Dance Program
The Dance Program at Trinity Arts Center includes Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Modern instruction for all ages and levels. In addition, we provide opportunities for our students, and the community at large, to particpate in professional dance intensives and workshops led by instructors from all over the country and world. Our full-time and guest instructors are listed below.
Tanya Rathbun, Owner & Artistic Director
tanya@trinityartscenter.com
Tanya Rathbun has over 20 years of professional experience, teaching and performing with respected companies in the U.S. and abroad. She has had the good fortune to train and work under some of the best dancers and choreographers in the business, including The Chicago City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Rotara Ballet of Atlanta, Joel Hall Dancers, Danceworks Conservatory, Storling Dance Theatre, Silja Cruise Lines, Sharon Romine, Olga Astashova, and Tatiana Dokodovska.
Tanya's recent performing, directing, and choreography experience includes everything from traditional, classical ballets like The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, and Swan Lake to the expressive lyrical performances and choreography as part of Trinity Arts Center's own original productions -- God With Us, Remember Me, Genesis, The Secret Garden, The Wemmicks, Hope Finds Joy, and Ruth - A Love Story.
Tanya currently serves as the owner and artistic director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary arts school founded in 2006, where she continues to teach and direct a variety of classes and productions each year. With more than 200 dance students enrolled, 3-5 dance productions every year, and a growing impact through summer intensives and community arts programs, Tanya remains committed to exploring diverse styles of dance and pursuing lifelong learning and growth as a performer and dance educator.
Tanya, along with her husband (Jamin) and six children (Luke, Brooke, Brielle, David, Katie, and Timo), are actively involved in the arts & homeschool communities in their home town of Johnson City, TN.
Beth Bader, Early Childhood Ballet Instructor
beth@trinityartscenter.com
Beth Bader (teacher, dancer, singer, tennis player, and mother of 3) holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Milligan College.
Prior to arriving at Trinity Arts Center, Beth taught at First Presbyterian Preschool. Beth has also held positions as the Home/School Coordinator with Fairmont Elementary in Johnson City, as a substitute teacher in the Unicoi school system, and as the Director of Children's Ministry at First Christian Church in Erwin.
Beth and her husband Ryan are also very active at Grandview Christian Church, where Ryan is on staff as their youth pastor.
Maggie McNally, Early Childhood Ballet Instructor
maggie@trinityartscenter.com
Maggie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Business Management. She is a full time Abstinence Educator with Boys to Men, where she teaches middle and high school students in the Tri-Cities the importance of abstinence until marriage. Prior to teaching, Maggie worked almost ten years with therapeutic foster/adoptive children.
Maggie began dancing at age 5 at which time she fell in love with classical ballet. She currently enjoys ballet, lyrical jazz, interpretive, Jewish folk, and Davidic praise and worship. She is the dance leader for her congregational dance ministry, Machaneh Ari Yehudah (The Army of the Lion of Judah) in Bristol, TN. Maggie is also involved in the children's program at Lion of Judah Congregation.
Lindsay Fooshee, Adult Ballet Instructor
lindsay@trinityartscenter.com
Lindsay graduated from King College with BA in English and will soon finish her MA in Christian Thought from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is married to John, who pastors Redeemer Community Church, and is privileged to be the mom of two great kids. She also teaches Liberal Studies for King College in their Graduate & Professional Studies program.
Lindsay began dancing at the age of 5 and began to focus solely on ballet at the age of 10. She studied with various local ballet schools as well as participated in summer intensives with the Joffrey Ballet, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and Tennessee Ballet Theatre. In college, Lindsay began to combine her love of ballet with her love of the Lord and helped to begin a collegiate lyrical dance group. As an adult, Lindsay has continued her dance training in Dallas, TX as well as the Tri-Cities. She loves working with the Trinity Arts folks and teaching Adult Ballet.
Jen Kintner, Modern Instructor
jen@trinityartscenter.com
Jen Kintner studies Modern, Jazz, Aerial and African dance techniques as well as Vinyasa Yoga. She performed professionally with Movita Dance Company in Kingston, NY, and Motion Collective Improvisational dance group in Bar Harbor, ME. She worked with choreographers Ford Evans, Keith Johnson, Andrea Pastorella, Judith Woodruff, Erin Law, Danah Bella, Cinnamon Halbert- Smith, and others. Jen has been a guest teacher at the Tennessee Association of Dance, Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Central Ballet Studio in Greenville, TN, Grinnell College, and is the new director of Mountain Movers, the resident modern dance company at ETSU.
Jen holds a Masters degree in Pharmacology, and works as a Laboratory Coordinator in the Microbiology Department at Quillen College of Medicine. She teaches both academic and technique dance classes at ETSU, as well as weekly Vinyasa yoga classes at InnerSea Yoga studio in Johnson City. She is delighted to further her involvement with Trinity Arts Center by offering Modern Dance on Fridays this Fall. Come to class to laugh, learn, dig deep, and find new ways to defy gravity!
Gabrielle Sillyman, Dance Instructor
gabrielle@trinityartscenter.com
Gabrielle (who most of your daughters will know as "Miss Gabby"), is making the transition from dancing and performing at Trinity Arts Center, to teaching our Pre Ballet, Ballet Basics, and Teen Jazz classes. Over the last three years, Miss Gabby has performed in every major production at Trinity Arts Center and has helped with our Artists In Armor and Princess Ballerina summer camps for the last three summers.
As she prepares for college, Gabby is extremely excited to be teaching at Trinity Arts Center and working with kids. She has been connected to dance, and to the arts in a Christian context, since she was a small child, participating in summer camps, vacation Bible school, mission trips, and a local home school coop, where she taught dance to her fellow students.
Gabbrielle plans to attend East Tennessee University in the fall, majoring in Speech Pathology, so that she can continue working with children. She looks forward to helping establish a solid foundation for an ongoing love of the art of dance, in a fun environment where we give God all the glory for our body, mind, and spirit.
Amanda Burrow, Dance Instructor
amanda@trinityartscenter.com
Amanda Burrow began her training in Louisiana over 25 years ago. She has participated as a student member, then as a teacher participant, for the Louisiana Committee of the Cecchetti Council of America, studying under many masters of Classical Ballet. Amanda has been examined as a student and teacher candidate through her Professional Intermediate grade in the Cecchetti Method. Today she continues to carry the method to future generations by training more students and teachers in the southeast as a Licentiate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America. In recent years, Amanda has been honored to lead the dance ministry at her church home, Central Baptist Church.
After she and her husband relocated to Johnson City, Amanda taught on and off while they began their family, having two sons -- Kamden and Layton. However, in 2007, Layton was diagnosed with Leukemia and the Burrows moved to Memphis while he underwent treatment at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Amanda removed herself from the dance community to immerse herself in caring for Layton. After 6 months, the family was able to return home to Johnson City with a healthy Layton in remission. Today the family enjoys praising God and sharing their story about the richness of the blessings they experienced through their journey with a child who had once battled for his life!
Forever changed by the journey that the Lord blessed their family with, Amanda and her husband felt led to work on nursing degrees. They are both in school at ETSU’s College of Nursing. Amanda is very excited about the opportunities to witness to others while providing nursing care. And while this new “adventure” in her life has brought different delights to her heart, greater still is her love of dance! Amanda continues to want to share her love and to give others the opportunity to experience the joy of dancing.
Chia-Yang, Guest Instructor
kay@trinityartscenter.com
Chia-Hui (Kay) Yang, from Taichung, Taiwan, began learning dance at age eleven, attending professional dance school when she was fourteen. After graduating, she studied a variety of dance techniques at the National Taiwan Sport University, including Ballet, Modern, Yoga, Bballroom, Jazz, Improvisation, Dance Choreography, and Chinese Folk Dance. After completing five years of study, Kay joined the National Taiwan University of Arts in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei where she majored in Modern Dance, falling in love with the Jose Limon technique.
Kay will be teaching our Ballet 2, 4, and 5 classes, as well as, our Classical Variations class in the fall of 2010, until she returns to Taiwan in early 2011.
Mary Anne Sowers, Guest Instructor
maryann@trinityartscenter.com
Mrs. Sowers has been teaching, choreographing, and directing dance for children and adults for the past 33 years. As a former soloist dancer, Mary Anne "rose through the ranks" to become the Artistic Director of the nationally-recognized Southeastern Regional Ballet Association's Bristol Ballet Company.
Mary Anne danced throughout the Southeast, and has studied under world re-known dance teachers such as Constance Hardinge, Robert Joffery, David Howard, Robert Barnett, Gus Giordanno, Maria Veigh, and Christina Monroe, to name a few.
Mrs. Sowers holds a B.A. and Dance Certification fro Virginia Intermone College, a M. Ed. from Milligan College, and a Dance Certification Edorsement and Highly Qualified Status & Teacher Certification License (K-6) from the state of Tennessee. Mary Anne is the first certified Dance Specialist for the Johnson City, Tennessee School System, currently teaching creative movement, dance, and choreography to over 550 students a week at Mountain View Elementary School. She is also the Director and Founder of the Mountain View Elementary School Ballet Ensemble and is the first Certified Elementary Teacher in the State of Tennessee to also have the Dance Certification Endorsement. Also an Author, Mary Anne continues to be a Dance and Educational Affiliate with many local, state, and national organizations.
Marc Wayne, Guest Instructor
marc@trinityartscenter.com
For twenty-five years, Marc has made his living as a professional entertainer. As dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director, educator, and speaker, this seasoned professional has traveled coast to coast performing for audiences of over 71,000 people.
Marc's company work includes Chicago based modern companies, Chicago Moving Company and Chicago Dance Medium jazz and tap company, Chi-Town Jazz Dance (w/ Meribeth Kisner). Also included is Kansas City based companies; Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre (founding member) and Störling Dance Theatre and guest appearances with Jackson, Mississippi based ballet company, Ballet Magnificat. He is at present displaying his eclectic style of movement through his own highly acclaimed contemporary jazz/modern company, Maxxas Dance Theatre.
Marc's joy is working with young people of all ages. Affirming their purpose and transforming that confidence, into their performance of art and life. His infectious zest for life and performing, has taken him as choreographer, director, speaker, educator, and judge to countless studios, churches, camps, workshops, master classes, and competitions across the United States, Bahamas, and Jamaica, sponsored by such organizations as Ad Deum, Ballet Magnificat, the Continental Singers, Dramatic Truth School of the Arts, the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders, The Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and (at present) The Culture House Academy of the Performing Arts
Cheryl Cutlip, Guest Instructor
cheryl@trinityartscenter.com
Cheryl Cutlip is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, an arts and education organization dedicated to performing with integrity to inspire. Project Dance was formed as an outcry following the events of 911 and today Cheryl, along with more than 300 volunteers produce events across the globe in cities like London, Penang, Sydney, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Atlanta and New York City.
A native of North Carolina, Cheryl’s dance career began in Nashville, TN at Opryland USA. After working on a cruise ship, living in Japan while dancing at Tokyo's Disneyland, and performing in the European tour of 42nd Street, Cheryl moved to New York where she became a Radio City Rockette.
Cheryl enjoyed performing with the Rockettes for 15 years where her duties included dance captain; assistant choreographer and spokesperson for nationally televised appearances including one-on-one interviews with Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Larry King. She was the co-choreographer for Kick Into Fitness (the official Rockette Workout Video); and choreographer for Christmas Across America promotional tours, The Yankee Penant Parade and NBC’s Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting special. Other career credits include the Broadway National Tour of Crazy For You and the Broadway benefit to the stars version of Mack & Mable starring Jerry Herman and Donna McKechnie. Cheryl also danced with the jazz company, Walkerdance under the direction of Chet Walker where she performed in a benefit concert for lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz. Cheryl is also the co-producer of the hit show Broadway Underground, an urban variety show starring Jared Grimes.
Anne Wayne, Guest Instructor
anne@trinityartscenter.com
Anne received her formal training in Chicago at studios including Northbrook Dance Center, Hubbard Street, Ruth Page, and The Conservatory of American Dance. Prior to officially joining Störling Dance Theater in 2002, Anne danced with Chi-Town Jazz Dance in Chicago, danced the principal role of the "Princess" in Lynda Martha's touring production "The Young Hunter", and performed with the Chicago Orchestra in Sondheim's "Into The Woods". She appeared in Carman's "R.I.O.T." music video, and she received rave reviews for her performance in Störling Dance Theater's "Butterfly".
Mixed in with all of these years of performing, Anne married Marc Wayne and together they raise 6 beautiful children, which has been the most rewarding role she has played in her career.
Kathryn Palmer, Guest Instructor
kathryn@trinityartscenter.com
Kathryn, a senior at Science Hill high school, has been dancing for over fourteen years, receiving her first formal training at Saint Louis Ballet School, where she participated in their annual productions of The Nutcracker.
Kathryn has studied under a variety of world-reknown instructors over the past three years including: Gen Horiuchi and Ellen Costanza; Susan Jaffe, Risa Kaplowitz, Desmond Richardson, Chris Martin, and Cynthia Gregory (Princeton Dance & Theatre Summer Intensive); Adam Sage, Jennifer Medina, and Martha Faesi (Virginia School of The Arts); and Kim Nofsinger, Ivan Pulinkula, Ruben Graciani, and Thomas Shoemaker (Tennessees Governors School for the Arts).
Kathryn joins us to teach a Classical Variations class, focusing on ballet variations from popular classical ballet works such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, and Coppelia -- a great addition to the repertoire at Trinity Arts Center.
Ballet Program
tanya@trinityartscenter.com
Tanya Rathbun has over 20 years of professional experience, teaching and performing with respected companies in the U.S. and abroad. She has had the good fortune to train and work under some of the best dancers and choreographers in the business, including The Chicago City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Rotara Ballet of Atlanta, Joel Hall Dancers, Danceworks Conservatory, Storling Dance Theatre, Silja Cruise Lines, Sharon Romine, Olga Astashova, and Tatiana Dokodovska.
Tanya's recent performing, directing, and choreography experience includes everything from traditional, classical ballets like The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, and Swan Lake to the expressive lyrical performances and choreography as part of Trinity Arts Center's own original productions -- God With Us, Remember Me, Genesis, The Secret Garden, The Wemmicks, Hope Finds Joy, and Ruth - A Love Story.
Tanya currently serves as the owner and artistic director of Trinity Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary arts school founded in 2006, where she continues to teach and direct a variety of classes and productions each year. With more than 200 dance students enrolled, 3-5 dance productions every year, and a growing impact through summer intensives and community arts programs, Tanya remains committed to exploring diverse styles of dance and pursuing lifelong learning and growth as a performer and dance educator.
Tanya, along with her husband (Jamin) and six children (Luke, Brooke, Brielle, David, Katie, and Timo), are actively involved in the arts & homeschool communities in their home town of Johnson City, TN.
Beth Bader, Early Childhood Ballet Instructor
beth@trinityartscenter.com
Beth Bader (teacher, dancer, singer, tennis player, and mother of 3) holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Milligan College.
Prior to arriving at Trinity Arts Center, Beth taught at First Presbyterian Preschool. Beth has also held positions as the Home/School Coordinator with Fairmont Elementary in Johnson City, as a substitute teacher in the Unicoi school system, and as the Director of Children's Ministry at First Christian Church in Erwin.
Beth and her husband Ryan are also very active at Grandview Christian Church, where Ryan is on staff as their youth pastor.
Maggie McNally, Early Childhood Ballet Instructor
maggie@trinityartscenter.com
Maggie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Business Management. She is a full time Abstinence Educator with Boys to Men, where she teaches middle and high school students in the Tri-Cities the importance of abstinence until marriage. Prior to teaching, Maggie worked almost ten years with therapeutic foster/adoptive children.
Maggie began dancing at age 5 at which time she fell in love with classical ballet. She currently enjoys ballet, lyrical jazz, interpretive, Jewish folk, and Davidic praise and worship. She is the dance leader for her congregational dance ministry, Machaneh Ari Yehudah (The Army of the Lion of Judah) in Bristol, TN. Maggie is also involved in the children's program at Lion of Judah Congregation.
Lindsay Fooshee, Adult Ballet Instructor
lindsay@trinityartscenter.com
Lindsay graduated from King College with BA in English and will soon finish her MA in Christian Thought from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is married to John, who pastors Redeemer Community Church, and is privileged to be the mom of two great kids. She also teaches Liberal Studies for King College in their Graduate & Professional Studies program.
Lindsay began dancing at the age of 5 and began to focus solely on ballet at the age of 10. She studied with various local ballet schools as well as participated in summer intensives with the Joffrey Ballet, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and Tennessee Ballet Theatre. In college, Lindsay began to combine her love of ballet with her love of the Lord and helped to begin a collegiate lyrical dance group. As an adult, Lindsay has continued her dance training in Dallas, TX as well as the Tri-Cities. She loves working with the Trinity Arts folks and teaching Adult Ballet.
Jen Kintner, Modern Instructor
jen@trinityartscenter.com
Jen Kintner studies Modern, Jazz, Aerial and African dance techniques as well as Vinyasa Yoga. She performed professionally with Movita Dance Company in Kingston, NY, and Motion Collective Improvisational dance group in Bar Harbor, ME. She worked with choreographers Ford Evans, Keith Johnson, Andrea Pastorella, Judith Woodruff, Erin Law, Danah Bella, Cinnamon Halbert- Smith, and others. Jen has been a guest teacher at the Tennessee Association of Dance, Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Central Ballet Studio in Greenville, TN, Grinnell College, and is the new director of Mountain Movers, the resident modern dance company at ETSU.
Jen holds a Masters degree in Pharmacology, and works as a Laboratory Coordinator in the Microbiology Department at Quillen College of Medicine. She teaches both academic and technique dance classes at ETSU, as well as weekly Vinyasa yoga classes at InnerSea Yoga studio in Johnson City. She is delighted to further her involvement with Trinity Arts Center by offering Modern Dance on Fridays this Fall. Come to class to laugh, learn, dig deep, and find new ways to defy gravity!
Gabrielle Sillyman, Dance Instructor
gabrielle@trinityartscenter.com
Gabrielle (who most of your daughters will know as "Miss Gabby"), is making the transition from dancing and performing at Trinity Arts Center, to teaching our Pre Ballet, Ballet Basics, and Teen Jazz classes. Over the last three years, Miss Gabby has performed in every major production at Trinity Arts Center and has helped with our Artists In Armor and Princess Ballerina summer camps for the last three summers.
As she prepares for college, Gabby is extremely excited to be teaching at Trinity Arts Center and working with kids. She has been connected to dance, and to the arts in a Christian context, since she was a small child, participating in summer camps, vacation Bible school, mission trips, and a local home school coop, where she taught dance to her fellow students.
Gabbrielle plans to attend East Tennessee University in the fall, majoring in Speech Pathology, so that she can continue working with children. She looks forward to helping establish a solid foundation for an ongoing love of the art of dance, in a fun environment where we give God all the glory for our body, mind, and spirit.
Amanda Burrow, Dance Instructor
amanda@trinityartscenter.com
Amanda Burrow began her training in Louisiana over 25 years ago. She has participated as a student member, then as a teacher participant, for the Louisiana Committee of the Cecchetti Council of America, studying under many masters of Classical Ballet. Amanda has been examined as a student and teacher candidate through her Professional Intermediate grade in the Cecchetti Method. Today she continues to carry the method to future generations by training more students and teachers in the southeast as a Licentiate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America. In recent years, Amanda has been honored to lead the dance ministry at her church home, Central Baptist Church.
After she and her husband relocated to Johnson City, Amanda taught on and off while they began their family, having two sons -- Kamden and Layton. However, in 2007, Layton was diagnosed with Leukemia and the Burrows moved to Memphis while he underwent treatment at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Amanda removed herself from the dance community to immerse herself in caring for Layton. After 6 months, the family was able to return home to Johnson City with a healthy Layton in remission. Today the family enjoys praising God and sharing their story about the richness of the blessings they experienced through their journey with a child who had once battled for his life!
Forever changed by the journey that the Lord blessed their family with, Amanda and her husband felt led to work on nursing degrees. They are both in school at ETSU’s College of Nursing. Amanda is very excited about the opportunities to witness to others while providing nursing care. And while this new “adventure” in her life has brought different delights to her heart, greater still is her love of dance! Amanda continues to want to share her love and to give others the opportunity to experience the joy of dancing.
Chia-Yang, Guest Instructor
kay@trinityartscenter.com
Chia-Hui (Kay) Yang, from Taichung, Taiwan, began learning dance at age eleven, attending professional dance school when she was fourteen. After graduating, she studied a variety of dance techniques at the National Taiwan Sport University, including Ballet, Modern, Yoga, Bballroom, Jazz, Improvisation, Dance Choreography, and Chinese Folk Dance. After completing five years of study, Kay joined the National Taiwan University of Arts in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei where she majored in Modern Dance, falling in love with the Jose Limon technique.
Kay will be teaching our Ballet 2, 4, and 5 classes, as well as, our Classical Variations class in the fall of 2010, until she returns to Taiwan in early 2011.
Mary Anne Sowers, Guest Instructor
maryann@trinityartscenter.com
Mrs. Sowers has been teaching, choreographing, and directing dance for children and adults for the past 33 years. As a former soloist dancer, Mary Anne "rose through the ranks" to become the Artistic Director of the nationally-recognized Southeastern Regional Ballet Association's Bristol Ballet Company.
Mary Anne danced throughout the Southeast, and has studied under world re-known dance teachers such as Constance Hardinge, Robert Joffery, David Howard, Robert Barnett, Gus Giordanno, Maria Veigh, and Christina Monroe, to name a few.
Mrs. Sowers holds a B.A. and Dance Certification fro Virginia Intermone College, a M. Ed. from Milligan College, and a Dance Certification Edorsement and Highly Qualified Status & Teacher Certification License (K-6) from the state of Tennessee. Mary Anne is the first certified Dance Specialist for the Johnson City, Tennessee School System, currently teaching creative movement, dance, and choreography to over 550 students a week at Mountain View Elementary School. She is also the Director and Founder of the Mountain View Elementary School Ballet Ensemble and is the first Certified Elementary Teacher in the State of Tennessee to also have the Dance Certification Endorsement. Also an Author, Mary Anne continues to be a Dance and Educational Affiliate with many local, state, and national organizations.
Marc Wayne, Guest Instructor
marc@trinityartscenter.com
For twenty-five years, Marc has made his living as a professional entertainer. As dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director, educator, and speaker, this seasoned professional has traveled coast to coast performing for audiences of over 71,000 people.
Marc's company work includes Chicago based modern companies, Chicago Moving Company and Chicago Dance Medium jazz and tap company, Chi-Town Jazz Dance (w/ Meribeth Kisner). Also included is Kansas City based companies; Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre (founding member) and Störling Dance Theatre and guest appearances with Jackson, Mississippi based ballet company, Ballet Magnificat. He is at present displaying his eclectic style of movement through his own highly acclaimed contemporary jazz/modern company, Maxxas Dance Theatre.
Marc's joy is working with young people of all ages. Affirming their purpose and transforming that confidence, into their performance of art and life. His infectious zest for life and performing, has taken him as choreographer, director, speaker, educator, and judge to countless studios, churches, camps, workshops, master classes, and competitions across the United States, Bahamas, and Jamaica, sponsored by such organizations as Ad Deum, Ballet Magnificat, the Continental Singers, Dramatic Truth School of the Arts, the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders, The Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and (at present) The Culture House Academy of the Performing Arts
Cheryl Cutlip, Guest Instructor
cheryl@trinityartscenter.com
Cheryl Cutlip is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, an arts and education organization dedicated to performing with integrity to inspire. Project Dance was formed as an outcry following the events of 911 and today Cheryl, along with more than 300 volunteers produce events across the globe in cities like London, Penang, Sydney, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Atlanta and New York City.
A native of North Carolina, Cheryl’s dance career began in Nashville, TN at Opryland USA. After working on a cruise ship, living in Japan while dancing at Tokyo's Disneyland, and performing in the European tour of 42nd Street, Cheryl moved to New York where she became a Radio City Rockette.
Cheryl enjoyed performing with the Rockettes for 15 years where her duties included dance captain; assistant choreographer and spokesperson for nationally televised appearances including one-on-one interviews with Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Larry King. She was the co-choreographer for Kick Into Fitness (the official Rockette Workout Video); and choreographer for Christmas Across America promotional tours, The Yankee Penant Parade and NBC’s Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting special. Other career credits include the Broadway National Tour of Crazy For You and the Broadway benefit to the stars version of Mack & Mable starring Jerry Herman and Donna McKechnie. Cheryl also danced with the jazz company, Walkerdance under the direction of Chet Walker where she performed in a benefit concert for lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz. Cheryl is also the co-producer of the hit show Broadway Underground, an urban variety show starring Jared Grimes.
Anne Wayne, Guest Instructor
anne@trinityartscenter.com
Anne received her formal training in Chicago at studios including Northbrook Dance Center, Hubbard Street, Ruth Page, and The Conservatory of American Dance. Prior to officially joining Störling Dance Theater in 2002, Anne danced with Chi-Town Jazz Dance in Chicago, danced the principal role of the "Princess" in Lynda Martha's touring production "The Young Hunter", and performed with the Chicago Orchestra in Sondheim's "Into The Woods". She appeared in Carman's "R.I.O.T." music video, and she received rave reviews for her performance in Störling Dance Theater's "Butterfly".
Mixed in with all of these years of performing, Anne married Marc Wayne and together they raise 6 beautiful children, which has been the most rewarding role she has played in her career.
Kathryn Palmer, Guest Instructor
kathryn@trinityartscenter.com
Kathryn, a senior at Science Hill high school, has been dancing for over fourteen years, receiving her first formal training at Saint Louis Ballet School, where she participated in their annual productions of The Nutcracker.
Kathryn has studied under a variety of world-reknown instructors over the past three years including: Gen Horiuchi and Ellen Costanza; Susan Jaffe, Risa Kaplowitz, Desmond Richardson, Chris Martin, and Cynthia Gregory (Princeton Dance & Theatre Summer Intensive); Adam Sage, Jennifer Medina, and Martha Faesi (Virginia School of The Arts); and Kim Nofsinger, Ivan Pulinkula, Ruben Graciani, and Thomas Shoemaker (Tennessees Governors School for the Arts).
Kathryn joins us to teach a Classical Variations class, focusing on ballet variations from popular classical ballet works such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, and Coppelia -- a great addition to the repertoire at Trinity Arts Center.
Our Ballet Program, although having its roots in several popular schools of instruction (Bourneville, Cecchetti, Vaganova, Royal Academy of Ballet), is based on an American style of ballet that combines the best of these classical forms with the beauty, passion, and fluid freedom of motion in modern American ballet. The result is a versatile style of ballet that offers a high level of training to students with a variety of body types, professional aspirations, and natural skill levels.
Traditional ballet schools offer the highest level of training to only the elite few whose body type or natural ability fit within their predetermined "style" of dance. In contrast, our program focuses on the potential of the individual dancer, allowing any participant, at any level, to rise to excellence in the art of ballet.
As with any art form, the true beauty is in the expression of the unique perspective of the individual.
This focus allows each dancer to achieve the highest level of success, both personally and professionally. In some cases, that is simply a lifelong enjoyment of dance. In others, as with several of Tanya's students, that means going on to respected ballet programs around the country, achieving the highest levels of commercial success.
Early Childhood
Pre Ballet & Ballet Basics
Our early childhood ballet program is specifically designed for children ages 3-6 years old. Although the basic class structure for both levels is essentially the same, the content for each class includes appropriate developmental skills for that specific age group.
Students will learn the basics of ballet class behavior. Boys and girls will be expected to take turns, follow and lead others, wait patiently, work well with fellow students, and have a joyful attitude. They will be trained in basic French terminology, balance and weight transfer, sequential movement, spatial relationships, and a variety of creative, expression, and energy exercises.
The early childhood ballet program will form a strong foundation that will help children excel in the higher levels of ballet instruction, as well as, in their other life and educational development and activities.
Materials: Pink tights with a black leotard (black skirt optional) and basic ballet shoes or socks.
Classical
Ballet 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & Pointe
Our full ballet program is designed for students age 7 to adult and includes a minimum of two class hours per week. Students progress through a program designed to develop strong ballet technique, discipline, and personal character.
Each class consists of 60-90 minutes of barre, conditioning, center work, combinations, and across the floor movement, including pointe work for advanced students. French ballet terminology is emphasized throughout
New students will be placed pending an evaluation of their current ability. For a complete class syllabus, please contact Miss Tanya in person.
Materials: Pink tights with a black leotard. All classes require technique shoes. Pointe shoes will be required for classes that include pointe.
Jazz & Lyrical Program
Pre Ballet & Ballet Basics
Our early childhood ballet program is specifically designed for children ages 3-6 years old. Although the basic class structure for both levels is essentially the same, the content for each class includes appropriate developmental skills for that specific age group.
Students will learn the basics of ballet class behavior. Boys and girls will be expected to take turns, follow and lead others, wait patiently, work well with fellow students, and have a joyful attitude. They will be trained in basic French terminology, balance and weight transfer, sequential movement, spatial relationships, and a variety of creative, expression, and energy exercises.
The early childhood ballet program will form a strong foundation that will help children excel in the higher levels of ballet instruction, as well as, in their other life and educational development and activities.
Materials: Pink tights with a black leotard (black skirt optional) and basic ballet shoes or socks.
Classical
Ballet 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & Pointe
Our full ballet program is designed for students age 7 to adult and includes a minimum of two class hours per week. Students progress through a program designed to develop strong ballet technique, discipline, and personal character.
Each class consists of 60-90 minutes of barre, conditioning, center work, combinations, and across the floor movement, including pointe work for advanced students. French ballet terminology is emphasized throughout
New students will be placed pending an evaluation of their current ability. For a complete class syllabus, please contact Miss Tanya in person.
Materials: Pink tights with a black leotard. All classes require technique shoes. Pointe shoes will be required for classes that include pointe.
The Jazz program at Trinity Arts Center is designed as a supplement to the classical ballet program. Class instruction consists of warm-ups, across the floor movement, combinations, and traditional patterns of sharp, smooth, free, and controlled movement.
All of our jazz classes are taught to Christian contemporary music and emphasize modesty in attire, behavior, and movement.
As with ballet, the jazz program emphasizes healthy and creative individual expression through dance in a safe environment that supports a healthy and Biblical standard of modesty.
Lyrical, Modern, Hip-Hop
Modern, Teen Jazz, and Jazz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
The Jazz Program is designed for students age 7 to adult and includes one class hour per week. Each class consists of 60 minutes of group instruction designed to engage the students in the enjoyment of dance, while benefitting from the discipline, muscle control, and physical health of the activity.
Materials: Black jazz paints and leotard. Classes will also require black technique or split-sole jazz shoes, depending on level.
Modern, Teen Jazz, and Jazz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
The Jazz Program is designed for students age 7 to adult and includes one class hour per week. Each class consists of 60 minutes of group instruction designed to engage the students in the enjoyment of dance, while benefitting from the discipline, muscle control, and physical health of the activity.
Materials: Black jazz paints and leotard. Classes will also require black technique or split-sole jazz shoes, depending on level.
Music Program
The Music Program at Trinity Arts Center is designed to provide the highest quality instruction to students of any level.
As with all of our programs, we desire to build up and encourage the natural gifts and talents of each student, in order to find their own unique "place" in their family, church, community, and life.
Every instructor at Trinity Arts Center is committed to teach and model a Godly example of the arts to each student, and to help them develop a love of music and understand its role in expressing ourselves to each other and to God.
Jamin Rathbun, Owner & Executive Director
jamin@trinityartscenter.com
Jamin (a proud father of six) directs the day to day business operations of Trinity Arts Center. He received a scholarship to study Secondary Vocal Music Education at Northwest Missouri State University before leaving school early to tour nationally with a Hot Pink Turtle, the well-known Christian super-group. = )
Jamin is a songwriter who plays piano, guitar, and "anything he can get his hands on." In addition, Jamin has toured, performed, and led worship for churches, events, and youth camps across the country.
Jamin is also an experienced consultant and business strategist, having led departments and development teams for a variety of advertising, marketing, design, and development companies in the Kansas City, St. Louis, and Tri-Cities areas.
Kris Carlson, Guitar & Piano Instructor
kris@trinityartscenter.com
Kris Carlson is talented multi-instrumentalist whose primary instruments are guitar and piano. He's been teaching at Trinity Arts Center since 2007, as one of the first instructors hired at Trinity Arts Center. He is also one of the busiest instructors at the Arts Center, teaching pretty much any time we are open. = )
Kris has spent the majority of his life in upper east TN and holds a Bachelor's in Music Performance from ETSU. He enjoys recording in his home studio and fishing when the weather is nice. In his spare time Kris plays in what might be called an "Americana" band called Doc Bonhomie.
Kris is also a worship leader and a songwriter with a passion for all styles of Christian music. In addition to his work at Trinity Arts Center, Kris works on staff part-time as the Worship Associate at First Christian Church of Johnson City.
Patty Booher, Piano Instructor
patty@trinityartscenter.com
Patty Booher, a native of the Tri-Cities, lives in Johnson City, TN with her husband, Phil, and daughter, Jenna Marie. They are members of Avoca Christian Church in Bristol, TN, where Patty serves as an accompanist and the leader of their drama team.
Patty has played piano since third grade, adding the organ in her teens, when she began accompanying voice students at East Tennessee State University. She's also accompanied full orchestras and theatre productions such as The Sound of Music at the Eastman Employee Center and Virginia Intermont College.
Miss Patty's theatre credits include the role of Poison Ivy in Beauty & The Beast and as Eleanor in Four Tickets To Christmas at the Paramount Theatre. She has also appeared in The Music Man and the Bristol Passion Play in Viking Hall.
Patty's goal is for her students to love music for life, gaining self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment along the way.
Trisha Burke, Piano Instructor
trisha@trinityartscenter.com
Trisha and her husband Dave are recent transplants to the Tri-Cities, having moved here from Columbus, Ohio four years ago. They currently live in Colonial Heights, where they homeschool their two children, Cora and Thomas, and are very active in the children's program at their church.
Trisha has played piano for 21 years with 15 years of classical training that includes collegiate level sight reading, ear training, music theory, group piano, individual piano, and music history. She has teaching experience with all ages of children, including educational programs on a Navajo reservation and with special needs students in the 5th and 6th grade.
She loves teaching, loves the stories that music can tell, loves sharing that with others, and loves the fact that worshipful music will also be with us in heaven -- carrying an eternal value.
Leona Tokutake, Violin Instructor
leona@trinityartscenter.com
Leona was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan where her father -- "Dr. K" -- is one of the most sought after American-style guitarists.
Leona began playing classical violin at age four. She played in several orchestras in Japan during her teenage years. In 2002, she began a recording career in Tokyo, recording for television shows and Japanese Pop artists. Leona began learning Bluegrass and Old-Time fiddle in 2003. She studied at the Mark O'Conner fiddle camps in Nashville and San Diego over the past few years and has been able to learn styles and techniques from fiddlers such as Bobby Hicks, Vasser Clemens, Kenny Baker, and Tater Tate.
Leona received a B.S. degree from ETSU in early childhood education in 2009 and was the first international student to receive a minor in Bluegrass & Old-Time Music. Leona is also a guest performer for the American Bluegrass Masters Tour which includes such Bluegrass greats as Bobby Osborne, JD Crowe, Allison Brown, and the Lonesome River Band.
Nathan Merrick, Guitar & Piano Instructor
nathan@trinityartscenter.com
Nathan is a multi-talented musician, instructor, songwriter, and worship leader who teaches both piano and guitar at Trinity Arts Center. In addition to teaching, Nathan continues to write, record, and perform with Contact The Militia, his own original rock band, and The Garrett Harris Experience, a local classic rock/jam band.
Nathan is a graduate of ETSU, earning a B.S. in Digital Media in 2009. He has worked with Audio Video Integration as a live sound engineer, supporting several mainstream groups (Goo Goo Dolls, All American Rejects, Skillet) at live concerts in the area. Nathan has also worked with East Coast Mobile Recording, capturing studio recordings of his own original material, as well as, nationally known artists such as the Motown legend, Percy Sledge.
Nathan leads worship on Saturdays with Edge Fellowship Church in Johnson City, and on an occassional Sunday with Redeemer Community Church, our roommates at the Arts Center. He is married to Michelle Paige Merrick, his wife of just under one year. Nathan does a great job at the Arts Center, clearly enjoying the opportunity to develop the talents of young students.
Kellie McClendon, Voice Instructor
kellie@trinityartscenter.com
Kelly has been singing as long as she can remember. Her love of music began as early as age eight, when she began competing in (and winning) area singing competitions. From there, she participated in a variety of musical theatre productions (West Side Story, The Wiz, Cats, A Christmas Carol) ultimately deciding to study theatre, minor in vocal music education, and major in speech pathology at the University of Georgia.
Kelly is trained in both classical and contemporary styles of voice, and performs often at her home church -- Boone's Creek Christian. When she's not teaching students, or shuttling her three kids around town, Kelly works as a group fitness instructor with Lifestyles fitness center in Johnson City. You can't miss Kellie when she walks in a room. She's about as outgoing as they come. = )
Rob Meier, Voice & Piano Instructor and Choir Director
rob@trinityartscenter.com
Rob recently returned to Johnson City after eight years of living in sunny Melbourne, Florida with his wife Lori (a professor at ETSU) and their furry, feline children -- Millie & Indiana.
Rob grew up in southern Indiana and studied music at Milligan College. He has spent most of his professional life as a worship minister at Eau Gallie Christian Church in Florida and has led many choirs and worship bands. In addition, Rob has also taught voice and worship leadership at Florida Christian College.
These days, you'll find Rob serving in ministry at a Morristown congregation and enjoying teaching voice to all ages here at Trinity Arts Center. Rob loves to bake cookies, travel, and play in the snow.
Josh McAllister, Drum Instructor
josh@trinityartscenter.com
Josh got his first drum set in the seventh grade, subsequently spending the next five years perfecting a single beat (to the chagrine of his neighbors). At age twenty-five, Josh began to study drums seriously, learning percussion rudiments and the jazz/swing style of drumming.
For the past three years, Josh has studied under Rande Saunderbeck, in the percussion department at ETSU, focusing primarily on Latin and Funk drum techniques. He takes great joy in teaching and studying music which he describes as "a great and intricate gift that the Lord has given us."
P.S. Josh would like to thank his neighbors for putting up with that beat for five years. = )
Chris Eger, Guitar & Piano Instructor
chris@trinityartscenter.com
Chris came to the Tri-Cities from Cincinnati, OH where he grew up in a family of musicians, beginning his musical journey on piano, then violin, then cello, then guitar... Ultimately investing himself in leading worship, mentoring young musicians, and writing his own original music.
Chris loves reading and writing (with some coffee). He also like traveling, playing music, and playing cards with friends.
Sarah Strand, Voice & Piano Instructor
sarah@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
Aaron Jackson, Guitar & Mandolin Instructor
aaron@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
Barb Jeffress, Piano Instructor
barb@trinityartscenter.com
Barb and her family moved to East Tennessee in 2007 after many years of touring the world courtesy of the U.S. Army. She studied Education and French at Dartmouth College but for as long as she can remember, she has always spent her free time on creative and musical pursuits.
Barb began playing piano at the age of five, added the guitar as a teen, and later studied voice and violin as an adult. She has enjoyed singing and playing with worship teams and choirs, teaching kindergarten and French, leading drama workshops and most recently, directing youth productions at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. One of her greatest joys in life has been helping her own three kids and her students discover the rewards of musical and artistic expression. She and her two oldest children are active in the music ministry at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Johnson City.
Neil Burcham, Guiar & Piano Instructor
neil@trinityartscenter.com
Neil Burcham started down the path of an artist and musician early on, playing saxophone, piano, and guitar for more than 20 years. He continued that path as a fine arts major (with a music minor) at ETSU, where he established relationships with several local musicians, collaborating and performing in the area as a professional musician and volunteer including his own jazz combo -- Jazz 251 -- who performs locally for private parties, coorporate events, and galas. Neil continues to further his education, studying with renowned Philadelphia-based jazz guitarist -- Jimmy Bruno.
In addition to his music endeavors, Neil is a retail & internet marketing consultant, with several clients in the music industry. He is also a talented and accomplished artist whose work can be seen in our lobby, and in the homes of local patrons. Neil teaches drawing and painting workshops frequently, sharing his love of art with teen and adult students as part of our regular art workshop schedule.
jamin@trinityartscenter.com
Jamin (a proud father of six) directs the day to day business operations of Trinity Arts Center. He received a scholarship to study Secondary Vocal Music Education at Northwest Missouri State University before leaving school early to tour nationally with a Hot Pink Turtle, the well-known Christian super-group. = )
Jamin is a songwriter who plays piano, guitar, and "anything he can get his hands on." In addition, Jamin has toured, performed, and led worship for churches, events, and youth camps across the country.
Jamin is also an experienced consultant and business strategist, having led departments and development teams for a variety of advertising, marketing, design, and development companies in the Kansas City, St. Louis, and Tri-Cities areas.
Kris Carlson, Guitar & Piano Instructor
kris@trinityartscenter.com
Kris Carlson is talented multi-instrumentalist whose primary instruments are guitar and piano. He's been teaching at Trinity Arts Center since 2007, as one of the first instructors hired at Trinity Arts Center. He is also one of the busiest instructors at the Arts Center, teaching pretty much any time we are open. = )
Kris has spent the majority of his life in upper east TN and holds a Bachelor's in Music Performance from ETSU. He enjoys recording in his home studio and fishing when the weather is nice. In his spare time Kris plays in what might be called an "Americana" band called Doc Bonhomie.
Kris is also a worship leader and a songwriter with a passion for all styles of Christian music. In addition to his work at Trinity Arts Center, Kris works on staff part-time as the Worship Associate at First Christian Church of Johnson City.
Patty Booher, Piano Instructor
patty@trinityartscenter.com
Patty Booher, a native of the Tri-Cities, lives in Johnson City, TN with her husband, Phil, and daughter, Jenna Marie. They are members of Avoca Christian Church in Bristol, TN, where Patty serves as an accompanist and the leader of their drama team.
Patty has played piano since third grade, adding the organ in her teens, when she began accompanying voice students at East Tennessee State University. She's also accompanied full orchestras and theatre productions such as The Sound of Music at the Eastman Employee Center and Virginia Intermont College.
Miss Patty's theatre credits include the role of Poison Ivy in Beauty & The Beast and as Eleanor in Four Tickets To Christmas at the Paramount Theatre. She has also appeared in The Music Man and the Bristol Passion Play in Viking Hall.
Patty's goal is for her students to love music for life, gaining self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment along the way.
Trisha Burke, Piano Instructor
trisha@trinityartscenter.com
Trisha and her husband Dave are recent transplants to the Tri-Cities, having moved here from Columbus, Ohio four years ago. They currently live in Colonial Heights, where they homeschool their two children, Cora and Thomas, and are very active in the children's program at their church.
Trisha has played piano for 21 years with 15 years of classical training that includes collegiate level sight reading, ear training, music theory, group piano, individual piano, and music history. She has teaching experience with all ages of children, including educational programs on a Navajo reservation and with special needs students in the 5th and 6th grade.
She loves teaching, loves the stories that music can tell, loves sharing that with others, and loves the fact that worshipful music will also be with us in heaven -- carrying an eternal value.
Leona Tokutake, Violin Instructor
leona@trinityartscenter.com
Leona was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan where her father -- "Dr. K" -- is one of the most sought after American-style guitarists.
Leona began playing classical violin at age four. She played in several orchestras in Japan during her teenage years. In 2002, she began a recording career in Tokyo, recording for television shows and Japanese Pop artists. Leona began learning Bluegrass and Old-Time fiddle in 2003. She studied at the Mark O'Conner fiddle camps in Nashville and San Diego over the past few years and has been able to learn styles and techniques from fiddlers such as Bobby Hicks, Vasser Clemens, Kenny Baker, and Tater Tate.
Leona received a B.S. degree from ETSU in early childhood education in 2009 and was the first international student to receive a minor in Bluegrass & Old-Time Music. Leona is also a guest performer for the American Bluegrass Masters Tour which includes such Bluegrass greats as Bobby Osborne, JD Crowe, Allison Brown, and the Lonesome River Band.
Nathan Merrick, Guitar & Piano Instructor
nathan@trinityartscenter.com
Nathan is a multi-talented musician, instructor, songwriter, and worship leader who teaches both piano and guitar at Trinity Arts Center. In addition to teaching, Nathan continues to write, record, and perform with Contact The Militia, his own original rock band, and The Garrett Harris Experience, a local classic rock/jam band.
Nathan is a graduate of ETSU, earning a B.S. in Digital Media in 2009. He has worked with Audio Video Integration as a live sound engineer, supporting several mainstream groups (Goo Goo Dolls, All American Rejects, Skillet) at live concerts in the area. Nathan has also worked with East Coast Mobile Recording, capturing studio recordings of his own original material, as well as, nationally known artists such as the Motown legend, Percy Sledge.
Nathan leads worship on Saturdays with Edge Fellowship Church in Johnson City, and on an occassional Sunday with Redeemer Community Church, our roommates at the Arts Center. He is married to Michelle Paige Merrick, his wife of just under one year. Nathan does a great job at the Arts Center, clearly enjoying the opportunity to develop the talents of young students.
Kellie McClendon, Voice Instructor
kellie@trinityartscenter.com
Kelly has been singing as long as she can remember. Her love of music began as early as age eight, when she began competing in (and winning) area singing competitions. From there, she participated in a variety of musical theatre productions (West Side Story, The Wiz, Cats, A Christmas Carol) ultimately deciding to study theatre, minor in vocal music education, and major in speech pathology at the University of Georgia.
Kelly is trained in both classical and contemporary styles of voice, and performs often at her home church -- Boone's Creek Christian. When she's not teaching students, or shuttling her three kids around town, Kelly works as a group fitness instructor with Lifestyles fitness center in Johnson City. You can't miss Kellie when she walks in a room. She's about as outgoing as they come. = )
Rob Meier, Voice & Piano Instructor and Choir Director
rob@trinityartscenter.com
Rob recently returned to Johnson City after eight years of living in sunny Melbourne, Florida with his wife Lori (a professor at ETSU) and their furry, feline children -- Millie & Indiana.
Rob grew up in southern Indiana and studied music at Milligan College. He has spent most of his professional life as a worship minister at Eau Gallie Christian Church in Florida and has led many choirs and worship bands. In addition, Rob has also taught voice and worship leadership at Florida Christian College.
These days, you'll find Rob serving in ministry at a Morristown congregation and enjoying teaching voice to all ages here at Trinity Arts Center. Rob loves to bake cookies, travel, and play in the snow.
Josh McAllister, Drum Instructor
josh@trinityartscenter.com
Josh got his first drum set in the seventh grade, subsequently spending the next five years perfecting a single beat (to the chagrine of his neighbors). At age twenty-five, Josh began to study drums seriously, learning percussion rudiments and the jazz/swing style of drumming.
For the past three years, Josh has studied under Rande Saunderbeck, in the percussion department at ETSU, focusing primarily on Latin and Funk drum techniques. He takes great joy in teaching and studying music which he describes as "a great and intricate gift that the Lord has given us."
P.S. Josh would like to thank his neighbors for putting up with that beat for five years. = )
Chris Eger, Guitar & Piano Instructor
chris@trinityartscenter.com
Chris came to the Tri-Cities from Cincinnati, OH where he grew up in a family of musicians, beginning his musical journey on piano, then violin, then cello, then guitar... Ultimately investing himself in leading worship, mentoring young musicians, and writing his own original music.
Chris loves reading and writing (with some coffee). He also like traveling, playing music, and playing cards with friends.
Sarah Strand, Voice & Piano Instructor
sarah@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
Aaron Jackson, Guitar & Mandolin Instructor
aaron@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
Barb Jeffress, Piano Instructor
barb@trinityartscenter.com
Barb and her family moved to East Tennessee in 2007 after many years of touring the world courtesy of the U.S. Army. She studied Education and French at Dartmouth College but for as long as she can remember, she has always spent her free time on creative and musical pursuits.
Barb began playing piano at the age of five, added the guitar as a teen, and later studied voice and violin as an adult. She has enjoyed singing and playing with worship teams and choirs, teaching kindergarten and French, leading drama workshops and most recently, directing youth productions at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. One of her greatest joys in life has been helping her own three kids and her students discover the rewards of musical and artistic expression. She and her two oldest children are active in the music ministry at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in Johnson City.
Neil Burcham, Guiar & Piano Instructor
neil@trinityartscenter.com
Neil Burcham started down the path of an artist and musician early on, playing saxophone, piano, and guitar for more than 20 years. He continued that path as a fine arts major (with a music minor) at ETSU, where he established relationships with several local musicians, collaborating and performing in the area as a professional musician and volunteer including his own jazz combo -- Jazz 251 -- who performs locally for private parties, coorporate events, and galas. Neil continues to further his education, studying with renowned Philadelphia-based jazz guitarist -- Jimmy Bruno.
In addition to his music endeavors, Neil is a retail & internet marketing consultant, with several clients in the music industry. He is also a talented and accomplished artist whose work can be seen in our lobby, and in the homes of local patrons. Neil teaches drawing and painting workshops frequently, sharing his love of art with teen and adult students as part of our regular art workshop schedule.
Art Program
The art program at Trinity Arts Center is designed to instruct students in the correct technique and methods for each individual medium using a variety of subject matter and materials.
At the same time, one of the unique strengths of our art instructors is their passion to strengthen the individual talents of and build self-confidence in each student.
As with all of our programs, we strive to balance excellent instruction and individual attention with the goal of using our talents and gifts to the glory of God.
Jill Rose, Art Instructor
jill@trinityartscenter.com
Jill Rose comes to Trinity Arts Center via Elizabethtown, KY (her home town) and Transylvania University (her alma mater) with a degree in studio art. Her emphasis on drawing with a variety of mediums and techniques has been a great addition to the Arts Center, as well as her creative ideas on elementary art education -- a series of theme-based projects that provide a fun context to teach strong fundamental art techniques.
Jill lives in Johnson City, along with her husband, where she teaches art and works as a nanny. She's been a great fit at the Art Center -- embodying everything you could want in an art teacher. We hope she stays around for a long time. = )
Jennifer Byrd, Art Instructor
jennifer@trinityartscenter.com
Jennifer Byrd is an ETSU grad with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and a concentration in painting. She is passionate about arts education, believing that art is a learned skill that helps to express the creativity that inside us all.
She has been teaching for six years through private lessons, Christian schools, and the Kingsport Cultural Arts Center. Jennifer is in the process of moving back to Johnson City, her hometown, after living in Kingsport for the past nine years. She also works as the Office Administrator at her church, The Oaks Fellowship, and plays keyboard on their worship team.
Jennifer has two daughters -- Arwen (7) and Zoe (5) -- who inspire her everyday to be creative! She's very excited to be a part of Trinity Arts Center, working in the fine arts with a Christian foundation!
Neil Burcham, Art Instructor
neil@trinityartscenter.com
Neil Burcham started down the path of an artist and musician early on, playing saxophone, piano, and guitar for more than 20 years. He continued that path as a fine arts major (with a music minor) at ETSU, where he established relationships with several local musicians, collaborating and performing in the area as a professional musician and volunteer including his own jazz combo -- Jazz 251 -- who performs locally for private parties, coorporate events, and galas. Neil continues to further his education, studying with renowned Philadelphia-based jazz guitarist -- Jimmy Bruno.
In addition to his music endeavors, Neil is a retail & internet marketing consultant, with several clients in the music industry. He is also a talented and accomplished artist whose work can be seen in our lobby, and in the homes of local patrons. Neil teaches drawing and painting workshops frequently, sharing his love of art with teen and adult students as part of our regular art workshop schedule.
jill@trinityartscenter.com
Jill Rose comes to Trinity Arts Center via Elizabethtown, KY (her home town) and Transylvania University (her alma mater) with a degree in studio art. Her emphasis on drawing with a variety of mediums and techniques has been a great addition to the Arts Center, as well as her creative ideas on elementary art education -- a series of theme-based projects that provide a fun context to teach strong fundamental art techniques.
Jill lives in Johnson City, along with her husband, where she teaches art and works as a nanny. She's been a great fit at the Art Center -- embodying everything you could want in an art teacher. We hope she stays around for a long time. = )
Jennifer Byrd, Art Instructor
jennifer@trinityartscenter.com
Jennifer Byrd is an ETSU grad with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and a concentration in painting. She is passionate about arts education, believing that art is a learned skill that helps to express the creativity that inside us all.
She has been teaching for six years through private lessons, Christian schools, and the Kingsport Cultural Arts Center. Jennifer is in the process of moving back to Johnson City, her hometown, after living in Kingsport for the past nine years. She also works as the Office Administrator at her church, The Oaks Fellowship, and plays keyboard on their worship team.
Jennifer has two daughters -- Arwen (7) and Zoe (5) -- who inspire her everyday to be creative! She's very excited to be a part of Trinity Arts Center, working in the fine arts with a Christian foundation!
Neil Burcham, Art Instructor
neil@trinityartscenter.com
Neil Burcham started down the path of an artist and musician early on, playing saxophone, piano, and guitar for more than 20 years. He continued that path as a fine arts major (with a music minor) at ETSU, where he established relationships with several local musicians, collaborating and performing in the area as a professional musician and volunteer including his own jazz combo -- Jazz 251 -- who performs locally for private parties, coorporate events, and galas. Neil continues to further his education, studying with renowned Philadelphia-based jazz guitarist -- Jimmy Bruno.
In addition to his music endeavors, Neil is a retail & internet marketing consultant, with several clients in the music industry. He is also a talented and accomplished artist whose work can be seen in our lobby, and in the homes of local patrons. Neil teaches drawing and painting workshops frequently, sharing his love of art with teen and adult students as part of our regular art workshop schedule.
Theater Program
The Theater Program at Trinity Arts Center is designed to mature students, not only in their understanding of the art of theater, but also in their understanding of the role that expression, communication, and passion should play in their own life.
Initially, this is facilitated using games, exercises, improvisation, and interaction between students to develop both a comfort level with expressing themselves and an understanding of how that expression may be received by the listener.
Students, especially teens, can benefit a great deal from the non-verbal communication learned in Theater Class. It is a great way to build self-confidence and understand the important role that body position, voice inflection, and eye contact play in both private conversation and public speaking.
Eventually, students will participate in the Theater Company as they learn, rehearse, and perform for audiences in the Tri-Cities and Eastern Tennessee areas including topical skits for use in churches and youth camps in the area.
Alaska Reece Vance, Theatre Instructor
alaska@trinityartscenter.com
Alaska Reece Vance holds an MFA in Acting from Regent University. She has directed over thirty plays, many in the Tri-Cities area. She was recently awarded an Overall Excellence Award in Directing at the New York International Fringe Festival for work on her original musical "The Disorientation of Butterflies".
Alaska is the founder and director of The Drifting Theatre and the Artistic Director of Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. She is an avid playwright and enjoys being involved in a wide variety of theatrical arts.
Annemarie Dugan, Guest Director
annmarie@trinityartscenter.com
Annemarie has broad experience performing and directing dramatic arts, holding a BFA in Musical Theater from Shorter College, and having served as Performing Arts Director at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.
Her acting repertoire includes principal roles in The Sound of Music (Maria), Once Upon a Mattress (Winifred), Fiddler on the Roof, Quilters, The Crucible, Man of LaMancha, Under Milkwood, The Good Doctor, Cotton Patch Gospel and Godspell, among others. She has also performed operatic roles in The Telephone, Mendelssohn s Elijah, and Beethoven s Choral Fantasia. In 1989, Annemarie was honored to sing the National Anthem at the American Consulate in Jerusalem, Israel, where she served as an ambassador to the Jerusalem International YMCA.
Annemarie is also well seasoned in media, having held the position of Media and Public Relations Coordinator for the Christian Medical and Dental Associations in Bristol, Tennessee, and as an anchor/reporter for WKPT-TV in Kingsport, Tennessee. Annemarie also hosted television programs for TCI-Cable, ACN and CAT-TV. Annemarie currently manages media and events for Art to Heart Ministries, an organization that helps people encounter God through the world's great art.
She adores her husband Jeff, and their two young children, Laura and Brit. They are active members of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, where Annemarie serves as a preschool worship leader.
Steve Davis, Guest Director
steve@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
alaska@trinityartscenter.com
Alaska Reece Vance holds an MFA in Acting from Regent University. She has directed over thirty plays, many in the Tri-Cities area. She was recently awarded an Overall Excellence Award in Directing at the New York International Fringe Festival for work on her original musical "The Disorientation of Butterflies".
Alaska is the founder and director of The Drifting Theatre and the Artistic Director of Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. She is an avid playwright and enjoys being involved in a wide variety of theatrical arts.
Annemarie Dugan, Guest Director
annmarie@trinityartscenter.com
Annemarie has broad experience performing and directing dramatic arts, holding a BFA in Musical Theater from Shorter College, and having served as Performing Arts Director at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.
Her acting repertoire includes principal roles in The Sound of Music (Maria), Once Upon a Mattress (Winifred), Fiddler on the Roof, Quilters, The Crucible, Man of LaMancha, Under Milkwood, The Good Doctor, Cotton Patch Gospel and Godspell, among others. She has also performed operatic roles in The Telephone, Mendelssohn s Elijah, and Beethoven s Choral Fantasia. In 1989, Annemarie was honored to sing the National Anthem at the American Consulate in Jerusalem, Israel, where she served as an ambassador to the Jerusalem International YMCA.
Annemarie is also well seasoned in media, having held the position of Media and Public Relations Coordinator for the Christian Medical and Dental Associations in Bristol, Tennessee, and as an anchor/reporter for WKPT-TV in Kingsport, Tennessee. Annemarie also hosted television programs for TCI-Cable, ACN and CAT-TV. Annemarie currently manages media and events for Art to Heart Ministries, an organization that helps people encounter God through the world's great art.
She adores her husband Jeff, and their two young children, Laura and Brit. They are active members of Central Baptist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, where Annemarie serves as a preschool worship leader.
Steve Davis, Guest Director
steve@trinityartscenter.com
Bio coming soon.
Language Program
The Literature & Language Program at Trinity Arts Center encourages students to experience the passion and history contained in literature and to learn how to communicate their own perspective, or perhaps tell their own story, through the use of spoken and written language.
Literature and Language, like other art forms, provide the participants with an opportunity to experience life through the emotional, symbolic, moral, intellectual, or social "lens" of the culture, author, or artist being represented.
It is an opportunity to communicate, and keep a record of the collective work, learning, and experience of man through the use of language. Written and spoken letters, symbols, and words enable us to tell the story of individual men, communities, cultures, and of mankind.
MJ Light, American Sign Language Instuctor
mj@trinityartscenter.com
MJ Light is a nationally certified interpreter by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). She is a homeschool graduate and holds two state titles for sign language song interpretation. She has been an instructor of American Sign Language (ASL) in corporate, civic, classroom and private settings.
While working within the Deaf community as an interpreter, it has been her great privilege to interpret for such artists and personalities as Senator John McCain, Dottie Rambo, Mark Lowry, LeAnn Rimes, Third Day, Josh McDowell, Gary Smalley, Salvador, Avalon, and Sesame Street Live. However, her most joyous encounter was with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
MJ has felt a call into Deaf ministry for many years and feels abundantly blessed to serve as an interpreter both in her profession and in several local congregations.
American Sign Language
mj@trinityartscenter.com
MJ Light is a nationally certified interpreter by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). She is a homeschool graduate and holds two state titles for sign language song interpretation. She has been an instructor of American Sign Language (ASL) in corporate, civic, classroom and private settings.
While working within the Deaf community as an interpreter, it has been her great privilege to interpret for such artists and personalities as Senator John McCain, Dottie Rambo, Mark Lowry, LeAnn Rimes, Third Day, Josh McDowell, Gary Smalley, Salvador, Avalon, and Sesame Street Live. However, her most joyous encounter was with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
MJ has felt a call into Deaf ministry for many years and feels abundantly blessed to serve as an interpreter both in her profession and in several local congregations.
ASL 1
Classroom instruction will focus on learning the basics of the American Sign Language as students progressively build vocabulary.
Materials: None.
ASL 2
Classroom instruction will focus on learning intermediate concepts of the American Sign Language as students progressively build vocabulary with an emphasis on being able to "read" sign in the classroom, on video, and in other settings.
Materials: None.
Classroom instruction will focus on learning the basics of the American Sign Language as students progressively build vocabulary.
Materials: None.
ASL 2
Classroom instruction will focus on learning intermediate concepts of the American Sign Language as students progressively build vocabulary with an emphasis on being able to "read" sign in the classroom, on video, and in other settings.
Materials: None.