Fall Classes

Skylar Duvall is so proud to be back for her fourth year with JPAS! She is a graduate of KD Conservatory and is currently teaching dance at the Dance Company of Wylie. “I feel so fortunate to get to work with, not only the amazing kids in our JPAS program but also the incredibly talented staff. I’m so happy that I get to call my passion, my job,” Skylar says.

Cherish Robinson has over 20 years of experience as an artist.  She has traveled throughout Europe and the United States as a singer, producer, composer, music director, and songwriter. with musical references spanning over genres such as classical, jazz, blues, gospel, music theater, R&B and pop. She has sung behind some of R&B’s most impressive singers including Erykah Badu and The Roots (Tonight Show Band) and even appeared on The Colbert Show as a background vocalist. Cherish has musically/vocally produced and arranged albums for artists such as, Elle King and Paul Cauthen. She has been a contributing arts and entertainment writer for Elisia Magazine, the co-host of a radio show, The Midday Lockdown.BroadwayWorld.com has heralded her as “one of DFW’s sharpest musical theater moments in recent memory” even mentioning her as one of DFW’s Fresh Faces of 2017. She was recently seen in SISTER ACT at Savannah Theater in Savannah, GA (Deloris). MADAGASCAR at Casa Manana (Gloria the Hippo), DETROIT ‘67 at Jubilee Theater (Bunny), SISTER ACT at Irving MainStage (Deloris), PASSING STRANGE at Theater Three (Desi), and Grand Prairie Arts Center ALL SHOOK UP (Sylvia/Music Director). As an AEA member, she won the 2020 Column Award winner (Best Actress in a Musical) for her performance as Deloris in SISTER ACT at Watertower Theatre. She also loves teaching/coaching voice, piano, and organ to her many students!

Elizabeth Loyle Carr is excited to be working with these great young creators and actors. Elizabeth graduated from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a MA in Stage Management.  She has worked on productions in California, Wales, Scotland, and England before moving to Dallas four years ago.

Linda Leonard has been a professional director, choreographer, teacher, actor (AEA,SAG/AFTRA), singer, and dancer for over 45 years, here in the Metroplex and in NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and abroad. Linda was in the Broadway national tour of Cats. Linda has directed or choreographed for WaterTower Theatre, Stage West, Circle Theatre, Echo Theatre, CitiRep, and Theatre Three to name a few in Dallas and Fort Worth. Linda was the Education Director for WaterTower Theatre (3 years), is a professor at KD Conservatory, and her credits include award-winning roles such as Ann Richards (Critics Forum and Column Awards) and Aurora in The Kiss of The Spiderwoman (Leon Rabin, Column and Critics Forum Awards). Linda also has numerous credits in film and television, and is represented by The Horne Agency in Dallas/LA, and directed a web series about autism, “Saving Hope”, which premiered in March of 2019. Linda is dedicated to the process of creativity, nurturing, and empowering young artists in every aspect of the arts.

Ashley Kate Adams (AKA Studio Productions) : is an award-winning Actress & Producer who made her Broadway Debut at the age of 23 in Tony Award Winning Revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. She has appeared on television in UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT (NETFLIX), ROYAL PAINS (USA), RULES OF COOL (FULLSCREEN), can be heard in TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO), THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES (HBO)  in LOGAN LUCKY, GEMINI MAN & seen in films such as PITCHING TENTS (Hulu), 1 Message (Dish Network) & stars in the upcoming short film LOVE. She recently won the Best Actress Award at the 2018 New York Theatre Festival for the play LOVE and originated the role of Carole in “A Christmas Carole: A One-Woman Show”. Off-Broadway & Regional Credits include the Culture Project, Paper Mill Playhouse, NYMF, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, MTC and more. Proud Motion Capture Performer for Rockstar Video games, featured in RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 & GRAND THEFT AUTO V: ARENA WARS. She started her Production Company, AKA Studio Productions, in 2011 and their work has been selected for over 150+ film festivals. TV Properties include: MULLIGAN (2018 LA Film Festival, 1st Place Flickers RIIFF) , RULES OF COOL (FULLSCREEN), CAPITAL ADVICE (ITV Fest) & Films include: ACE (Toronto Inside Out Fest), photo op (Winner SENE Film),  and the upcoming film’s BLINDSIGHT (LA Shorts) & ABSENT MIND (Toronto International Shorts). She inspired and Co-Produced the feature film BEAUTY MARK which was an official selection of the LA Film Festival in 2017 and was distributed by the Orchard. Her feature film BOY HERO is slated to film in Fall of 2020 in Co-Production with Pigasus Pictures.

In Eric Keyes you not only have a great teacher but a doer. Eric has performed all over the world and has put out 6 albums of original music including his last Solo album “Back in Blue.” He has recorded with guitar greats Allan Holdsworth & Clint Strong. Eric teaches by example so you can learn to trust your ears and your instincts. He has a completely original method called “The Invisible Guitar.” Using this method students learn in a fun, encouraging environment that will inspire them to be the best they can be.

Kristin Spires is a professional music director, actress, singer, and voice teacher. Her music directing credits number over 60 shows at theatres including Circle Theatre, the summer youth camp at Theatre Three, Plaza Theatre, Mainstage Irving Las Colinas, and OhLook Performing Arts. She has also directed music for a number of high school theatre programs including J.J. Pearce HS, Nolan Catholic HS, and Arlington Heights HS. Kristin is also at home on the stage some of her favorite roles include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, and Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. One of her greatest joys is seeing her students grow into confident, fearless, empowered, singing storytellers.