Private Lessons
Unlock your full potential with audition prep, private acting and dance lessons at STAND! Whether you're preparing for auditions, refining your vocal technique, or developing your stage presence, our experienced instructors provide personalized coaching tailored to your goals.
Faith cheesman
Audition Prep, Vocal, and Acting
With over 25 years of experience in performance and theatre education, Faith Cheesman is passionate about helping artists grow in skill and confidence. A lifelong musician and performer, she has sung in varsity, show, jazz, and madrigal choirs and has been active in city and church choirs and theatre productions throughout her career.
Faith has also played a key role in opening two theatres in the DFW metroplex and finds great joy in teaching and mentoring performers of all ages. She is grateful to be part of Stand, a place where young artists and adults can develop their craft in a safe and inspiring environment.
✉️ Faithhopecheesman@gmail.com
Jenni Perkins
Piano
With nearly 40 years at the keyboard and over two decades of teaching experience, Jenni Perkins specializes in beginner piano instruction for students of all ages. Her approach centers on building a genuine love for music alongside foundational technique, helping students discover the creativity and stress relief that making music can offer.
Jenni will offer private piano lessons at STAND. She emphasizes joyful exploration, musical creativity, and building confidence at the keys from the very first lesson.
renee norris
Audition Prep, Tap Basics, and Acting
Renee Norris is the Artistic Director at Stand and holds degrees in Theatre and English from Texas Wesleyan University, Renee has taught, directed, and choreographed for multiple schools and theatres, including C.A.T.S., MainStreet Theatre, Casa Mañana, and Artisan Center Theater. As a performer, she has appeared at Stage West, Circle Theatre, Hip Pocket, Six Flags, and Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park. She retired from teaching Theatre at Haltom High School after 30 years. She has been a mentor teacher and curriculum trainer with the University of Texas and Texas Wesleyan University.
In her private acting lessons, Renee focuses on text analysis, meaningful moments, and specific choices to engage the audience and develop truthful storytelling. Her passion is preparing artists for their next steps in education, performance, and life.
✉️ renee@standministries.org
CAmeron Byerly
Audition Prep, Acting, and Movement
Cameron Byerly is a movement specialist, director, stunt coordinator, and motivational speaker. He comes to STAND with 15 years of experience on stage and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Texas Wesleyan University, Cameron is also a jiu-jitsu practitioner with nine years of experience. He has worked as a stunt coordinator in Los Angeles and uses his expertise in movement to inspire audiences through performance. His work at STAND allows him to bring his passion for creativity and physical expression to a new generation of performers.
✉️cameronbyerlymoves@gmail.com
Giovanni Valforte
Private Vocals and Audition Prep
Giovanni is an Actor, Singer, Dancer, Vocal Coach, Composer, and Music Director based in DFW currently, but will be moving to NYC at the end of the summer! He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in music composition from Missouri State University. He has worked in regional theatres around the US (The Barnstormers Theatre and Tent Theatre) and most recently on board Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas as a Featured Singer and the Vocal Captain for the ship. He has also music directed multiple musicals and cabarets, including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Carrie. He has experience in the college musical theatre audition process, as well as vocal coaching across many and all different skill levels and experience!
angel somarriba
Audition Prep, Vocals and Acting
Angel Somarriba is a dedicated actor and writer with a BFA in Creative Writing from Full Sail University and ongoing MFA studies in Screenwriting at Regent University. He has trained extensively in character development and audition techniques.
Angel offers private coaching sessions focusing on deep character analysis and authentic performance. Students will explore their material to understand character motivations, enhance vocal delivery, and harness the power of stillness in performance.
For scheduling and further details, please contact Angel directly.
✉️ ulyssessomarriba@gmail.com
CARL ANDERSEN
Audition Prep and Vocals
Carl has been a musician since 2013, with extensive experience as a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Worship Leadership from The King's University and deeply understands vocal technique paired with personal artistry. Carl aims to inspire others and help them find their voice through music, reflected in his music with his band Alpine Hollow, as well his music with STAND. His love for music shows in his artistic expression, whether it be onstage, mixing and producing, or writing.
Carl will be offering private voice lessons for ages 12 and up. He emphasizes vowel shapes, proper projection and breath support, and teaches the utilization of mixing for confidence and proficiency.
✉️ itscarlwandersen@gmail.com
Christina Major Davis
Audition Prep and Vocals
Christina Major Davis is an acclaimed American soprano whose powerful and agile voice has captivated audiences around the world. Since 2005, she has performed with prestigious opera companies and symphonies, gracing stages like Carnegie Hall and Broadway. Christina continues to deliver deeply emotional and technically brilliant performances. Her incredible range and passion for music make her a standout performer and a treasured addition to the STAND team.
✉️clmsoprano@gmail.com
Dominic Norris
Audition Prep, Dance, Acting, Movement
Dominic Norris is a BFA Musical Theater major at the University of Texas at Arlington. With several years of experience in singing, dancing, and acting, he also brings a background in gymnastics to his craft. Dominic values both physical and mental health, which is reflected in his disciplined approach to his work.
He has been fortunate to receive recognition for his performances, including the “Best Individual Performance” award at JTF West. Additionally, Dominic has had the opportunity to direct shows at Artisan Center Theater and Stand Performing Arts Ministries.
In his private lessons, Dominic focuses on character development, subtext, and their roles in shaping physicality and expression. He enjoys thinking creatively and emphasizes building a connection with the audience. His goal is to help his clients uncover and refine their unique gifts and talents—one backhandspring at a time.
✉️dominicnorris85@gmail.com
Deardre randolph
Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz and other requested styles.
Deardre Randolph has been dancing since she was two years old and teaching since she was 15. While her expertise lies in hip-hop, she’s also well-versed in jazz, tap, and ballet. Deardre has performed at renowned venues like Bass Performance Hall and was a collegiate pom squad member at Stephen F. Austin State University. As the choreographer for STAND Performing Arts Ministries, Deardre is dedicated to shaping the next generation of dancers by fostering creativity, confidence, and faith through movement.
✉️deardre.randolph@gmail.com
CallEIgh Somarriba
Vocals, Piano, Audition Prep, Dance
Calleigh Somarriba is an award-winning musician and choreographer, classically trained in piano and voice, with a rich background in professional performance. Through her work as an educator, she strives to challenge and empower artists to push beyond their limits, guiding them toward deeper emotional truth and fearless creative expression. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in the arts and feels there is no greater calling than to help shape minds and hearts. Calleigh’s ultimate goal as a teacher is to help students realize their giftings and steward them while glorifying the Lord and is honored to join STAND’s teaching staff.
✉️atkinsoncalleigh@gmail.com
Bridgette Marquardt
Audition Prep, Dance, Acting, Movement
Bridgette Marquardt brings her diverse background in acting, vocals, and dance to STAND, where she has been teaching for three years. A graduate of Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Bridgette has trained in classical ballet, modern dance, and numerous other styles. Professionally, she has worked as a voice actor for Funimation/ Crunchyroll, toured with Dallas Children’s Theatre, and directed local productions. As the founder of Chameleon Dance & Theatre Company, Bridgette uses the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and encourage the pursuit of truth.
✉️diverity_and_unity@protonmail.com
Shanah Sams
Private Vocals and Piano
Shanah began performing onstage singing with her father and uncle before she could even remember. At a very young age, she knew she would go to college to pursue music education as a career. At age nine, she began acting in local theater productions and remains active in the stage community today. Her experience spans directing and performing in venues ranging from church productions and school ensembles to bluegrass festivals, operas, and community theaters. She has had the honor of directing and performing on renowned stages such as Disney, Universal Studios, the Grand Ole Opry, and Carnegie Hall.
Shanah finds her greatest joy in her students’ success. Many of her students have earned awards for vocal excellence and pursued studies at prestigious colleges of music, theater, and the arts. Her students have achieved remarkable milestones. Some of her students have even gone on to perform on Broadway and appear on The Voice and American Idol.
