I cannot even begin to describe the impact that CYT has had on my life. There I was, welcomed with open arms, despite all of the flaws I thought made me so undesirable.

Cassie Chisum

Cassie Chisum holds a BA in Theatre from Harding University, where she directed, stage managed, and acted in a variety of productions. She is now the Education Director at CYT Dallas. She served as the Education and Outreach Director at Theatre Arlington in 2023 and 2024, where she oversaw classes, camps, a traveling children’s theatre troupe, and many other grant-funded programs in partnership with AISD. She also served as the camp director for CYT Dallas’ summer camps in 2022 and 2023, and directed shows like School of Rock, Finding Nemo Jr., and Big Bad The Musical around DFW. Cassie loves building character and confidence in youth through theatre, and in her time off she enjoys hanging out with her husband Jayce and dogs Baylor and Auggie over a good cup of coffee.

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 also taught dance for 6 years at A Time to Dance Studio in Hickory Creek, TX. Elise has been with CYT Dallas since the beginning and has had the honor of choreographing for shows, Gala, APEX, classes, camps and more! 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 loves to watch God continue to grow the program and community!

Faith Marocco

Faith has been part of the CYT Dallas family from the very beginning. She has performed in 20 CYT shows, participated in countless CYT classes, been a CYT camp intern for many summer camps, and Craft Coordinator for the CYT Olympics summer camp. She is so excited to share her love for musical theater and the knowledge she has learned throughout the years. Faith is a sophomore in collage where she is attending Valley Creek Leadership Academy. She has 9 years of childcare experience and absolutely loves working, teaching, and playing with all age groups. She is so excited to begin her journey as a CYT teacher!

Hans Ndam

As a native of Cameroon, Africa, Hans moved to the US four years ago and now resides in Dallas. He has taught several dance companies around the metroplex, including: United Performing Arts (UPAC), Innovative Dace Institute (IDI), Gaudium Dance Movement, and currently teaches at Dance Institute of Dallas. Hans come to CYT with over 16 years of dance experience both performance and as a choreographer and dance instructor. He has performed and instructed both in Africa and USA. Along with is passion for dancing, Hans has been a professional actor for over 12 years. Hans desires that his work be Christ-centered with the goal of sending solid christian performers into the world.

Heather Brock

Heather has performed with the Jazz World Congress, Cherry St Ballet, Pacific Festival Ballet, & toured Europe in the Michael Jackson Dance Tribute Tour. Heather was a Jazz Congress, Dupree, Steps On Broadway, and Tremaine Dance Scholarship winner. Heather was part of the Young Actors Guild in Los Angeles, and performed with Cabrillo Music Theater Company in The Pajama Game, Singing in the Rain and more. Industrial work include Farouk Systems, Nike, and Live Monet Art Gallery. As a teaching artist with Pacific Festival Ballet, Heather choreographed and staged classic ballets like the Nutcracker, & Sleeping Beauty, and created original ballets. Her production and directing experience spans from runway shows, to ballets, to competitions and she has earned numerous awards for dance technique & Variations. Past students of Heather’s can be seen with New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet West, West Side Dance Project and more. Heather put performing and dance down totally when she had her first child in 2003 and has only picked it up again because of the beauty, passion, and mission of CYT.

Jazmyne Stickles

Jazmyne Stickles is beyond excited to be teaching at CYT Dallas this year! She started her dance journey 12 years ago in a jazz class. She quickly realized she couldn't live without it. Ever since then, she trained with an award-winning studio KJ Dance, Joffrey School of Ballet, and Zion Dance Project. She trained intensely in many genres of dance including, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and more. Jazmyne grew up in a competition studio traveling all over the U.S. competing. She has a deep passion for teaching and dancing, and loves to share the joy of dance with everyone! Jazmyne is currently dancing with Zion Dance Project in their Second Company Zion II.

Je'Lisa Brown

Je'Lisa Brown grew up in the DFW area. She graduated from Texas Woman's University with a bachelor's degree in Family Studies. Je'Lisa has a passion for the non-profit industry, dedicating several years serving children and families in a variety of settings. Je'Lisa is excited to serve CYT families by providing a safe place for children to explore the arts while glorifying Jesus!

Karah Johnston

Karah Johnston has been immersed in the dance and performing arts industry her entire life. She pursued her passion for dance by joining Ballet Magnificat, a full-time professional touring ballet company. From 2002 to 2008, Karah toured with the company, performing nationally and internationally. After retirement in 2008, Karah joined the faculty of Ballet Magnificat until she and her husband felt called to move back to Texas in 2011. Currently, she and her husband work full-time for Gateway Church and have three adorable children. Karah enjoys teaching private ballet lessons and in 2018, had the honor of getting back on the stage performing in Mary Poppins with Gateway Performing Arts. Karah’s desire is that the next generation would know they can glorify the Lord with their talents and that they do not have to compromise their beliefs to pursue their passions!

Karlee Cummings

Karlee Cummings began her musical studies on the piano at age five, and the violin at age eleven. She has performed in masterclasses, concerts, and orchestra pits, including with the UConn Symphony Orchestra, UConn Concert Choir, and various chamber ensembles. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, a B.A. in Music, and a B.S. in Music Education. Formal training includes music theory, ear training, vocal techniques, choral methods, and more. She implements a variety of pedagogical approaches to foster exploration, musical literacy, and artistic choice. Cummings enjoys serving on the worship team as a soprano and pianist at Victory Life Church, as well as practicing guitar, ukulele, and songwriting. She served as music director for School of Rock the Musical and currently teaches general elementary music at Mount Auburn STEAM Academy.

Kate Zerbian

Kate has always loved performing and being on stage. She grew up doing theater and graduated with a BFA in Theater Performance from Valdosta State University in May of 2021. One of her favorite parts of theater is creating dynamic and unique characters that both the actors and audience can connect to. Kate loves to dive into stories, and see how almost any story can relate back to the Gospel. Her hope is that her students will learn to see that too and go on to share it with others. She is passionate about her work and loves to have fun while teaching.

Katie Laymon

Katie Laymon is trained in competitive and contemporary vocal styles including pop, studio style, jazz, gospel, opera, classical theater, contemporary Christian worship, Musical theater, and more. She started singing & taking lessons at Four years old and has spent her life mastering multiple vocal styles and techniques. Katie has been an active vocalist for 30 years. She has sung in churches, houses of prayer(s), and conferences as both a Worship Leader and Background Vocalist. Her competitive and stage training was received at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis, TN, and the Germantown Performing Arts Center. She has also participated in productions with Birchman Baptist and Prestonwood Baptist and in-studio vocal work/credits. Katie has been a full-time vocal instructor at Christ for the Nations in Dallas Texas since 2016. In addition to teaching 50 students a semester, she is also the Producer and assistant director of the CFNI Advanced Performer Showcase. In her words "We are not in ministry because of our gifting. We are created to worship and to use our gifts in ministry. This calling is lifelong, day in and day out”.

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 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. She has been in other shows and community theatre productions as well as have attended Missouri Fine Arts Academy for theatre. When she is not acting she enjoys drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring nature with her family.

Molly Akin

Costume Design is so much more to me than putting clothes on bodies; it is my art of storytelling. Through it I consider character and movement, mood and setting to bring concept to life, convey resonating truths, and create understanding. We can often forget about the beauty of this life - costumes remind us. We get so busy we forget to laugh - costumes stimulate us. We all want to feel alive - costumes pull at our heartstrings. There is joy to be possessed, laughter to be had, empathy to be embraced. My goal in life is to tell a meaningful story filled with Truth, time and time again. Paint and fabrics are my words. A love of humanity is my storyline. Costuming with a Purpose is my title.

Rebekah Williford

Rebekah is a Dallas, Texas, native whose love for the stage brought her to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in New York City where she graduated as the valedictorian for the class of 2019 with a degree in Film & Television Performance. She began performing from a young age, dancing from age 5 to 18 in a variety of styles: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, & contemporary. In 2016, she attended an acting workshop that lit a match to pursue theatre. By 2017, Rebekah had earned a scholarship to attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Since then, she has worked on both film and stage projects. Rebekah currently works as the Education Coordinator at CYT Dallas, also teaching classes and working on artistic teams. Outside of CYT, Rebekah loves a slow morning with her husband, son, & puppy, while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Sienna Abbott