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.

Ashtyn Raxsdale

My name is Ashtyn Raxsdale, and I’m a recent graduate of UL Lafayette with my B.A. of Liberal Arts in Speech Pathology with a minor in Music. I was in CYT for 8 years, performing in 14 shows with Lafayette and Vermillion. I’ve recently been in Mamma Mia, Hunchback, and Footloose with CCT. I’m so excited to teach this fun mini-musical theatre class!

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!

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 and the stage manager for Matilda. 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.

Cullen Zeno

Cullen is a Louisiana native, who called CYT Lafayette home for two and a half years. Performing in: Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Suessical: The Musical, and Shrek. Before CYT, Cullen attended each performing arts academies the Lafayette school system had to offer (JW. James, LJ Alleman, and Lafayette High). He attended and transferred from UL, to attend and graduate with his BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University (Playbill’s: The Big Ten & The Princeton Review) c/o ‘22. After graduation Cullen began his professional acting career, performing in shows in NY and around the country. These credits include: Cabaret, State Fair, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, Young Frankenstein, and a collection of concerts. CYT Lafayette was a blessing for him, and the company continues to grow to soaring heights. He is over the moon excited to be able to bring the knowledge he's gained, back to the place that helped him discover his passion for this career.

Derrick Millard

Derrick Lionel Millard II, graduated from Temple University with a BA in Theatre with a concentration in acting. He most recently performed in Theatre Horizon’s Philadelphia Regional Premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE, appearing as the PREACHER, BUSTER, GRADY, AND BOBBY amongst other ensemble roles which won a Barrymore Award for best ensemble. He has also been privileged to perform in several Philadelphia regional productions including “Death of a Salesman: at EgoPo Classic theatre, Moses: A Musical Retelling at John Graves Productions, and How to Kill A Child And A Demon by Donja R. Love. He is the founder of Dream L.ive Movement, a performing arts company that creates theatrical discourse on biblical and societal topics. His company’s productions include “The Visionary’s Journal”, “The Affirmation of Love” and The Fabric From Which We’ve Come. From 2016-2020 he was the Artistic Production Director at Spirit Of Faith Christian Center creating productions for more than 5,000 weekly attendees. Now he is the Creative/Worship Director for Lift City Church in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Isaiah Alexander

I am originally from Georgia. Graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education from Shorter University in Rome, GA. I have had the pleasure in performing in a few productions in my college years such as Showboat, Death Takes a Holiday, Patience (The Duke of Dunstable), Tuck Everlasting, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Schroeder), and Cinderella (Prince). I have been in a couple of CCT productions so far: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Statue) and Footloose (Cowboy Bob). I have music directed CYT productions: Wizard of Oz Jr, Madagascar Jr, and Beauty and the Beast. I love being apart of a great team of people and loves working with these talented kids.

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.

Jenifer Palmer

Jenifer Palmer moved to Lafayette from the Baton Rouge area in 2022. A visual artist and art educator, she grew up in the wooded hills of northern NJ. She holds a BFA from UArts in Philadelphia, PA, and studied landscape architecture at LSU. A certified art teacher, she taught art grades K-8 for many years in Baton Rouge, and now teaches at Ascension Episcopal Upper School. She has four children who are all artists; a writer, a painter, a filmmaker and a thespian!  Jen is the set shop paint coordinator for CYT, and has helped to design, paint, decorate, and stage sets for CYT, Ascension and Theatre Baton Rouge. Creating scenic designs utilizes her love for performance art, drawing, drafting and sculpture. Her original art can be found at Magnolia Art Collective, on Instagram at jeniferjuniperart, by commission, and onstage!

Joy Broussard

Mrs. Joy Broussard a native of Imperial PA, has lived in Louisiana for seventeen years. She has a Music Degree from Kentucky Christian University, and is currently teaching at Acadiana Christian School. Previously, she had been at Harvest Time Christian Academy for 16 years. She is a member of LMEA, ACDA, President of District III Sr. High Honor Choir activities, and the Fine Arts Cordinator for ACEL-Association of Christian Educators of Louisiana. She is the Area Coordinator for CYT Vermilion, and loves being a part of the CYT family

Juliet Moorman

Juliet Moorman is currently a Marketing student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has been dancing for 16 years with experience in jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, and pointe. Juliet has been a dance instructor for 5 years and has been a teacher with CYT since 2021, having taught three dance classes and choreographed the junior show Descendants. She has also been a part of 2 CCT productions, Mamma Mia and Hunchback of Notre Dame. Her passion is empowering children through the art of dance and helping them grow confidence in themselves and their peers. She teaches her students to have a mindset of progress over perfection in the dance studio. Her greatest honor is having the opportunity to not only immerse her students in the art of dance, but to provide an uplifting experience in a Christian setting throughout every session!

Kaedron Hall

Kaedron, a talented musician and dedicated educator, is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and has called Lafayette home since 2015. He serves as the Lower and Middle School music and performing arts teacher at Ascension Episcopal School and also works as a private vocal coach, helping students refine their skills and develop their voices. Kaedron holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morehouse College and a Master of Music in Conducting from Georgia State University. With a deep passion for music and education, he is thrilled to be part of the CYT family, inspiring young performers to reach their full potential!

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!

Kylah Heckard

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!

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!

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!

Sarah Swinney

Sarah has been dancing since the age of 4 and has been sharing her love for movement as a dance instructor for over 15 years. While she has experience teaching a variety of styles, including hip hop, lyrical, ballet, and poms, her favorites will always be tap and jazz, where she finds joy in the rhythm, energy, and artistry of these styles. Outside the studio, Sarah brings her creativity and leadership to her role as the Director of Community Engagement at Parish Proud. She is passionate about helping students build confidence and strength through movement and is excited to see them grow both as dancers and as individuals.

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.”

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!