Current Teachers:
Cassie McDade
Cassie McDade (formerly Trabucco) was born in New York but grew up in Nashville doing any kind of music or musical theater she could find. She did her first show when she was 6 and fell in love with every aspect of the theater. Her favorite roles have included "Kitty" in The Drowsy Chaperone, "Wednesday Addams" in The Addams Family, and "Jo March" in Little Women. Cassie got her Associates Degree in Commercial Entertainment from Columbia State Community College and later graduated from MTSU with a Bachelors Degree in Integrated Studies with emphases on Musical Theater and Dance and a minor in Music. While in college, she traveled around the country leading worship and growing in fellowship with other young musicians while enriching her skills and experience. Now, between teaching voice lessons, recording demos and songwriting, her days are filled with music. She has been teaching at CYT since the Summer of 2021 and has enjoyed music directing and coaching through several sessions. Cassie is very excited to be working at CYT and looks forward to growing with you!
Chris Guerra
Chris was first introduced to theatre in high school. After graduating with his BFA from Pace University in New York City, he performed on and off-Broadway in shows including COMPANY (u/s Stephen Colbert, working alongside Christina Hendricks, Neil Patrick Harris, and John Cryer), AVENUE Q, SPAMALOT, and the Broadway National Tour of SISTER ACT. After moving back to LA, he pursued television and comedy, becoming a Main Company member of the historic improv and sketch comedy theatre: The Groundlings. He developed his idea for the “Roger Bastion” character while performing as Olaf in DCA’s “Frozen: Live at the Hyperion” for 4 years. He currently has almost 800,000 followers on TikTok, where he acts out Facebook Marketplace Nightmares. Other Film: Big Foot Famous, Hypocrite. Television: MODERN FAMILY, FOX Sports Shorts, Digital Sky, and national commercials: Wayfair, Verizon, Kayak, Coca-Cola and currently voicing “Paladin” in HEARTHSTONE animated shorts.
Clara Martinez
I work as an elementary school bookkeeper for Williamson County Schools during the day and love my incredible side gig at CYT where I get to use my passion for Musical Theater to teach and grow the next generation! I am a wife and mother of 2. Both my kids have found a home at CYT and I am forever grateful.
Conner Boggs
Conner is a Mississippi native and a junior Theatre Education major at Belmont University. With a passion for acting, directing, design, and arts education, Conner brings a well rounded perspective to every project he takes on. His directing and design work has been recognized with multiple regional theatre award nominations, showcasing his creative eye and collaborative spirit. Conner has led theatre programs and workshops for students ranging from elementary to high school, helping young artists build confidence, creativity, and a love for storytelling. Blending performance, production, and pedagogy, Conner is dedicated to creating theatre that inspires, educates, and empowers both artists and audiences alike.
Courtney Edwards
God gave Courtney a passion for dance at a very young age, but He gave her an even deeper passion to teach. Courtney has had the honor of teaching and choreographing for professional and private dance companies throughout Southern California for over 20 years. Her trained styles include Jazz, Modern, Lyrical and Musical Theater or Broadway. It is her goal to teach with a loving heart, to inspire creativity, and to instill a confidence in each student’s unique abilities on and off stage. She is honored to be able to help her students find their gifts from God and learn how to share them with any audience! Every opportunity God has given Courtney has been the greatest blessing including moving here to Tennessee in 2021 with her husband, three kiddos and two dogs. She is beyond excited to start working with CYT Nashville!
Elizabeth Sanford
Elizabeth was born in Nashville, TN and raised in Franklin, TN. She has been interested in performing for as long as she can remember and has been in many shows since age 9. She is a graduate from Trevecca Nazarene University with a degree in psychology and can't wait to see what the future holds!
Evelyn Palmliden
Evelyn is a classically trained soprano who loves to tell stories through song. She recently graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a BM in Vocal Performance and a BA in History. Before college, she was a student at CYT Nashville for a couple of years, and she has been involved in theatre and choir since the fourth grade. While at Trevecca she performed in the honors choir, TNU Singers, and was heavily involved in the theatre department. Some of her roles included Hannah in Freaky Friday, Amalia's Understudy in She Loves Me, Clarin in Life is a Dream, and an Ensemble Member in A Year with Frog and Toad. Evelyn views performing as a way to glorify God. Performing a musical not only moves audience members to engage with that story, but it also teaches them more about themselves and the world that they live in. Evelyn looks forward to engaging with this CYT community and teaching kids that their stories matter, and are worth sharing.
Hannah Cotton
Hello! My name is Hannah, and I’ve been a part of the CYT Nashville community since I was 14. Growing up in this vibrant and encouraging environment has shaped so much of who I am, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be stepping into this new role as a teacher! I graduated from Columbia State with an emphasis in Music and am currently continuing my studies at Lipscomb University, where I’m working toward a BA in Music/Performance with a focus on teaching.
Jeff Martinez
I have worked in the theatre world for over 20 years as a Producer, Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, and performer. I work for Ramsey Solutions in Franklin, TN and am thrilled to continue my love for teaching students about musical theatre at CYT Nashville. I am a husband and father of 2. It has been such a gift to share amazing experiences at CYT Nashville together as a family of four!
Kenna Otero
Kenna is thrilled to be joining the CYT community! Born and raised in Nashville, Kenna discovered her love for theatre in the 6th grade and has been passionate about it ever since. She is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary and Special Education at Lipscomb University. With a deep enthusiasm for theatre, Kenna is eager to share her passion with the next generation. She looks forward to meeting all the amazing students at CYT and playing even a small part in their artistic growth and development.
Megan Hutchinson
Discovering theatre in her hometown's community theatre at the age of 7, Megan has been passionate about pursuing the performing arts ever since. Performing and working in all areas of theatre throughout high school, she then went on to earn her Technical Certificate and Associate's Degree in Commercial Entertainment from Columbia State Community College. After graduating, Megan has worked professionally and in community theatre around the Nashville area. Megan has been teaching with CYT since 2022, and loves being a part of this community and teaching what she is passionate about to the next generation (and learn more herself!).
Nan Corbitt Allen
Nan Corbitt Allen has written over 100 published dramatic musicals, sketchbooks, and collections for music publishers including Word, LifeWay, Lillenas, Brentwood-Benson, and Hal Leonard. Most of these works were in collaboration with Dennis Allen, her husband of 50 years. A three-time Dove Award winner for her musicals written with Dennis, Nan’s lyrics and dramas have been performed across the U.S. and around the world. Throughout their writing careers together, Dennis and Nan have sold over 2.6 million choral books with various publishers. Nan lives with her husband Dennis near Nashville, TN. She is currently teaching remotely English and Creative Writing at Truett McConnell University. Her blog: www.nancorbittallen.com has two series: “Chasing Bimini: The Elusive Search for the Perfect Life” and “For All She’s Worth: Helping Women Discover Their Value.”
Rachel Rinehart
Rachel is a Nashville native and has been involved in theatre in some capacity for most of her life. Over the past eight years, she has worked alongside Marilyn Fair in Fairview, Tennessee, serving as an assistant director and stage manager for theatre summer intensives—a role that deepened her love for the stage. While earning her BA in Mass Media Communication at Florida College located in Tampa, Florida, she directed multiple one-act plays and short films. After graduating, she worked as a choreographer and assistant teacher for Drama Kids, continuing to nurture her passion for the performing arts and arts education. Rachel returned to Franklin in May 2025 to further pursue her passion for the arts and storytelling in all its forms. She is thrilled to be part of the CYT Nashville team and grateful for the opportunity to share her love of theatre with the next generation of performers.
Rory Michelson
Rory Michelson grew up in California and has moved to Nashville just recently. She has grown up in a Christian theatre program like CYT and is passionate about teaching theatre to the next generation! She studied Theatre Arts at Westmont College in Santa Barbara where she learned to love theatre even more than she already did. She looks forward to sharing her love for making theatre and hopes to further pursue her career at CYT!
Sarah Chapman
Sarah Chapman is a classically-trained soprano, actress, and voice instructor. A native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, she graduated with a BA in Vocal Performance from Western Kentucky University and an MM in Vocal Pedagogy from Belmont University. She has distinguished herself in musicals, operas, recitals, and choral masterworks as a soloist and actress. Some of her stage roles include Christine Daae from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” Cinderella from Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” Angelina from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury,” Ilona from Bock and Harnick’s “She Loves Me”, and Maria from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” Her relationship with Jesus fuels her love of the voice, of teaching, and of art. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
Shea Althoff
Ms. Shea can’t wait to share her love of music and drama with your kids! She’s a wife to Jon and busy mom to Ella, Zoe, Annabelle, and Silas. Her family has been part of CYT since Ella leapt into her very first show, Junie B. Jones, back in 2019. Originally from southern Illinois, Shea has been singing, dancing, and performing since the age of four. She knows firsthand how theater can spark confidence, creativity, and lifelong friendships. In college, Shea sang with the Elmhurst College jazz band—where she also met her husband—and even toured internationally, performing at jazz festivals around the world. After college, she became a board-certified music therapist, bringing comfort and joy to children and families at Bronson Children’s Hospital in Michigan and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Shea has taught private voice lessons, led children’s choirs and worship teams, and currently serves in children’s ministry at her church, where her husband is a pastor. Now in her fourth year teaching at Ivybrook Academy in Franklin, Ms. Shea loves helping kids shine through music, movement, and theater. She’s a big kid at heart and believes learning should always be filled with joy and laughter!