Encore Instructors
Each member of our team is carefully selected for their positivity, professionality, and expertise. All instructors at the center have passed background checks and maintain a friendly, results-oriented code of conduct while teaching at Encore. We currently have 22 instructors across both Treasure Valley, Idaho centers.
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EAGLE & SOUTH MERIDIAN
DANIKA STARRHARRT, owner-director (Choir, Voice, Piano, Flute, Oboe, Brass, Symphony, Songwriting & Composing) Known for inspiring the highest potential from her students and her welcoming, down to earth nature, Danika has been a full time music teacher for 18 years. As a younger child, Danika gravitated toward the visual arts, always drawing or creating with her hands. By the age of 10 she became the youngest artist to be on the Arts Council of Placer County, CA, showing in galleries and on tours for her abstract photography or mixed media glass and fiber art. By the age of 13, however, she decided to devote her life to music and drama. As she homeschooled herself through high school, she made a habit to wake at 4am every day so she could finish school studies early and then compose music, practice instruments, or write plays for 6-8 hours a day. Her passion for people, composing, writing, and acting soon led her to write and direct 6 musical theater productions at Folsom Lake community theater. During her young adult years of study, Danika was Resident Composer for three symphonies, two choirs, and the William Jessup University wind ensemble in which she also played (respectively) flute, oboe, violin, French Horn, piano, and sang tenor. She directed local music camps for 6 seasons and formed her own 45 piece orchestra from her students for several years. Danika spent a few years involved with West Coast Songwriters. During competition one season, she received the highest commendations for both songwriting and vocals. She also traveled a house concert circuit as a singer-songwriter with her band. Under a different artist name in 2007-2014 she released 12 solo albums, layering herself playing her compositions on 22 different instruments. Danika’s involvement in West Coast Songwriters also brought her an invitation to compose at Disney, but she turned it down — her heart was still always with her students. Since becoming a mom in 2016, Danika founded Song Bugs, an online community of music solutions for parents with children ages 0-5. Song Bugs’ videos and curriculum bring inspiration and tools that allow babies and toddlers to develop their natural human musicality before it is buried due to lack of use and proper encouragement. Using these methods, Danika’s daughter, JV, started showing absolute pitch by age 1 and was playing the piano with two hands by age 2. At age 6 she now plays three instruments confidently, reading music, and likes to sing and write her own songs - especially parodies. In June 2021 Danika’s home studio in Meridian, ID (True Song Studio) had grown to 220 current enrolled students. In July 2021 she incorporated Encore Creative Center in order to bring together a whole team of other passionate instructors. Danika is currently active in the local Idaho indie film community, acting and scoring music. In her spare time, she cuddles kittens and composes for her current performing group, Starrharrt Symphonic. She homeschools her daughter and is passionate about vibrant health and mental clarity. Danika teaches wholistically from a wide range of experience while keeping students laser focused on their goals. She seeks to help her students find joy through every step (even the difficult steps) of the learning process, and to experience what success means, with music simply as a model for life lessons. |
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CATRINE MCGREGOR (Auditioning and Acting)
Catrine is a 40+ year award-winning film producer, casting director and writer. She has cast over 400 films, TV shows, commercials, IMAX movies and video games and has worked with the cream-of-the crop of actors. When not producing movies, Catrine is often found teaching actors of all levels. She has taught throughout the world and currently teaches at BSU and Encore Creative. She is the author of two books about acting: Acting Across America and Both Sides of the Desk: A Conversation between a Casting Director and an Actor. |
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EAGLE
RACHEL KITZMILLER (Violin, Viola, Sculpting) Rachel began her private violin instruction at the age of five and has 24 years of active performing experience and professional instruction. Some of this education involved years of studying Russian bow holds and techniques, occasionally under the supervision of Rotterdam Conservatory violin professors Igor and Vesna Gruppman, as well as the Galamian bow techniques as taught by renowned Baroque specialist Dr. Alexander Woods. At the age of fifteen she successfully auditioned into a number of outside semi- professional orchestra groups in the area including the Timpanogos Chamber Orchestra, and also being awarded a full-ride scholarship into the American Heritage Orchestra. Rachel is a three-time trophy winner in solo performance ASTA competitions, which she began competing in when she was nine. Rachel has over five years of experience fulfilling the role of concert master, including at the Brigham Young University Symphony Orchestra for a year and a half. During this time, she was given the responsibility to perform all solos and lead violin responsibilities in the first ever Off-Broadway production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in 2013. During her last year and a half at BYU, Rachel was asked to play with the universities’ flagship orchestra, the BYU Philharmonic. This was a great honor, as the Philharmonic is a strictly music major-only performance group, and Rachel was not a music major. With this group and others, Rachel has performed numerous times at Abravanel Hall and various buildings on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rachel has more than 15 years of teaching experience and has taught over 160 students from ages 4-56 in three different states. Rachel is a firm believer in the Suzuki method, but occasionally also supplements her student’s work with Bluegrass, Celtic, religious, and Baroque pieces. While she greatly enjoys playing in orchestras and smaller ensemble groups, Rachel especially loves teaching others to play the violin. Some of Rachel’s most memorable violin experiences include her performance during her college graduation before the school’s graduating class, performing pieces she arranged for loved-ones’ funerals, having a jam-session with a small local folk group in a pub in Wales, and playing a piece on the Stradivarius “Firebird.” View Rachel's Video Interview |
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EAGLE
LISA CHENEY (Drawing) Lisa Cheney grew up in Eastern Idaho, moved briefly to San Diego, CA, and currently lives in Boise, Idaho. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Illustration from Boise State in 1996. She now enjoys the freedom of freelancing as a Graphic Designer/ Illustrator and teaches bookmaking and Visual Journaling workshops throughout the North/Southwest. Her visual journals have been published in 1000 Artist Journal Pages, Art Journaling Magazine, 1000 Artists’ Books, An Illustrated Journey - Inspiration From the Private Art Journals of Traveling Artists, Illustrators and Designers by Danny Gregory, and as the featured artist in A World of Art Journals. In addition to Visual Journaling and Bookarts, Lisa works in many other mediums including painting (watercolor, acrylic, oils, and encaustic), drawing (graphite, ink, mixed media), and printmaking. Artist Statement: "Fine details and textures intrigue me. Especially the luscious details from tiny, often overlooked, forms. When one truly sees an object for the first time, the beauty that is found is inspiring. Through the process of stepping up to the page, I have learned to discover the beauty of both my external views and internal experiences, and am following my visual journey wherever it may take me." |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN
SHARON LUCAS (Piano, Choirs, Ukulele, Guitar, PreK Music, Voice, Children's Art) Sharon received her Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in Music Education with a Minor in Fine Arts. Sharon grew up playing guitar, singing and participating in community musical theater. She has taught private voice with emphasis’ in Classical, Musical Theater, Pop, and Jazz. Sharon has taught music to children since 2019. She has been in various choirs in Community College and at the University level. Presently she sings with Opera Idaho’s Critical Mass Vocal Artists. Sharon has a profound love for music and teaching, but also she has a heart for worship as well. Sharon has been leading worship since she was just 12 years old. Right now she attends Center Point Church where she leads out on songs and plays the keys. View a Video Interview with Sharon |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN
KELLY KADLEC (animal acrylic painting) Kelly has been drawing and sketching wildlife since he was about 8 years old. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, so was in the outdoors all the time getting new ideas. Throughout high school, he was more interested in what he was going to hunt and draw next instead of getting good grades. When he left high school and went to college, he had several people telling him to paint professionally and start entering Ducks Unlimited and State Duck Stamp contests. He sold his first painting in 1986 and that's really when it all took off. He continued to paint ducks and geese throughout the late 80's and early 90's. He was entering several DU competitions throughout the US and finally won the Idaho Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist of the Year contest in 1994. This launched his art career to another level. He was getting several commissions and selling out of prints that were made of a couple of his pieces. Galleries were showing his work throughout the northwest. Then it all came to a stop. Galleries were closing down everywhere and art as a whole really slowed down. At this point, he had an opportunity to go into the corporate world, and, working 50-70 hours per week on average, thought he would never go back to painting. About 6 years ago, he had a health scare that made him realize life was too short to continue running at that pace. He left his Director role and went into Real Estate for a few years. Once he realized that this wasn't going to be enough to fulfill him, he decided to pick up the paint brush again with a lot of coaxing from friends and family. Now in Eagle, ID, he has an incredible studio in his home and is painting full time. Last year he won the Oklahoma duck stamp contest, and also placed in the top 20 for the Federal Duck Stamp contest. He has released 2 new giclee print editions and both have almost sold out. He feels fortunate to be teaching classes as well, and loves it! View Kelly's Video Interview |
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NATE STEIN (Music Therapy, ukulele, guitar, drums and all percussion)
Nate is a drummer, percussionist, board-certified music therapist, and songwriter who loves anything and everything related to musical expression. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2006 and a Bachelor’s Equivalency Certificate in Music Therapy from University of the Pacific in 2009. After earning board certification in 2010, he began providing music therapy services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries, and young children with complex medical conditions. Nate has over 20 years of performance experience as a drummer and percussionist in various rock bands, church worship bands, and student orchestras. He has been writing songs since 2009, and he enjoys participating in open mics wherever they occur. When he is not involved in music activities, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. |
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EAGLE
ATHENA M. WATKINS (Musical Theater/Voice) Athena earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Florida International University in 2019. Since then, she has performed with Alley Repertory Theater and Opal Theatre Company, as well as taught classes for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. She is always seeking out new opportunities to build her skills and share them with her students. As Sanford Meisner said that acting is "living truthfully under imaginary circumstances," Athena hopes her students learn to embrace the truths of their characters and themselves! View Athena's Video Interview |
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EAGLE
ESTEBAN ANASTASIO (Guitar) A professional guitarist and educator, Esteban has been playing guitar for over 25 years. Prior to moving to Boise, Esteban spent 15 years in Atlanta, Georgia living and working as a professional musician. Esteban was a professor of guitar at Georgia State University and Atlanta Christian College. While living in the southeast Esteban played in various professional music ensembles including a World Music Group, a Flamenco Group, and an Experimental Music Performance Ensemble, and as a sideman, while touring around the Southeast. Here in Boise, Esteban is the founding member of an all-acoustic Mediterranean modern music ensemble 'Tambalka', The Boise Guitar Quartet, Flamenco Guitarist for the Dance Troupe 'Cuadro Nuevo', as well as a lead electric guitarist for Piece Of Eddie - A Tribute To The Music Of Iron Maiden. He also performs frequently as a solo classical guitarist in various venues around Boise. Esteban is a dedicated musician and educator and has helped numerous students master the art of playing the guitar. Specializing in classical/finger-style and Flamenco guitar as well as electric guitar mastery. Esteban focuses on great form and technique to get students playing extremely quickly. Methods in intermediate and advanced songwriting and improvisation are also available. Esteban is now teaching private customized lessons for beginner to advanced students. |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN; EAGLE
JENNY HARTMANN (Flute, Piano) Jenny’s love of music began with piano lessons at the age of six. Throughout her time in her piano studio, she participated in several festivals under the National Federation of Music Clubs, receiving Superior ratings from judges for her piano solos. She also participated in annual recitals held at the local Senior Living Center. In sixth grade, Jenny started playing the flute in her middle school band program. Two years later she was awarded the Bruce Kroken Award for Fine Musicianship. This award, presented in the memory of a former assistant band director, was to be given to a young musician who shows “exceptional talent, drive, dedication, poise, kindness, great character, and maturity beyond that expected from middle school students.” Jenny’s participation in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony gave her opportunities to travel, performing in cities such as Phoenix, Seattle, New Orleans, and Victoria B.C. In a performance at Disneyland, a featured piccolo solo in “The Stars and Stripes Forever” earned her a Worldstrides Onstage Maestro Award presented by Merlin the Wizard himself on the Anaheim Heritage Festival Stage. Jenny consistently earned Superior ratings in her performances at Solo & Ensemble, both individually and with her chamber ensembles. She was also accepted into the New Mexico Music Educators Association All-State on flute all four years; her final year she placed first in state. With continued dedication to flute performance, Jenny earned her Music Minor from Boise State University. She also played in Blue Thunder Marching Band and served as a visual section leader for the piccolo section. Her love for singing brought her into Boise State’s premier choral ensemble known as Meistersingers. The group took a trip to France, where Jenny sang alongside her peers in Lyon and Paris. In joining the Encore Women’s Folk/Pop Choir and Starrharrt Symphonic, Jenny keeps up with her love for piano, voice, and flute. She considers it an honor to have the opportunity to share that passion with her students. |
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EAGLE & SOUTH MERIDIAN
CHARLES KEVIN BOLEN (Clarinet/Saxophone) Kevin currently serves as principal clarinet with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra and Treasure Valley Concert Band from 2016 to present. In 2019 he was a member of the pit orchestra for the Opera Idaho production of Puccini’s La Boheme. During his career as a USAF bandsman from 1990 to 2012 Kevin performed both as section clarinetist and featured soloist throughout the US, Europe, and parts of Asia, Russia and the Middle East. As a member of the USAF Band of the Golden West in Northern California, he was the featured soloist performing Artie Shaw’s Concerto for clarinet at the Mondavi performing arts center in Davis, California. The Band of the Golden West was the first military band invited to perform in that venue. In 2005 and 2007 he was a member of the BOTGW Jazz Ambassadors which was invited to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. From 1996 to 2004 Kevin was hand picked to join the United States Air Forces in Europe Band in Sembach, Germany. While in Europe he performed Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in the Philharmonic in Berlin (home of the Berlin Philharmonic), the Gewand Haus in Leipzig, Germany and twice at Royal Albert Hall in London. As the music director and clarinetist with the early jazz ensemble, Wings of Dixie, he performed in every US embassy in Europe, in fact, he performed at the US embassies in Warsaw, Berlin and Paris in one day to celebrate 4th of July festivities. In his rare off time he performed with local community bands in southern Germany. In 1990 he won the clarinet audition for the 702nd Strategic Air Command Band in Omaha, Nebraska, while assigned there Kevin became music director of the woodwind quintet culminating in the first Air Force field band chamber music cd, in addition the band was invited to perform at the annual Mid West Orchestra and Band convention in Chicago. Prior to the beginning of his 22 year career as a military musician he earned bachelors and masters degrees in clarinet from Stetson University and The Florida State University, his primary teachers include Dr Frank Kowalsky (FSU), Dr. Timothy Maloney (SU), Jon Bruce Yeh (associate principal clarinet Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and Jesse Ewing. Kevin was also a member of the Florida Space Coast Philharmonic (2nd/E-flat clarinet from 1984 to 1990). |
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EAGLE
CARRIE WALKER (Painting / Tactile Arts) Carrie grew up in Southern California and has had a love for art at a young age. She joined arts and culture clubs in high school and furthered her education and received her BA in Fine Arts and Fashion Design at Otis College of Art and Design. She spent ten years professionally as a fashion designer, designing for large and small companies across the U.S. Through her design career she had the opportunity to travel the world which further inspired her love for painting and teaching. In 2015 Carrie moved back to Southern California and transitioned her career towards painting and teaching. There she taught at an Art Studio, in charter schools and one on one art lessons. Carrie's art and design has been featured in multiple magazines, she's won awards and her designs have been featured at store fronts in Beverly Hills. Her painting styles range from realistic detailed artwork to abstract expressionism. And her schooling and career in fashion has made her an expert in design and tactile art. View Carrie's Video Interview |
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EAGLE & SOUTH MERIDIAN
KARA LYN ROUNDY (Piano) Kara Lyn teaches all levels of classical pianists as well as beginner to intermediate pianists who who want to accompany themselves as vocalists, as well as performers who want to improve and embellish their pieces! This includes a VARIETY of music styles with fun flare, creating a unique blend of fabulous PIANO PERFORMANCE, COMEDY and MUSIC THEATER! She has 35+ years’ experience captivating audiences at home and abroad as a professional pianist, arranger, accompanist and versatile entertainer! Dedicated students who practice the skills Kara Lyn teaches achieve constant improvement, AND we have fun! Whatever your age and circumstance, she’s all about the details and works with you where you are right now. She also works with you on pieces YOU love, want to learn and make pop! She’s new to Idaho and is ready to be a part of MAJOR MUSICAL FUN! Let’s play! |
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EAGLE
BRYCE BOWER (Spanish, French, German, Drums) Bryce completed his undergraduate degree at Walla Walla University, WA in 2016, double majoring in International Communication (with a Spanish emphasis) and French, with a minor in German. In 2019, he received his Masters of Arts in Global Affairs and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, an affiliate of Arizona State University. Always learning, Bryce has an insatiable passion for languages-- fluent in Spanish, French, German, and conversational in Russian. (Plus a smattering of the basics of a couple more.) In college, Bryce worked as a language tutor and teacher’s aide for French and Spanish for two years. He was known for his ability to explain complex grammar in a way that was easily understood. From 2013 to 2016 he spent a total of two years in Europe, studying at language schools in France, Germany, and Spain. He has travelled to 21 countries on three continents, and worked with the Red Cross and small nonprofits assisting refugees in Germany and Greece. Bryce’s other main passion is music. He started drum lessons at age 8 and fell in love with the drum set, and he has been playing ever since. He enjoys piano and singing as well, and practiced and performed in choirs for over 12 years. During his freshman year of undergraduate school, he was accepted into Walla Walla University’s select choir i Cantori. If you looked at his most played genres on Spotify you would find bebop jazz, rap/hip-hop, alt rock, and classical. In 2021, Bryce started work for a small VR video game company, composing and producing music for their new game (to be released late 2022). His favorite Digital Audio Workstation is FL Studio, but he is comfortable with several other music creation programs. In his free time Bryce plays soccer, reads sci-fi novels, plays video games with friends, and searches for his new favorite song of the month. |
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EAGLE & SOUTH MERIDIAN
NATE TOMEI (ballroom dancing) Nate started dancing in 1999 with the unlikely decision to take the Beginning Ballroom Dance phys-ed class at the California State University in Chico. What started as "a good old college try" turned into a passion that resonated much deeper than Nate expected. Nate took all the ballroom classes he could so many times he eventually stopped being able to get credit for them, so he came back as a teacher's assistant. Many external workshops and dance conferences later, Nate found himself teaching the very classes that sparked his interest in the first place. After teaching at Chico State for a few years, Nate branched out into teaching for a friend who was starting his own ballroom dance nightclub in town. Also around this time, Nate had the opportunity to teach dance to a group of homeschool kids, as well as dance with a salsa team in the Sacramento area. Nate was selected to perform at an Oakland Raiders halftime show with the salsa group. The beginning of 2007 took Nate out to upstate New York, and he found his next teaching opportunity at a private dance studio in the Albany area. Nate was able to continue his own education through learning rueda (think square dancing, but with salsa music), and refine his teaching style further when a blind student signed up for his class. It was a great way to develop the ability to connect with the auditory learners in a group rather than primarily with the visual and tactile learners. A couple years later, Nate returned to the west coast and to Chico State. Teaching for a few more semesters eventually gave way to a budding project management career, marriage, and kids on the way. It was time to hang up the dance shoes, at least for a little while. Now that Nate's family is in the Treasure Valley, it's a great time to get back into teaching and finding ways to help enrich what is already a wonderful community. Versed in teaching class sizes from 4 to 94, Nate has also taught private lessons and wedding couples. Nate teaches both "traditional-" and "street-" style dances, including waltz, tango, foxtrot, swing (including east coast and west coast swing), rumba, cha-cha, hustle, nightclub two-step, salsa, and rueda. Nate's favorite is salsa, and he enjoys helping everyone find and love their own favorite! |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN
MEGAN OWEN (creative writing; theatre) At a young age Megan believed the arts were not for her, kindergarten drawings of dogs that were regularly mistaken for cows or potatoes was a sad realization of a skill she lacked and a hobby that would forever be closed to her. Megan will be the first to tell you that her artistic skills leave much to be desired, she has very little skill with an instrument aside from dashboard drumming, and she can only carry a karaoke song if the background vocals are left on. However, the arts can be more than brush to canvas, bow to string, or running scales. Megan found her voice and expression in creative word and on the stage. Characters to give life to, moments in life to capture with poetry; there was another way to be a creative. Megan began working with students over ten years ago running various afterschool programs and teaching at local co-cops. She has led classes in theater, creative writing, and speech/debate. Crafting every lesson with her unique students in mind, Megan strives to help every student find their creative within. She believes deeply in the power of creativity and the crucial skills the arts teach; not only in the workaday world, but as a form of self care and expression. |
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ARIN HENING (Indonesian Batik)
Arin was born and raised in Bandung, Indonesia. She started her creative path when she learned how to dance, draw and play piano when she was 4 years old. Growing up, she has the opportunity to live in Germany and experience cultural diversity from being part of the Indonesian Cultural Ambassador family. Thus, her love for languages and cultures have grown and made her an advocate for language and culture preservation through art and music. While finishing her graduate degree in Ohio University, Arin was involved in International Student Union and Indonesian Student Association. Then, she was able to share the Indonesian culture through dances, music and art with the local community, such as Indonesian Batik Making and Angklung – traditional Indonesian bamboo instrument. Arin is currently active with the Indonesian Community in Idaho (Indo Idaho Inc) and also with Global Lounge, both non-profit groups with the goal of preserving, educating and sharing culture through music and art. |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN
EMILY BATEMAN (Piano/Guitar/Ukulele/Composition/Violin) Emily is an accomplished musician and songwriter who has been teaching private lessons since 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Oklahoma, with the piano as her primary instrument. She also plays guitar, violin, bass, drums, mandolin, and enjoys just about any instrument she can get her hands on. Emily has participated in several exclusive choirs and spent time conducting both choir and orchestra. In 2015 Emily co-founded Psalter Project to create new music for the Biblical psalms. As executive producer and primary composer, she has released three albums and is working on her fourth. Emily also has participated in worship music since she was a child. Moving every three years as a military brat, she had the unique opportunity to join with churches in all styles and genres. She has since led music at several churches, including Forestgate PCA in Colorado Springs, Living Branches Community Church in Colorado Springs, and Christ the King PCA in Norman, Oklahoma. |
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ONLINE
EMMA D'ANDREA (Bass, Piano, Ukulele) Emma D'Andrea was raised in Boise, ID. She has been playing piano since she was 8 years old and started playing bass at 14. She often performed in local music festivals, competing in the local concerto festival. After graduating from high school, she studied at BYU-Idaho, where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in General Music in 2014. Emma's piano training is in classical works, where her favorite composer is Mozart. She generally plays blues or jazz on the bass, although sometimes she switches over to bass guitar to rock out or get funky. Emma has two kids, 2 and 5, and enjoys hiking, gardening, softball, and reading in her spare time. |
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SOUTH MERIDIAN
NICHOLE STULL (Theater; Jazz/Lyrical Dance) Nichole has been teaching acting and improv in the valley for 19 years. She started dancing as a teenager and health issues prevented her from pursuing a career in dance as an adult. But in the last 10 years with various dance studios she's been able to teach classes specifically designed to combine acting and dancing skills. |
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South Meridian; Eagle
JULIEN MCGREGOR (filmmaking) Julien is an award-winning filmmaker as both a director and a cinematographer. His talent has garnered him work on all types of projects, from commercials to feature films and TV movies to video games. He is the amazing father of six and is a superstar at relating to children. His passion for his craft is contagious and he has taught filmmaking to small private groups all the way through to BSU classes. |
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EAGLE
BAILEE MORRISON (Voice / Piano / Theatre / Admin) |
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EAGLE & S MERIDIAN
NORTH GILL (Voice / Piano / Theatre / Ukulele / Admin) |
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S MERIDIAN
LINDSEY SHRADER (Piano / Admin) |
