was featured as a soloist with the Mason (OH) Wind Symphony at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

His recording credits include Marcus Lewis Big Band’s Brass and Boujee and studio projects with the David George Orchestra, Vela, the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra, composer Nick Maluf, and Doobie N.M. In addition to his performing career, Chacko is an active educator, working in middle and high school programs as a solo competition coach and marching band technician across schools in Liberty, Blue Valley, Olathe, Shawnee Mission, and Park Hill.

JOSH LAMPKINS (Trombone), a native of Los Angeles, California, began playing piano and singing at an early age. He studied music at many Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles,  Mexico, Montana, Kansas, and Missouri. Joshua has been awarded scholarships from the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, The Los Angeles Jazz Society, and The Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. He has led his own jazz orchestra, as well as his jazz trombone choir called “Viva Trombones!”. Joshua has held orchestra positions on bass and tenor trombones in many locations in The United States, and Mexico, and has also served as Orchestra Manager and Contractor. He has recorded for film scores, television commercials, and has made numerous television and film appearances.

Joshua has toured over 60 countries with numerous performers and has performed and recorded with some of the music industry’s finest.  Joshua spent many years working for most major cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, Cunard Cruises International, and Royal Caribbean International. He has taught band camps and led master classes in high schools and colleges around the globe. Joshua’s teachers and mentors include some of the world’s premier musicians. Mr. Lampkins currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri. His hobbies include wardrobe, visual, and culinary arts.

MARK HAMBLIN (Trumpet) teaches kindergarten through fifth grade music and plays with bands including the wedding band MultiPhonic; classic jazz trio Blue Wail; hot jazz trio Jump, Jive & Swing; rootsy band Copper Threading; poetry ensemble Inspiration Monkeys; Americana band Truck Bed Taxi; folk fusion band Gullywasher; and Ham Radio Renegades. He is thankful for the opportunity to play trumpet for Christmas Ain’t a Drag.