Current Teachers:
Amani Johnson
Debuted in the theater during my junior year in High School. Graduated with an associate's degree in Theatre Arts at Volunteer State Community College before getting my bachelor's at Middle Tennessee State University. Started my teaching journey as a teaching artist intern at Nashville Children's Theatre into discovering my passion for theatre arts education. Done some professional work such as background character for Nashville 9-1-1, film sets, and performing local shows through American Immerison Theater. Continuing to network Film/Theatre community in the Nashville area and hoping to grow more as a teaching artist!
Brody Adams
Brody is a current student at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Theatre with a focus in Musical Theatre Performance. He has an extensive resume that is rooted in operettas, musicals, and plays. He recently relocated to Tennessee after founding and operating his own theatre company in Wisconsin for 4 years where he gained experience directing, designing, and teaching theatre to kids of all different skill sets. He is so excited to meet the team at CYT and tapping into the potential of each student he teaches!
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.
Conner Boggs
Conner is a Mississippi native and a junior Theatre Education major at Belmont University. With a passion for acting, directing, design, and arts education, Conner brings a well rounded perspective to every project he takes on. His directing and design work has been recognized with multiple regional theatre award nominations, showcasing his creative eye and collaborative spirit. Conner has led theatre programs and workshops for students ranging from elementary to high school, helping young artists build confidence, creativity, and a love for storytelling. Blending performance, production, and pedagogy, Conner is dedicated to creating theatre that inspires, educates, and empowers both artists and audiences alike.
Courtney Edwards
God gave Courtney a passion for dance at a very young age, but He gave her an even deeper passion to teach. Courtney has had the honor of teaching and choreographing for professional and private dance companies throughout Southern California for over 20 years. Her trained styles include Jazz, Modern, Lyrical and Musical Theater or Broadway. It is her goal to teach with a loving heart, to inspire creativity, and to instill a confidence in each student’s unique abilities on and off stage. She is honored to be able to help her students find their gifts from God and learn how to share them with any audience! Every opportunity God has given Courtney has been the greatest blessing including moving here to Tennessee in 2021 with her husband, three kiddos and two dogs. She is beyond excited to start working with CYT Nashville!
Elizabeth Sanford
Elizabeth was born in Nashville, TN and raised in Franklin, TN. She has been interested in performing for as long as she can remember and has been in many shows since age 9. She is a graduate from Trevecca Nazarene University with a degree in psychology and can't wait to see what the future holds!
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!
Kari Cotton
Kari Cotton was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in Business and Communications. Beyond her daily job, she serves as the Costume Coordinator here at CYT Nashville. She has worked on over 25 shows and has created countless costumes. Kari loves being creative and working with the parent volunteers and the students involved in CYT.
Megan Hutchinson
Discovering theatre in her hometown's community theatre at the age of 7, Megan has been passionate about pursuing the performing arts ever since. Performing and working in all areas of theatre throughout high school, she then went on to earn her Technical Certificate and Associate's Degree in Commercial Entertainment from Columbia State Community College. After graduating, Megan has worked professionally and in community theatre around the Nashville area. Megan has been teaching with CYT since 2022, and loves being a part of this community and teaching what she is passionate about to the next generation (and learn more herself!).
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!
Sarah Chapman
Sarah Chapman is a classically-trained soprano, actress, and voice instructor. A native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, she graduated with a BA in Vocal Performance from Western Kentucky University and an MM in Vocal Pedagogy from Belmont University. She has distinguished herself in musicals, operas, recitals, and choral masterworks as a soloist and actress. Some of her stage roles include Christine Daae from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” Cinderella from Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” Angelina from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury,” Ilona from Bock and Harnick’s “She Loves Me”, and Maria from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” Her relationship with Jesus fuels her love of the voice, of teaching, and of art. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Shea Althoff
Ms. Shea can’t wait to share her love of music and drama with your kids! She’s a wife to Jon and busy mom to Ella, Zoe, Annabelle, and Silas. Her family has been part of CYT since Ella leapt into her very first show, Junie B. Jones, back in 2019. Originally from southern Illinois, Shea has been singing, dancing, and performing since the age of four. She knows firsthand how theater can spark confidence, creativity, and lifelong friendships. In college, Shea sang with the Elmhurst College jazz band—where she also met her husband—and even toured internationally, performing at jazz festivals around the world. After college, she became a board-certified music therapist, bringing comfort and joy to children and families at Bronson Children’s Hospital in Michigan and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Shea has taught private voice lessons, led children’s choirs and worship teams, and currently serves in children’s ministry at her church, where her husband is a pastor. Now in her fourth year teaching at Ivybrook Academy in Franklin, Ms. Shea loves helping kids shine through music, movement, and theater. She’s a big kid at heart and believes learning should always be filled with joy and laughter!
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!