"CYT Lafayette is a great way for your child to explore their creative side in a Christian atmosphere."

Billy Walker

Billy Walker works in Lafayette as a Communications Coordinator at AIE(Academy of Interactive Entertainment). Billy had been active in local community theatre organizations for 8 years. Previous stage credits include Emmett Forrest in IPAL’s “Legally Blonde”, Don Lockwood in CCT's "Singin in the Rain", Jesus in "Jesus Christ, Superstar" in productions at both IPAL and Lorna N Company in Houma, El Gallo in CCT's "The Fantasticks", and Billy Flynn in IPAL's "Chicago". Billy also trains and runs many Tough Mudder obstacle course races across the country. Over the last few years he and his wife, Catherine, have become active members of the CYT community through working sets backstage, teaching classes, working at the set shop, and just having a blast getting to know the kids and families that make up this organization. Billy is very much looking forward to teaching for CYT this session!

Erin Chamberlain

Erin Chamberlain has been teaching for 8 years now in the public school system as an Art Teacher. She is in her 2nd year of teaching at Comeaux High and teaches Drawing, Painting and Art II. Art has been her passion for as long as she can remember! She started out in 2nd grade in the Talented Art program in her school, went on to UL to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Ceramics and then she later went back for certification to teach Art in K-12th grade. She also teaches art in the summers in the community. She loves drawing and sculpting the most! She is a mom to two wonderfully creative kids and has one fur baby and she attends the Pathway Church!

Ian Bonin

Ian is currently studying Mathematics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette after which he plans to teach high school math. He has spent the past decade of his life performing on many stages in New Iberia, Abbeyville, and Lafayette. Contact: imbonin99@gmail.com

JENNY BEST

A wife and a mother of two, a daughter and grand daughter of beautiful Cajun women. With a background in dance and theatre Jenny loves everything about the stage! In fact that is where she and her husband Nick met, in “Anatevka” (Fiddler on the Roof.” She currently teaches beginner dance classes in Lafayette and loves watching young performers grow. Whether I am baking up a batch of cookies for my shop BestSweetsBebe or behind the scenes of the stage the creativity flows through my veins. As my two girls get older, I become more proud of myself as a mom, as a leader, a wife and a lover of performing arts.

Joni Hebert

Kaedron Hall

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, I moved to Lafayette in August of 2015. I am currently the Middle School vocal teacher at Ascension Episcopal School downtown. I sing tenor in a local community choir, and I serve as music director and worship leader at Harvest Center Church. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. I went on to complete a Master of Music in conducting at Georgia State University. Music is my passion, and I am so blessed do what I love everyday. I love to laugh and have fun, but I can be a bit of a workaholic. In my off time I enjoy reading, journaling, and composing music. I find a great deal of joy teaching kids, and I’m so excited to be a part of the CYT family.

Kaleigh Lay

Kaleigh Lay is excited to be working with the talented people at CYT Central. Kaleigh began directing in college & has since directed all over the country. Professionally, she worked with Peterborough Players Regional Theatre under Broadway director, Gus Kaikkonen. Kaleigh is on the board at IPAL, and is also involved at Abbey Players. She has a BA in Communication Arts & Media Communications with an emphasis & certification in theatre /speech education & a MS in Gifted Education.

Kaylon Khamphilavong

Kaylon Khamphilavong is a 20 year old junior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her major is early childhood education and she plans on becoming a special education teacher. She has been in 17 musical productions. She was last seen as Crystal in CCT’s Little Shop of Horrors.

Lauren Keating

Lauren Keating is so excited to be back and teaching for the Winter Session! Lauren has been with the CYT family for 6 years teaching and helping with various productions and activities. Lauren began her CYT journey teaching both the Wiggles and Our Gang Classes for several years. She has previously directed Elf Jr., The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and most recently The Wizard of Oz. Lauren is also the CYT Lafayette Camp Coordinator and loves spending her summers watching kids discover a love for performing arts and CYT. In real life, Lauren teaches preschool and kindergarten at Ascension Episcopal School here in Lafayette and is an active member and volunteer at her church the Bayou. Lauren loves teaching kids in any capacity and cannot wait to meet her new Wiggle Friends!!

Lindsey Duhon

My name is Lindsey Duhon and I will be teaching All that Jazz! I am a senior at North Vermillion High School and I have a strong passion for dance. I have been dancing for 14 years at Dance with Liz and student teaching for the past 3 years. I have also been on my schools Danceline the past 3 years where I currently hold the position of Section Leader. Dancing has always been a big part of my life and I cannot wait to share that with CYT!

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 9 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 19 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!

Melissa Guest

Melissa Guest, a Georgia native, has been working with CYT Lafayette on shows and classes for the past 3 years. A graduate from ULL with a bachelor’s in General Studies, Melissa has always had a passion for the arts and loves getting to share this passion with so many talented kids and adults. She has been the CYT Lafayette improv coach since 2017, bringing a team of kids to compete at the CYT Improvathon, held during the CYT National Expo in San Diego; she’s optimistic that this year’s 2020 team, will be the best year yet! Melissa has been a part of several artistic teams including assistant director for Elf Jr., Shrek the Musical and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, director for Peter Pan: Broadway’s Timeless Musical, assistant for CCT’s Little Shop of Horrors, stage manager for Cinderella Jr, and director of CCT’s Mamma Mia. She has also made several stage appearances with CCT Lafayette in The Fantasticks, West Side Story, and Singing in the Rain as Miss Lina Lamont. Melissa is so excited to take on the task of bringing another CYT Lafayette improv team to Improvathon‬!

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.

Rachel Moore

Rachel Moore has been a part of CYT Lafayette since 2013; first as a student and currently as a teacher. She has been in been in over 15 shows both with CYT and CCT, and has helped with summer camps, backstage crew, and taught Our Gang classes. She is currently enrolled in The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an English degree with a concentration in Linguistics. She loves seeing how each and every student can bring stories to life on stage through CYT, and can’t wait to help them make stories of their own!

Ronni High

Ronni High, is a freshman at UL majoring in Organizational Communications. Ronni has always had a passion for theatre since she was a child. When she moved to Lafayette from Bettendorf, Iowa a little over 7 years ago, she found CYT and instantly fell in love. She has been heavily involved in CYT since she first joined in the show The Little Mermaid. She knew she had found where she belonged. Ronni has also been a part of almost every Ascension theatre production from 7th grade through senior year. Some of her favorite roles include Boris the Spy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Gertrude in Seussical, Glinda in Wizard of Oz, Katherine in Freaky Friday, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and Newsie Dancer #12 in Newsies. Now she is moving from the stage to being a CYT leader! Ronni hopes to stay involved with CYT for as long as she can. She loves doing her favorite thing with her favorite people.

Rylie Denais

I just recently graduated from North Vermilion High School. I was part of the quarantined, graduating class of 2020. This fall, I will start 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. Here, I studied and practiced Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop for 15 years. And, eventually, I got to assistant teach a jazz and tap class for three years. I have truly been blessed to teach my own dance classes 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!

Samuel Hudi

Sam Hudi is a graduate from ULL and teaches literature and writing at Southside High School. He is also pursuing his master’s at American College of Education. He has a passion for creative writing and teaching others how to find their own voice as a writer.

Sarah Isaacs

Sierra McLaughlin

Sierra is a CYT Lafayette alumni, as well as an experienced dancer and dance teacher. She has choreographed multiple shows for CYT Lafayette, including: Guys and Dolls, Peter Pan, Into the Woods, and is currently working on Frozen Jr.

Tiffany Poirrier

Tiffany Poirrier is an IPAL Board Member and theater teacher at Southside High School. She was last seen as Serena in Legally Blonde the Musical. She also enjoys spending time with her family, Billy and Chase.

Victoria Manning

Victoria is so excited to be back where her love of theater first blossomed. Victoria had the privilege of being a student of CYT Lafayette back in 2009 when it first began. Then when she moved to Baton Rouge she had the privilege of teaching classes when that CYT branch first began. She has taught classes, assistant directed shows, and stage managed shows for CYT over the past 8 years. Victoria is currently in seminary for Christian Ministry.