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.
 

A Look into our Specialty Classes: Foley/Voice Over

Scholarship Application

The purpose of CYT Phoenix's scholarship fund is to provide full or partial scholarships for one class to qualified applicants during one session at CYT Phoenix. Please note, scholarships are for class tuition only. We are happy to be able to provide scholarship opportunities for families in need through our scholarship fund!

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Accents & Dialects 11-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Nov 03 Jan 16
Acting 101 8-12 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Wed 4:00pm - 5:50pm Nov 01 Jan 16
Acting for the Camera 12-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Tue 6:10pm - 8:00pm Oct 31 Jan 16
Acting Styles/Monologues 11-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Wed 4:00pm - 5:50pm Nov 01 Jan 16
CYT at Shepherd Kids - Highlights from Mary Poppins 8-18 CYT Phoenix at Shepherd of the Desert
(Winter 2024)
Shepherd of the Desert Mon 4:30pm - 6:30pm Oct 30 Jan 15
Improv 10-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Sat 9:00am - 11:00am Nov 11 Jan 17
Intermediate Adult Tap 18-79 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Wed 6:00pm - 7:15pm Nov 01 Jan 16
Intermediate Tap 10-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Oct 31 Jan 16
Modern & Lyrical Dance 10-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Mon 4:00pm - 5:50pm Oct 30 Jan 16
Musical Theater 8-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Wed 10:00am - 12:00pm Nov 01 Jan 16
Our Gang 4-7 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Sat 11:00am - 11:50am Nov 11 Jan 16
Song Writing & Music Theory 12-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Tue 6:10pm - 8:00pm Oct 31 Jan 16
Worship Warriors 10-18 Phoenix
(Winter 2024)
CYT Studio Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Oct 31 Jan 16

Drop & Refund Policies

Any class dropped after week 2 of classes is not eligible for refunding. If a class is dropped before that deadline, you will be issued a prorated refund or class credit. Please email managingdirector@cytphoenix.org if you have any questions regarding drop and refund policies.

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.

Current Teachers:

Ariana Latvaaho

Ariana has been dancing since the age of 3 and has had many years of ballet, jazz, and musical theatre dance experience. Ariana has performed in 19 CYT shows. She is excited to use her God given talents to teach and inspire these young dancers.


Bertha Alicia Cortes

Bertha Alicia Cortes received her Bachelor's in Theatre Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015. She is currently teaching theatre at The Academies at South Mountain in Phoenix. Previously she taught grades Pre-K through 6th at Black Mountain Elementary School in Cave Creek. Bertha has been the improv coach for CYT Phoenix for two years.


Cait Deely

Cait Deely is a professional choreographer and dancer who recently graduated from Grand Canyon University (GCU) with a BA in Dance Performance. Before her collegiate education, she trained intensively in ballet, modern, and jazz with the Ballet Idaho Academy and the Willamette Apprentice Ballet, leading her to become a Senior Company member with Tempe Dance Academy. While attending GCU, Cait had the pleasure of presenting her choreographic work at the American College Dance Association, Herberger Theatre Center's Festival of the Arts, and various collegiate concerts. Theatrically, she is accredited for her choreography in musicals such as SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical (Grand Canyon University; “Best Choreography” Award Winner at the EthingTony’s), The Lightning Thief Musical (CYT Phoenix), Les Miserables (Actor’s Youth Theatre), and The Addams Family (Chandler Youth Theatre). She has professionally worked with theater companies and dance studios around the Phoenix area for over four years, choreographing and instructing group and private lessons in Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, and Ukulele. As an educator, Cait provides the foundation of classical technique and the tools of the creative process, fostering her student’s growth as both artists and people.


Diane Haviland

Tap dancing is my passion and I’m excited to join the CYT staff. I have extensive dance training in Tap, Ballet and Jazz and have been teaching and performing for over 25 years. I’m a graduate of Western Michigan University where I majored in Dance Performance and was a soloist in the University’s Ballet Company. A few of my accomplishments include: Dance Professor, Dance team coach and choreographer for the Musical Theatre Department for Southwest State University in MN, NBA Dancer for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the privilege of tap dancing with Gregory Hines for the promotional tour of his move ‘Tap’. Looking forward to tapping with you! P.S. I’m Blair’s Mom :)


Eva Britton

My name is Eva Britton, I have been doing theatre for over ten years now and I love teaching! I am an AriZoni Nominee who will be attending Grand Canyon University as a Theatre for Secondary Education Major next year, and I cannot wait to teach your kids about musical theatre through faith!


Jenny Lynne

Dance to express not impress. The best thing you can be is kind. Expect nothing, be grateful for everything.


Michael Ledner

I'm happily married to Lylah, with two darling daughters and 7 awesome grandkids. I am a Pastor of a Home Church and my wife and I have a small farm called The Simple Farm with some goats and chickens. I write worship music and have had a few songs published - one is still being sung in churches today: You Are My Hiding Place. I have known your Director, Elise, and her mom for many years and am excited about working with young adults who enjoy worshipping our Lord in song. "Sing unto Him a new song, play skillfully with a shout of joy, for the word of the Lord is upright and all His work is done in faithfulness." Psalm 33:3,4


Ryan Ardelt

Ryan Ardelt is thrilled to be teaching at CYT this Fall! Ryan graduated from Grand Canyon University with a BA in Theatre and a minor in dance and has performed all around the valley. Some of his favorite credits include: Rolf in The Sound of Music (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Older Patrick and Ensemble in Mame (Arizona Broadway Theatre), Sammy Splitsole in Tappy the Elf (Tap 24.7), Albert/ Bill in Newsies (Hale Centre Theatre), and Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher (GCU). When he is not performing, Ryan also has a passion for teaching, choreographing, and composing. He has taught and choreographed at Valley Youth Theatre in Phoenix, Actor's Youth Theatre in Gilbert, Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria, and several other studios and theaters. He can't wait to teach your kids and is looking forward to what the season has to bring!


Sydney Meyers

Sydney Meyers is a recent graduate in Vocal Performance from Grand Canyon University who grew up doing CYT. She has been teaching private voice lessons for five years as well as performing around the valley. She is so looking forward to teaching the students and glorifying God through theater! Crowns for Jesus! Sing for the King!


Thiago Palma

Thiago Palma (CHEE-Ah-goo Paul-mah), commonly called Chee, is a Brazilian-American actor. He was born and raised in Brazil but at the age of 17 he moved to the USA to be an exchange student and learn the English language. Thanks to acting scholarships, Thiago graduated from American universities with a B.A. and M.F.A. degree in theatre and acting. Thiago is known for his work in film and live theatre.