For over two decades Mr. Ralph Mason has been motivating young audiences through music. THE POSITIVE ZONE Assembly energizes and motivates students to learn through music while also having fun. TPZ features Ralph Mason and the musical talents of the incredible three-piece band (two keyboards with auxiliaries, full set of drums, and acoustic guitar). This 39-minute, high-energy, fun-filled “edutainment” experience—a mixture of music, education, and entertainment—inspires youth to stay in school and develop a lifetime enthusiasm for learning.  Our mission is to use music as a tool of engaging students to reap the benefits of the educational institution. We ensure this by connecting the students and the teachers to overcome pitfalls we experience in our environments. We focus on values, making positive life choices, being responsible and respectful, and building self-discipline.

Glen “Papa” Wright’s “Children’s Percussion Workshop” is a hands-on musical program that introduces young students (Pre-K–2) to the percussion family of instruments. Jackie Wright, professional storyteller and retired educator, tells a story as “Papa” demonstrates how to use percussion to add color and texture to the story. Students learn to identify various professional instruments used for rhythm, sound effects, and melody. They are also allowed to play each instrument, experimenting with simple rhythms and melodies. An award-winning arts educator, “Papa” taught percussion at the St. Louis Conservatory and Schools for the Arts (CASA) for 23 years. He taught for two years at St. Louis Community College. He has been a teaching partner with Springboard to Learning for over 30 years. In 2006 he received the Progressive Youth Connection’s World of Children Award for his work with children through Young Audiences of St. Louis.

Molly is a nationally touring looping musician and incorporates violin, cello, guitar, and her vocals into a genre-defying sound that is completely unique and her own. Dubbed “folk-inspired orchestral looping” when she is solo and “orchestral rock” when she plays with the String Project (her full band), it can be said that she brings an orchestra to every stage she commands. A mixture of mostly original compositions with some choice covers peppered in, her sound is best described as experimental folk/rock.

JAZZIZ has called Ralph Hepola “a musician who plays the language of contemporary jazz on the tuba.”

Ralph Hepola’s HepTones consists of tuba, keyboard or guitar, bass and drums performing jazz, blues, ballads and Latin.

Just announced in June 2024, Ralph is a finalist in The Made in New York Jazz Competition – the first-ever online jazz contest, now the world’s most-popular jazz competition.

John Stites Jazz Awards awarded Ralph a major grant to tour Illinois and Michigan with his quartet in May 2024.

Ralph Hepola was a Missouri Arts Council April 2021 Featured Artist. He is heard on 51 recordings and 49 videos. As a freelancer in New York City and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Ralph performed on recordings and productions that have been Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, and Tony Award winners and nominees. Ralph was a member of Switzerland’s Basel Symphony Orchestra and The United States Army Band of Washington, D.C.

After four years as a trio, One More Dollar has honed its craft and reputation as a rockin’ roots-based folk music group traveling all over the Midwest. Coming from their home base of Springfield, Missouri, near the heart of the Ozarks region, this unique musical blend of old and new comes together in what can only be described as Americana of the Ozarks, or as they call it, Ozarkana.

Multi-instrumentalists Alisha Thomas, Robert Adkison, and Jeremy Myers have an instrumentation that is “something different” yet brings the culture of the Ozarks one foot stomp at a time with fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and cello having innovating arrangements of original music and new takes on traditional favorites.

Squeeze Play—Dan and Kim Christian—are among the premier Accordionists in the World! Their ability to play together with exact precision is unparalleled anywhere on the planet. They are U.S. National and World Bronze Medal Champions. Their performances are charged with a vibrant energy and passion that creates a unique experience that is cherished by people of all ages.  A concert by Squeeze Play is a musical whirlwind experience that takes the audience on a musical trip around the World. Styles include French, Italian, German, Irish, Swing, Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Patriotic, and light Classical pieces such as Sabre Dance and Malaguena. People are amazed that just two accordions can produce so much music! Video backgrounds can be provided for venues with big screens. The Christians share their passion and joy for music with each and every audience member. They have performed all over the world including in Beijing, China, and Branson, Missouri!