About the CA faculty

CONCORDarts is proud to work with some of the best, and most respected, dance and drama instructors in all of East Tennessee. Our administrative team works to insure our instructors are not only exceptional at their art, but that they are people we would want teaching our own children.  You will find many of our instructors are actively involved in church ministry, attend Christian college or teach in Knoxville-area Christian schools.  

Leslie Arnold
Drama and Dance

Leslie Arnold found her love for the arts when she began dancing more than 15 years ago. She trained at a variety of local studios before finding her love for Christian dance with Lighthouse Artistic Ministries. It wasn't until college, however, that Leslie found her love for Theatre and Acting. Leslie is a recent graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan University where she studied Voice and minored in Theatre. In her time at TWU, Leslie starred in a variety of productions, including as "Audrey" in Little Shop of Horrors and as "Lady Gwendolen Fairfax" in The Importance of Being Earnest. Leslie also recently played the role of "Paulette" in The Arts Center of Athens' production of Legally Blonde. ConcordArts students may recognize Leslie as "Emma Riley" from FBConcord's 2017 Concord Quest production of The Waymaker. For the last two years, Leslie has taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Musical Theatre at Salt and Light Studio in the Sweetwater area. Leslie currently serves as Marketing Director for The Arts Center of Athens.
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Leah Girbert
Dance 

Leah Girbert has been dancing since the age of four. Over the many years, she has been trained in classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz and contemporary movement. Growing up, Leah participated in traditional studio dance and started teaching her junior year of high school. During her freshman and sophomore years of college she was a member of the University of Kentucky’s dance ensemble, which specialized in modern dance. After moving to Tennessee for her junior year of college, Leah danced with local Christian dance company Ballet Gloria for two years. Leah has trained locally at Studio Arts for Dancers, where she was a guest artist for Go! Contemporary Dance Works. In 2009, Leah started dancing with Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries, where she discovered her passion for using dance to share the Gospel. In 2012, Leah participated in Ballet Magnificat’s summer teacher intensive where she learned more about teaching and performing dance in a way that brings glory to our Savior. 
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Kara Griffin
Dance

Kara Griffin has danced for 13 years under the direction of many wonderful instructors in several Knoxville-area studios. Kara began teaching several years ago as an assistant at another local studio and found a passion for helping young people develop their dance talent. During the summers, Kara has enjoyed traveling and taking part in dance intensives in other cities. She has especially enjoyed Ballet Magnificat!'s summer intensive program in Jackson, MS, where she attended has participated in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Through these experiences, Kara has grown in learning to dance for the Lord, which she loves to share with her students. Kara began teaching for CONCORDarts in 2017 and instantly became a favorite among our students!  
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Drey Herron
Dance

Drey Herron began her ballet training with Memphis Ballet Society with a focus on Russian technique under Martin Viscount.  Later, the focus changed to the Royal Academy of Dance technique under the direction of Michael and Judy Tevlin. Mrs. Herron graduated from University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a major in Dance and Musical Theatre. For more than 30 years. Mrs. Herron has served the East Tennessee area as professional performer, teacher, choreographer and director. The arts (particularly singing, dancing, instrumental music, and acting) are an integral part of her connection to the Creator. 

Christen McCuisten
Dance

Christen McCuiston began her dance experience at the age of six. After one year of ballet, she was introduced to the world of Worship and International dance at Bezalel International School, where she trained under the direction of Jean Mabry. Christen immediately fell in love with dancing for the glory and honor of her Savior, Jesus Christ, something she now loves sharing with others. Christen has performed locally, nationally and internationally with the Christian dance company For Zion’s Sake, where she now serves as the assistant director. Christen has also trained locally under the direction of Carol Armstrong and at the Academy of Dance Arts in Lenoir City. During her nearly nine years of teaching, Christen has trained adults and children of all ages in ballet, worship, international, and interpretive dance. 

Casey Riley
Dance

Casey Mae Riley has been dancing since 2004 under the leadership of studios in SC, and right here in East TN at Lighthouse Artistic Ministries, Concord Performing Arts Academy and at the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association, where she was honored to be featured as Clara in The Nutcracker, and as Rapunzel in Into the Woods. Casey's love and passion for dance has grown over the years to include a wide range of dance genres, including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Lyrical and Pointe. Although dance has a strong pull on Casey's heart, her Savior Jesus Christ has His grasp on her life. Casey strongly desires to use her ability as a dancer to glorify Him and make His name known. Casey also has a dream of teaching dance camps in the mission field - specifically in San Marcos, Honduras, where she has had the joy of working with local families while on short term mission trips.

Steve and Julie Arnold
Co-Directors

Steve and Julie Arnold share a deep love for the arts, but most importantly for their Lord. Steve and Julie met during their tenure in the University of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Marching Band. While at UT, Julie received her B.A. in Speech and Theater, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. Steve received his B.S. in Management from Tusculum College. Both have been involved in musical and theatrical performance for many years, performing alongside many notable celebrities, including Wynton Marsalis, Travis Cottrell and Bill Gaither. Since they began using their talents in Christian service, Steve and Julie have had the opportunity to travel and perform throughout the United States, and internationally in East Asia, Thailand, Spain and Ireland. In 2011, Steve and Julie agreed to serve as Directors of CPAA's programming and witnessed that program grow from just six piano students to well over 300 students involved in weekly dance, drama and music instruction. In 2018, to accommodate the growth needs of the dance and drama program, Steve and Julie established CONCORDarts as an independent ministry, and moved all dance and drama programming to Virtue Church in Farragut.