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.  
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Leah Girbert
Dance 

COMING SOON
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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 for two weeks in 2017 and the full month long program in 2018. 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. 

Adra Ludwig
Drama

Adra Ludwig has been working on and off the stage for fifteen years, and has been teaching drama for the last twelve years. Adra has written and directed over twenty plays and skits that have been performed in the US and abroad. Adra currently teaches at two homeschool co-ops, and was the camp director for the 'Oak Ridge Playhouse Jr’s Summer camps' in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Adra is also involved in making independent Faith-based films with different filmmakers from Knoxville, Crossville, Nashville, etc. So far, Adra has been involved in twelve indie film productions, working behind and in front of the camera. She recently started an 'Introduction to Filmmaking' class for young people, and they plan on making short films to enter in Christian film festivals.

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

COMING SOON  

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.