Amber Michel

I am a mom of eight with a passion for the arts. I’ve been involved in plays, productions, and dance my whole life. I attended Texas Bible Institute for two years and received a certification in ministry and leadership. There, I had the honor of leading the dance team and put on many dramas and productions. I was able to use these talents on the mission field as well! I have also taught dance and lead worship for many years. my greatest accomplishment is homeschooling my children, who are also all passionate for and involved in the arts. I am blessed for the opportunity to be a part of the CYT team, and I can’t wait to help kids and teenagers grow in their gifts and talents.

Angie Sanford

Angela Sanford is the Performing Arts Director at Catholic High School New Iberia. She graduated from UL with a Masters in Vocal Music and is currently a Doctoral candidate for music at NOBTS. She has performed in several musicals and operas with CCT Lafayette, IPAL, Abbey Players, UL Opera, and the Acadiana Symphony. Some of her past credits include: Kira in Xanadu, Sister Amnesia, Marian in Music Man, Anita in West Side Story, Betty in White Christmas, and Irma in Anything Goes. She has also directed and music directed several shows in the Lafayette area.

Anna Teer

Anna Teer is a freelance muralist, animator, and designer based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Since graduating the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she has worked in Lafayette and the surrounding areas. This includes designing and installing window art pieces within local businesses in Lafayette, collaborating and cultivating murals, and contributing to the production of freelance animated films. Her favorite things are making art, telling stories, and giving back to the community.

Aralyn Dickerson

Aralyn Dickerson is a CYT alum and is so excited to be teaching this session! She has taught and assisted many CYT classes and performed in multiple CYT and CCT shows! One of her greatest joys has been spending her summers at CYT camp! From being a counselor as a student to now directing the same summer camps, she is immensely grateful for all of the opportunities CYT has given her. Aralyn cannot wait to get to know her students and watch them grow their love for the arts!

Briahna Adendorff

Briahna is a graduate from Unitech Training Academy’s Massage Therapy program and has been a Massage Therapist for 3 years. She was in CYT for 5 years, H.Y.P.E. President during her senior year, and has participated in several CCT shows. Briahna is excited to have the opportunity to teach at CYT Vermillion for the first time!

Catherine Perry

Hi everyone! I am a full time Art teacher and a CYT alumni! I earned my Bachelors degree at Northwestern State University in Studio Graphic Arts with a minor in Performance/Directing in Theatre. I work in Port Barre teaching Art to different age groups from Elementary to High School in attempt to grow each student's own creativity! I am excited to bring visual arts to CYT and help students find their own talents, whether it's on or off the stage!

Celia Theriot

Celia Theriot is a CYT alum who is super thrilled to be a CYT teacher! Along with being in over 20 CYT shows, she recently was the co-choreographer for CYT’s G2K Cinderella, the stage manager for Matilda, co-choreographer for High School Musical and choreographer for Mary Poppins. Celia is also a dance graduate of 15 years at Delarue Dance Centre! She loves sharing her love for dance and theater with this generation of kids, and can’t wait to see them grow in their love of theatre!

Christy Taylor

I have 23 years of teaching experience from elementary to middle school. My goal as an educator has always been to bring arts and movement into the classroom. Dance, movement, and visual arts make learning fun and come alive for children of all ages. I have trained at the Bernstein Arts Academy and also worked as an individual arts teacher for children. I work closely with community programs like ACA through their many PACE artist programs and grant programs. My son Christopher has recently begun attending CYT for his theater classes and has participated in the play Frozen as Sven, The Addams Family Quarantined as Fester and so many more roles. We love CYT and the safe Christ-centered community it gives to our youth. I am excited to teach these students.

Jannah Gaspard

This is my fist session teaching with CYT, but I have 15 years of dance experience where I studied many different styles of dance such as Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, ect. I have choreographed multiple dances for Kaplan High's annual spring musicals, along with being head choreographer for Kaplan High's Theater Camp. I'm super excited to begin my CYT journey and share my craft with others.

Juliet Moorman

Jules is so excited to be back at CYT! She has been a teacher since 2021 and previously worked on Descendants, Lion King Jr, Pride and Prejudice, Finding Nemo Jr and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Jules recently graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and works as a traveling consultant for a non profit organization that focuses on empowering women in higher education. Jules has a passion for building confidence in all of her students. She deeply appreciates the inspiring and supportive community that CYT cultivates, providing an inclusive and uplifting environment for both students and staff alike.

Kailey Wilkerson

My name is Kailey Wilkerson, I graduated from Cosmetology Training Center as a licensed cosmetologist. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to teach this class! I have been wanting to teach a class since the day I graduated from CYT! I did the talented program for about 5 years, and I did CYT for about 4 years! Some of the shows that I was a part of include The HunchBack of NotreDame, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, Into the Woods, Newsies, Matilda and High school Musical! I’m excited to be a part of this organization! I can’t say thank you enough for giving me the chance to teach your kids to love the art of comedy and improv!

Kinsey Waits

Kinsey is a 15-year-old 10th grader at North Vermilion High School. She has performed in 13 CYT shows including all previous CYT Vermilion shows and three Abbey Players shows. Her favorite roles so far were that of Ariel in Footloose, Mary Poppins in CYT Vermilion’s Mary Poppins, Jr., Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and Jane in Tarzan. She has taken eight years of dancing and is in her 5th year of choir. She is in the Talented and Gifted Theater and Music programs, BETA and 4-H Clubs at school. She enjoys reading and riding horses. She loves singing, acting, dancing and all things CYT!

Lain Gary

Lain Gary is a graduate of North VermilionHigh School and has performed in 16 cyt productions. Previous roles include Jack Kelly in Newsies, the Baker from into the woods, Tarzan in Tarzan, and the Captain Von Trapp in Sound of Musc. When not performing, he enjoys spending time with friends, making music and playing sports. CYT has made a big impact on Lain’s life, from stretching him and helping him grow in his character while also providing a place for him to meet new friends who he is still close with to this day. Lain is so excited to be apart of this CYT teaching staff and hopes to provide an opportunity for these amazing kids to learn and grow in their talents!

Lana Carver

Lana Carver has performed a wide variety of styles and roles from Broadway to Opera. Some of her roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Miss Titmouse in Too Many Sopranos, to name a few. She most recently made her Abbeville, LA debut as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeny Todd with the Abbey Players. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Lana has a passion for sharing music and art with children, teens, and adults. She’s taught students of all ages in her private voice studio and as a children’s and youth music director in local churches. Lana is a special education teacher for the local school system and is looking forward to an amazing session with CYT.

Lindsay Council Breaux

Lindsay is a local musician in the Acadiana Area playing guitar and singing tunes for all ages. She has been a part of Acadiana Talent for years and enjoys playing along with others. She also enjoys musical theatre and has been in many productions through middle and high school. She started her journey with CYT as an adult in the production of “Footloose” with CCT. She looks forward to getting to know the younger generations who will be the future of music and acting!

Madlyn Zaunbrecher

I am a former classroom teacher who has been homeschooling for seventeen years. I love sewing and have vast experience with theater costumes. I have been teaching sewing my entire adult life, and that is one thing that I missed dearly when I left the classroom - I truly enjoy helping children develop a love for sewing! Watching them create something that they can see on stage for a production is truly rewarding (for them and for me)!

Maria Williams

Maria was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and she has always had a love for the dramatics. She has been teaching for CYT for the last 13 years and has loved it more than anything else she has ever been a part of. Maria is a graduate from ULL with a bachelors degree in Spanish and Criminal justice. In 2017 she started a non profit to fight against human trafficking. She has been a music teacher for the last 21 years. She feels it is a beautiful opportunity to be able to teach children instruments, acting and vocals, and then to watch them as they grow and develop in their skill.

Maria Kimball

My name is Maria Kimball and I have been involved with CYT for 5 years through my daughter who began with ‪the Wiggles‬ at 5 years old. I have been a teacher in St. Landry Parish for 24 years with the last 15 years in Pre-K. I am looking forward to fostering the development of a lifelong love of music, theatre, and the arts through this class!

Michele Hebert

My name is Michele Hebert. I am a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette,where I received my BFA in Directing with a concentration in Stage Management. Theatre has always been a big part of who I am and can't wait to share that with the students at CYT.

Michelle Flott

I’m a homeschooling mom to 4 kids between the ages of 12 & 7. I’ve been a “CYT mom” for 8 years since my oldest started CYT classes in Lafayette at age 4. I have a bachelor's degree from UL Lafayette in Child & Family Studies and a Children's Ministry degree from Christ for the Nations in Dallas, TX. I'm the owner of Happy Little Trees Acadiana which offers art classes and parties for kids. This will be my 3rd session teaching the 4-7 year olds in Vermilion. I have so much fun with this age group and I'm looking forward to another great session!

Natalie Connor

Natalie currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance, as well as a master’s degree in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette under Dr. Kristen Marchiafava. Natalie has performed in fabled venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, and the National Opera Center. She has been the featured artist of “Modern Singer Magazine” as well as the featured artist in the August 2018 edition of “The Advertiser”. Natalie has placed 3rd in the 2014, 2015, and 2017 Tri-State National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, and was a 2017 and 2019 finalist in the Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser competition. Natalie enjoys teaching a wide age range of students in both a large classroom setting and in private lessons. In the past, she has been the Children’s Music Teacher for Community Baptist Church’s summer camp, and currently teaches Class Voice I and II at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Paige Ekema

Rylie Denais

I am currently taking classes at LSUE, where I will be majoring in Elementary Education! I found my love for teaching at a little dance studio in Maurice, called Dance With Liz. There, I studied and practiced Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop for 15 years. And I have been teaching at CYT for five years and haven't looked back since. I have truly been blessed to grow up in CYT and teach my own dance classes, as well as, direct, choreograph, and assistant direct shows at CYT! It's more than younger me could have ever hoped or dreamed for, as a dancer! I am so excited to share my dance experience and journey with others!

Shea Best

Shea Best moved to Lafayette, LA from Cypress, CA in 2004 with her husband, Terry. Together they share 5 amazing kiddos! She is currently working at Massage Envy as a licensed esthetician and is also the lead singer for Beach Blvd and the Hot Sause Band. Shea loves all things music, theater, and makeup and has been active with CCT and CYT since 2018. She has performed in 4 CCT shows including Singing in the Rain, White Christmas, Mamma Mia, & Footloose and has served on many committees for CYT including makeup, props and posters. Although she loves performing she is very excited to step into a teaching role!

Theresa Kate Cavell

Theresa Cavell is 20 years old and has been a vocal performer since 2010, starting in school choir and working into show choir and finally theatre. She has appeared in Annie, Les Misérables, and Hairspray. She competed with the Louisiana State Interact placing 1st 3 times in the vocal performance finals. She was a member of the UVA Glee club/show choir, ULL vocal arts camp for 3 years. Theresa Cavell has performed in two shows with CYT and has sense worked a few shows such as: Mary poppins, Wizard of oz, Pride and Prejudice, Elf jr and many CYT camps. She has been teaching at CYT for 2 years and absolutely adores working with determined kids who also have a passion for musical theatre.

Trevor Menard

Trevor is a CYT alumnus now teacher/director who has been with the organization for almost 13 years! He has performed in multiple CYT/CCT shows! He assistant directed The Lion King Jr and Matilda with CYT, and directed Into the Woods, Descendants, and Mary Poppins. Theater has been Trevor’s passion since he was 5 years old, and he loves that he now gets to share his passion with the next generation of thespians! “Don’t be afraid to be different…be afraid to be just like everyone else.”

Trey Menard

Trey Menard is a recent CYT alum and he is very excited to be teaching classes again! He has been involved in CYT for the past 10 years, and has performed in over 20 plus shows. He is currently attending UL, and has performed with CCT. He is very thankful for this opportunity, and he is very excited to work with this new generation of CYT.

Vanessa Lomas

Vanessa is a Board Certified Music Therapist in Lafayette, Louisiana. She owns TheraCare Music Therapy LLC where she engages clients from infants to adults with physical, mental health, emotional, social, and academic needs in music based activities. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She serves as secretary on the board of directors for the Autism Society of Acadiana and on the Children's Church Leadership team at Pathway Church.

Wendy Lantz

Wendy has been involved with CYT for the past 4 years through her children. She is the mother of 6 children, whom she has homeschooled, and has over 18 years of teaching experience.  In addition to teaching her children at home, she is a travel planner/consultant, and not only loves helping other families make memories; but enjoys adventuring and exploring through travel with her family.  She has over 30 years of experience sewing, has been helping CYT with costumes for the last few years, and is excited to take on a new adventure teaching all aspects of costuming!