Current Teachers:
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!
Elizabeth Jernigan
Elizabeth Jernigan has a B.S.Ed from Northeastern State and has Masters coursework in theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. She has been a theatre educator for over 23 years in both middle and high school. During that time she advanced to Area twice and advanced “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” to Region. She has directed the Northwest School District middle school musical three times and has twice led her actors in winning the First place at Scarborough Fair. Elizabeth has studied under Larry Silverberg and the True Acting Institute. She believes students can become true actors at any age. Elizabeth privately teaches, coaches and has developed a middle and high school theatre curriculum that is aligned with the National standards. Her material is housed at teacherspayteachers.com.
Kathryn Bailey
Kathryn has 23 years dance experience, with training in Jazz, Modern, Ballet and Hip Hop. She trained and performed nationally with Ingredients Dance Company from 2011 to 2012. After graduating from the Ingredients Training Program, she began teaching at A Time To Dance Studio, where she taught jazz and modern classes for 6 years, as well as co-directing their performance company. She is passionate about pulling instruction, choreography and performance together in a way that will enrich the whole life of each student. She believes every moment from stepping into class, to stepping on the stage is a chance to share the genuine joy and inspiration of the Lord, to His glory and our delight.
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.
