Steven S. Schlosser, Executive Director:

holds a BS degree in psychology (1990) and a MAT degree (1996) in science education. He has also successfully completed comprehensive exams in the PhD program in science education at the University of Iowa; it was through his PhD work that Sheltered Reality was born.  Focusing much of his graduate work on intrinsic motivational theory, he wondered if music could be a motivational tool through which audiences could become empowered to take on challenges in the world.  This became the topic of his dissertation work – an idea that succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.  Founded on the principle that music is a truly powerful motivational force for all of us, Sheltered Reality has grown nonstop in the ensuing years.  In 2004, Schlosser was inspired to take the chance of a lifetime and leave his doctoral program to make Sheltered Reality his career.

Mr. Schlosser has been active in music education since the age of 14; he taught private drum lessons through his high school and college years and has a true passion for empowering people of all ages to find rhythm in their lives. As the Executive Director of Sheltered Reality, Mr. Schlosser not only creates percussive routines to the songs that are performed, but also the messages presented during a performance.  He is responsible for teaching members all the skills needed to successfully participate in all facets of Sheltered Reality: drumming, choreography, public speaking, as well as leadership, organization, critical thinking, volunteerism and community service. In September 2004, Mr. Schlosser was chosen by the National Jaycees as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans for 2004.  He had been awarded the Outstanding Young Iowan of the Year by the Iowa Jaycees on November 8, 2003. Feel free to connect with Steve on Facebook!

Jordan Fratt, Assistant Executive Director: Jordan is the longest performing member of Sheltered Reality, having been with the group for most of its existence. He has taken drum lessons from Steve Schlosser since he was 6 years old, and is a very talented drummer/percussionist with Sheltered Reality. Moreover, he took on the role of the Assistant Executive Director for the group in 2006. His position includes helping to coordinate shows, scheduling, contacting communities who have asked Sheltered Reality to perform in order to work out all details of those performance, helping initiate new youth into Sheltered Reality, assisting Steve with the increasing number of lessons needing to be taught each week, and currently, learning how to manage the many facets of the ever-growing Sheltered Reality musical mission. Jordan is an inspiration to all the youth in Sheltered Reality as he works to bring the musical mission of Sheltered Reality to life. Feel free to connect with Jordan on Facebook!

Ranae Lynch, Board President: Ranae works as an educator in Early Childhood development, and has for eight years.  She is currently serving on the Youth Confirmation Leadership team at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, IA which includes managing small groups. She has been involved in children’s ministries at her local church for the past nine years. Ranae is also active in her daughters schools, and has served on the PTA board. She has also been a Girl Scout leader for nine years. Supporting her daughters in their  musical activities as well as their academics. Ranae believes that each child is a gift, and has their own gifts to share.

Linda Guldner, Board Vice-President: Linda has been active with the Des Moines Sheltered Reality group since March 2008.  Linda's involvement in the group has been because she believes the Steps of Success teach the youth a positive way to live in a very negative world.  It is a place the youth can go and always feel accepted, loved and needed.  It gives them a family of friends that is close even though they are miles apart.

Linda attended American Institute of Commerce, where she received 2 degrees in Business Management and Accounting. Linda currently holds a Series 6 license.  Linda has worked for Principal Financial Group since September 2000 where she holds the position of Project and Training Coordinator for the Principal Funds Call Center.  Linda was in the United States Air Force for 4 years in the medical administration field.  Linda is actively involved in her church confirmation as a small group leader, active in small group worship and other church activities.  Linda has been in Girl Scouting for over 27 years where she was a Girl Scout, leader of a troop and held council positions of Service Unit  Manager and Delegate to the Board.  As a girl she received the highest honor - 1st class Girl Scout in 1980 which is the equivalent to the Gold Award as it is known today.

Linda lives in Altoona, Iowa and is married.  They have 2 children: an adult daughter, Cassey and a son, Cody.  Cody is still at home and keeps her very busy with his school activities, drumming activities (Sheltered Reality, Jazz Band, School Band, & Trapset endeavors), church involvements and Boy Scouts.  In her spare time she enjoys taking pictures for her scrapbooking.

Brenda Pelzer, Board Treasurer: Brenda received her AAS in Computer Programming from Kirkwood Community  College and her AA degree from Muscatine Community College.  Over the  years, she has held many offices on her local church administrative board and currently serves as the Lay Leader.  She is also active in her church women’s organization.  For many years she has served as a church musician, Sunday School teacher, and director of the children’s choir.  Brenda has taken an active role in various community and school organizations while raising her family.  She served as the treasurer for a non-profit sports organization when it was founded in 2000.  Brenda was a leader in the local Community Youth Group for many years. For 13 years, she served as the organizational leader for the local 4-H club.  Brenda has been employed at Liberty Communications in West Liberty, Iowa for 15 years, where she holds the position of IT Specialist. Previously, she was employed at Muscatine Power and Water in Muscatine,  Iowa for 13 years, where she held positions in the Purchasing and IT departments. She is married and has three children.

Alex Schuck, Treasurer Assistant: Alex is a sophomore at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA.  He is double majoring in Management and Finance and trying for a minor in Political Sciences.  Alex tries to be involved on campus in many different ways by being active in several organizations such as Tippie Scholars, U of I Honors group, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity, Financial Management Association, and Arts Enterprise.  All these organizations help him to gain more experience in the field of business. With great strides, he hopes to create innovative ideas to keep Sheltered Reality growing.  He has been with Sheltered Reality for over ten years and has been leading practices and traveling the Midwest to perform in and lead shows. Alex likes to make everyone around him feel like they are in a free, fun-filled environment to help encourage others to be themselves and succeed.

Donna Lair, Vice-President of Missions: Donna Lair is excited at the chance to encourage all the SR sites to succeed at mission work.. With a pastor for a father and a nurse for a mother, she learned early to do good for others. This carried on into her college career at Buena Vista College where she was an Elementary Ed/Special Education major, and volunteered throughout the college and local community. Donna worked as a teacher of middle school and high school students, mainly with emotional or behavior disorders, for 15 years.  She then spent 3 ½ years cooking at a tea house before returning to education as a learner assistant, enjoying working with students, but not having to do the paperwork! 

Donna has had a lifelong love of the arts. Sheltered Reality is a great mix of all her loves: kids, music, dance and mission.  She is married and has one daughter, Kelli, who is the reason Donna has become involved with SR! Donna is also kept busy volunteering in her local community with Girl Scouts, Relay for Life, church, youth sports, youth art programs, and community education. Donna feels it’s a true blessing to be able to do for others through something as exciting as Sheltered Reality.

Marianne Reininger, Vice-President of Missions: Marianne has been involved in Sheltered Reality since 2007 both as a drummer and a site coordinator.  She has enjoyed drumming with each of her three children in SR, currently with her son.  She appreciates the supportive environment Sheltered Reality provides for each drummer - a safe and loving place to enjoy a shared passion for drumming while spreading the message that we can all empower someone else to succeed if we take a chance and reach out. Participation in Sheltered Reality has allowed for travel opportunities, opened up the chance to make new friendships, and introduced Marianne and her family to many varied mission activities to take part in. When she’s not drumming, Marianne enjoys kayaking and cross country skiing, plays many various instruments for pleasure, school and church functions, and loves to read.  She has a masters degree in education and has taught kindergarten for over 30 years.

Kelli Lair, Missions Assistant: Kelli is a freshman at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA where she is double majoring in Music Therapy and Music Education.  She is involved  in many organizations on campus including Iowa Bandmaster’s Association, Wartburg Student Music Therapy Association, American Music Therapy Association, band, and choir.  She has been with Sheltered Reality for over two years and has been leading practices and traveling the Midwest to perform in and lead shows. Kelli is extremely active with campus  ministries at Wartburg and loves to spend time working for others.

Dee Harr, New Member Assistant: Dee is a junior at Howland High School in Warren, Ohio.  She has been a member of SR since July 11th, 2006.  Dee has always had an interest in music   Besides the drums, she has played the clarinet, keyboard, and  guitar.  She has worked on multiple mission projects for SR, has been a member of the Relay for Life team in Trumbull County, helped different churches with their fundraising events and bible school studies. She is interested in pursuing a degree in Psychology.  Dee's ambition in life is to help people succeed at their goals and dreams. 

Mary Edmunds, Past Board President: Mary received her Bachelor of Science degree from Mankato State University, majoring in Management and Marketing, with minors in Mathematics and Economics. Mary has worked for a general contracting firm in Bloomington, MN since 1999 where she holds the position of office manager. She has taken an active interest in music throughout her life, playing piano and saxophone with her high school bands, singing and acting in her high school choirs and plays, and continuing with Marching Band and Jazz band at MSU. She actively encourages her three sons in their musical endeavors, as well as their academics and other interests. Mary volunteers for and supports the Farmington High School Marching Band and Drumline, and has recently become a fan and supporter of the University of Minnesota Marching Band of which her oldest son is a member.  Mary has served on several committees and as a Sunday School teacher at her church, coached track for two years, and was a Cub Scout leader for 12 years.

Tom Montgomery, In-Between Practice Coordinator: Tom Montgomery got hooked on Sheltered Reality by the end of Cuba Libre, when he saw Steve, Jordan and the Warren, OH group perform at a local church in October, 2008. He had recently retired after 34 years in corporate life, and was looking for opportunities to make a difference.  This “drum group to change the world” was a perfect fit. Tom was a drummer back in high school, and picked up the sticks again after starting up with a local community band 15 years ago. From there he started playing more and more, and now is resident drummer for 8 different groups and organizations. One of the things he loves about SR is that it challenges him to play (and move) in ways he never had before, making him a better drummer. It also gives him the opportunity to teach others, which he finds very rewarding. He is very proud of how far the Toledo site has come in its first two years. When not behind the drums, Tom can be found either enjoying time with his family, traveling, or working out in the gym.  Tom’s other part-time post-retirement pursuit is working as a personal trainer/aerobics instructor at a local gym.