Classes

About CYT Classes

CYT offers classes for students ages 4-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for two hours once a week and run for ten consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired. 

Parents send their children to CYT classes to learn, and that’s exactly what they will do! At the end of a CYT session, your student will come away with a new or improved skill in the area of emphasis. During the last week of class, a high-energy Showcase is presented by each class to show other students, family, and friends all they’ve learned.
 

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Day: Time: Start: End: Area: Location:
Basics of Acting 8-18 Tue 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 14 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Basics of Acting - Tempe 8-18 Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 14 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 Living Faith Anglican Church
Basics of Dance 8-18 Wed 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 15 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Basics of Improv 8-18 Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 17 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Basics of Voice 8-18 Thu 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 16 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Basics of Voice - Tempe 8-18 Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 14 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 Living Faith Anglican Church
Beginning Acrobatics 8-18 Thu 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 16 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Beginning Tap 8-18 Wed 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 15 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Intermediate Lyrical 12-18 Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 17 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Musical Theater - Mesa 8-18 Mon 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 13 Oct 16 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 Charis Christian Church
Our Gang 5-7 Tue 5:00pm - 6:00pm Aug 14 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Teen Audition Techniques 12-18 Tue 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 14 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Wicked Intermediate Musical Theatre 12-18 Thu 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 16 Oct 19 Phoenix
(Fall 2018)		 CYT Studio
Curriculum

Curriculum

Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions offer ten-week classes for students ages 4-18.

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Showcase

Showcase

At the end of the ten-week session, each class performs for family and friends.

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Teachers

Teachers

Instructors are qualified in teaching and/or performing, and strive to be excellent role models.

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CYT is a one of a kind organization in that it accepts kids just as they are, and not only includes them but builds them up through encouraging them to do things that they never thought they could do – the confidence and self-esteem that this instills in them is priceless.  The topping on the cake to all of this, is it is done through a Christ centered atmosphere.  This is what I really love about CYT – is that it gives all the credit to Christ and makes Jesus and His efforts the central focus.  I don’t think there is another organization in the valley that offers this.  God is blessing CYT and it is an honor to be a part of it. 

Emmy, parent

Curriculum

CYT offers a wide variety of classes, and they all enable students to gain valuable theater arts training, develop confidence, and make friends! There are currently over 50 different curriculum materials available in a variety of musical theater areas. Please note these classes vary per session. Check the Classes page to see what’s available now!

Showcase

Parents, friends, and relatives are invited to attend CYT's Showcase performance on the last day / evening of classes, free of charge! Showcase is the grand finale of each session of classes, at which every class makes a 5-10 minute presentation of something they have learned and rehearsed during the session. Don't miss the action!

Teachers

A CYT Teacher’s mission is to train and instruct students in such a way as to promote the development of character, self-esteem, and confidence. CYT teachers are qualified and experienced in the area in which they teach. They have been trained in the CYT methods of instruction and agree with the CYT values and outcome goals.  All CYT teachers have been background checked and adhere to our CYT Mission and Values. Our teachers truly care about their students and provide a constructive and fun environment for them to learn.
Want to Teach for CYT Phoenix?

Current Teachers:

Alexandra Biggs

Alexandra Biggs is a graduate of Grand Canyon University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education. She is currently serving as the Artistic Director of Dance at Maricopa High School, and holds a state teaching certificate in her field. She has been dancing since the age of three, and throughout her training enjoyed multiple successes in the competitive realm. She has had the opportunity to study at the prestigious dance department at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, as well as spending two wonderful years at Grand Canyon University. She feels fortunate to have spent time with many teachers over the years that have made a lasting impact on her life, and looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in dance education she has received to all of her students in the future.

Bertha A. Cortes

Bertha A. Cortes received her Bachelor's in Theatre Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015. She currently teaches Pre K through 6th grade Drama at BMES in Cave Creek. She is also a company member at Brelby Theatre Company in Glendale. She is thrilled to be working at CYT!

Dexter Tuten

Dexter Tuten is a CYT alumnus, having participated in CYT classes and shows while in High School, and has worked as Stage Manager for many CYT Phoenix main-stage productions. Dexter is now on staff at CYT Phoenix as Show Coordinator and Teacher.

Emma Perkis

Emma graduated from Biola University and the Torrey Honors Institute. She grew up performing with CYT San Diego. She has been dancing for over 15 years, specifically focusing on tap. She has also had vocal and acting training. Emma teaches at Great Hearts Academy Archway Cicero. She loves the impact CYT had on her life and wants to share that with more students!

Haley Gadbery

Haley Gadbery graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Studies and minored in Dance Education. While attending GCU, she had the opportunity to perform in GCU’s Ethington Dance Ensemble in works by both faculty and guest artists. Haley grew up in North Carolina where she received the foundation of her dance and theatre education. Over the course of her training, she had the privilege of attending The University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ annual festival of dance to study under master teachers, and travel to New York City to take master classes at Broadway Dance Center. In addition to multiple performance credits, Haley has been teaching dance for 10 years, and has served as the choreographer for over 20 dance and musical theatre productions. Haley is excited about teaching the next generation of artists and strives to provide an atmosphere in which her students are challenged to grow in their art form, as well as individuals.

Isaac Wilson

Isaac Wesley Wilson- Was born and raised in Arizona where he began his Musical Theatre education with school and community theatres, various local choirs, and Take Five Dance Academy, where he trained in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ball Room, and Tap. After high school, he joined a performance and education based group in California called The Young Americans. While there, he had the opportunity to work with troubled youth from drug rehabilitation centers, juvenile detention facilities, and homeless shelters. He also performed with such stars as Hugh Panaro, Michael Arden and Tony Award Winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. He then took part in a 3 month teaching and performing tour through Germany. He continued his education in the performing arts here in Arizona where he received his degree. He has been performing professionally for years in the Phoenix area as well as on the national level. He has lived and danced in Phoenix, New York, and Los Angeles and he has taught for colleges, theatres, studios, and private individuals. He loves the performing arts, and has loved working with the great students of CYT.

Kim Stephenson Smith

Kim is thrilled to be teaching at CYT! Originally from Utah, Kim spent several years working as an actor in New York, London, and San Francisco before heading to Florida for school. She earned her BFA in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University and holds a Certificate in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She recently received her MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Professional affiliations include the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators (ATME).

Leisel Innes

Leisel has been performing since she could walk. Her dads what you would call a “Stage “Junkie” but shes proud of it. Her performance background includes piano, voice, gymnastics and Musical Theatre through out her school and college years. Leisel received her Associates of Music and Piano performance in 2017 from Eastern Arizona College and most recently finished her first year teaching music at Jack Daley Primary School. She loves children and more importantly sharing her talents with them and watching them blossom! She’s also super excited to join CYT family!

Rachel Stoddard

Rachel has worked in the Valley as a music educator for the past 23 years, directing choirs of all ages, teaching voice and piano lessons, directing musicals and performing in various choral groups and musical theater productions. She works as the Director of Vocal Music for Productions at Dream City Church, sings with the Sonoran Desert Chorale, and serves on the Valley of the Sun NATS Board as a Vice President of Programs. Past choral directing and teaching experience includes Arizona Christian University, Paradise Valley Community College, Scottsdale Christian Academy, Explorer Middle School and Mountain Trail Middle School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District and the Phoenix Boys Choir. Rachel received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education (Emphasis in Voice) from Susquehanna University and a Master of Music Education from Arizona State University. Professional affiliations include the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), the American Choral Director's Association (ACDA) and the Arizona Music Educator's Association (AMEA).

Sara McDermott

Sara graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a BA in Music with emphasis in Music Education and Vocal Performance. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California. Sara has performed in various operas, musicals, choirs, gospel groups, and as a concert soloist. Sara has been a private voice instructor for over 15 years and has been involved with CYT Phoenix as a voice teacher, music director, and show director for over 12 years.

Stephanie Carpenter

Stephanie has been with CYT Phoenix since 2010 when her children became involved in the program. Over the next seven seasons she worked on almost every facet of the program–from publicity and marketing to backstage and production design before becoming Artistic Director. She has three children with her husband of over 20 years and the whole family is involved in CYT. She has a BFA in graphic design and professional experience in both 2-D and 3-D design. As a CYT Mom, she has a heart for the families that are the center of everything CYT does. As an artist, she has a passion for excellence in all of CYT Phoenix's creative endeavors.