Our Studio

Leander Music Academy is committed to providing high-quality music lessons and ensemble opportunities to students of all ages and experience levels in a supportive and motivating environment. Through varied course offerings, students will grow as holistic musicians through performance, chamber, and community involvement. Leander Music Academy (LMA) values excellent performance, communal music-making, and a stimulating learning environment that pushes and encourages those who participate. In addition to training well-rounded musicians, LMA values the growth of the whole person, developing kind and diverse musicians. We aspire to be a valuable contributor to the creative community, training excellent musicians who support each other through thoughtful feedback, group participation, and regular performances.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

PERRI KISER

Owner and Instructor

Perri is an active teacher and performer based in southern West Virginia. A native of the mountain state, she is passionate about providing educational arts opportunities to local youth and fostering a community in the arts.

Perri has taught in various capacities, from undergraduate violin lessons as a TA at The Ohio State University to preschool music in Seville, Spain. Since 2015, she and her mom Kathie Kiser have directed the Coda Fine Arts summer camps, which provide musical experiences to students ages 4-17 over three weeks of day camps. Upon returning to her hometown in 2023, Perri fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting Leander Music Academy, offering private and group lessons in classical training. In addition to teaching private lessons, Perri offers group violin and viola classes at a local private school and teaches virtually at Castle Valley Academy located near Moab, UT. Perri serves as the string coach with the New River Youth Symphony and directs the beginner string ensemble Emerging Strings. Her students have received high rankings in both the middle and high school WV All-State Orchestras and Solo and Ensemble, among other competitions and programs. Perri's students regularly perform around the region and participate in community programs.

When not teaching music lessons or playing violin, Perri spends her time in nature, tending to her house plants, and hanging out with her cats Fig and Beans.

Perri holds a M.M. in Violin Performance and a M.A. in String Pedagogy from The Ohio State University and a B.M. in Violin Performance and a B.M. in Instrumental Music Education/Piano from Liberty University.

NATHAN LAIN

Instructor

Nate Lain is a music producer, songwriter, worship leader, and educator based in Southern West Virginia. He writes and releases his own music while also working with artists as a co-writer and producer through his production business, Nate Lain Music Production.

Nate began his musical studies in composition at Olivet Nazarene University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. Over time, his interests expanded into songwriting, recording, and music production. In 2023, he earned a Master of Music in Music Production from Berklee Online. Today, much of his creative work centers on helping artists develop songs from their earliest ideas through recording and finished production.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Nate has experience performing and teaching piano, guitar, drums, and bass, along with recording and music production. He enjoys helping students build strong musical foundations while expanding their creativity and performance ability. As an instructor, Nate emphasizes practical musicianship, creative exploration, and helping each student develop their own musical voice.

Outside of teaching and production, Nate leads Living Liturgy, a nonprofit that provides songwriting resources, coaching, and community for churches and worship leaders around the world. He is also pursuing a PhD in Christian Worship at Liberty University, where his research focuses on worship songwriting.

When he isn't teaching or working in the studio, Nate can usually be found writing songs, drinking a good cup of coffee, hiking somewhere in West Virginia, or spending time with his wife and two boys.