Kari Anderson, Dance

Kari Anderson grew up dancing at the Larkin School in Minnesota. She had additional training at The Minnesota Dance Theatre, Minnesota Jazz Dance Company, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her professional career began in Minnesota, where she danced in the “Follies” at the Carlton Celebrity Room, and was then cast in the original production of Kenneth Robin’s “Flesh Fixtures”. She performed numerous roles in regional theatre, including Gladys in “Pajama Game” and April in “Company”. Kari was a lead dancer at the Golden Nugget Opera House in Atlantic City, and dance captain for the “Follies on Broadway” at Shea’s Theatre in New York. She danced and choreographed the Belk Horizon Tours, which traveled throughout the south. Her movie credits include “From the Hip”, “Weekend at Bernie’s”, and “Alien Outlaw”, where she played the lead opposite Lash LaRue. Kari has choreographed over 100 productions for high schools, colleges, and regional theatre. Some of her favorites were “Pippin”, “Starmites”, “West Side Story”, and “Little Shop of Horrors”. Other interesting projects have been choreographing music videos, industrials, and commercials. Kari has worked with Jay Leno, Tommy Hilfiger, David Allen Grier, Tina Turner, and Gladys Knight. Most recently she has done the choreography for a contestant on PAX-TV’s America’s Most Talented Kids and in December of 2004, Kari choreographed and performed as a soloist at the Kennedy Center in composer Shelley Olson’s “A Hallel for Our Times. Kari is entering her 10th year as the head judge for a national dance competition that tours the country each year.

Aaron Craven, Cello, Bass and Electric Bass

Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Aaron graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in music education K-12 with an emphasis in string bass performance and a minor in piano performance. While at IUP, Aaron studied double bass with Jeff Mangone, principal bass of the Pittsburgh Ballet/Opera and Civic Light Opera. In the spring of 2005, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee with a master's degree in double bass / electric bass performance. His primary teacher was Harold (Rusty) Holloway, who has been a featured bass player with leading U.S. jazz artists including Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. Aaron received numerous scholarships, including the IUP College of Fine Arts Academic Scholarship, the American Federation of Musicians Scholarship, and the Pennsylvania Knights of Columbus Scholarship.

For two years, Aaron was the assistant director of the Oak Ridge High School Orchestra program in Tennessee, a program with 170 string players and 17 string quartets. Aaron had full responsibility for the string quartet program, including coaching the groups, selecting music, and selecting groups to play for many civic and public occasions. He also taught fourth grade strings at two district elementary schools. Aaron has performed with the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport, Tennessee, and the Knoxville Opera. Prior to moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, Aaron was assistant principal bass of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Amberly Foulkrod , Voice, Piano, and Woodwinds

Beth Frack, Piano

Beth, internationally known singer, music director/teacher of young children, and a composer of children's music, has written more than 150 children's songs, including four musicals, and has performed throughout the United States, Central America and Canada.  Beth has six recordings of original music for young children.  In 2000, she launched an annual summer music camp for children ages 3-8 called Camp Oonie Koonie Cha . Beth has also developed an innovative program called Music with Senior Friends for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Three years ago she started two after school music classes for children-- Prek-Kindgergarten: One, Two, Three, Sing! and another for First-Fourth graders:  Give Me The Beat . She is married to the Rev. Kevin C. Frack.  They have two grown children.  Beth currently serves as Artist-in-Residence at FCDS for Jr. PreK-Fourth Music and she is also the Musicare teacher for Today's Child Learning Center.  Combined with nine years of Suzuki piano lessons with her children, Beth uses her piano training from Salem College to teach lessons to children.

Jasmine Hayes , Violin and Viola

Barbara Horton, Piano

Michelle Nicholson, Dance

Luke Payne, Guitar and Electric Guitar

Luke grew up in Louisville, Kentucky.  He graduated from Berea College in 1999, where he majored in English and general music.  In 2006, he completed the Master of Music degree at the North Carolina School of the Arts in classical guitar performance.  In addition to performing as a soloist and in various ensembles, he is a dedicated teacher, with several years of experience working with students of all ages.  He currently teaches guitar at Winston Salem State University, Forsyth Country Day School, and from his home studio. 

Mark Snow, Violin and Viola

Jim Shulstad , Trumpet and Trombone

Jeremy Truhel, Voice

Jeremy grew up on the coast of Maine. He earned a Master of Music degree in Voice with cognate studies in choral conducting at Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Music Education from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. He has performed in Italy and with the Portland Opera Repertory Theatre. He has been a choral teacher at high schools in Ohio and North Carolina, sings with the Bel Canto Company, and is the Director of Music at Lee's Chapel United Methodist Church. He also teaches private voice lessons at Music Academy of North Carolina. Jeremy is engaged to Wendy Looker, Director of Choral Activities at Guilford College. They will be married in June, 2005.

Marley Willard, Creative Dramatics

Marley Willard has been teaching drama for over thirty years. Marley began the education program for the Little Theatre in 1972 and remained the director until she moved to Baltimore in 1984. While in Baltimore she directed two education programs, and worked in the public school system teaching curriculum drama and training teachers in the method. Marley returned to Winston-Salem in 2001 and has been teaching the after school drama classes at FCDS since 2003. Marley's specialty with students is to help them create a play through improvisation.

Shihan Shane Willams and Master Ginger Gallagher, Martial Arts

Shihan Shane Williams and Master Ginger Gallagher have been practicing martial arts at Karate International since 1978. Starting as children and growing up in the martial arts has defined their adult lives, as they both continue to teach for and own Karate International schools. Shihan Williams is currently the CEO of Karate International, which has been in existence since 1957 and in NC since 1974. Overseeing 10-15 schools, Shihan Williams ensures that the Karate International Legacy of Building Leaders continues throughout the Triad and surrounding areas. Master Gallagher and her husband are the owners of Karate International of Lewisville. Master Gallagher is committed to improving the lives of all her students through karate, with requirements that go beyond the physical into good grades, discipline and leadership. For nearly 30 years, both Shihan Williams and Master Gallagher have seen the martial arts from every angle, as children, as students, as teachers, parents and owners. It's this perspective that drives the quality of martial arts and life skills training offered by KI.