Skip To Main Content

High School Art Programs & Educators' Bios

2026-27 High School BAND PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Band Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders

to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Students will study Band for 90 minutes throughout the year.  The Band curriculum includes music performance in rehearsals and concerts including solos, duets, trios, small ensembles, and full group wind ensemble.  Music theory and music history are also studied in conjunction with ensemble literature.

Band Educator's Bio

Christina Jones

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She has performed with the UNC-G Wind Ensemble and Greensboro Community Band.  She has taught privately and has had students participate in All-County, All-District, and Honors Bands.  She is currently a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Central District Bandmasters Association. jonesc4@gcsnc.com.

2026-27 High School DANCE PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Dance Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th -12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Students will study Dance for 90 minutes daily throughout the year.  The Dance curriculum focuses on a strong concentration in Contemporary Technique, Tap Technique, Choreography/Composition & Improvisation. Students perform frequently throughout the school year. Students also have many opportunities to perform and work with regional and national guest dance artists as well as to collaborate with other arts departments at PGSA.

Dance Educator's Bio

Amelia Renee Byrd

(Memphis, TN) holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre/Dance and a Bachelor of Professional Studies alongside a teaching licensure in K-12 Dance Education from the University of Memphis. Amelia was formerly the Dance Educator at Colonial Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts and a member of Project: Motion Dance Collective in Memphis, TN from 2008-2011. Amelia has presented work with Project: Motion, the University of Memphis Theatre and Dance Department, the UNC-Greensboro School of Dance, Playhouse on the Square’s Summer Youth Theatre Conservatory, the Greensboro Fringe Festival and the North Carolina Dance Festival. Amelia is a 2014 graduate of UNC-Greensboro, receiving a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance/Choreography and is currently working as the Dance Educator at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts in High Point, NC where she also serves as a co-lead Dance Educator for Guilford County Schools. Amelia was a member of JOYEMOVEMENT, a dance company in Greensboro, NC having performed for four seasons (2014-2018). Amelia served as a board member for the North Carolina Dance Education Organization (NCDEO) as the Director of Dance Advocacy (2020-2024). byrda2@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Guitar PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Guitar Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Students will study Guitar for 90 minutes daily throughout the year.  The Guitar curriculum includes technique, solo and ensemble repertoire, chamber music, performance and competition opportunities, music theory and fretboard harmony, guitar pedagogy, and preparation for college/conservatory/concert stage.

Guitar Educator's Bio

Chris Cloud

Chris Cloud is a modern and classical guitarist who has been performing and teaching since 2003. He formed Cloud Music Academy in Greensboro in 2015 providing tens of thousands of lessons spanning multiple instruments, including a teaching recording studio which worked with local and touring. He is currently the Director of Guitar Studies at Penn Griffin School for the Arts, where he teaches Middle and High School guitar. His students have performed at the New York Guitar Festival, the Carolina Blues Festival and NC Folk Fest. They also regularly participate in guitar competitions, festivals, and other community-based performance activities. He performed solo and with groups in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. He has been on stage with grammy winning artists such as Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Andrew York and Jason Vieaux including a world premiere of Sergio Assad’s “The Walls” and performing solo for the Bryan Series. He performed at Carnegie Hall during the summer of 2024. And now helps build festivals that serve the artistic youth and the education community including ACE Spirit Week Festival and Guitarganza. cloudc@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Modern Music Production PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Entertainment Arts Program for grades 9 – 12. We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year. Entertainment Arts is an immersive popular music production program designed for musical learners at varying levels of proficiency offered to GCS Students in partnership with Notes for Notes®. Notes for Notes® is a national non-profit organization who provides youth with free access to contemporary musical instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music can become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. Students will learn about all aspects of the musical creation and production processes as well as invest themselves in live sound, engineering, creative songwriting, instrumentation, podcasting, performance and more. Courses will be held in a state-of-the-art music recording studio with a curriculum designed for any of your musical interests. The music that comes out of our Entertainment Arts Studios will be as diverse as the youth that create it!

Modern Music Production Notes 4 Notes Educator's Bio

Caleb Alexander

is the lead producer at the Notes for Notes studio in Penn-Griffin. He has been in the music industry for over 8 years, working in various studios across the country ranging from Atlanta and New York City to Los Angeles. Mr. Alexander has been a part of Notes for Notes and the PGSA Modern Music Program for over two years as a producer and educator. calexander@notesfornotes.org

2026-27 High School MoDern Music Production PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Entertainment Arts Program for grades 9 – 12. We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year. Entertainment Arts is an immersive popular music production program designed for musical learners at varying levels of proficiency offered to GCS Students in partnership with Notes for Notes®. Notes for Notes® is a national non-profit organization who provides youth with free access to contemporary musical instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music can become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. Students will learn about all aspects of the musical creation and production processes as well as invest themselves in live sound, engineering, creative songwriting, instrumentation, podcasting, performance and more. Courses will be held in a state-of-the-art music recording studio with a curriculum designed for any of your musical interests. The music that comes out of our Entertainment Arts Studios will be as diverse as the youth that create it!

 

Modern Music Production Notes 4 Notes Educator's Bio

Devereaux Nash

Hello! My name is Devereaux and I’m the Studio and Education Assistant at the Notes For Notes studio in Penn-Griffin. I have been involved in the arts since pre-k and have studied vocal and choral music, the violin and orchestral music, dance, and theater. I am also a recording artist and producer, as well as a published author and poet.  

I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s in political science. During college, I was a member and the director of the premier all-female Acappella group The UNCG Sapphires and won ICCA awards for best vocal arrangement, and best choreography while directing. After college, I co-founded A Collective of Excellence — a non-profit dedicated to celebrating Arts, Education, and Culture in the Triad area. During this time, I also became an educator for Guilford County Schools. 

After spending some time in GCS as a social studies educator I am excited to fuse my passion for the fine arts, community service, and educating the youth into this role at the Notes for Notes studio! 

2026-27 High School MoDern Music Production PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Entertainment Arts Program for grades 9 – 12. We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year. Entertainment Arts is an immersive popular music production program designed for musical learners at varying levels of proficiency offered to GCS Students in partnership with Notes for Notes®. Notes for Notes® is a national non-profit organization who provides youth with free access to contemporary musical instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music can become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. Students will learn about all aspects of the musical creation and production processes as well as invest themselves in live sound, engineering, creative songwriting, instrumentation, podcasting, performance and more. Courses will be held in a state-of-the-art music recording studio with a curriculum designed for any of your musical interests. The music that comes out of our Entertainment Arts Studios will be as diverse as the youth that create it!

 

Modern Music Production Educator's Bio

Chiwahn Walden

Mr. Chiwahn Walden has 25 years of music teaching experience in North Carolina and Virginia teaching students in Grades Pre-K to 12. Mr. Walden received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Engineering Technology from Hampton University. He is dedicated to his teaching philosophy of ensuring strong foundational knowledge and skill acquisition, while prioritizing exposure to new concepts to ignite an increased appetite for growth, discovery, and creativity within his students. Mr. Walden desires and works diligently to maintain a student-centered educational environment that promotes respect for all and building community. He utilizes his wealth of experience teaching middle and high school chorus, middle and high school band, elementary music, and private instrumental studio lessons to support and facilitate the development of well-rounded student musicians. waldenc@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Music Appreciation PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Band Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  The high school music appreciation curriculum focuses on special topics within the field of music. This includes, but is not limited to, learning about music from different cultures, music theory, music history, or other selected topics of interest. AP Music Theory is also offered for interested students.

Music Appreciation Educator's Bio

Dr. Matthew Wilson

Dr. Matt Wilson is a violinist and violist from South Carolina. He earned his bachelor's degree in music education from Appalachian State University, a master's in music education from UNC Greensboro, and a Ph.D in music education from the University of Kansas. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and the American Strings Teachers Association. Dr. Wilson loves to cook and make music with a wide variety of community ensembles in the triad area! wilsonm14@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School ORCHESTRA PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Orchestra Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Orchestra meets for 90 minutes daily throughout the year.  The Orchestra curriculum includes proper care of the instrument, tuning of the instrument, warm-up techniques, rhythm patterns, bowing techniques, development of vibrato and left-hand technique, major and minor scales and arpeggios—one, two, and three octaves, sight reading, repertoire: will include a variety of styles and periods, solo - small and large ensemble, basic music theory as relates to repertoire, and performances.

Orchestra Director's Bio

Damien Miles

Mr. Miles graduated from UNCG in 2023. He began music by playing percussion in middle school band before picking up the double bass. In school, he studied music education and jazz performance and worked as a performing musician and private instructor. Mr. Miles is excited to bring his perspective to the orchestra program at Penn-Griffin. milesd4@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Photography PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Band Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Honors Photographic Design offers students the opportunity to develop photographic skills, focusing on design principles, creative techniques, and digital editing.  Students will learn from and engage with guest speakers.  With the use of cell phones and DSLR cameras, High School students will explore composition, lighting, and storytelling through photography while learning to create visually compelling images.

Photography Educator's Bio

Jasmine Joyner

Hello!  My name is Jasmine Joyner, and I am a photographer and educator.  I teach Photographic Design to students in grades 7-12.  I am passionate about storytelling through a visual medium and am honored to share my knowledge with the young people I teach.  I completed my Bachelor  of Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  Through hands-on photography sessions, challenges, critiques, and projects, students will learn technical and visual skills to create great images. joynerj4@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Theatre Arts PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Theatre Arts program for grades 9–12. We welcome rising 9th -12th graders to audition for the 2026-27 school year who are passionate about focusing on theatre training and artistic growth throughout their high school experience. Students are guided towards pursuing higher education in the arts, entering the creative workforce, or utilizing their creative skills in other educational programs and career paths. Daily classes are 90 minutes long, with after-school rehearsals occurring throughout the school year. Lessons include work on monologues, scene studies, devised theatre, Shakespeare, musical theatre, immersive theatre, improvisation, playwriting, design (scenic/costume/lighting/sound/projection), dramaturgy, theatre history, arts management, and more. Multiple mainstage productions and showcases of student work provide consistent opportunities for students to hone their craft. Theatre students are encouraged to grow not only in their craft but also as global citizens, learning about theatre from cultures across the world, participating in and engaging with performances and scripts that tackle prominent issues, and analyzing the connections between theatre and society. In addition to class time and rehearsals for mainstage productions, students also invest time in their artistic growth through PGSA's International Thespian Society troupe and Drama Club, as well as field trips to venues like the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. PGSA Theatre Arts majors will strengthen their creative skills, explore their artistic identity, and graduate as stronger communicators, leaders, and collaborators.

Theatre Arts Educator's Bio

Keaton Brower

Mr. Brower is a Kernersville-based director, actor, and educator who started as Theatre Arts Director at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts in fall 2025. Outside PGSA, he is the Lead Theatre Instructor at North Carolina Governor’s School East and Artistic Director at Carolina Ensemble Theatre. Mr. Brower's directing credits include the world premieres of Captive, Song of the Spinners, and Sunrise Reverie (NC GSE), as well as James and the Giant Peach (Piedmont Players Theatre), and Deathtrap (Triad Pride Acting Company). He has worked as assistant director on productions such as A Christmas Carol, Dracula (Triad Stage), and the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Ripe Frenzy (New Repertory Theatre/Boston Center for American Performance). As an actor Mr. Brower has appeared in A Christmas Carol (Carolina Ensemble Theatre,NCShakes), Much Ado About Nothing (RhinoLeap Productions), Unto These Hills (Cherokee Historical Association), the upcoming short film Heaven’t (JNR Productions), and more. He holds a BFA in Theatre Arts (Performance) with a minor in Arts Leadership from Boston University, a Diploma in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, a High School Diploma in Drama from UNC School of the Arts, and a Certificate in Theatre from NC Governor’s School East. browerk@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Visual Art PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Visual Art Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th -12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Students will study Visual Art for 90 minutes throughout the year.  The Visual Art curriculum includes Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, and Watercolors, as well as other media.  We also take part in an annual service-learning project to assist the Guilford County Animal Shelter. 

Visual Art Educator's Bio

Richard O’Hara

Graduated from Clemson University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Sculpture.  He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Masters in Fine Arts in Printmaking.  He obtained his teaching licensure from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales in 2002.  He taught in Alamogordo, New Mexico until 2007.  He is a working artist in several Media venues and has taught at PGSA since the spring semester in the 2007-08 school year. oharag@gcsnc.com

2026-27 High School Vocal Music PROGRAM

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts offers a comprehensive Vocal Music Program for grades 9 – 12.   We welcome rising 9th – 12th graders to apply for the 2026-27 academic school year.  Students will study Chorus for 90 minutes daily throughout the year.  Their studies include music theory, music history, and vocal technique. Students are challenged to sing all types of vocal literature covering a wide variety of musical genres. Students perform in several honors ensembles and adjudicated festivals.

Vocal Music Educator's Bio  

Jada Poteat

 Ms. Jada Poteat received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from UNCG in 2024 and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2022. She is deeply passionate about building an empowering, safe, and welcoming culture in her classroom in which students can grow not only as musicians but as people. The chorus program at Penn-Griffin focuses on developing healthy vocal techniques, music literacy, musicality, and confidence in singing in a variety of musical styles. Beyond the music itself, Ms. Poteat works to develop strong relationships with her students, encouraging and teaching them to use music as a source of mental wellness and discipline in their personal lives. poteatj@gcsnc.com