Cone of Magic was originally conceived of as a fictional band in the novel Maidens Rock by Margit Elland Schmitt and Dan McLaughlin. Things soon spiraled out of control and Dan was writing words and notes to the songs of a still fictional setlist. Nine songs later, Dan had the novel idea that it might be fun to have have someone actually sing the set. Margit (who already was a singer of some renown) agreed and between the two of them they voted Margit as the vocalist of choice. After Margit’s input, Dan took his collections of words and notes to the fine people at Supreme Tracks and asked that they be made into Taylor Swift like songs. Once Dan was in possession of fully realized instrumental tracks, Margit recruited her good friends Sandra Cadell and Laura Gregory to sing along with her. After amicably dividing the lead vocals among themselves, the ladies retired to Live Oak Studio in Berkeley, California in February and March of 2020, where under the skillful technical guidance of James ward, they created the album Maidens Rock.

Which, oddly enough, is the exact same name of the book that Margit and Dan have co-authored and is also available for purchase.

Coincidence? We think not.

The ladies of Cone of Magic are:

Margit Elland Schmitt: Margit Schmitt is a classically trained singer who likes tortilla chips, guacamole and long walks on the beach.  She has performed in choirs and in musical theater, at Carnegie Hall, and also in the car during road trips. She has subjected her own children to years of lullabies, before branching out to teach library skills to elementary students using musical comedy. This is her first attempt at writing while singing.


Sandra Cadell: Sandra has been fortunate enough to sing theatrically on stage, and has been know to sing for up to 4 -5 minutes before getting caught and thrown off.  She uses music and rhythm to teach academic concepts to her Middle School Special Day Class students.

Sandra performs Stand Up and Improv comedy....She tried performing comedy lying down, but kept falling asleep.  She also paints and has sold many of her creative watercolor paintings (mostly to those who got tired of her knocking on their doors and whining).

She has had the pleasure of working with Laura and Margit on stage (and has even let them speak from time to time).

She loves her dogs, her husband and her son (but won't say in what order).  She has been known to use her many musical and artistic talents in venues like Street Theater events, Renaissance/Fantasy/Pirate Faires, Dickens Christmas Faire and for DMCs in the Bay Area.

She will cook for you too.....as long as you like garlic.


Laura Gregory: Laura Gregory has been singing for a long time. She also likes petting cats and painting mermaids, as well as petting mermaids and painting cats, (although the latter is more difficult and the cats get really annoyed with all that paint in their fur.) She has sung onstage in various folk bands and as a myriad of roles in the musical theatre. When not performing, Laura can be found teaching wee humans to dance and sing, trying to find the perfect taco, or folding laundry.