Alexandra Gandy, CYT Student
| Class: | Age: | Chapter: | Location: | Day: | Time: | Start: | End: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STUDIO - Acting 110 | 8-10 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Acting 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Acting Methods 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Auditioning 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Ballet 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Ballet 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Broadway Combos 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Building Character 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Building Character 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Hip Hop 110 | 8-10 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Hip Hop 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Hip Hop 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Homeschool Musical Theatre | 11-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Improv 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Improv 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Intro to Sewing | 13-79 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Jazz 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Musical Theatre Dance 110 | 8-10 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Musical Theatre Dance 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Musical Theatre Dance 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Musicianship 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Tap 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Tap 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - The Rooted Performer 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Theatre Production 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Vocal Dynamics 110 | 8-10 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Vocal Dynamics 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| STUDIO - Voice 210 | 11-13 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - Voice 310 | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Mon | 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Aug 19 | May 19 |
| STUDIO - WIG/OG Music & Movement | 3-8 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Thu | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Aug 22 | May 22 |
| TRIMESTER - Broadway Jazz | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Improv | 11-14 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Modern Dance | 11-14 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Musical Theatre Dance | 8-12 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Our Gang: Disney Adventures | 6-8 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Teen Voice: Sight Reading & Callback Prep | 13-18 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
| TRIMESTER - Theatre Foundations | 8-11 | Denton County (Fall 2024) |
CYT Studio | Tue | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Aug 20 | Oct 08 |
Amanda has been in the theater world for over a decade, and has spent a lot of time both on and off the stage helping and being a part of many different productions. She previously spent time with CYT Chicago, and is beyond excited to start her time with CYT Dallas. When not working on musicals, Amanda loves to kick back with a good book, spending time with her dog, and looking for ways to be more involved in her church. Hebrews 4:16!
Andrea Avery Ray began her theatrical journey over 30 years ago. She has competed as a performer at every level and in multiple capacities ranging from UIL, TFA, TAPPS, AACTFEST, and the silver screens of Hollywood. She is elated to add teaching artist and director for CYT DALLAS to her resume. Many moons ago, she had the honor of performing Mainstage at both the Texas State Thespian Festival and the International Thespian Festival in Monologue. During her time in LA, she worked with top casting executives at Fox, Warner Brothers, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Lifetime. She has since gone on to teach others in DFW the art of acting onscreen and onstage. Some of Andrea's favorite directing credits include Digging up Dessa, Descendants, Annie Jr, Cinderella, Little Women, The Humans, Dark Road, The Women of Lockerbie, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty & the Beast, and Blackout. She is also an advanced acting instructor for Fort Worth Actors Studio, a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild, a published author, and passionate about her role as an anti-trafficking advocate in the fight against modern day slavery. Andrea’s most notable screen credits are for her portrayal of Gabriella, one of the mean stepsisters, in Warner Brother’s A Cinderella Story; and as Linda Patterson, the overly excited trombone player, in Forest Whitaker’s film First Daughter. She is married with four children; loves Jesus, charcuterie boards, Mexican food, Route 44 Sonic drinks, sparkly things, and binge watching The Office. She believes all aspects of educational theatre offer lifelong benefits that continue to impact a person long after the curtain closes. Theatre skills are life skills! Andrea’s most crucial pieces of advice are to enjoy the journey, to tell the story truthfully, and to look at every opportunity as a new chance to learn and grow and GLORIFY THE LORD!
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 dog Baylor over a good cup of coffee.
Christina Walker has been a private vocal performance coach for over 20 years, working with singers, actors, songwriters and speakers to fine-tune vocal technique and perform at high levels when under pressure. She is also the founder of PRACTICE-POLISH-PERFORM®, a virtual training program for youth performers that is the first of its kind to train the skill of Performing Arts Mindset™. Christina is a mom of 4 (ages 16-20), grew up as a missionary kid in Taiwan, and loves a great cafe!
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!
Haley grew up in Denton, TX. She has danced for 16 years and is in her 3rd year of teaching. She teaches a variety of classes such as ballet, acro, jazz, and modern at A Time to Dance, located in Corinth, TX. Teaching has allowed her to help dancers grow in their movement but also in their walk with the lord. She has worked on the artist team on 3 CYT production, and they have been an exciting adventure!
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 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 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 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 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 Gesch holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts Management and Musical Theatre from Eastern Michigan University, where she also stage managed for the Theatre and Dance departments. Prior to joining CYT Dallas in 2016, her professional resume included Stage Management for the Undermain Theatre in Dallas, Dance Studio Management for the Peter Sparling Dance Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Box Office/Front-of House Management for the University of North Texas Department of Dance and Theatre. Kate has served CYT Dallas in multiple roles including Managing Director, Production Stage Manager, MainStage Director, Teaching Artist, and Camp Director.
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 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”.
Landry Bennett has been singing for as long as he can remember, and from an early age, the Church and community theatre have helped him grow as a performer and person. He earned a Bachelor of Secondary Education in English with hopes to teach theatre at high schools in his home state of Mississippi, but at the finish of his undergrad, he felt a calling to pursue a Master of Music in Worship Leadership at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. While currently working on his graduate degree, he also works at the First Baptist Church of Keller, TX. He has had experience singing and performing in church music, opera, and musical theatre. His teaching degree and church-work experience have prepared him to work in a wide array of contexts. Landry is ecstatic about the opportunity to work with Christian Youth Theater Dallas and further serve his local Christian community! Soli Deo Gloria.
Megan is a North Texas native who has lived here all her life. She was trained in numerous dance styles at Footlights Dance Studio from ages 5-18, then joined their staff at an instructor where she taught for the next 8 years. During her years at Footlights, Megan had extensive competition experience. She received numerous awards from many dance competitions, including repeated first place overall soloist at Dance Showcase USA, Next Level, Cutting Edge and Thunderstruck. Megan was also the top freestyle hip hop soloist and senior title winner at Next Level in 2014. She has enjoyed performing in NYC’s Time Square, annually at the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra’s annual kids concert, in the Dallas Hip Hop Festival and with Ryteside Dance Crew to name a few. At Trietsch UMC, Megan danced, sang and acted in their summer musicals Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and Godspell. At age 18, Megan joined Ingredients Dance Company where her relationship with the Lord and her dance training soared to new heights. The company brought her many performance opportunities in avenues such as the American Airlines Center and Gateway Church. She has performed and toured with Dance Revolution ministries on multiple occasions. Megan also joined DR’s hip hop crew, The Rev Crew, where she enjoyed two years of training, traveling and performing. In addition to this, Megan was a celebrity dancer at DreamFund’s charity event two years in a row, has performed at many charity events and was a dancer in Lance Thompson’s music video “Stay Right Here.” Nowadays, Megan works as a florist and enjoys spending time with her husband and dog. They have a local church family that they love and are passionate to see lives changed because of the grace of Jesus. Megan has always been in environments where the arts are used for the glory of God and that is her mission whenever she performs or teaches!
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.
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.
Patricia Manalo Bochnak received her M.A. in Dance Education from Columbia University in New York City and her B.A. from Boston College. She has enjoyed working on dance education programs with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, and Paul Taylor Company in New York City. She has performed with Audra Carabetta Company and Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble. Patricia has taught dance throughout the Boston area for Boston College, Regis College, Boston Ballet, Topf Center for Dance Education, Gann Academy, North Shore Children’s Theatre, and Let’s Dance, Inc. Patricia has choreographed for the regional professional theatre company, Wheelock Family Theater, in Boston, earning her an IRNE nomination for Best Choreography of a Musical for “Shrek. The Musical!” Some favorite theater choreography credits include “Pippin,” for Regis College, “Cabaret” for Boston College, and “Mary Poppins” for Stage 284. A co-founder of the non-profit, North Shore Children’s Theatre, in Salem, MA, Patricia produced and choreographed over twenty children’s musical theater productions. Most recently, she served as a dance educator and instructor with Texas Ballet Theater studio program, summer intensives, and CityDance community programs. She currently teaches for Top Hat Dance Centre, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, North Texas Dance Arts, as well as master classes throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth area. She is also a certified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher and Yoga RYT-200 teacher, bringing dance conditioning and yoga training into her movement classes. Patricia is excited to help the youth of Dallas connect to themselves and others through the arts of dance and theater!
Rebekah is a Dallas, Texas, native whose early 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. Short films include: “Mr. String”, "The Door", "Dream Catcher" and "Eve Was Star". Stage credits include "Towards Zero" with Richardson Theatre Center. When she isn’t spending time on her own projects, Rebekah is leading and teaching others how to take ownership of the stage. She currently resides in Dallas, TX. When Rebekah has time off, she can be found next to a pool with a good book or spending time with her family.
Valerie has been teaching Shakespeare and fine arts classes to homeschool students for 7 years. She enjoys making classic literature and plays come alive for a new generation of readers and performers. Valerie graduated from The Art Institute of Dallas and enjoys all things art, literature, creating curriculum, teaching and chocolate. She and her husband Troy live in Flower Mound and have six children.
