Meet Your Instructor

Helping young performers grow, express, and shine, onstage and beyond

Hi, I’m Bethany. I’m a performing arts educator, coach, and mentor with over 8 years of experience and a deep passion for helping young people discover who they are through music, movement, and theatre.

My journey began not just onstage, but behind the scenes. Learning how stories are told, how voices are developed, and how confidence is built over time. I earned my BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Columbia College Chicago in 2021, along with a minor in Early Childhood Education. These two areas of study shaped both what I teach and how I teach.

While in college, I was deeply involved in performance, studying acting, voice, and dance while performing in productions across Chicago. During my sophomore year, I started to feel a shift. I realized I wasn’t just excited about performing, but also about sharing what I was learning with others.

It began with small moments, helping classmates with choreography, assisting professors, and leading warm-ups as dance captain. I started to notice how rewarding it was to watch someone else grow and gain confidence. That feeling of transformation became something I wanted to be a part of every day.

Soon after, I began teaching after-school theatre programs for elementary students around the city. It just made sense. I found myself completely drawn to education. After graduation, I made the choice to step away from professional performing and focus fully on teaching.

I relocated to Austin, Texas, where I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible organizations, including ZACH Theatre, TexArts, and Creative Action. I’ve taught students as young as three and as old as high school, helping them grow in skill and confidence.

My relationship with ZACH Theatre is especially meaningful. I started as an education intern in 2018 and have since become a teaching artist, specializing in voice, dance, and theatre. I return every year to lead their summer camps and semester-long classes, guiding students from first rehearsal to final performance.

Why I Teach

For me, teaching isn’t just about choreography or hitting the high note. It’s about creating a space where kids feel seen, valued, and supported.

The performing arts give children something powerful. Theatre builds confidence, empathy, and self-awareness. It allows students to explore different perspectives and express emotions they might not otherwise know how to communicate. It gives them a voice, and it shows them that their voice matters.

I want each student to walk away from my class not only more skilled, but more self-assured. Whether they want to be on Broadway someday or simply feel more confident singing in front of their peers, I am here to guide them, support them, and cheer them on.