Kathy Lollar
Owner, Educational Director; Piano and Voice Teacher
In 2010, Kathy Lollar retired after a thirty-year career in public school music education. She received her education locally by attending Permian High School and Odessa College. She earned her degrees from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (B.A. in Music Education; M.A. in Elementary Education.) During her career with the Ector County Independent School District, she taught music at Gonzales Elementary and choir at Permian High School, Hood Junior High School and Nimitz Junior High School (all in Odessa, Texas.) For Kathy, retirement from public school certainly did not mean retirement from music education. Kathy’s goal was to offer West Texas children a place to express their musical creativity without the constraints placed upon them in the public school setting. Additionally, Kathy wanted to give local music educators the opportunity to teach children according to their own special needs and abilities. Her professional dreams came true when her husband, Steve, enabled her to open West Texas Music Academy. WTMA opened in May of 2011 and it has been a joy for the Lollars.
Steve Lollar
Owner, Business Director
(Bio written by Ms. Kathy.) Let me tell you about my husband, Steve. A man of many talents, he is an amazing singer and artist. During our 45 year marriage, Steve has walked beside me every step of the way helping to make my dreams become reality. In 1996, Steve’s dream of a college education became a reality when he earned the Associate of Arts Degree from Odessa College. While I spend my time teaching students at West Texas Music Academy, Steve Lollar fulfills the duties of business manager. Making my dreams come true yet again, Steve takes care of financial matters, new student interviews, and all the business and logistical aspects of the Academy. If you’ve ever been to WTMA, you will know that Steve is the happy greeter at the door and he will make you feel like the most important person in the world. Because of his lifetime of management experience, West Texas Music Academy has become a reality.
Connor Leggett
Guitar Teacher
Connor Leggett graduated from Midland Classical Academy in 2010. Throughout his grade school and high school years, Connor studied both guitar and piano. He went on to Texas Tech University where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree in December 2014. Connor has served as a guitar teacher at Ector Middle School in Odessa. In addition to his teaching, Connor serves as guitarist and music assistant at the Christian Church of Midland.
Josh Tucker
Percussion Teacher
Josh Tucker was a highly acclaimed member of the Permian High School band and drum line. The recent graduate now attends The University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he pursues a degree in psychology. When WTMA was in search of a drum teacher, Permian High School’s band directors had nothing but praise for Josh and gave him the highest recommendations. We have not been disappointed. Josh teaches students the rudiments of rhythm and the basics of percussion technique. Students in Josh’s studio will have a great advantage when it comes time to audition for the drumline at their school. If you see a guy walking around WTMA with a pair of drum sticks, that would be Josh. When it comes to teaching percussion, Josh Tucker never misses a beat
Renee Pelopero
Violin and Piano Teacher
Renee Pelopero has played both the violin and piano for over a decade. Born in the Philippines, Renee moved to Odessa at a young age. The product of Ector County ISD schools, she played in the orchestras at Bonham Jr. High School and Permian High School. During her school years, she performed with the Permian Satin Strings Ensemble and the Odessa Music Teachers Association Piano Ensembles. Renee is currently working to complete her Music Education degree at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. At the university level, she has served as the UTPB Orchestra’s Principal Second and Concertmaster. She currently studies piano with Dr. Young Llerena and provides piano accompaniment for instrumentalists and vocalists. We are thrilled to welcome Miss Pelopero to our WTMA staff.
Tamara Conn
Piano Teacher
For two decades, Tamara Conn has served Odessa music students. The Texas Tech University graduate began teaching elementary music for Ector County ISD in 2005. Later, she taught piano classes at Milam Magnet School and Ector Jr. High School. She currently teaches music at First Odessa Christian School. Tamara was the first teacher hired when WTMA opened in 2012. She taught piano for us for five years before taking a break to care for her young children. She returned in 2023 and we could not be happier. Welcome home, Tamara.
Melody Drinkard
Piano Teacher
Odessa native, Melody Drinkard, is a graduate of The University of Texas Of the Permian Basin. Melody recently retired from Ector County ISD after a successful career as elementary music and keyboard teacher at several Odessa schools. She is available to teach private lessons in piano at WTMA. Melody enjoys traveling and spending time with her two grandbabies.
Linda Loudenback
Piano Teacher
Linda Loudenback has taught elementary students in general music and piano for many years. Recently retired from Ector County ISD, she now teaches piano part-time. Linda has raised sons and daughters who are active in the music world. When she is not teaching, she enjoys her grandchildren.
Rachel Holder
Piano / Voice Teacher
Rachel Holder is a soprano from Odessa Texas where she studied music at Odessa College. She went on to earn a bachelors degree in vocal performance from Kansas Wesleyan University. Currently, she is the Fine Arts Assistant at Odessa College. Rachel can be heard singing in the Symphony Chorale and the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Midland.
Beau Roland
Guitar / Voice / Piano Teacher
Beau Roland is a native of Odessa and is a graduate of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Growing up in Odessa, Beau sang in the choirs at Nimitz Jr. High School and Permian High School. He earned All-Region Choir honors and sang with the Black Magic vocal ensemble while studying voice with Kathy Lollar. As a music student at UTPB, he studied voice with David Corman. He performed with the University Choir, Ensemble Choir, Men’s Choir, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the barbershop quartet. Additionally, he sang vocals with the jazz band, BAJ. During his college years, he also studied piano and guitar. Beau enjoys performing in musical theater, playing piano and guitar, and spending family time with his partner, Odalys, and their infant son, Lennon. Beau, the Lollars are thrilled to have you back at WTMA, first as a student, and now as a teacher.
Johnathan Beck
Violin Teacher
Johnathan Beck was born in Odessa, Texas and is a graduate of Odessa High School. He is currently a student at The University of Texas – Permian Basin majoring in violin performance under the instruction of Dr. Conrad Sclar. With the West Texas and Big Spring Symphony Orchestras, he has played alongside The Piano Guys and Marie Osmond. Johnathan is a violinist in the UTPB String Quartet and the UTPB Philharmonic Orchestra. He likes to use this experience in order to help other inspiring violinists learn the instrument and enjoy performing.