Walltown Staff & Instructors
DANCE INSTRUCTORS
Cynthia Penn-Halal: Founding Artistic Director
Walltown Company Artistic Director
Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
Walltown Company Artistic Director
Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
Grace Underwood: Competition Director - Walltown Dance Company Associate Director
Tap, Jazz, Contemporary , Lyrical Dance
Grace is from Asheville, NC and she has danced since she was 3 years old. Grace started to compete when she was five years old and she has won several National and Regional Dance Competitions. She is experienced in all styles of dance, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, african, and acrobatics to name a few. Grace attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was on the Goldduster Dance Team all four years of her schooling. The last two years she was the captain, she is a three time Collegiate All-American and also a three time Most Valuable Performer voted on by her teammates. Grace also received her Dance Minor from UNC-Charlotte. Grace truly enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for dance with students.
Tap, Jazz, Contemporary , Lyrical Dance
Grace is from Asheville, NC and she has danced since she was 3 years old. Grace started to compete when she was five years old and she has won several National and Regional Dance Competitions. She is experienced in all styles of dance, tap, jazz, contemporary, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, african, and acrobatics to name a few. Grace attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was on the Goldduster Dance Team all four years of her schooling. The last two years she was the captain, she is a three time Collegiate All-American and also a three time Most Valuable Performer voted on by her teammates. Grace also received her Dance Minor from UNC-Charlotte. Grace truly enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for dance with students.
Barbara Dickinson
Modern Dance, Choreography
Professor Emerita of the Practice of Dance at Duke University, Barbara served as teacher for 34 years, and as Dance Program Director for eighteen years, overseeing faculty growth, guiding the focus of a greatly expanded curriculum, and establishing a major in dance. Barbara is a modern dance artist, trained extensively in the Cunningham and Limón techniques and in ballet, as well as training in African dance. She has created many large scale, full evening collaborative choreographic works including Walking Miracles, an original dance/theater production based on the stories of six survivors of child sexual abuse; and Contents Under Pressure, an exploration of the many faces of bias in society co-choreographed with Ava LaVonne Vinesett. In addition to over 100 individual works of choreography, she has choreographed a number of full evening works such as Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, performed with the combined choirs of the Duke University Chorale and the Durham Civic Choral Society directed and conducted by Rodney Wynkoop; and with vocal soloists, Metropolitan Opera's Louise Wohlafka and Frankfurt Opera's Nickolas Karousatos. Barbara was the Founder and Artistic Director of the Ways and Means Dance Company from 1986-2002, and of Three For All, a company of dancer, poet, and pianist from 1981-87. She was a member of Manbites Dog Theater, a professional experimental theater company based in Durham, NC, from its founding in 1987 to its closing some 35 years later, serving as actress, choreographer, and movement consultant. Since the 1970’s she has performed, taught and presented her choreography in numerous concerts, master classes and workshops in schools, colleges, private studios and dance festivals throughout the United States. Her current research interest is age and the dance artist which has produced a chapter in Staging Age, eds. Marshall and Lipscomb by Palgrave Macmillan, 2010; and “Margie Gillis: The Indelible Art of an Integrated Artist” in Dance Chronicle, 41:2, 2018. Currently, as well as teaching at Walltown Children’s Theatre, she is part of Michael Kliën’s Social Choreography Group, and is researching Ballet and logos for an upcoming article.
Modern Dance, Choreography
Professor Emerita of the Practice of Dance at Duke University, Barbara served as teacher for 34 years, and as Dance Program Director for eighteen years, overseeing faculty growth, guiding the focus of a greatly expanded curriculum, and establishing a major in dance. Barbara is a modern dance artist, trained extensively in the Cunningham and Limón techniques and in ballet, as well as training in African dance. She has created many large scale, full evening collaborative choreographic works including Walking Miracles, an original dance/theater production based on the stories of six survivors of child sexual abuse; and Contents Under Pressure, an exploration of the many faces of bias in society co-choreographed with Ava LaVonne Vinesett. In addition to over 100 individual works of choreography, she has choreographed a number of full evening works such as Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, performed with the combined choirs of the Duke University Chorale and the Durham Civic Choral Society directed and conducted by Rodney Wynkoop; and with vocal soloists, Metropolitan Opera's Louise Wohlafka and Frankfurt Opera's Nickolas Karousatos. Barbara was the Founder and Artistic Director of the Ways and Means Dance Company from 1986-2002, and of Three For All, a company of dancer, poet, and pianist from 1981-87. She was a member of Manbites Dog Theater, a professional experimental theater company based in Durham, NC, from its founding in 1987 to its closing some 35 years later, serving as actress, choreographer, and movement consultant. Since the 1970’s she has performed, taught and presented her choreography in numerous concerts, master classes and workshops in schools, colleges, private studios and dance festivals throughout the United States. Her current research interest is age and the dance artist which has produced a chapter in Staging Age, eds. Marshall and Lipscomb by Palgrave Macmillan, 2010; and “Margie Gillis: The Indelible Art of an Integrated Artist” in Dance Chronicle, 41:2, 2018. Currently, as well as teaching at Walltown Children’s Theatre, she is part of Michael Kliën’s Social Choreography Group, and is researching Ballet and logos for an upcoming article.
Darian Moore: Assistant Artistic Director
Modern, Contemporary
Darian was born in Durham, NC where he spent his time as child and young teen. He attended southern Durham High school and completed his diploma in the spring of May 2002 with a focus in dance, music and theater performance. In the summer June/July of 2002 Darian received a full scholarship to ADF (American Dance Festival) at Duke University where he studied various dance techniques: modern, Jazz, Ballet, African also Hip-Hop. During his time spent at ADF Darian was privileged with the opportunity of working with several artists/choreographers such as Andrea Woods, Chuck Davis, Donna Fey and many more. After completing the 6 week intensive program, Darian headed north to Philadelphia, PA where he began his undergrad studies in Dance at The University of the Arts. While serving his 4 years at UArts Darian took it upon himself to further his studies in all forms of dance. Darian had the opportunity to work with many professionals/instructors from all over the world such as Christopher Huggins, Brian Sanders, Curt Haworth and so many more. He later completed his degree at UArts with a Bachelor’s in Dance Performance and Education in the summer of May 2006. In Darian’s post undergrad career he went off into the dance world to work with several companies and artist independently. Throughout his journey he was fortunate to work with such artist as Zane Booker (2007-2008), Contempra Dance Theater Company of Philadelphia, PA (2007). He performed as guest artist with DC Contemporary Dance Theater (2011-2013). With DC Contemporary, Darian was able to embrace all styles and genres of dance.
Modern, Contemporary
Darian was born in Durham, NC where he spent his time as child and young teen. He attended southern Durham High school and completed his diploma in the spring of May 2002 with a focus in dance, music and theater performance. In the summer June/July of 2002 Darian received a full scholarship to ADF (American Dance Festival) at Duke University where he studied various dance techniques: modern, Jazz, Ballet, African also Hip-Hop. During his time spent at ADF Darian was privileged with the opportunity of working with several artists/choreographers such as Andrea Woods, Chuck Davis, Donna Fey and many more. After completing the 6 week intensive program, Darian headed north to Philadelphia, PA where he began his undergrad studies in Dance at The University of the Arts. While serving his 4 years at UArts Darian took it upon himself to further his studies in all forms of dance. Darian had the opportunity to work with many professionals/instructors from all over the world such as Christopher Huggins, Brian Sanders, Curt Haworth and so many more. He later completed his degree at UArts with a Bachelor’s in Dance Performance and Education in the summer of May 2006. In Darian’s post undergrad career he went off into the dance world to work with several companies and artist independently. Throughout his journey he was fortunate to work with such artist as Zane Booker (2007-2008), Contempra Dance Theater Company of Philadelphia, PA (2007). He performed as guest artist with DC Contemporary Dance Theater (2011-2013). With DC Contemporary, Darian was able to embrace all styles and genres of dance.
Steele Goldman: Associate Artistic Director of Walltown Dance Company
Ballet, Contemporary, Improvisation
Raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Steele Goldman began his dance training the direction of Melody Eggen during his teenage years and graduated in 2018 from the Dance and Choreography department at Virginia Commonwealth University. During his time at VCU, Goldman had the pleasure of performing in pieces by faculty including Martha Curtis, Courtney Harris, Scott Putnam, Autumn Proctor Waddell, and Dr. Gaynell Sherrod. He was also selected to perform in guest artist works including the 40th year anniversary of Liz Lerman’s seminal work “Still Crossing”, “Mélange” choreographed by Helen Simoneau and “Multiplicity of Intimacy” choreographed by Jenna Riegel. Steele has also performed in works choreographed by Shen Wei, Lucinda Childs, Ching-I Chang, Junichi Fukuda, Annielille Gavino.
Ballet, Contemporary, Improvisation
Raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Steele Goldman began his dance training the direction of Melody Eggen during his teenage years and graduated in 2018 from the Dance and Choreography department at Virginia Commonwealth University. During his time at VCU, Goldman had the pleasure of performing in pieces by faculty including Martha Curtis, Courtney Harris, Scott Putnam, Autumn Proctor Waddell, and Dr. Gaynell Sherrod. He was also selected to perform in guest artist works including the 40th year anniversary of Liz Lerman’s seminal work “Still Crossing”, “Mélange” choreographed by Helen Simoneau and “Multiplicity of Intimacy” choreographed by Jenna Riegel. Steele has also performed in works choreographed by Shen Wei, Lucinda Childs, Ching-I Chang, Junichi Fukuda, Annielille Gavino.
Mariana Gomez Arceo: Administrative Financial Director
Hip Hop
Mariana was born and bred in Durham, NC. She began coming to Walltown Children’s Theatre at the age of 8 beginning with Hip Hop. Not soon after, she began taking other styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. She joined the Walltown Dance Company at age eleven and began her pre-professional training. She has traveled with WDC and performed in Lynchburg, VA, Myrtle Beach, and in various statewide festivals. Mariana has worn many hats at Walltown Children’s Theatre including stage manager for Indigo Blue, rehearsal director and choreographer for the Walltown Dance Company, instructor, as well as production coordinator for the holiday production of the Durham Nutcracker. She has received classes from Kristin Taylor, Geo Huebla, Twitch, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Gev Manoukian, and Dena Rizzo where she served as Ms. Rizzo’s assistant in the WCT 2019 Dance UNIversTY.
Hip Hop
Mariana was born and bred in Durham, NC. She began coming to Walltown Children’s Theatre at the age of 8 beginning with Hip Hop. Not soon after, she began taking other styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, jazz and tap. She joined the Walltown Dance Company at age eleven and began her pre-professional training. She has traveled with WDC and performed in Lynchburg, VA, Myrtle Beach, and in various statewide festivals. Mariana has worn many hats at Walltown Children’s Theatre including stage manager for Indigo Blue, rehearsal director and choreographer for the Walltown Dance Company, instructor, as well as production coordinator for the holiday production of the Durham Nutcracker. She has received classes from Kristin Taylor, Geo Huebla, Twitch, Fikshun, Comfort, Angel Roberts, Gev Manoukian, and Dena Rizzo where she served as Ms. Rizzo’s assistant in the WCT 2019 Dance UNIversTY.
Andrea Lara
Latin Dance, Pre-Ballet
Originally from Colombia, Andrea was born in a family of artists. Her mother, a folklore dancer and her father a songwriter and musician, influenced her love for music and dancing. At a very early age Andrea was dedicated to learn different Latin American folk dances at school of arts which she attended in Bogotá. She was later selected by the school to participate in school dance competitions around the country. At the same time she joined a Latin American folk Dance company where she participated in different performances like Tango, Flamenco, Mexican Jarabe Tapatio and other folk dances for seven years. After finishing school, even though she took a different path in College, she continued dancing as a hobby and stayed connected with her folk roots. Andrea came to the U.S five years ago and has been part of the Walltown Children’s Theater family for the past two years supporting her son Jahmal and arranging choreographies and summer camp classes. She has taken this opportunity to revive her passion for dancing and reconnect with her folk roots. Andrea brings to WTC new sounds and rhythms that will transport participants to the roots of Latin America.
Latin Dance, Pre-Ballet
Originally from Colombia, Andrea was born in a family of artists. Her mother, a folklore dancer and her father a songwriter and musician, influenced her love for music and dancing. At a very early age Andrea was dedicated to learn different Latin American folk dances at school of arts which she attended in Bogotá. She was later selected by the school to participate in school dance competitions around the country. At the same time she joined a Latin American folk Dance company where she participated in different performances like Tango, Flamenco, Mexican Jarabe Tapatio and other folk dances for seven years. After finishing school, even though she took a different path in College, she continued dancing as a hobby and stayed connected with her folk roots. Andrea came to the U.S five years ago and has been part of the Walltown Children’s Theater family for the past two years supporting her son Jahmal and arranging choreographies and summer camp classes. She has taken this opportunity to revive her passion for dancing and reconnect with her folk roots. Andrea brings to WTC new sounds and rhythms that will transport participants to the roots of Latin America.
Tabitha Morant
Hip Hop, Jazz & Ballet
Tabitha is 16 years old and has been a part of Walltown Children’s Theater since she was 8 years old. She has trained in many styles, from ballet, contemporary, modern, and lyrical to jazz, tap, hip hop, and african. Tabitha has taken classes from Geo Huebela, Fikshun, Comfort, An gel Roberts, Dena Rizzo, and Kristin Taylor.She has assisted Bernadine Fields for summer workshops. Currently, she’s a part of the Walltown Dance Company and Competition team at Walltown.
Hip Hop, Jazz & Ballet
Tabitha is 16 years old and has been a part of Walltown Children’s Theater since she was 8 years old. She has trained in many styles, from ballet, contemporary, modern, and lyrical to jazz, tap, hip hop, and african. Tabitha has taken classes from Geo Huebela, Fikshun, Comfort, An gel Roberts, Dena Rizzo, and Kristin Taylor.She has assisted Bernadine Fields for summer workshops. Currently, she’s a part of the Walltown Dance Company and Competition team at Walltown.
Christa Carter
Children's Yoga
Christa is a North Carolina native who enjoys laughing and being surrounded by family and friends. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a degree in Anthropology. For the past seven years she has been working with children in various settings including nanny and preschool teacher. Through the years, she has enjoyed learning how the body moves by dancing and practicing yoga. As her love for yoga grew, she began to pursue avenues to teach yoga in the community. In 2021, joining her passion for youth and yoga she completed yoga teacher training through Growga Kids Yoga. Ultimately, her passion is to empower youth to appreciate their body and cultivate social emotional growth through a fun and engaging yoga practice.
Children's Yoga
Christa is a North Carolina native who enjoys laughing and being surrounded by family and friends. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a degree in Anthropology. For the past seven years she has been working with children in various settings including nanny and preschool teacher. Through the years, she has enjoyed learning how the body moves by dancing and practicing yoga. As her love for yoga grew, she began to pursue avenues to teach yoga in the community. In 2021, joining her passion for youth and yoga she completed yoga teacher training through Growga Kids Yoga. Ultimately, her passion is to empower youth to appreciate their body and cultivate social emotional growth through a fun and engaging yoga practice.
MUSIC INSTRUCTORS
Cara M. Williams: Walltown Children's Theatre Executive Director
Raising Voices Instructor
Cara has been touring for over 15 years both domestically and abroad as a co-director and soloist/lead vocalist for the One Human Family Choir. She has also performed solo at various programs, and ceremonies including weddings, festivals, and other public/private events . A respected choir clinician, facilitator, organizer, and mentor, Cara has presented choir clinics and music workshops across the United States and in Canada. Cara specializes in bringing singers and musicians of diverse backgrounds/populations together to present musical models of unity to the wider community. Cara’s voice is warm, soulful , and filled with emotional energy. Deeply rooted in spiritual/Gospel music, and heavily influenced by classical, R&B, funk, and jazz greats, her versatile vocal style is evident in her performances. Although Cara is best known for her work with groups that include both children and adults, Cara has conducted children’s choir workshops in Kelowna, British Columbia, Columbus OH, Conway/Myrtle Beach SC, and Durham NC. In addition, Cara annually travels to Louhelen Bahai School in Flint, MI to serve as Musician in Residence where she conducts age specific music workshops daily, culminating in a music concert presenting each class separately and the entire group as a whole. Participants aged 4 to 80 travel from across the US and Canada to participate in her workshops at the School. Cara always explains to audiences that music has a way of touching hearts before the mind has a chance to alter the message – which is why she continues to use her musical abilities as a vehicle to bring diverse peoples together
Raising Voices Instructor
Cara has been touring for over 15 years both domestically and abroad as a co-director and soloist/lead vocalist for the One Human Family Choir. She has also performed solo at various programs, and ceremonies including weddings, festivals, and other public/private events . A respected choir clinician, facilitator, organizer, and mentor, Cara has presented choir clinics and music workshops across the United States and in Canada. Cara specializes in bringing singers and musicians of diverse backgrounds/populations together to present musical models of unity to the wider community. Cara’s voice is warm, soulful , and filled with emotional energy. Deeply rooted in spiritual/Gospel music, and heavily influenced by classical, R&B, funk, and jazz greats, her versatile vocal style is evident in her performances. Although Cara is best known for her work with groups that include both children and adults, Cara has conducted children’s choir workshops in Kelowna, British Columbia, Columbus OH, Conway/Myrtle Beach SC, and Durham NC. In addition, Cara annually travels to Louhelen Bahai School in Flint, MI to serve as Musician in Residence where she conducts age specific music workshops daily, culminating in a music concert presenting each class separately and the entire group as a whole. Participants aged 4 to 80 travel from across the US and Canada to participate in her workshops at the School. Cara always explains to audiences that music has a way of touching hearts before the mind has a chance to alter the message – which is why she continues to use her musical abilities as a vehicle to bring diverse peoples together
Christian Foushee-Green
Music Instructor
An organist, musician, vocalist, performer, composer, and educator. The Chapel Hill native grew up at historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Carrboro. This church had a close relationship with Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill during his formative years. He began playing the piano at age four and was active in music ministry at St. Paul. Christian attended the Durham School of the Arts studying saxophone, piano, voice, and African percussion. He received the honor of “Best Musician” in his graduating class. He entered and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has been the Director of Music at historic Mount Zion in olde Georgetown Washington, DC, First Congregational Church, Plympton, MA, St. Joseph’s CME Church, Chapel Hill, NC, and other congregations. In addition to his music leadership in congregations, Christian teaches adults and children piano and vocal lessons around the Triangle, including those is assisted living facilities.
Music Instructor
An organist, musician, vocalist, performer, composer, and educator. The Chapel Hill native grew up at historic St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Carrboro. This church had a close relationship with Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, Chapel Hill during his formative years. He began playing the piano at age four and was active in music ministry at St. Paul. Christian attended the Durham School of the Arts studying saxophone, piano, voice, and African percussion. He received the honor of “Best Musician” in his graduating class. He entered and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has been the Director of Music at historic Mount Zion in olde Georgetown Washington, DC, First Congregational Church, Plympton, MA, St. Joseph’s CME Church, Chapel Hill, NC, and other congregations. In addition to his music leadership in congregations, Christian teaches adults and children piano and vocal lessons around the Triangle, including those is assisted living facilities.
Rissi Palmer
Songwriting - Singing Coach
Since releasing her self-titled CD in October 2007, singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer has received widespread media attention including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People Magazine, GIANT, New York Post, VIBE, CBS Saturday Early Show, Huffington Post, Extra, CNN, Rolling Stone, PerezHilton.com, as well as an appearance on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show and NPR’s The State of Things.
Palmer's singles "Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air” were all on the Billboard Country Charts, making her the first African-American woman to have a song on the country charts in 20 years. She recorded an exclusive EP for Starbucks, her videos were fan favorites on CMT and GAC and she has been an invited performer at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry on numerous occasions. Rissi’s songs have appeared on television shows such as Saving Grace, Army Wives, and Heartland and in the feature film The Woodsman starring Kevin Bacon. Ms. Palmer is also the co creator and co-host of “The Relative Pitch”, an open mic for youth 18 and under held monthly in Raleigh, NC. Having written her first song at 6 and receiving her first publishing deal at the age of 19, Rissi has taken her years of songwriting in Nashville and New York City and created a curriculum for students who are interested in lyric and music composition. She is passionate about helping her students find and develop their own unique voice and style by teaching the differences and similarities of various genres (i.e. Country, R&B, Pop, Rock, Indie, etc), encouraging students keep a journal, and using various exercises to dissect and learn the techniques of great songwriters of yesterday and today..
Songwriting - Singing Coach
Since releasing her self-titled CD in October 2007, singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer has received widespread media attention including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, People Magazine, GIANT, New York Post, VIBE, CBS Saturday Early Show, Huffington Post, Extra, CNN, Rolling Stone, PerezHilton.com, as well as an appearance on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show and NPR’s The State of Things.
Palmer's singles "Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air” were all on the Billboard Country Charts, making her the first African-American woman to have a song on the country charts in 20 years. She recorded an exclusive EP for Starbucks, her videos were fan favorites on CMT and GAC and she has been an invited performer at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry on numerous occasions. Rissi’s songs have appeared on television shows such as Saving Grace, Army Wives, and Heartland and in the feature film The Woodsman starring Kevin Bacon. Ms. Palmer is also the co creator and co-host of “The Relative Pitch”, an open mic for youth 18 and under held monthly in Raleigh, NC. Having written her first song at 6 and receiving her first publishing deal at the age of 19, Rissi has taken her years of songwriting in Nashville and New York City and created a curriculum for students who are interested in lyric and music composition. She is passionate about helping her students find and develop their own unique voice and style by teaching the differences and similarities of various genres (i.e. Country, R&B, Pop, Rock, Indie, etc), encouraging students keep a journal, and using various exercises to dissect and learn the techniques of great songwriters of yesterday and today..
Sarah Law: ASA Program Director
Musical Theater, Musical Theatre Troupe
Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Her passion for the creative arts began as a young girl and has since then only continued to grow. From putting on backyard productions of Disney’s The Newsies with her sister after school to being one of the pioneer students in the show choir “Cabaret Singers” at her high school, to performing for several years in a holiday show that had thousands in attendance! She has enjoyed being a part of many small stage productions filling the role of actor, dancer, and singer as well as choreographer, stage manager, set designer, and assistant director.
Sarah ultimately chose to pursue the creative path of fine arts and design with a focus on children’s growth, behavior and learning styles. Her twenty plus years working with children has allowed her to understand how children grow and learn best. Sarah considers it a privilege to have worked with many families, mentoring children through life lessons and learning each child’s unique character and personality so that she’s better able to help them mature and take on life with a full toolbox. This has also allowed her to offer guidance and support to many parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and caretakers of children. She is currently writing a book for anyone with children in their lives, that she believes will assist in giving children the guidance and support they need to thrive and grow into happy adults that positively contribute to the world around them. Her passion for the creative arts and her expertise in children’s growth and behavior naturally combine to create a unique skill set that she hopes will make a positive difference for years to come.
Musical Theater, Musical Theatre Troupe
Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Her passion for the creative arts began as a young girl and has since then only continued to grow. From putting on backyard productions of Disney’s The Newsies with her sister after school to being one of the pioneer students in the show choir “Cabaret Singers” at her high school, to performing for several years in a holiday show that had thousands in attendance! She has enjoyed being a part of many small stage productions filling the role of actor, dancer, and singer as well as choreographer, stage manager, set designer, and assistant director.
Sarah ultimately chose to pursue the creative path of fine arts and design with a focus on children’s growth, behavior and learning styles. Her twenty plus years working with children has allowed her to understand how children grow and learn best. Sarah considers it a privilege to have worked with many families, mentoring children through life lessons and learning each child’s unique character and personality so that she’s better able to help them mature and take on life with a full toolbox. This has also allowed her to offer guidance and support to many parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and caretakers of children. She is currently writing a book for anyone with children in their lives, that she believes will assist in giving children the guidance and support they need to thrive and grow into happy adults that positively contribute to the world around them. Her passion for the creative arts and her expertise in children’s growth and behavior naturally combine to create a unique skill set that she hopes will make a positive difference for years to come.
Ben Lassiter
Guitar
Growing up in Greensboro, Ben started playing clarinet in elementary school and switched to guitar at age fifteen. Just a few years after picking up the guitar Ben received the 'Outstanding Soloist' award from his high school Jazz Ensemble.
At Appalachian State University Ben studied music, working with saxophonist Todd Wright and guitarists Andy Page and Dr. Douglas James, as well as performing with the ASU big band.
Ben is a graduate of North Carolina Central University's Masters in Jazz Studies program where he studied with Baron Tymas, Joey Calderazzo, and Dr. Ira Wiggins. He was also a part of the numerous award winning large and small ensembles at NCCU.
An in demand guitarist, Ben performs regularly with the Mint Julep Jazz Band, the Onyx Club Boys and the Hot Club of Raleigh.
Teaching privately since 2005, Ben has experience working with students of all ages and levels and enjoys broadening students' musical horizons through the study of the guitar's many capabilities.
Guitar
Growing up in Greensboro, Ben started playing clarinet in elementary school and switched to guitar at age fifteen. Just a few years after picking up the guitar Ben received the 'Outstanding Soloist' award from his high school Jazz Ensemble.
At Appalachian State University Ben studied music, working with saxophonist Todd Wright and guitarists Andy Page and Dr. Douglas James, as well as performing with the ASU big band.
Ben is a graduate of North Carolina Central University's Masters in Jazz Studies program where he studied with Baron Tymas, Joey Calderazzo, and Dr. Ira Wiggins. He was also a part of the numerous award winning large and small ensembles at NCCU.
An in demand guitarist, Ben performs regularly with the Mint Julep Jazz Band, the Onyx Club Boys and the Hot Club of Raleigh.
Teaching privately since 2005, Ben has experience working with students of all ages and levels and enjoys broadening students' musical horizons through the study of the guitar's many capabilities.
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Erick Crepsac
Percussion, Drumming, Rhythm Foundations Instructor Born in Long Island, NY and later raised in Raleigh, NC, percussionist Erick Crepsac is a multi-talented instrumentalist & middle school math teacher. In addition to performing with his own band "Reel Deep", Erick has also been performing with 2x Grammy considered and NC Music Award recipient, Jason Damico as well as R&B sensation, "Reese Royal". Erick is also married and has one lovely daughter named Rainbow. |
DRAMA INSTRUCTORS
Dilsey Davis: Associate Acting Director
Acting, Improvisation, Acting on Camera
Dilsey is a writer, producer, director and actor who enjoys using the magic of storytelling and the moving image to shape and influence culture. She has been working in the film and television industry for over 18 years. Mrs. Davis has studied acting at UNC-Chapel Hill, HB Studio in New York, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Lesly Khan Studios in Los Angeles. She is the founder and president of Café con Leche Media (CCL Media). CCL Media is an independent media production company in Atlanta, GA and Durham, NC dedicated to creating high quality projects. Mrs. Davis has created television programs and short films that combine both entertainment and messaging to effectively reach underserved audiences. Her work includes the award winning short film The Other Side, adapted from a children’s book of the same name. She also created, produced and directed the African short Wedding Day starring the popular South African actor Kenneth Nkosi (District 9, Tsotsi, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency). Most notably, she was the creator, producer and director of the award-winning “Nuestro Barrio” (Our Neighborhood), the first Spanish language series to air on English language television in the United States. In addition, she has produced a children’s short animation series entitled Adventures with Fit and Newt, as well as a multiple commercials, public service announcements, and industrial videos. She is currently writing and developing two new film projects under her company’s banner, while working as a story consultant for a Los Angeles based production company.
Acting, Improvisation, Acting on Camera
Dilsey is a writer, producer, director and actor who enjoys using the magic of storytelling and the moving image to shape and influence culture. She has been working in the film and television industry for over 18 years. Mrs. Davis has studied acting at UNC-Chapel Hill, HB Studio in New York, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Lesly Khan Studios in Los Angeles. She is the founder and president of Café con Leche Media (CCL Media). CCL Media is an independent media production company in Atlanta, GA and Durham, NC dedicated to creating high quality projects. Mrs. Davis has created television programs and short films that combine both entertainment and messaging to effectively reach underserved audiences. Her work includes the award winning short film The Other Side, adapted from a children’s book of the same name. She also created, produced and directed the African short Wedding Day starring the popular South African actor Kenneth Nkosi (District 9, Tsotsi, No 1 Ladies Detective Agency). Most notably, she was the creator, producer and director of the award-winning “Nuestro Barrio” (Our Neighborhood), the first Spanish language series to air on English language television in the United States. In addition, she has produced a children’s short animation series entitled Adventures with Fit and Newt, as well as a multiple commercials, public service announcements, and industrial videos. She is currently writing and developing two new film projects under her company’s banner, while working as a story consultant for a Los Angeles based production company.
