Current Teachers:
Cheryl Ablon
Cheryl Ablon is a creative, energetic, and loving educator. She recently retired after teaching 38 years with Lewisville ISD. She has taught First Grade, Developmental First Grade, Kindergarten, and Early Childhood. She has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, and has lived in Lewisville since 1970. You may have met her as an assistant Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a Girl Scout Leader, a PTO officer, or a Lifetime PTA member. Cheryl feels very blessed to be able to start a new chapter in her life with such an outstanding organization! Sign up today for Jungle Boogie with Miss Cheryl and Our Gang!
Dana Taylor
Dana Taylor holds a degree in vocal music from West Texas A&M University and has worked as a high school and middle school choral director for 30 years. She has also done masters level study in vocal pedagogy – specific to the adolescent voice. Along the way, she has music directed many high school musicals as well as directed and choreographed for show choirs. She has sung professionally in Santa Fe and New York and appeared in DFW theatres such as Lyric Stage in Irving, Garland Summer Musicals in Garland and was thrilled to be in the regional premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Uptown Players. Dana currently is the voice instructor at McKamy Middle School in Flower Mound and also teaches voice and piano in her home studio. She is a judge for UIL choir competitions, a local high school musical awards program and serves as a frequent accompanist for choirs and musical auditions.
Elise Dolan
Elise Dolan is originally from Rockford, Illinois. She has trained in various types of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Modern. Prior to moving to Dallas, she danced at Steps to Grace Dance Academy and performed with their ensemble team for 7 years. Elise was involved with CYT Rockford and performed in musicals at her high school and a community theater. She trained and toured the country with Ingredients Dance Company from 2010-2012. She has also been teaching dance for 6 years at A Time to Dance Studio in Hickory Creek, TX. Elise has loved being back with CYT this last year and has had the honor of choreographing their first four shows! She is always thrilled to get the chance to instruct other dancers on how to grow in their movement and technique and to help them learn what God has called them to do with their gifts and talents. And most importantly how to worship God in everything they do! She loves being apart of the CYT family and is excited to continue to watch it grow!
Jennifer Logan
Jen has been involved with the fine arts since 1986. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Taylor University and has been teaching private voice lessons for over 17 years. She has performed, directed and vocal directed for various theaters including CYT Chicago, DuPage Opera Theatre and Spotlight Youth Theater. Currently, Jen is a voice teacher at three Keller ISD Schools. She is passionate about helping children find freedom through the fine arts, as she did. Playing Susanna in 'Le Nozze di Figaro' was one of her favorite roles. Jen is a member of TMEA, TCDA and is a Lifetime PTA Member. Most importantly, she is a Christ-Follower and strives to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with her God.
Michele Thrasher
Michele Thrasher has been in love with the theatre since she was a little girl. Being on stage is what makes her feel alive, and she feels her adoration for the stage and gift of performing in front of people is a gift that the Lord has blessed her with. She enjoys making people laugh and excels in comedy and improv. She wants to use her talents to make much of the Lord and loves encouraging students that that they can be strong artists and have strong faith, believing you do not have to compromise what you believe in order to excel. She has traveled nationwide with the Christian company, Clear Vision Drama Company, and has performed with Dare to Share in front of audiences as big as 10,000 as a part of their drama team. She has performed alongside big name Christian artists such as Propaganda and Shane and Shane. She has also been the spokesperson for The Container Store in their Facebook Live Videos. When she is not acting she enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring nature with her husband.
Tyler Hutchinson
Tyler Hutchinson is originally from Indianapolis, IN where he not only studied musical theater but also performed in community and professional theater. Tyler's CYT story started as a teacher for CYT Indy where he taught a variety of classes. After a number of position within the organization, Tyler became Artistic Director for CYT Indianapolis. He served in this position until God called him to move to Dallas, TX where he founded CYT Dallas-Fort Worth. Tyler is excited to see all that God is doing through CYT DFW!
