The Excel School of Music & Technical Arts
Training Hearts. Equipping Hands. Building Worshippers.
Our Mission
The Excel School of Music and Technical Arts exists to equip and empower musicians, vocalists, and creatives to serve with excellence and purpose.
Our mission is to raise up a generation of worshippers who combine spiritual depth with technical skill—using their gifts to glorify Jesus both on and off the stage.
Meet Our Team
Benson Eapen
Music Director
Benson Eapen is a music director, producer, and educator with over 30 years of experience in music leadership, live production, and technical arts. He holds degrees in Business Management and Worship & Technical Arts and has served in senior leadership roles overseeing bands, vocalists, and production teams.
Benson specializes in artist development, rehearsal strategy, live sound, streaming, and production systems including Planning Center and MultiTracks. As head of the School of Music & Tech Arts, he is committed to building clear pathways for skill development, collaboration, and professional readiness, equipping students with practical, real-world experience applicable across music, production, and creative industries.
Joseph Arredondo
Drum Instructor
Joseph began playing drums at eight years old and brings over three decades of experience across worship, jazz, and live performance. He studied jazz performance as part of the Eastfield College Jazz Band, building a strong foundation in groove, dynamics, and musical communication.
Currently, Joseph serves on the worship team at Lake Church. His focus emphasizes solid technique, time, and musicality, allowing him to perform with consistency and expressive control. When he’s not behind the kit, Joseph enjoys time cooking, doing CrossFit, with his wife Jackie & their son, Joseph Aden. Music continues to shape his life.
Mani Ramirez
Bass Guitar Instructor
Emmanuel “Mani” is a bass guitarist with over a decade of playing experience, having started at the age of 12. With a strong foundation in live band and ensemble settings, he currently plays bass at Lake Church in Arlington for Sunday services and special events. Inspired by his parents and early musical experiences, Mani values growth, consistency, and confidence over perfection.
His teaching style is hands-on, supportive, and beginner-friendly. He helps students understand the role of bass in a band, develop fretboard knowledge, create simple bass lines, lock in with drum patterns, and build both skill and musical identity.
Mayra Ramirez
Acoustic Guitar Instructor
Mayra is an experienced guitarist with 12 years of live performance and leadership experience in Sunday services and special events. Her teaching focuses on building student confidence and understanding the when and how of playing in group settings, emphasizing musical excellence, timing, and dynamics rather than perfection. Lessons are hands-on, practical, and designed to help students apply skills immediately.
Beyond instruction, Mayra brings a fun, lighthearted energy to each session and enjoys connecting with new people. She is committed to helping students grow musically, develop confidence, and thrive in a supportive, engaging learning environment that encourages consistency, creativity, and progress.
Jeanne Mowry
Piano & Voice Instructor
Jeanne Mowry has taught music in Arlington for many years. She holds a degree in Music Education from Southern Nazarene University, specializing in voice and piano, and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. Her experience includes teaching piano, voice,choir, and musical drama, serving as a public school counselor, and holding staff roles as a music and children’s ministry director. Jeanne accompanies the Lake Church choir and plays keys for the worship team.
She lives in Arlington with her husband, Jimmy, and enjoys time with their musically gifted children and grandchildren. Jeanne brings joy, experience, and a love of music into every lesson.
Kaylin Crowder
Piano Instructor
Kaylin Crowder is a musician with over 10 years of experience and has played with multiple worship bands at Lake Church over the past four years. She currently serves on the Lake Church worship team and plans to pursue a music degree at the University of Texas at Arlington this fall. Kaylin’s goal is to help her students grow in confidence in their musical abilities while learning to worship through their playing.
Outside of piano, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing the saxophone. Kaylin is excited to invest in the next generation of musicians as they prepare to serve the Lord!
In Phase 2, we’ll expand into full Music and Technical Arts programs, offering classes in worship theology, worship leading, songwriting, sound engineering, photography, videography, and more.