Performance SmArts Studios
Stroede Center for the Arts, 420 W First St, Defiance, OH 43512
About
Performance SmArts Studios offers private 1-on-1 lessons, group classes, workshops, and online instruction in acting, singing, public speaking, and multiple instruments. Students can study piano, guitar, ukulele, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, drums, bass, tribal instruments, and percussion, as well as music technology, composition, sound recording and production, audio engineering, and participate in live performances. The program uses a leveled structure with Level 1 — The Basics, Level 2 — Beginner, Level 3 — Intermediate, and Level 4 — Advanced, and states that it has a no-judgement approach and “loves mistakes.”
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Rob Lawson owns and teaches at Performance SmArts Studios and started Suzuki piano in 1985, has acted in over 6,000 professional musical theater performances, founded Rob’s Music Studio in 2004, and studied Vocal Performance at Wright State and Ohio Universities. Instructor Kevin Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Vocal) from Bowling Green State University (2015). Instructor Ariel Stehura has studied piano since 2003, voice since 2011, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Vocal) from Bowling Green State University (2018). Instructor Joshua Storrer began piano lessons at age 8, has studied “everything else since,” and has training in Vocal Music Education from Ohio State University and Music Technology from ARTI. The program’s stated mission is “Exploring your connection to the performance arts,” and its core philosophies include that better people make better performers, that students are encouraged to make their inner monologue their “biggest cheerleader rather than [their] cruelest bully,” and that success is defined on a personal level while supporting others’ versions of artistic success.
One testimonial from a student, Laurie Payton, states that taking lessons with Rob has been one of her best music-related decisions, that he has extensive experience and teaches all levels, and that she has grown a lot in a year and a half of lessons. Another testimonial from parent Brooke McCarrier describes that her daughter Molli has participated in a play and a musical since starting with Rob and that they attribute changes they have seen in their daughter to his teaching.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Rob Lawson owns and teaches at Performance SmArts Studios and started Suzuki piano in 1985, has acted in over 6,000 professional musical theater performances, founded Rob’s Music Studio in 2004, and studied Vocal Performance at Wright State and Ohio Universities. Instructor Kevin Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Vocal) from Bowling Green State University (2015). Instructor Ariel Stehura has studied piano since 2003, voice since 2011, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Vocal) from Bowling Green State University (2018). Instructor Joshua Storrer began piano lessons at age 8, has studied “everything else since,” and has training in Vocal Music Education from Ohio State University and Music Technology from ARTI. The program’s stated mission is “Exploring your connection to the performance arts,” and its core philosophies include that better people make better performers, that students are encouraged to make their inner monologue their “biggest cheerleader rather than [their] cruelest bully,” and that success is defined on a personal level while supporting others’ versions of artistic success.
One testimonial from a student, Laurie Payton, states that taking lessons with Rob has been one of her best music-related decisions, that he has extensive experience and teaches all levels, and that she has grown a lot in a year and a half of lessons. Another testimonial from parent Brooke McCarrier describes that her daughter Molli has participated in a play and a musical since starting with Rob and that they attribute changes they have seen in their daughter to his teaching.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
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