Drums

Timothy is passionate not only about drumming, but also about using his gifts as a worship leader. He began playing drums at age 16 and has been teaching for several years. He has been playing on the worship team at the International House of Prayer for the last four years and has also been playing at his local church for the past two years. He is looking forward teaching at Greenleaf this year and helping students develop technically and musically through the drums.
Other loves: coffee, fishing, kayaking, and cycling.

Improv, Theater, Administrative Assistant

Carolyn can’t decide whether she loves teaching, writing, directing, or performing more. Her excitement about the performing arts was evident from an early age. Carolyn has been involved with Greenleaf as an instructor and office coordinator for over eight years. She graduated summa cum laude from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a degree in Theatre (acting and directing emphasis). Primarily, Carolyn is passionate about sharing the love of God and the truth of His word with others through the arts.

Other loves: well crafted words, rainy days, piano, spending time with her husband.

Ballet, Creative Movement

Abi Kawase was trained at Dramatic Truth School of the Arts from age 6 to 17. As a student and eventually apprentice to DT Ballet Theater, she participated in both ballet and contemporary productions and performed advanced solos in student productions, most recently the Holy Spirit in "The Mystery of Christmas." This spring (April 2012) she jointly choreographed a dance production and passed advanced Vaganova ballet and Graham modern tests in order to graduate from DTSA. She has been privileged to travel to Japan and Taiwan multiple times and additionally New Zealand in summer 2012 to teach improvisation, ballet, modern, and worship dance; lead worship dance; and perform. Abi has been priviliged to experience dance as a powerful art form that can break through barriers, communicate powerfully, provide insight for life, and usher in the presence of God. She is passionate about both sharing what she's learned and learning more.

Creative Movement, Ballet, Jazz

Kirsten Kawase has always loved the arts. She studied dance at Dramatic Truth School of the Arts and in 2010 graduated from that school. She has performed on international television, soloed in multiple Dramatic Truth performances, and toured throughout the US and Asia. Kirsten loves to find new ways to use dance to worship the Lord and share her heart with her students. Recently, she and her family traveled to Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand to teach dance as a form of worship and lead worship through dance.

Other loves: Traveling, kids, worship, and chocolate

Theater

Rachel has loved the theater since she played an angel in the church Easter pageant at six years old. Since then she has taken every opportunity to be a part of the beautiful theater world, finally graduating with a degree in Theater Arts and Advanced Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College. She loves the theater's ability to make good stories come alive and reach right into peoples' hearts (hopefully affecting the cast and crew most of all!) and even more loves sharing that passion with anyone who will listen. To be teaching theater is a dream come true, and she looks forward to many years of inspiring, and being inspired by, her students.

Voice, Piano, Tap Dance

Singing has been Natalie's passion since the first time she sang Away In a Manger at age 4. Since she first began singing she has continually performed in any possible way, from the Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s mainstage, to galleries in art exhibits. She recently graduated from Wichita State University with her Bachelor’s in Music, emphasis in Vocal Performance and a concentration in Business. Natalie traveled to Italy with the Canta in Italia program, through which she was immersed in the Italian culture and language. Along with many years of singing, she has also studied piano, acting, and various forms of dance. She has also actively participated in the therapeutic development of her autistic nephew, which has led her to the decision to pursue a Master’s in Speech Pathology and Communication Disorders.

Guitar

Trevor has been playing guitar for close to ten years. He has a huge passion for music and is making more room to learn every day. He has been acting and performing for nine years and has a blast doing it. As a teacher, he focuses mainly on chord/strumming technique and reading music. However he also enjoys teaching tabs, improvisational guitar, and theory. Some of his favorite guitarists include Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, and Sameer Bhattacharya. Some of Trevor’s hobbies include singing, anything with instruments, sports, acting, and being with good friends.
Other loves: Italian food and football.

Piano, Clarinet

Leslie has played piano since she was eight years old and has had a passion for music ever since her days in the backseat of her mom's station wagon with the radio turned up. She is currently a Music Education major at MidAmerica Nazarene University with piano as her performance area. Leslie has a strong background in classical piano but also has experience playing keyboard in worship and jazz settings. In addition to piano, Leslie also plays the clarinet and is the principal clarinetist in the MNU concert band. Throughout high school she participated in honor bands around the state of Nebraska. She loves to share the joy of music-making with learners of all ages. She believes that the creation of music is a reflection of the creativity of God and that he is glorified through our artful expressions. Leslie loves the community that art and music create and is excited to be a part of that at Greenleaf.
Favorite weekend activities: hearing live jazz, visiting the farmer's market, going to art galleries

Studio Director

Edna began teaching music lessons in 1991, directing theatre productions for youth in 1993, and founded Greenleaf Academy in 1999. She has a background in Suzuki piano and Kindermusik and a degree in Christian Education. One of her favorite quotes by Shinichi Suzuki is “happiness develops ability.” Her goal for students at Greenleaf is not only excellence in skill, but to develop a love for the arts and a passion for serving others. Her philosophy is that God is the Creator and Master Artist of all. All things, including our gifts in music, art, dance, and theatre, are from Him, for Him, and to Him. When not at Greenleaf, Edna enjoys spending time with her husband David and their three children.

Hip Hop, Modern, Jazz

Natalie has been dancing for about 13 years, and she has spent the last 9 years dancing with Dramatic Truth School of the Arts, where her training included ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop. In addition to participating in several local productions, she has toured with Dramatic Truth’s professional company, performing and teaching in New York, England, and Hungary. She has also traveled to Japan four times on dance-oriented missions trips, where she performed, taught, and choreographed. She currently teaches dance at several Kansas City studios.