Current Teachers:
Amanda Minor
Amanda is a Nashville native and grew up in a home with art and her creativity bloomed from there, from paints and canvases to crafts and custom cakes. She loves to take nothing and create something amazing. She has been a part of the CYT family for 4 years and has loved bringing her creative side to the Front of House and the props. She loves spending time developing an idea on paper and figuring out how to make it work in a space. She is excited to be able to work with the kids in a different type of creativity.
Cassie McDade
Cassie McDade (formerly Trabucco) was born in New York but grew up in Nashville doing any kind of music or musical theater she could find. She did her first show when she was 6 and fell in love with every aspect of the theater. Her favorite roles have included "Kitty" in The Drowsy Chaperone, "Wednesday Addams" in The Addams Family, and "Jo March" in Little Women. Cassie got her Associates Degree in Commercial Entertainment from Columbia State Community College and later graduated from MTSU with a Bachelors Degree in Integrated Studies with emphases on Musical Theater and Dance and a minor in Music. While in college, she traveled around the country leading worship and growing in fellowship with other young musicians while enriching her skills and experience. Now, between teaching voice lessons, recording demos and songwriting, her days are filled with music. She has been teaching at CYT since the Summer of 2021 and has enjoyed music directing and coaching through several sessions. Cassie is very excited to be working at CYT and looks forward to growing with you!
Clara Martinez
I work as an elementary school bookkeeper for Williamson County Schools during the day and love my incredible side gig at CYT where I get to use my passion for Musical Theater to teach and grow the next generation! I am a wife and mother of 2. Both my kids have found a home at CYT and I am forever grateful.
Evelyn Palmliden
Evelyn is a classically trained soprano who loves to tell stories through song. She recently graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a BM in Vocal Performance and a BA in History. Before college, she was a student at CYT Nashville for a couple of years, and she has been involved in theatre and choir since the fourth grade. While at Trevecca she performed in the honors choir, TNU Singers, and was heavily involved in the theatre department. Some of her roles included Hannah in Freaky Friday, Amalia's Understudy in She Loves Me, Clarin in Life is a Dream, and an Ensemble Member in A Year with Frog and Toad. Evelyn views performing as a way to glorify God. Performing a musical not only moves audience members to engage with that story, but it also teaches them more about themselves and the world that they live in. Evelyn looks forward to engaging with this CYT community and teaching kids that their stories matter, and are worth sharing.
Jason Minor
Growing Up just out outside of Washington DC Jason was able to start his theater career in local dinner theaters. From that point, he had a manager in Maryland with Agents in NY which would allow him to land several national commercials. Eventually this led to an International Tour of the Sound Of Music with Debbie Boone, allowing him the opportunity to perform in Japan for 6 weeks after touring the US. Soon after, Jason went on to the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam CT to star in an off Broadway production of The Little Rascals as Spanky. From this show, he was cast in the Broadway production of Teddy and Alice. Shortly after the close of Teddy and Alice, this led to an opportunity to do the National tour, which eventually went to Broadway, Gypsy with Tyne Daly. While touring Jason was able to audition for the New Mickey Mouse Club airing weekdays on the Disney Channel. By the time Gypsy started on Broadway, Jason had accepted the opportunity to relocate to Orlando and join the MMC for the next 3 seasons. After completing his 3rd season, Jason went back to finish High School in MD, perform is school musicals and become a regular High School student. He attended UCLA's Theater/Film School for one year before moving to Nashville in 1997 with his high school band to try their talents in country music. Jason met his wife Amanda, a native Nashvillian (from Mt Juliet). They have 3 awesome children and now one grandchild. After watching Owen from the audience all of these years, he is extremely excited to be working with CYT to help guide the students to confidence in their creative decisions, see their growth, grow in confidence but most of all to remember they are not defined by what they can or cannot do on the stage. He is VERY excited to be a part of Nashville CYT!
Jeff Martinez
I have worked in the theatre world for over 20 years as a Producer, Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, and performer. I work for Ramsey Solutions in Franklin, TN and am thrilled to continue my love for teaching students about musical theatre at CYT Nashville. I am a husband and father of 2. It has been such a gift to share amazing experiences at CYT Nashville together as a family of four!
Mark Allen
Mark has been a part of theatre virtually his whole life: as a studio singer, a professional actor in the Nashville area, an award-winning director and a Broadway musical theatre writer. Graduating from NYU-Tisch School Of The Arts with an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Writing, Mark has been on both sides of the audition table as an "audition-ee" and "audition-er" on and off Broadway in NYC for over 20 years. Raised in Nashville and thankfully back home again, Mark is honored to join CYT to share his love of theatre, music and Jesus above all!
Noel Lvovsky
Noel was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Circle in the Square and has been working professionally as an actor, singer, dancer, director, producer, and teacher in LA for more years than she’d like to admit. She is blessed beyond measure to call Tennessee her new home with her husband and 2 children. She’s even more thankful to have the opportunity to teach at CYT, Nashville. God is great!
Rachel Rinehart
Rachel is a Nashville native and has been involved in theatre in some capacity for most of her life. Over the past eight years, she has worked alongside Marilyn Fair in Fairview, Tennessee, serving as an assistant director and stage manager for theatre summer intensives—a role that deepened her love for the stage. While earning her BA in Mass Media Communication at Florida College located in Tampa, Florida, she directed multiple one-act plays and short films. After graduating, she worked as a choreographer and assistant teacher for Drama Kids, continuing to nurture her passion for the performing arts and arts education. Rachel returned to Franklin in May 2025 to further pursue her passion for the arts and storytelling in all its forms. She is thrilled to be part of the CYT Nashville team and grateful for the opportunity to share her love of theatre with the next generation of performers.
Samantha Shelby
Sam grew up in Franklin, TN and is a Mississippi State University alumna. She graduated with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree, concentrating in Music, Public Relations and Marketing. At MSU, Sam concentrated in vocal performance, studying opera. During her time as a student she traveled with the State Singers Choir on yearly tours across the country and had the opportunity to sing in Spain. Aside from opera and choral music, Sam continued singing in various competitions on campus and was a 1st place talent show winner, the 2019 Battle of the Bands Winner, and was an opening act for T-Pain at MSU’s Bulldog Bash. Now, she lives in Nashville and is a Promotion Coordinator. Sam is so excited to be a part of this amazing group this year and cannot wait to meet all of the talented students at CYT!
Shaeffer Diebolt
Shaeffer Diebolt, Franklin Chapter Coordinator, is a proud alum of The University of Alabama, where she earned her BA in Musical Theatre. In her final semester at UA, Shaeffer performed as Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone. Other UA credits include Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos and A Player in Our Tuscaloosa, a theatre for young audiences project that toured Alabama. Shaeffer also sat on the other side of the table when she was assistant director of Little Women and I Gelosi at Alabama. Shaeffer credits her growing love for theatre to CYT. She began her journey with CYT in Atlanta at the age of 10. Some of her favorite CYT credits include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, and Mama Bear in Shrek the Musical. After performing in 11 main stage shows and too many camps to count, she joined the team of amazing staff members at CYT Atlanta where she served as Camp Coordinator since 2018. She moved to Nashville in July 2019 and is so excited to join the CYT Nashville team and start this new journey!
Tim Henning
Tim has been passionate about the arts since childhood. Whether acting in productions, leading in worship on local, national or international stages, music has been the primary outlet of his artistic expression. With a degree in church music, he has directed choirs and ensembles of all ages for over 30 years. Not to be limited to musical expression alone, he has impacted the world of visual arts by excelling in audio/ visual editing and video production. A proud CYT dad and husband to Amy, show weeks are some of his favorites of the year! He loves teaching and collaborative environments and is proud to be a part of CYT Nashville community. In addition to his love of all things pertaining to the arts, he’s a decent juggler, and brings a playful spirit to all he does.
Zander Jones
Zander Jones is a songwriter, music producer, and creative mentor who’s passionate about storytelling through song. He holds a degree in Music Education from Vanguard University and has written and produced original music for churches across the country, directed choirs of all ages, and spent over 15 years leading worship and developing faith-based music projects. A lifelong collaborator, he loves helping young artists find their voice and grow in confidence through music. Zander is a proud CYT parent and is thrilled to join the teaching team this season!