Faculty & Staff

Erin Bagley | Director of Theatre, Voice

Erin Bagley is an Actor/Director based out of Arkansas. Originally from White Oak, Texas, she graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 2023 with a BFA in Musical Theatre and has since relocated to Little Rock to pursue her theatrical aspirations. Passionate about theatre, she has always prioritized fostering growth in herself and others through the artistic mediums of theatre and music. Erin has contributed as an actor, stage manager, and director in various college and community productions. Some of her past technical credits include Assistant Stage Manager and Assistant Director for "The Servant of Two Masters" (OBU), Director for "The Universal Language" (OBU), Music Director for "Chi Mu Fangirls" (OBU), Stage Manager for "Romeo and Juliet" (Actors Theatre of Little Rock), and Stage Manager for "Tiny Beautiful Things" (Actors Theatre of Little Rock). Her favorite acting roles include Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins," Scuttle in "The Little Mermaid," Mrs. White in "CLUE," Ensemble/Johanna Understudy in "Sweeney Todd," and Veruca Salt in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Kareem Best | Director of Dance

A native of Baltimore, Kareem began his training at Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University as an Estell Dennis Men’s Scholarship Recipient. He graduated from Carver Center for the Arts and Technology as a Dance Major and trained at Morton Street Dance Center and Royal Performing Arts Center. Kareem received his BFA in Dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has danced with the Philadanco! Second Company, Contemporary West Dance Theatre, Ballethnic Dance Company, Atlanta Dance Connection, and the National Dance Company of Bahamas. Kareem has worked as a dancer with Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry and on the Kanye West Donda album release concert.

Lydia Harrison | Visual Art

"I am excited to join the CSA team. I am currently a senior at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and will graduate in December with a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and a Minor in Social Work. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Art Therapy. I was born and raised in Arkansas and have loved art since I was a young girl. Being part of a community that shares my passion for art has always been a dream of mine. Thank you, CSA, for having me!"

Lydia Harrison is an important member of our team, and we are happy to have her on board as our full-time receptionist and our part-time K-12 art instructor.

Rilla Stone | Piano

Rilla Stone earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano from Oklahoma State University in 2017. While at Oklahoma State, she studied piano with Dr. Thomas Lanners and piano pedagogy with Professor Heather Lanners. During this time, she actively performed as a soloist and collaborated with many vocalists. Rilla furthered her education at Wichita State University, where she graduated with a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy in 2019. While at Wichita State, she studied piano with Dr. Julie Bees and piano pedagogy with Dr. Justine Sasanfar. She was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship where she taught class piano for music majors and private lessons for elective college students. Rilla had many opportunities to perform as a soloist in recitals and masterclasses. She also accompanied the Wichita State University A Cappella Choir and Women’s Glee Club. During this time, she also served as a church musician. Rilla is passionate about teaching piano. She strives to inspire a love of music in her students through creative expression and holistic musicianship.

Martin Eady | Piano

Martin Eady was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas. As a child he showed a passion and curious affinity for music. He began taking lessons under Gini Law. In high school he studied under Dr. Rosilee Russell. As a college student he studied under Dr. Craig Nies, culminating in Eady's winning the 2003 Vanderbilt Concerto Competition. Post College, Martin has continued to serve as a mentor and resource for pre-college students with musical or academic aspirations. Martin is also a great fan of Razorback sports, traveling, and baking festivals.

David Holland | Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Electric Guitar

Guitarist David Holland hails from Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he works as a performer, teacher, and composer. He holds a B.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith; and a M.M. in Guitar Performance from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he studied jazz guitar with Dr. James Greeson and Mr. Ben Harris. He has also studied classical guitar with maestros Juan Mercadal and Rene Gonzalez at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. David teaches jazz and classical guitar as adjunct instructor at The University of Arkansas Fort Smith and at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. David performs regionally with his jazz trio The Unit, The Tabitha Graves Quartet, and his bluegrass band The Crumbs. David debuted as a classical composer in 2016 with a performance of his setting of Ruth Krauss’s children’s book, The Carrot Seed, for string quartet and narrator, presented by the Fort Smith Symphony’s Story Book Strings. In April 2018, The Crumbs appeared as guest artists with the Fort Smith Symphony, performing a score David orchestrated especially for Fort Smith’s bicentennial concert. He lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas with his wife Kara (a sculptor and painter) and daughter Kalliope (a Muse).

Rachel Burgos-Griner | Music Therapy,
Beginning Acoustic Guitar

Ms. Rachel Burgos is a Board-Certified Music Therapist who is passionate about her work. She specializes in treatment of children and adolescents who have developmental and psychiatric needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy from Indiana Wesleyan University and has a host of work experiences in developmental and psychiatric therapy. Rachel is certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists. She has worked as a music therapist in clinics at both Oral Roberts University and Indiana Wesleyan University, the Headstart Preschool in Marion, Indiana, and as a Case Management Rehab Specialist at Integrity Pathways in Oklahoma. She has also worked in various orphanages and nursing home facilities. Most recently, Rachel began her own practice called Harmonic Haven Music Therapy.

Beth Duquette | Saxophone, Clarinet

Beth Duquette, a graduate of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) in 2020, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Throughout her academic journey at UAFS, Beth studied the saxophone under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Barrick and Mr. Damian Cheek. During her time at UAFS she actively participated in the UAFS Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Saxophone Ensemble.
In 2017, she was chosen to showcase her talents as a member of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Band. In 2018 Beth was featured in a masterclass with Dr. Eric Troiano at the Arkansas Saxophone Symposium. Furthermore, her dedication and hard work led to her selection as the principal saxophonist at the CBDNA Southwestern Division Intercollegiate Honor Band in 2020.
Beyond her personal musical pursuits, Beth enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for the saxophone to her students. She strives to cultivate a growth mindset in each of her students, empowering them to embrace challenges and unlock their full potential.

Sheila Mann | Voice

Sheila McKinney Mann has been in music education for over thirty-five years. A native of North Carolina, she earned the Bachelor of Music in vocal music education from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Her love of sacred music led her to attain the Master of Church Music in vocal pedagogy from Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Her first school position was as adjunct vocal instructor at Gardner-Webb College in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, where she taught private voice, music appreciation, and music education for elementary teachers. Following that, she was music and choir teacher at Whitefield Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. She served as the Greenwood High School choir director for 27 years before retiring in 2012. Mrs. Mann was the music director for many musicals during her tenure at GHS, including The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, Footloose, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Aladdin Jr., and Annie Jr. She most recently served as the music teacher at St. Boniface Catholic School, directing two musicals each year in addition to her other duties. Mrs. Mann has served as Director of Music in several churches including Fallston Baptist Church in North Carolina, Fern Creek Methodist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and Greenwood United Methodist Church in Greenwood, Arkansas. Currently she is the Director of Music at Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, where she has served since 1988. Her responsibilities include the direction of the Chancel Choir and Chancel Handbells. Sheila has been with the Community School of the Arts since the beginning and at the UAFS Academy of the Arts since 2012, teaching private voice and children’s choirs, as well as serving as music director for musical theatre productions for 3rd-12th graders. She met her husband, George, while they were both in graduate school in Louisville and they have been married since 1979.

Alli Chastain | Cello

Alli is a professional musician and educator from Fort Smith, AR. She studied cello under David Feldman at Liberty University. Alli performed in Fort Smith Public Schools orchestra from 7th-12th grade, placing in All-Region and All-State multiple times, including the honor of being Principal Cellist at All-Region one year. Alli recently performed in the orchestra pit for the 2024 UAFS Opera production of Cinderella under the direction of Dr. Zacharella.
Despite her classical training and collegiate experience, Alli is perhaps best known for her professional career as a touring artist in a rock band. She was a founding member of The Violet Hour (TVH), which gained her international recognition for her songs and music videos.
Alli currently teaches full time (English and Orchestra) at Future School of Fort Smith while teaching private cello lessons and working as a performing artist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Arkansas Fort Smith, a Master of Arts from Argosy University, and is currently pursuing a degree in Commercial Music from Liberty University.

Randy Graham | Trumpet

Randy Graham is a recent retiree from the Van Buren school district having been a band director/instrumental instructor and general music teacher since 2003. Mr. Graham has also pursued an active playing career in the Fort Smith area being a member of the Fort Smith Symphony trumpet section since the early 1990s.
Beside being involved in orchestral playing, Mr Graham has also performed as a freelance trumpeter in many area churches, performing for many weddings, and also performing for traveling groups such as “The Temptations” and the Christmas performances of “Mannheim Steamroller” at the Arkansas Best Performing Art Center. Randy is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he performed in the North Arkansas Symphony among other University ensembles and freelance playing in the NWA area while he studied with former professor of trumpet Mr. Robert Bright earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Instrumental Music Education in 1986. As a private trumpet teacher, Mr. Graham has taught students at all levels of development during his professional teaching years and also in a number of Northwest Arkansas schools during his time as a college student.

Miranda Pham| Flute

Ms. Miranda Pham is a music educator and performer. She received her bachelor’s in music education K-12 from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith and went on to graduate with her masters in music performance from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. Her main field of study focused on instrumental flute music and has worked with flute students of all levels from beginner to intermediate. Along the way, she has also found success in her career as a singer and former choir director at Kimmons Middle School. During her free time, she enjoys arranging music, traveling, staying healthy, cooking, and performing.

Garett Christensen| Voice

Garett Christensen is thrilled to be returning to Fort Smith, Arkansas to teach private voice instruction and music direct The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter Pan JR for the Community School of the Arts. Originally from the river valley, he grew up playing piano and leading worship in church from a young age. He is an alumnus of the program and is very excited to begin sharing his knowledge. His favorite production from his time with CSA was portraying Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with his Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre. While in college, he completed special studies in collaborative piano, vocal pedagogy, and music direction. His music direction credits include the Oklahoma premiere of Fugitive Songs & The Wedding Singer. Recent acting credits include Buck Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde, Steve in RENT, & ensemble in Sweeney Todd.