Our Staff

Owner / Instructor – Kindermusik and private lessons

In 2014, Ashley’s music passion led her to win the Big Idea contest at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This sparked Crash Bang Boom—a hub for quality music instruction. Initially, a piano pro teaching all ages, Ashley expanded her venture to offer small group classes, private lessons, music-themed parties, and music education courses designed for parents and caregivers. With a Bachelor of Music degree, she’s building a music haven in Omaha, her current home with her husband Josh, and 2 kids Haddie & Brock.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family, traveling, and baking. 

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Her favorite musicians are her students!

Instructor – Kindermusik and private lessons

Alanna Wooden will receive her Music of Education degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in May 2024, with a concentration in brass playing. She is pursuing a lifelong passion for music that started as early as she can remember by singing and playing at the piano. She is passionate about teaching and inspiring her students to love and connect with music the same way she did as a young child. 

Alanna actively participates in ensembles at the university, at her church, and is the founder of a brass quintet. Her favorite thing about making music is getting to share it with others. When she isn’t teaching, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and godson, Roman.

Hobbies: She loves to color, bake, read, and travel!

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald 

Instructor – private guitar lessons

As a former vocal music teacher at Bertrand Community Schools and Ord Junior/Senior High School, Ms. Johnson directed choirs, show choirs, and ensembles while teaching guitar and general music. Following retirement, she joined the University of Omaha as an adjunct faculty member, teaching Music Education, guitar, and vocal methods. Presently, at the College of Education, she supervises student teachers and serves as an Instructional Coach. Ms. Johnson adjudicates various choral competitions and occasionally substitutes for the Millard Public School District. When she’s not involved in music, you can find her spending time with her sister or brother and their spouses, or with her sidekick, Belle (the dog).

Hobbies: Gardening, singing in the church choir and following Husker volleyball and football.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Her favorite contemporary composer is John Rutter who writes beautiful choir pieces and her favorite band/singer is Jon Bon Jovi.

Instructor – private lessons

Grace (she/her) is thrilled to be teaching at Crash Bang Boom! As a teacher, Grace has a passion for making music education joyful, accessible, and inclusive. She is dedicated to meeting students where they are at, tailoring lessons and pedagogy styles to meet individual needs, all while inspiring self-confidence and a love for the process of learning. Grace is a classically trained soprano with many years of professional performing experience in art song, opera, choral repertoire, and musical theater. She received her master’s degree in music education and her bachelor’s degree in voice performance, both from UNO – but now calls Omaha home along with her dogs, Leo & Winnie.

Hobbies: Spending time with loved ones, writing, cooking, kickboxing, and singing! 

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: She loves all types of music but often listens to artists like John Denver and Simon and Garfunkel.

Instructor – private trumpet and piano lessons

Quin Sexton is a Music Education Major at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His main instrument is the trumpet, yet loves being able to teach piano to a variety of students. Quin hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Film Scoring within the next few years. 

Having played football for most of his life and after considering culinary school, he decided his true passions in life were in music. Along with the special people in his life of course, which include his parents, brothers, sister, fiancé, and his cat, Rigby.

Hobbies: Writing music for film, writing short films, and cooking.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Hans Zimmer

Instructor – private lessons

Steven has enjoyed a career as a concert violinist and chamber musician. He was a soloist with the Omaha Symphony, Hastings Symphony, Orchestra Omaha, Cherokee Symphony, and the winner of the OAYO (Omaha Area Youth Orchestras) concerto competition. He has attended Brevard Music Center, the Summer String Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory, Rocky Ridge Music Center, and the National Music Festival. Steven has studied with Manuel Ramos, Ahra Cho, Anne Nagosky, Erin Aldridge, Caroline Chin, Jessica Mathaes, Yang Liu, Karen Strittmatter Galvin, Dr. Mary Perkinson and currently studies with Olga Smola at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Recently, he has performed frequently with the Lincoln Symphony and plays with the Sioux City Symphony, as well.

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Daft Punk

Instructor – private lessons

Christian started his journey to teaching music in high school when he had a choir teacher that made learning so excited and fun that he decided to become that person for other students and help them find their love for music.

He lives here in Omaha and enjoys spending time with his mom, dad, two sisters and older brother.

Hobbies: Playing video games.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: For King & Country

Instructor – private lessons

Ben currently teaches drumline at Bellevue East High School along with teaching piano lessons here at Crash Bang Boom. He chose to become a music teacher to give back to the community that provided so many opportunities for him. Ben’s family is incredibly important to him and he has plans to soon be a middle school or high school band director.

Hobbies: Playing video games or building legos.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Third Coast Percussion

Instructor – Kindermusik and private lessons

Inspired by early mentors, Kaitlan discovered her passion for music teaching. With a Bachelor of Music in Education from Hastings College, she dedicated a decade to elementary music in South Omaha, earning Kodaly and Orff certifications along the way.

In 2022, seeking diverse teaching avenues, she embraced substitute teaching across districts. Joining Crash Bang Boom and The Rose Studios part-time in 2023 added joy as she guided young musicians. Beyond teaching, Kaitlan thrived arranging and directing music for a PLAN production in 2023. Balancing family with husband Benjiman, two children, and their two cats, she remains committed to nurturing young musical talents.

Hobbies: She loves to crochet, play board games with friends and family, sew, bake, and garden.

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Connor album called Appalachian Journey, AJR and The Happy Fits. She also loves instrumental versions of different popular songs.

Instructor – private lessons

Dr. Shelly Cooper has been an active music educator for more than 40 years. As a researcher and general music specialist, she has presented at numerous local, state, and national music and general education conferences and in-service workshops. As a faculty member at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses, serves as the music education area coordinator, and supervises the Graduate Certificate in Kodály program. She has taught Kodály certification courses at Arizona State University, the University of New Mexico and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Outside the classroom, she loves spending time with her goldendoodle, Lexi.

Hobbies: Reading and swimming

Favorite Artist/Musician/Group: Pentatonix and Dan & Shay