Carolyn Franks
Studio Director

Carolyn is a lover of people and of the arts and Lifesong is the perfect place for her to express her heart for both. Carolyn's life has been preparation for Lifesong. Her formal music training began at the age of 8 when she started private piano lessons. Her musical gifts were encouraged by her school music teachers from elementary through high school, where she was the only accompanist for her school choirs from 5th grade through high school graduation. She also played piano weekly in her church from the age of 14 until the summer of 2006. Her love for theatre began in high school when she was cast in her first high school play and is inspired now by her daughter Maddie's love and talent for the stage. Her love and appreciation for the art of dance came when her daughter Taylor began dancing at the age of 3. She is inspired daily by her family, their talents and their shared love for the arts! Her passion for people and the arts took a new direction when she became the Worship & Arts Director at Highland Meadows Church (now Compass Christian Church) in Colleyville, serving in that position for 2 years from 2004-2006. Carolyn’s life experiences in the arts and in ministry as well as in the corporate world have all played a significant role in preparing her for her position as Director and Co-Owner of Lifesong Studio. Carolyn is thankful to God for the privilege of Lifesong and to her family for sharing in her passion and commitment to making Lifesong Studio a place where the arts are taught and experienced with the finest quality and utmost integrity.

Jay Franks
Executive Director

Jay has served our community as a minister since January of 1992. After leading worship at Compass Christian Church in Colleyville for 15 years, he transitioned into the position of Campus Pastor in the summer of 2006, just as Lifesong was getting ready to open it's doors for the first time. Jay's experiences in ministry, music, dramatic productions, architecture and construction have all enhanced and prepared him for his role as Executive Director and Co-Owner of Lifesong Studio. Jay is committed to people, first and foremost, and his influence at Lifesong is of utmost importance. Not only does he provide a supporting role in leading the staff, but he also manages the facility's needs, serves as the financial administrator and bookkeeper, builds sets and props for our dance and theatre studios and generally does "whatever it takes" to make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone has what they need. His "part-time" position has a "full-time" impact on Lifesong's commitment to excellence and "shaping hearts through the arts!"

Cody Franks
Technical Director

Cody is an original staff member at Lifesong. His primary responsibility is to manage the technical aspects of LifeStage Theatre's activities and needs. He is committed to providing the best possible technical support to our creative directors and performers. Cody has a wide variety of responsibilities at Lifesong and works behind the scenes to ensure that the atmosphere, facility and overall experience at Lifesong Studio and LifeStage Theatre is the best it can be. We are thankful for Cody's commitment and willingness to do "whatever it takes" to ensure that the productions, activities and overall experiences at Lifesong Studio and LifeStage Theatre are of the highest quality!

Paula Stevens
Dance Director, Instructor

Paula is an original staff member at Lifesong. She joined the Lifesong staff with over 20 years experience in dance and studio management. Her experience includes owner/director of her own studio for 14 years, with honors of national titles and grand champion awards for her choreography. Paula has also judged various dance competitions including dance company auditions for different studios. Paula grew up in Texas and has been dancing since age 3. She was an L.D. Bell Raiderette for 2 years, serving as lieutenant her senior year. She began teaching at the age of 16, and studied from various teachers. Her passion for dance was not to perform, but to be a teacher. In the past 20 years, her students have performed in such places as Six Flags, Fiesta Texas, the River Walk in San Antonio, the Citrus Bowl, and Texas Stadium. Her choreography has been featured at several Cowboy games and her students have performed half time with the famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders along with such super stars as Clint Black, Creed, Leanne Rhimes, Billy Gilman, Toby Keith, Jessica Simpson, Destiny’s Child, and Carrie Underwood. Paula encourages her students to pursue their dreams. Some of her students have gone on to be professional dancers, choreographers, and studio owners. Paula is married to her husband, Scott and they have two boys, Chase and Brian. Paula is a valuable asset to the staff at Lifesong with her varied experiences and positive approach. She is an inspiration to students and staff as she works in consulting, teaching, and assistance with choreography development. Paula oversees all of the aspects of the Lifesong's Dance Studio from leading the staff to ordering costumes, coordinating the recital and everything in between. We are beyond thankful for the positive, encouraging leadership and depth of experience Paula brings to Lifesong!

Cara Switzer
Dance Company Director, Instructor

Cara is an original staff member at Lifesong and is the Dance Company Director. Cara is an accomplished dancer and singer who graduated from the University of North Texas in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration. She has been studio trained since the age of 4 and has loved performing from the beginning! Cara’s experience includes teaching in the DFW area since 1998. Cara's students have received numerous overall and top awards at both Regional and National competitions. Her own choreography received 1st Overall at the 2009 Dance Showcase USA Competition and also the “Most Entertaining” award! Cara, along with the other Company Instructors at Lifesong, received "Best Choreography" at the 2008 International Dance Challenge. Cara also served as the choreographer for the Colleyville Heritage High School Ovation Jazz Choir from 2000-2005. More recently, Cara did choreography for LifeStage Theatre's 2007 production of Scrooge, the Musical and 2008's Suessical the Musical! While being at the studio is her passion, Cara also has a lot of enthusiasm and experience with Drill Team working as an instructor, choreographer, and adjudicator for American Dance/Drill Team School for several years. She now judges exclusively for Crowd Pleasers Dance Company. She also judges drill team tryouts all over the North Texas area. In high school, Cara served as a Junior and Senior Lieutenant for the CHHS Panteras and was named 1st Runner Up National Solo Champion for American Dance Drill Team in 1999. She was also named All American for 4 straight years. In 2004, Cara was instrumental in the development of a dance ministry at Highland Meadows Christian Church in Colleyville, TX where she served as choreographer and dancer. Cara and her students have participated in many televised events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, the FedEx Orange Bowl, and many Dallas Cowboys Halftime Performances with stars such as Destiny's Child, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gilman, Toby Keith, Creed, The Jonas Brothers and many others. Cara married her husband Aaron on May 15, 2004 and they welcomed their son, Sawyer Gray into the world on July 9, 2008. We are thankful for Cara's enthusiasm and passion as she teaches her students and leads the Dance Companies at Lifesong!

Kari Anderson
Dance Instructor

Kari joined the Lifesong team in Season 2. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Texas Christian University. Aside from her training in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, she has studied under scholarships at various performing arts studios in Los Angeles and under numerous instructors from the East to the West coast. She has been the recipient of many national choreography awards and her work has been featured on board the Star Ship Oceanic Tour, Festivals at Sea, in halftime performances and numerous theater productions and on competition stages throughout the United States. Kari's performing dance company was also selected by the National Goodwill Ambassador Program to tour and perform in Russia as Goodwill Ambassadors of the U.S. Kari travels across the country as a freelance Director and Choreographer and instructs annually for the Children's Theater Arts Program at Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas. Kari is enjoying her 9th year as a veteran teacher touring the nation with Dupree Dance Expos and Dupree Jazz 'N Tap Camp USA. She serves as the Master of Ceremonies and plays a key role in hosting dance competitions throughout the United States. Her dynamic personality and enthusiasm, combined with her unstoppable energy and creativity, continue to be the perfect recipe for success both in the classroom and on stage. Kari is an inspiration to everyone, especially her students and we are thankful for her positive approach as well as all of the gifts and talents she brings to Lifesong!

Brittany Bollinger
Dance Instructor

Brittany joined the Lifesong family as we began our 2009-2010 Season 4.  Brittany is a recent graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Ballet Performance as well as Pre-Occupational Therapy. While at school she had the privilege to work with esteemed dancers and choreographers such as Violette Veridy, Paul Sutherland, Ginger Thatcher, Freddie Franklin, Steve Brule, Donn Edwards, and Mary Margaret Holt. She performed leading or soloist roles in Les Corsaire, Reflections, Glazunov Variations, and Les Patineurs. Brittany also performed in such well known works as Rodeo, La Bayadare, Pas de Quatre, and Serenade. She was fortunate enough to be the original Laurie in Steve Brule’s “People Will Say We’re in Love” from the Broadway musical Oklahoma. In student choreography productions Brittany performed Ophelia in “As I Gathered Flowers by the Brook” by Sarah Worden and danced the “Summer” pas de deux in Youn Kyung Lee’s South Korean fusion ballet. Throughout her four years at OU, Brittany received the Dance Partner’s Scholarship, the Euval R. Charles Scholarship, the Helene C. Lottinville Prize in the Fine Arts, and the Donald F. Clark Outstanding Senior in the College of Fine Arts award. Before attending college she trained with the Metropolitan Classical Ballet Academy, the Stanova Semikov Ballet Academy, and the Schaffenburg Ballet Academy. Brittany attended summer programs at the Harid Conservatory, the Joffrey Ballet, and American Ballet Theater. She recently joined Metropolitan Classical Ballet as a corps de ballet member and is excited to work with this unique and incredible company! She is also overjoyed to have the opportunity to teach ballet, modern, and pointe at Lifesong!  And we are very thankful and privileged to welcome Brittany to our dance staff with all of the training, talent and experience that she brings!

Kristianne Green
Dance Instructor

Kristianne joined the Lifesong family in Season 3. She began her dance career training in classical ballet with Pat and Tanju Tuzer in Richardson, TX. She then received a scholarship to the Houston Ballet Academy and began her professional career at the age of 15. Next she worked with Ballet Oklahoma and then moved to Dallas where she performed with Moonslice Dance Theatre and the Dance Consortium. In 1994, Kristianne moved to Arizona and was a principle performer with Center Dance Emsemble for 7 years, also functioning as an original member and rehearsal director for Scorpius Dance Theatre and Tribe Light Bizzare. She was the ballet instructor at Metropolitan Arts Institute for 4 years. She served as the Dance Department Chair from 2002-2004 as well as ballet and modern instructor at New School for the Arts & Academics. Kristianne became the first Ballet Mistress for Dupree Dance Expo conducting master classes throughout the country in ballet, lyrical and modern in 2002. She was on the faculty at Scottsdale Community College, Destiny Dance International in Phoenix and Classic Image Dance in Mesa, Arizona. Choreography residencies include Desert Vista, Dobson, Highland, McClintock, Red Mountain, Ironwood, Centennial, Central and Mesa High School in Arizona. She also conducted master classes in Kansas, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Canada. Kristianne moved back to East Texas in June 2005 and had her daughter Akiva in September. Since relocating to Plano, Kristianne has taught as KJ Dance, Academy of Dance Arts in Allen and The Dallas Power House of Dance. Kristianne danced in two feature films, Tank Girl and Anastasia. She has also appeared in national commercials, infomercials and print ads. We are thrilled to have Kristianne and excited about the experience, talent, passion and heart that she brings to the dance studio at Lifesong!

Jeff Hampton
Dance Instructor

Jeff joined the Lifesong family in Season 4.  Jeff has always been an encourager and uplifter of spirits and is passionate about what he does.  His positive and joyful attitude carries over into his personality, his lifestyle, and his dance.  Jeff is a hip hop dancer who began his dancing career in high school when he formed a break dancing performance squad, called the “Blue Krew,” for school pep rallies.  Since then Jeff has been to several bboy events and has become a part of a traveling and performing hip hop crew known as RyteSide.  Jeff has expanded his dance experience from merely break dancing to many and various styles of dance.  He has trained in LA in street jazz, latin funk, tribal funk, lyrical, and even house.  As a break dancer, Jeff’s creative style and optimistic character go hand in hand when developing character in others.  His greatest joy is to see others succeed, and his satisfaction comes from observing people who achieve their goals and appreciate how far they’ve come even through their struggles.  Jeff is a lover of people and his zeal is easily seen through his dance.  From the moment Jeff came into Lifesong, his positive energy, passion and talent were evident and we’re excited about having him here to share that with our staff and students!

Pamela Langton
Dance Instructor

Pamela joined the Lifesong staff in Season 3, teaching Pre-ballet and Ballet, Tap, and Tumbling combo classes.  Training under the likes of Jeremy Keeton and Gregg Russell as well as various other well-known instructors, Pamela is also an accomplished choreographer.  Her choreography talents have been seen at Ohlook, Keller school theatrical performances, and Dana’s Studio of Dance, to name a few.  Not limited in her talents to dance alone, she has also appeared as a featured extra in several episodes of Barney, on stage at Ohlook and Runway Theatre, as well as in several commercials and training films.  She also has several print commercial credits. We are excited to have Pamela as a part of our Lifesong family and thankful for her special attention and care for our youngest dancers!

Kristen Mitchell
Dance Instructor

Kristen is an original staff member at Lifesong. She began her dance career in the DFW area at age 3. She has exclusive training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Clogging and Musical Theatre. By the time she had reached high school, she was receiving invitations and even some scholarships to take master dance classes all across America. She graduated from LD Bell in 2002 and served as Captain of the Raiderettes in 2001-2002. During that time she received several choreography awards in recognition for her hard work and creativity. Since that time she has done choreography for drill teams all across the DFW Metroplex. Kristen is a veteran live performer, having shared the stage with such acts as Clint Black, Jessica Simpson, and Creed. She was hired to be featured performer for the Miss Tennessee pageant, a preliminary to Miss America in 2001 and 2002. Kristen is beginning her 6th year touring the nation with Dupree Enterprises, a nationally ranked dance convention. She serves as a choreographer and teacher spreading her knowledge and love for dance all across America. We are thankful for the talent and creativity that Kristen brings to Lifesong Studio!

Julie Moulas
Dance Instructor

Julie joined the Lifesong family in Season 3.  Dancing since the age of three, Julie has been a member of dance and drill teams throughout her life.  Most notably, she spent five years as a member of the infamous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with whom she traveled and performed throughout the US as well as over 15 countries abroad with the USO, entertaining our troops.  She has performed on Saturday Night Live and several other TV shows and shared the stage with such celebrities as Wayne Newton, Jessica Simpson, Ricky Martin, Metallica, Reba McIntire, and Neal McCoy, among others.  Julie is the proud mother of three beautiful daughters.  We are thankful for the talent and experience that Julie brings to our dance staff!

Elise Nichols
Dance Instructor

Elise joined the Lifesong Staff in July 2009 after having just finished a year long tour with Feld Entertainment's Playhouse Disney Live show, touring the UK and the US. She graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2006 with a degree in Dance Management. During college she was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company and the Pep Dancers.  She also danced and choreographed for the OKC Yard Dawgz Dance Team. After graduation, she was sent to Seattle, WA by Silvertree Productions to choreograph Dance Party Extreme for the Wild Waves Six Flags Theme Park.  In July of 2006, she became the director of the Permian High School Panther Paws dance team in Odessa, TX where she taught dance classes as well as choreographed performances and competition pieces. The team won many awards at American Dance and Drill Team's Nationals competition and even had one routine recognized internationally. In 2007 she relocated to Los Angeles to further her performing career, dancing for the 2007 Christmas Fantasy Parade at the Disneyland Resort as well as the ABC Christmas Day filming. She was then hired by Feld Entertainment to tour with Playhouse Disney Live. During the tour, she had the opportunity to sing, act, and dance in 7 different roles. Now that the tour has ended she is ready to move forward at Lifesong Studio where she is excited to teach and continue to choreograph.  We are thankful to have the experience, talent and fresh perspective that Elise brings to Lifesong!

Brian Stevens
Dance Instructor

Brian is an original staff member and student at Lifesong, bringing over 10 years experience with him.  He has been an assistant teacher, company choreographer and company teacher since Lifesong's first season and is very excited about taking on more challenges each year.  Brian has trained under many instructors in the DFW area as well as instructors across the nation.  He has studied locally with Doubletake Dance Studio, Dana’s Studio of Dance, and Lifesong Studio.  Brian has won numerous overall awards, competition titles, and scholarships, including Tremaine, Dupree, L.A. Dance Magic, West Coast Dance Explosion, Jump, Adrenaline, and Co. Dance.  Brian has also received scholarships to the Broadway Dance Center in New York and Texas Intensives.  At the young age of 11, Brian was chosen to be an assistant for Tremaine Dance Convention where he traveled to different cities working with professionals from Los Angeles.  Brian works with groups, solos, duets and trios and has been recognized with many choreography awards and numerous overall awards.  Brian continues his dance training by attending dance conventions and taking classes weekly.  He has a passion for dance and he loves sharing his knowledge with his students.   We are fortunate and thankful to have Brian on our team.  His creativity, talent and passion for dance are a blessing and an asset to our dance studio!

Sarah Tanner
Dance Instructor

Sarah is an original staff member at Lifesong. She brings 16 years of dance experience including 4 years as an assistant teacher and 2 years of teaching. Sarah is a native Texan and began dance classes at age 2. Her training was with Doubletake Dance Studio, where she was a member of the junior, teen, and senior level dance company, moving on to become assistant instructor. Through high school, Sarah was a member of the award winning L.D. Bell drill team, the Raiderettes, being named captain her senior year. She has also been honored with awards for her tap and jazz solos over the past few years. Sarah has performed with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Clint Black, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gilman, Destiny’s Child and Carrie Underwood. Sarah remains current in her dance education through participation annually in dance conventions and master classes. Sarah's knowledge and experience in teaching different levels of dance are a positive and energizing influence to our dance students. She believes in making each student feel valued and is excited to teach and help guide them in anyway she can. We are thankful for the bright spot Sarah is at Lifesong, for her enthusiasm and for her sharing her talents and love for dance with her students!

Ludo Baccherini
Music Director & Instructor, Drums, Percussion

Ludo is an original staff member at Lifesong. Ludo is originally from Italy and grew up in the south of France where he graduated from the Dante Agostini jazz school of Drumming and the classical conservatory of music and arts where he studied classical music. He started his career as a professional musician at the age of 16. After graduating, Ludo decided to make the big move to Los Angeles, CA in 1988 where he went on to graduate from the Percussion Institute of Technology in Hollywood and studied with Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey and Steve Houghton. Ludo started playing professionally in the Los Angeles area with different recording artists and bands in all styles of music. After 8 years playing, recording and writing music in Los Angeles, Ludo had the opportunity to move to Nashville, TN to continue his career as a session drummer and music composer. In 2002, Ludo moved to Dallas, TX, to work with the most respected musicians in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area where he is the owner of "La Dolce Vita Recording Studios" and the independent record label "Luna Records." Through the years, Ludo has worked nonstop as a drummer on stages and in recording studios all over the world. As a drum teacher, he has taught and conducted drum clinics all over the world for over 20 years.  He is also a well respected music composer and producer for his work with various international artists, television shows and the motion picture industry. We are privileged to have Ludo’s talent, experience and professionalism at Lifesong as an instructor, musician and leader!

Megan Bream
Music Instructor, Piano

Megan joined the Lifesong Music Staff in June 2009.  She is originally from Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania and now resides in Dallas.  Inspired by her older sister who was taking lessons, Megan started learning to play the piano when she was eight-years-old.  She quickly grew to love the instrument and studied classically through high school and college.  She also participated in marching and concert band and choir, where she sang and played as an accompanist.  She not only loves to read music, but passionately applies her technical training to more spontaneous environments.  She began playing on several church worship teams at the age of eleven.  Since then, Megan has grown to love playing music by ear and even writing her own music.  She has helped lead worship for many years at special youth conferences on the East Coast as well as in Mexico, Brazil, and Israel.  Megan loves to train students classically as well as show them how to apply these skills in creative and original ways.  She is currently studying Elementary Education and Spanish at Dallas Baptist University and organizes and instructs worship teams in how to lead spontaneous worship at the Gordon Lindsay House of Prayer at Christ for the Nations Institute.  We are thankful to have Megan’s talent, experience and commitment to excellence as a musician and teacher as well as her heart for people as we welcome her to the Lifesong family!

Rick Curcio
Music Instructor, Guitar

Rick joined the Lifesong music staff in October of 2007. He is 28 years old and is originally from Baldwin, New York. He has been playing guitar for over 18 years. Rick graduated from Colleyville Heritage H.S. where he performed in many talent shows and various other events. He began teaching his junior year in the school cafeteria. He went on to college at the University of North Texas, where he studied jazz guitar and majored in history. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, he went on to Media Tech Institute where he studied audio engineering, and applied his love of music in the recording studio. Rick spent some time as a session guitarist and even made an appearance in a children’s toy that played the song My Sherona, and was sold at Target stores throughout the U.S. In the past 2 years he has taught guitar both privately and in studios. Rick pursues his passion in his band Ashmore, where he has achieved such goals as opening up a national tour for Jon Bon Jovi and Nickleback, as well as appearing on Fuse TV. Rick’s passion for music as well as his varied performing and teaching experiences make him a valuable asset to Lifesong’s Music studio. We are thankful to have Rick on staff and appreciate his talent and experience in teaching and performing!

Kristie Goodman
Music Instructor, Voice, Piano

Kristie is an original staff member at Lifesong! She brings to Lifesong many years experience as a voice instructor and early childhood music educator. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from West Texas A&M University, where she was privileged to study under the exceptional tutelage of Miss Elsa Porter, WTAMU Professor Emeritus. She obtained her teaching certification in music for all levels in 1990. Kristie is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and has been a member of Texas Music Educator’s Association. Kristie also has ten years of piano training, two of those at the college level. While attending WT, Kristie participated in many musical theater and opera productions, her favorite being the role of Casilda in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. She also performed in the musical drama “Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon for four seasons. Originally from Amarillo, Kristie and husband Joel moved to the metroplex in 1991. Not long after, Jay and Carolyn Franks also moved to the midcities from Amarillo, and Jay promptly recruited Kristie for his church choir. Thus began Kristie’s many years of participation in the music ministry of Highland Meadows Christian Church, from the praise and worship team, to choir and dance ministry. Kristie served as vocal coach to the choir and helped direct two of Highland Meadows’ productions. Kristie has enjoyed teaching music to preschoolers since 2000. When Kristie first began teaching, she had no idea that she would love it so much! Committed to providing her students the best instruction available, Kristie continues to attend training seminars and workshops to stay informed on the best methods in the industry. We are thankful for Kristie's talent, enthusiasm and passion for music and teaching!

Robyn Jacobson
Music Instructor, Piano, Voice

Robyn joined the Lifesong staff in November 2009 and we are thrilled to have her!  Robyn was born and raised in Roswell, New Mexico and began studying piano at age 8. She participated in many regional piano competitions while growing up and she's been singing for as long as she can remember. She sang with choirs both at church and school from elementary through high school, making All-State Choir all 4 years of high school.  In high school, she also was fortunate to start performing in musicals. Robyn majored in vocal performance and a concentration in piano at Texas Tech University.  While at Tech, she performed in operas & musical theater at the university, as well as in the Lubbock community. After graduating from Tech,  she moved to Dallas, primarily to study voice with Madeline Sanders, from SMU. Robyn also studied voice in Europe and performed in Austria. After studying and performing abroad, she returned to Texas and began teaching music. She worked at Peace Lutheran in Hurst as the Assistant Music Director, as well as pre-school music teacher. She is trained in Kindermusik and I really enjoys working with young children (pre-school & elementary). For the past several years, Robyn has travelled to Honduras with my church's Optical mission trip, where she helps translate for the Optometrist. This is really meaningful to me, as we sometimes see up to 1500 people in one week and improve their ability to see clearly.   Robyn lives in Colleyville with her 2 teenage children. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, reading, singing in her church choir, and going to her childrens' football, cheer & music activities. I feel really blessed to be teaching at Lifesong, and working with Carolyn, who is a long-time friend.  We are grateful to have Robyn's experience, enthusiasm, passion and commitment to excellence and we're excited to welcome her into the Lifesong family!

Belinda Johnson
Music Instructor, Voice

Belinda joined the Lifesong music staff in January 2008.  Belinda has been singing since the 2nd grade, always involved in the top choirs and a regular soloist. She had the privilege of traveling to New Zealand in High Schoolwith the Elite Choir. She majored in Music/Vocal Performance in College at the University of Hawaii, where she fell in love with music theory, but her passion was singing so she auditioned and was offered a scholarship to Shenandoah University and Conservatory in Winchester Virginia where she graduated with a Bachelor's in Music/Vocal Performance and a minor in Piano. While at Shenandoah, Belinda had the opportunity to work on various opera's and musical theater productions.  She also traveled throughout Europe performing at Sunday Mass at the Vatican and all the major cathedrals in Italy, Germany and Hungary withthe Elite Choir. She remained at Shenandoah after graduation and started my Master's degree inVocal Performancewith an emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy.  After a year of further study, Belinda moved toDallas, TX where she started singing with the Dallas Symphony Chorus, even traveling to Jerusalem to sing with the Israeli Philharmonic. She sang with the symphony chorus for over 4 years. Throughout this time she was part of the worship team for her church in Plano as well as the leader of the youth band. In addition to her musical pursuits, Belinda has enjoyed a professional career in Television.  For years, Belinda has been teaching private voice lessons.  Belinda adores her students and loves teaching and inspiring them to be the best they can be.  We are thankful for all of the talent and experience that Belinda brings to her students and to the team at Lifesong!

Bryan Meggison
Music Instructor, Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Bass Guitar

Bryan joined the music staff at Lifesong in August of 2007.  Originally from McAllen, Texas, Bryan now lives in Lewisville and plays alto and tenor saxophones, keyboards and bass for local Dallas bands The Vince Lujan Project, Scarlet, and The B-side Trio to name a few.  Bryan earned his degree in Jazz Studies Saxophone Performance at the University of North Texas and enjoys playing and teaching piano, saxophone, flute and bass guitar.  Bryan is loved and respected by his students and fellow musicians and we are so thankful to have the diversity and passion for music that he brings to Lifesong Studio!

Emily Olson
Music Instructor, Piano

Emily came to Lifesong in the summer of 2009 as Theatre Accompanist and Piano Instructor.  She will also be serving our Lifesong families at the Front Desk as we begin our 2009-2010 Season 4.  Emily grew up in Wisconsin and has played the piano since she was seven. She began accompanying her church choir when she was ten and was the regular church pianist and accompanist for Christmas plays for ten years. In high school Emily played for voice students and helped prepare them for Solo & Ensemble competitions. She performed at local nursing homes and co-led a youth group and children’s choir. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Hillsdale College in Michigan where she was involved in Sigma Alpha Iota, the Women’s Honorary Music Fraternity, accompanied students for various voice teachers, assisted with opera workshops, performed in numerous recitals and concerts, taught private piano lessons to local beginners, performed background music for dinners and events, and won the annual student concerto competition. During college, Emily had a summer job playing background piano music at a restaurant on weekends, and she was the pianist for her church praise band. In addition to performing, accompanying and teaching, Emily enjoys playing piano for weddings, memorials, recordings, improvisation and composition.  Emily is a wonderful asset to Lifesong in many ways and we are thankful for the excitement, talent and heart she brings!

Chris Robinson
Music Instructor, Guitar

Chris joined the Lifesong music staff in August 2007 as we began Season 2. Chris has always had a passion for music and has played the guitar for over 17 years. He got a B.B.A. Degree in Marketing at the University of North Texas with a minor in Music. He also took night classes and received a Studio Engineering Degree from The Dallas Sound Lab School for Recording Arts. After college Chris began working for Clear Channel Communications at KZPS, KDGE, and Fox Sports. From there he found an opportunity to work at a non-commercial station that he was very passionate about, 89.7 Power FM “The Christian Rock Station”. He is still currently employed there and also works in promotions for Monster Energy Drink. For the past four years, Chris was the Music Director for both the Junior High and Senior High students at Living Word Lutheran Church in Grapevine. He has also played guitar and bass in several bands over the years and currently writes and records all the instrumentation for his current band, Remnant Tribe. He also loves singing, playing bass guitar, piano, mandolin, and drums. We are fortunate to have Chris on our team and we're thankful for his passion for music and his genuine love for his students and commitment to teaching them with excellence!

Shannon Ward
Music Instructor, Violin, Piano

Shannon was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she began her musical studies at the Oral Roberts University Suzuki School. Beginning at 2 ½, she is the youngest student ever to have studied at the school. During her early developmental years, she participated in Kindermusik, piano & dance lessons, as well as church choirs and the Tulsa Children's Chorus. She attributes her further musical success to these early childhood activities. During high school, she held positions as Concertmistress of several symphony orchestras and chamber music groups including the Oklahoma All State Orchestra, Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Orchestra, Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra, The Arkansas Regional Chamber Orchestra, Arioso String Trio, and played professionally with members of the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra as a part of Greg Lynch Strings. Following her high school graduation in 2001, Shannon was selected as a violinist in The National Symphony Summer Youth Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Waco, Texas became Shannon's home in 2001 as she began her studies at Baylor University. While there, she enjoyed playing classical violin in the Baylor University Symphony Orchestra and played professionally with the Waco Symphony Orchestra.  She maintained a private studio of violin students during her college years and was a part of the teaching team at Central Texas Suzuki String Academy. Shannon also developed her improvisation skills on the violin with the worship band at Antioch Community Church. In 2002, she was chosen as one of two interns to play with the prestigious The Eastern Symphony Orchestra at Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, N.C.  Initially majoring in Violin Performance and Pedagogy, she completed her degree in International Studies with a minor in music in 2006. Connecting her International Studies degree and her love of music, Shannon has traveled with mission teams sharing the international language of music in Turkey, Mexico, and Israel. During the summer of 2007 she traveled to the Czech Republic, England, and Wales to participate with the US team in the international worship festival Celebration for the Nations. From April 2007 to February 2008 Shannon earned the nickname "fiddle girl" at Gilley's Dallas and appeared on stage every weekend as a member of the Gilley's House Band - Chris Rivers Band. Currently, Shannon gigs around DFW with string quartets and orchestras for special occasions. A member of Lifesong Studio staff since January 2007, Shannon teaches both piano and violin lessons. She believes strongly in the power of music on the mind and emotions and hopes to inspire her students to become passionate and self confident in their musical and non-musical endeavors. Shannon truly has the heart of an artist and we are thankful to have her share that with her students and fellow musicians at Lifesong!

Laura Stratton
Theatre Director & Instructor

Laura joined the Lifesong Staff in July 2010 as Theatre Director. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from TCU in the spring of 2010 with a B.A. in Theatre and minors in Spanish and Anthropology. While her passion has always been performing, Laura has always taken great interest in academics. Her love of learning took on a new form this past year when she took a job tutoring part-time with the Fort Worth After School program. She is delighted she can combine her two favorite interests through teaching and directing at Lifesong. Laura practically grew up at a children’s theatre in Topeka, Kansas and feels that her various mentors and teachers over the years were molding her for this dream job. She took lessons in acting, dancing, voice, and piano throughout her childhood, and has dozens of plays/musicals on her performance resume, in addition to voice-over work for TCU’s School of Music as well as experience on camera in the webisode series “Not High School.” She also made her opera debut this spring in the TCU School of Music’s production of The Magic Flute. Laura cannot believe she has the opportunity to do what she loves for a living, and is extremely grateful and excited that she landed at Lifesong.  We are thrilled and thankful to have Laura leading our Theatre Studio and excited about the experience and passion she brings to the students and staff at Lifesong!

Emily Alexander
Theatre Instructor

Emily joined the Lifesong Staff in August 2009.  She comes to us with several years of acting experience and specializes in improvisational acting.  Emily has been performing professionally for the past ten years with the improv comedy group, Pavlov’s Dogs.  She can also be seen and heard in several toy and game commercials for Hasbro and Electronic Arts, including Gloworm, Littlest Pet Shop, Charm Girls Club, Cranium, and more.  Emily received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication with a minor in Theatre from Texas A&M University.  She has also trained with acting and improvisational luminaries from The Second City and The Groundlings, including Charna Halpern, Gary Austin and the late Del Close. Over the past several years, Emily has taught improv workshops and theatre classes to children and adults, and she is excited to continue helping students develop their God-given gifts and talents at Lifesong.  Emily can sometimes be seen on stage or in video at Fellowship Church, where she is a member with her husband Dale and son Benjamin.  Despite several roles throughout her career, Emily’s most treasured performance was twirling her glitter baton in a home video known by her family as Christmas Video for Grandma, a hilarious must-see for anyone who still owns a VCR! We are honored and thankful to have Emily at Lifesong and thankful for her professionalism, her love for people and her passion for the arts and teaching!

Kristie Goodman
Theatre & Music Instructor

Kristie is an original staff member at Lifesong! She brings to Lifesong many years experience as a voice instructor and early childhood music educator. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from West Texas A&M University, where she was privileged to study under the exceptional tutelage of Miss Elsa Porter, WTAMU Professor Emeritus. She obtained her teaching certification in music for all levels in 1990. Kristie is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and has been a member of Texas Music Educator’s Association. Kristie also has ten years of piano training, two of those at the college level. While attending WT, Kristie participated in many musical theater and opera productions, her favorite being the role of Casilda in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. She also performed in the musical drama “Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon for four seasons. Originally from Amarillo, Kristie and husband Joel moved to the metroplex in 1991. Not long after, Jay and Carolyn Franks also moved to the midcities from Amarillo, and Jay promptly recruited Kristie for his church choir. Thus began Kristie’s many years of participation in the music ministry of Highland Meadows Christian Church, from the praise and worship team, to choir and dance ministry. Kristie served as vocal coach to the choir and helped direct two of Highland Meadows’ productions. Kristie has enjoyed teaching music to preschoolers since 2000. When Kristie first began teaching, she had no idea that she would love it so much! Committed to providing her students the best instruction available, Kristie continues to attend training seminars and workshops to stay informed on the best methods in the industry. We are thankful for Kristie's talent, enthusiasm and passion for people, music and teaching!

Tracy Levinson
Theatre Instructor

Tracy officially joins the Lifesong Staff in the summer of 2009 as a Theatre Instructor. Tracy has a special desire to work with "the little people" and is excited to share her knowledge and experience in theatre with the students at Lifesong. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Texas in 1988 and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Houston in 1991. She has a depth of experience as an Actor and Director having studied and worked in various places such as American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Newport Theatre Arts Center in Los Angeles, Alley Theatre in Houston, School of Performing Arts in Chicago, and Stage West in Dallas to name a few. Kevin Harris, Morning Host and Creative Service Director of KWRD-FM in Dallas says "Tracy has a brilliant mind, a loving heart, and winning talent. She has both knowledge and humility - a combination not often found. an encounter with Tracy Levinson before an audience or one-on-one is a true blessing."   We are thankful for the heart, passion, talent and inspiration that Tracy brings to the Lifesong family!

Elise Nichols
Theatre & Dance Instructor

Elise joins the Lifesong Staff in July 2009 after having just finished a year long tour with Feld Entertainment's Playhouse Disney Live show, touring the UK and the US. She graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2006 with a degree in Dance Management. During college she was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company and the Pep Dancers.  She also danced and choreographed for the OKC Yard Dawgz Dance Team. After graduation, she was sent to Seattle, WA by Silvertree Productions to choreograph Dance Party Extreme for the Wild Waves Six Flags Theme Park.  In July of 2006, she became the director of the Permian High School Panther Paws dance team in Odessa, TX where she taught dance classes as well as choreographed performances and competition pieces. The team won many awards at American Dance and Drill Team's Nationals competition and even had one routine recognized internationally. In 2007 she relocated to Los Angeles to further her performing career, dancing for the 2007 Christmas Fantasy Parade at the Disneyland Resort as well as the ABC Christmas Day filming. She was then hired by Feld Entertainment to tour with Playhouse Disney Live. During the tour, she had the opportunity to sing, act, and dance in 7 different roles. Now that the tour has ended she is ready to move forward at Lifesong Studio where she is excited to teach and continue to choreograph.  We are thankful to have the experience, talent and fresh perspective that Elise brings to Lifesong!

Emily Olson
Theatre & Music Instructor

Emily joins the Lifesong family in the summer of 2009 as Theatre Accompanist and Piano Instructor.  She will also be serving our Lifesong families at Front Desk.  Emily grew up in Wisconsin and has played the piano since she was seven. She began accompanying her church choir when she was ten and was the regular church pianist and accompanist for Christmas plays for ten years. In high school Emily played for voice students and helped prepare them for Solo & Ensemble competitions. She performed at local nursing homes and co-led a youth group and children’s choir. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Hillsdale College in Michigan where she was involved in Sigma Alpha Iota, the Women’s Honorary Music Fraternity, accompanied students for various voice teachers, assisted with opera workshops, performed in numerous recitals and concerts, taught private piano lessons to local beginners, performed background music for dinners and events, and won the annual student concerto competition. During college, Emily had a summer job playing background piano music at a restaurant on weekends, and she was the pianist for her church praise band. In addition to performing, accompanying and teaching, Emily enjoys playing piano for weddings, memorials, recordings, improvisation and composition.  Emily is a wonderful asset to Lifesong in many ways and we are thankful for the excitement, talent and heart she brings!

Mary Howe
Art Instructor

Mary is an original staff member at Lifesong.  She has been painting since the age of seven.  She received formal and private school education.  She attended Governor's State University/Chicago and received a degree in Advertising/Art History.  She traveled extensively throughout Europe and feels that her travel as well as her training and education are depicted in her murals and faux finishing work.  Her main artistry is shown in upscale residential and commercial properties.  She also enjoys teaches art lessons to people of all ages.  Mary's priorities in life are God, family and career.  She enjoys bringing creative people together to learn, share and tap into their own creativity.  Working professionally and with entrepreneurs has allowed her to increase her knowledge, stay of top of current trends, tools, ideas, and current research.  Mary resides in Grapevine with Jerry, her husband of 20 years.  They have two children; Bridget 18, and Megan 13.  Other than her love for art, she enjoys biking, swimming, and family vacations.  She regularly hosts workshops for homeowners, hobbyists, college students, painting contractors, future artists, and existing businesses.  We are truly thankful for Mary’s talent and genuine love for her students and for Lifesong!