Ashley Cleveland is an actress, writer, and director with a passion to educate and inspire others through the arts. Ashley is a proud alumna of Spelman College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Drama. While at Spelman, Ashley was afforded the opportunity to study abroad at the British American Dramatic Academy (BADA) in Oxford, England. Ashley went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from UCLA. Ashley’s community involvement includes teaching theatre to youth and teens at the Southwest Arts Center, working with the National Black Arts Festival, and mentoring students from Spelman College.
VISUAL ART/DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Lindsey Lavin
[email protected]
(770) 651-2764
Lindsey Lavin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Valdosta State University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Major in Art Education. She received Outstanding Teacher and Outstanding Art Education Student. Lindsey has taught two-dimensional and three-dimensional Visual Arts in a high school and middle school settings. Currently she teaches Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, AP 3D and Visual Art. Her personal artwork focuses on medium format film photography, sculptural ceramic works, and explorations into aqueous media. Lindsey continues to work for commission outside the classroom, is always learning, and uses her free time to travel and bring those experiences into the classroom.
VISUAL ARTS
Ashley Houlihan, MA
[email protected]
(770) 651-2767
Ashley Houlihan has been a teacher with the Douglas County School Systems for twenty years. She’s taught Visual Arts and Multicultural Education in both high school and university settings. She has also spent time teaching art to elementary students while she studied abroad in Bayeux, France. Ashley is well traveled and enjoys learning about new customs and cultures and she brings her experiences into the classroom. Her personal artworks explore color and the human form, with a primary focus on portrait work. She’s exhibited her artworks across north Georgia, as well as the metro-Atlanta area, and continues to create works for commission, as well as personal development.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Marcus Chester, MMEd.
[email protected]
(770) 651-2765
Mr. Chester, is a graduate of Fort Valley State University. While at Fort Valley State University, Mr. Chester served as first chair trombone in the concert and jazz bands. He also served as section leader, drum major, and student director in the FVSU Blue Machine Marching Band. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music in May of 2006. Mr. Chester went on to serve as director of bands at Lucy C. Laney (2007-2009), the Academy of Richmond County (2009 – 2015), and as assistant band director at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County (2015-2017). He is a music arranger and clinician for high schools in the Atlanta area. Mr. Chester earned a Masters of Music Education from the University of Georgia. He is married and a proud father of two children. Mr. Chester holds membership in PAGE and Georgia Music Educator Association (GMEA). Mr. Chester is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the Lambda Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity at FVSU. Mr. Chester was the 2013 All-County middle school clinician for Richmond County schools. He is also a 2012-2013 Golden Apple Award recipient.
CHORAL MUSIC
Antwoin Holman
[email protected]
(770) 651-2766
Antwoin Holman serves as a vocal coach, vocal producer, arranger and music educator. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Philander Smith College and Master of Education degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University. His professional teaching experience includes 18 years of high school choral teaching and 4 years of middle/elementary school music teaching experience. He is also the CEO and founder of Holnote Musik Group LLC where he offers services in vocal coaching, vocal production, songwriting and arrangement as well as provide professional vocalists for studio sessions, live recordings, tours, stage plays, television tapings, live television performances and more.
DANCE
Adrienne Abdus-Salaam, M.Ed
[email protected]
(770) 651-2859
Adrienne Abdus-Salaam is a native of Atlanta, GA. Adrienne began her dance education at Total Dance and Tri-Cities High School. She received her Bachelor’s Fine Arts in Dance from University of the Arts, her Master’s in Education from Temple University and her Certification in Contemporary Ghanaian Dance from the University of Ghana. Adrienne has been dancing professionally for 25 years and teaching for 20. Adrienne has studied and performed in China, South Africa, West Africa, The Netherlands, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica and London. Adrienne has done company work with Total Dance/Danica Productions, Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, Kulu Mele, Kariamu & Company and Urban Bush Women. She has worked as a Professor of Dance at The University of Arts and Temple University. Teaching artist for Delaware, New Jersey& Pennsylvania Council of the Arts in Education. Adrienne was also the Director of Dance for 2 years at Tri-Cities High School and is currently the Director of Dance for New Manchester High school’s Fine Arts Magnet Education.
DRAMA
Kellie Murphy, MFA
[email protected]
(770) 651-2755
Kellie Murphy is a graduate of Louisiana State University where she obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Technology and Design. Kellie began her theatrical career as an actress in the Atlanta area. She realized her passion for the technical aspects of theatre while performing and began working behind the scenes. Kellie merged her experiences from corporate and community health with her desire to produce thought-provoking work in theater, film, and television. Since 2012, she has worked on various theatrical productions and independent projects as a scenic designer, makeup artist/hairstylist, costume designer, and properties designer. Kellie accredits her education and experiences as the key to her success. She also holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, a Bachelor's in Theater Design and Technology from Georgia State University, and a cosmetology license from Atlanta Technical College. In addition to academia, she's traveled abroad to study theatrical design, art, and architecture across Europe. Attending events such as the Prague Quadrennial and the Venice Biennale along with other exhibitions broadened her scope and appreciation for theatrical and performance design. Kellie is also a proud member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and its Gateway Program which provides mentorship and community for underrepresented populations within the technical theatre.