Haylie Berning- Executive Director and Director of Dance

Haylie has served in many roles at BCAPA, starting as a Dance Instructor in 2011. She took the role of Dance Director in 2017 and is eager to serve in the Executive Director position in addition to leading the Dance Department. Haylie started teaching at the age of 14 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Wichita State University. In college Haylie performed with WSU's Wichita Contemporary Dance Theater, which included performances throughout Northeastern Italy. At WSU Haylie was awarded the Perry Endowment Scholarship, and her dance studies were under the direction of Nicholas C. Johnson along with Denise Celestin, Cheyla Clawson, and Sabrina Vasquez. As a child dancer, she was fortunate to have had extensive training and performance opportunities.  A two-time recipient of the Kansas Cultural Trust, she studied at Texas Ballet Theater in Dallas and Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio. For eight seasons Haylie performed as a company member of Ballet Wichita (BW) under the direction of Jill Landrith, where she performed ensemble, corps, pas de trios, pas de deux and solo roles. With BW she participated in annual performances of "The Nutcracker" and "Ballet In The Park". She was cast in the 2003 production of "Old, New & Blue" in conjunction with BW, WSU Jazz Ensemble and acclaimed musician Rudy Love. She was selected through audition by the Miss America Organization to perform an opening number lyrical solo at the 2004 Miss Kanas Pageant. In 2005 she performed "Conversations" in Swing choreographed by Kara Davis of the San Francisco Ballet. As a competitive dancer, she received awards in regional and national competitions.  She utilized her talents in community service for the American Cancer Society, Children's Miracle Network and Miss America Organization as well as her own "Spiritual Gifts" presentation to religious audiences across Kansas. Haylie has a passion for teaching children and is dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming space for students to grow their talents in the arts.

Megan Siebert- Music Coordinator

Megan Siebert grew up in Topeka and graduated from Bethel College in 2014, majoring in Music/Education with classical guitar as her primary instrument. After a year of MCC service in Bolivia, she worked at Senseney Music in Wichita.  Soon after, she was delighted to start her education career at Chisholm Middle School, teaching choir while also directing the Newton Community Children's Choir. Megan, her partner Andrew, and their cats Ginny and Earl moved to Madison, WI, in 2018, and she began teaching general music at a bilingual elementary community school. During her years in Wisconsin, Megan enjoyed directing school musicals, volunteering at a local theater, and teaching intro choir for the Madison Youth Choirs--along with exploring the arboretum trails and trying as many Indian restaurants as possible. Megan and Andrew returned to the Newton area in 2023 after the birth of their son. Megan has a passion for fine arts education and is excited to serve the young artists of this community.

Christina Liu- Apprentice Instructor Liaison

Dr. Christina Liu has given numerous performances as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician in the United States and internationally. As a soloist and chamber musician, she was the prize winner in numerous competitions, including MusicFest Northwest and Michigan State MTNA Chamber Music Performance competition. She made her first orchestral debut at the age of 17. Her appearances include broadcast performances on Spokane Public Radio and Kansas Public Radio. Dr. Liu is active as a collaborative pianist and has served as music director for many non-profit opera organizations including Lawrence Opera Theatre, Music On-Site Inc., and Opera Seme. In addition to her performance career, Dr. Liu is a passionate educator. She currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel College, teaching courses in music theory, aural skills, music history, class piano, piano pedagogy, and applied piano instruction. Dr. Liu is also the Director of the Bethel College Summer Music Day Camp. She is in demand as an adjudicator and has presented her research at various local, state, and national conferences. She is also a founding member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Chapters Piano Pedagogy Symposium. Dr. Liu has been a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with MTNA since 2010. Dr. Liu received her Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from the University of Kansas. She received her dual-Master's degree in Solo Piano Performance and Chamber Music Performance from the University of Michigan, and her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance with Pedagogy emphasis from Washington State University. Her teachers include Gerald Berthiaume, John Ellis, Christopher Harding, and Steven Spooner.

Mimi Leo- Bookkeeper

Tess Bigham- Front Desk

Emily Blaine- Assistant Dance Director and Dance Instructor/Kaleidoscope Dance Company Choreographer

Emily received her BFA in Dance Performance from Wichita State University (WSU) in 2021. As a student at WSU, she had the opportunity to travel to the American College Dance Association and perform in the regional gala. She was a member of Ballet Wichita for six years and was promoted to soloist after her first two years, and she has also performed with The Wichita Grand Opera. In addition to dancing in the Wichita area, Emily has traveled throughout the United States to further her studies. She’s traveled to St. Louis to partake in The Big Muddy Dance Company’s Summer Intensive, and studied with dance companies in Salt Lake City. Emily was a teacher’s assistant at BCAPA starting her 8th grade year through her senior year of high school. She took on the role of instructor at BCAPA in 2019 and was promoted to Assistant Dance Director in 2024. Emily enjoys teaching because she loves watching the growth of her students and spreading the joy of dance!

Abi Boese- Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet

Abi is a former BCAPA dance student who now attends Bethel College as an Elementary Education Major.  She has assisted our young child dance classes for many years and started teaching dance classes independently for BCAPA in the summer of 2023.  Her favorite part of teaching is watching the students grow, gain confidence, and make friends through dance. Abi is also BCAPA’s senior front desk receptionist and she enjoys being a friendly and familiar face for both students and parents! 

Resa-Marie Davenport- Ballet, Tap

Resa-Marie earned her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Wichita State University. While attending WSU she was a member of the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre. With the company, she performed in local shows and also had the opportunity to travel to and perform in Italy and Mexico. Resa-Marie began her dance training at Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center at the age of four. She has attended Summer Intensive Programs with Ballet Austin, BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, The Rock School of Dance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and American Ballet Theatre in Austin, Texas. She has also had the privilege of dancing in Ballet Wichita’s productions such as the Nutcracker and Ballet in the Park. Resa-Marie is a graduate of the Early Childhood Unified program at Wichita State University and teaches at Cooper Early Education Center here in Newton.

Eliza Epp- Pre Ballet, Tap and Tumble

Eliza is a former BCAPA dance student who is now attending Bethel College. Along with being a part of BCAPA’s Kaleidoscope Dance Company, she has assisted dance classes for many years as well! Eliza is excited to teach dance classes at BCAPA and continue to watch students learn and grow through dance! Her favorite aspect of BCAPA is the sense of community and long-lasting friendships it provides for every student! Along with teaching, Eliza is one of BCAPA’s front desk receptionists and is ready to answer any questions students and parents may have!

Brennon Madrid- Modern, Acro, Tap, Hip Hop

Brennon is originally from Colorado Springs, CO, began his career at a young age in acrobatics, eventually adding in other forms of movement training including: tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. He moved to Lawrence, Kansas to continue his training in dance at the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. He has had the privilege of working with Thodos Dance Chicago, Lindsay Hawkins from MADCO in St. Louis, LaneCoArts, Justin Giles from Soulescape. He is excited to join the BCAPA family and looks forward to working with everyone that is a part of it.

Emily Schulze- Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Kaleidoscope Dance Company Choreographer

Emily is a Wichita State University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance through the College of Fine Arts program. She danced as a part of WSU’s Wichita Contemporary Dance Theater, traveling to places like Mexico to perform numerous works. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Emily had the honor of working with many different choreographers such as Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Nathan Trice, and Bennyroyce Royon. After graduating she joined the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company for their 2017-18 season. Although she still loves to perform, Emily’s greatest passion is teaching and seeing her students grow and excel in their art form.

Anna Scott- Jazz

Anna has been a dancer since she was five years old, beginning competition dance at age 8. She later joined Midwest Dance Mechanix’ competition team to compete locally and out-of-state, and also joined their En Avant Ballet company, performing in shows like The Nutcracker and Midsummer Night’s Dream. She was awarded a Ballet Scholarship for Outstanding Performance from Nuvo dance convention in 2017. Anna Scott began teaching dance at the young age of twelve to young dancers. Years later, after having to leave dancing due to an injury, she strives to share her years of experience and love for dance with younger dancers. Her goal is to create a healthy and fun environment for dancers to grow in confidence and in technique!

Daniel Colwell- Violin, Viola, Fiddle, Suzuki

Daniel has taught at BCAPA since 2010. As a student of Alice Joy Lewis in the Ottawa Suzuki Program, he has performed in concert tours in Australia, Ireland, England, and Puerto Rico. He has performed with notable musicians such as Tracy Silverman, Jim Brickman, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. During the school year, he also teaches Junior High Histry, and directs the orchestra programs at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire. Daniel holds a BME from Baker University and a MME from Wichita State University. 

Phillip Balzer- Piano

Phillip graduated from Bethel College with a bachelors in piano performance in May 2024. He has skills in a variety of styles in both classical and jazz genres and plays both solo repertoire and collaboratively, in the Bethel jazz ensembles. A multi-instrumentalist and singer, Phillip also played the trumpet in the Bethel wind ensemble, sings in the concert choir, and studied oboe in high school, which he has put away for now, opting to focus on piano instead. Phillip has a focus on composition and performed original pieces in his senior recital at Bethel. In his free time, Phillip enjoys drawing landscapes and portraits, and he also dabbles in cooking when he's at home.

Lauren Barrera- Strings

Lauren earned her BM in Violin Performance and BME Music Education from Wichita State University. As a WSU student, she was an active performer in chamber music and large ensembles, which included performances at Carnegie Hall and Bargemusic in New York City, Glazunov Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia, and concert halls in Ensenada, BC Mexico. Lauren began teaching private lessons in 2011 and has taught orchestra in Wichita Public Schools and the Blue Valley School District. Her approach to education is to individualize instruction to her students' needs and interests, while encouraging them as they push through challenges. In addition to teaching strings, Lauren loves cooking, making jewelry, and playing in a violin and guitar duet with her husband Danny.

Emil Benavides- Voice, Clarinet

Emil is a music education major at Bethel College and teaches voice and clarinet lessons at BCAPA.  Emil has been playing the clarinet since 5th grade and has been singing since grade school. She has been in several honor choirs in high school and is involved in music ensembles at Bethel College including wind ensemble, concert choir, chamber singers, and pep band. She is currently studying voice under Soyoun Chun and clarinet under Joel Boettger. Emil is excited to teach lessons and help inspire a love of music in some kiddos!

Sophia Chindamo- Voice

Sophia is a Senior Natural Sciences Major at Bethel College with a passion for the environment and conservation. She also is pursuing a Music minor where her main focus is in voice, but also spends her time studying the piano, guitar, and violin. Sophia has been studying voice techniques in Jazz, and Classical for 4 years, and has been singing in choirs since 4th grade. She sings with the Bethel College Jazz Ensembles, the soprano alto group Woven and the Concert Choir. 

Rachel Esch- Piano

After receiving her Associate of General Studies from Hesston College in 2016, Rachel graduated from Tabor College in 2020 where she earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Elementary Education. Rachel began piano lessons at the age of 6 and soon discovered the joy of expressing emotions through music. In college, Rachel enjoyed studying music including taking piano and voice lessons, singing in choirs, playing piano and percussion in orchestra, studying music theory, and teaching piano lessons. A few musical highlights from her college career include singing in Carnegie Hall with the Tabor College Concert Choir and serving as a church pianist. In addition to teaching at BCAPA, Rachel works at Newton Public Library and provides caregiving for several families. During her free time, Rachel loves reading, playing games with friends, and being in nature.

Kenna Graber- Flute

Kenna received her bachelors in music at Bethel College and her masters of education from Wichita State University. She studied flute with Caroline Eastburn Camp and Julianna Moore at the University of Iowa as well as Lorraine Carlson Miller and Kristen Shaffer at Bethel College. While at Bethel, Kenna also had the privilege of performing with the Bethel College Concert choir in Europe and Russia. Kenna has performed with various groups and has been second flute/piccolo with the Newton Mid-KS Symphony Orchestra since 1991. She currently works full time as a mentor teacher for Newton USD 373 and teaches flute at BCAPA as well as privately. Kenna lives on a 6 acre “farm” outside of Peabody with her husband Kelson, two teenage sons, and two lab dogs.

Nancy Johnson - Traditional Strings

Nancy Johnson has been principal second violin of the Wichita Symphony since 2000. She is also on the faculties of Bethel College and Hesston College, teaches private violin students, and performs extensively in the greater Wichita area. With her duo, Nova Deco, she performs educational programs through Arts Partners of Wichita, performing for students in the Wichita public schools. The duo also performs regularly at Newton Medical Center as musicians in residence. Also holding positions as librarian for the Wichita Symphony, personnel manager of the Oregon Coast Music Festival, and choir director at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, she spends what free time she has playing golf, reading, and mowing the lawn. Nancy was raised in Colorado and holds degrees in violin performance from KU and Virginia Commonwealth University with post graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado. She studied with Dr. Robert Murray, Howard Boyajian, and Harold Wippler. Attending the Aspen Music Festival, she was a student of Dorothy Delay. Before moving to Kansas, Nancy lived in Portland, Oregon, where she played with the Portland Opera Orchestra, Oregon Ballet Theatre and, on occasion, the Oregon Symphony. Nancy continues to return to Oregon every summer where she is a member of the Oregon Coast Music Festival Orchestra in Coos Bay, Oregon. Nancy lives on 5 acres outside of Newton, Kansas, and has 2 sons, one is currently working on a doctorate in physics and the other is a jazz guitarist.

Judith Mace- Piano, Harp

Judith has taught piano since 1980 to all levels and ages.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and a Masters in Piano Pedagogy.  She has been a regular church pianist for 40 years.  Judith also teaches harp, is a Certified Harp Therapy Practitioner and has logged many hours playing harp for patients in hospitals and hospice. Judith works to make music lessons both fun and meaningful, developing creativity and a positive emotional outlet.

Mel Neubauer is joining BCAPA as a Cello instructor this fall. She has been playing the Cello for over 20 years and spent 8 years performing with Wichita Youth Symphony. She also played in a quartet for a semester with the Newton Mid-Kansas symphony and has experience with teaching music to elementary students. Mel enjoys helping her students develop a love for music and watching them be inspired to express themselves through music.

Matt Rome is a woodwind specialist, conductor, composer & arranger. In addition to teaching at BCAPA, Matt is a Graduate Assistant seeking a master’s degree in wind conducting at the Wichita State University School of Music. Prior to his position at WSU, Matt lead the Hays High School bands for nine years. Matt and his students have collaborated with composers such as Frank Ticheli, Alex Shapiro, Jodie Blackshaw, Grace Baugher Dunlap, R. Christopher Teichler and Jeff Jordan. During his tenure at Hays HS, his groups received consistently high ratings at regional and state events, including an unbroken streak of Superior I ratings through KSHSAA’s large group festival until Hays HS began hosting its own unranked and clinic-focused festival in 2023. Matt is a strong advocate for new music and champions student growth through meaningful musical experiences. Equally at home in classical or jazz settings, Matt enjoys an active performing and conducting schedule and appears with numerous groups throughout Kansas. Currently, he serves as second clarinetist in the Salina Symphony Orchestra and just finished his final season as a co-director of the Hays City Band after taking charge of music direction in 2022. Matt has also performed in the Hays Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Wichita Wind Symphony, Broadway RFD, the KMEA Educator Big Band, the Kansas All-Star Big Band, as well as numerous community ensembles and productions. Through various venues, Matt has shared the stage with artists such as: Allen Vizzutti, Ken Peplowski, John Fedchock, Jeff Jarvis, Rick Hirsch, Wycliffe Gordon & Miles Osland. Matt has had the tremendous honor of studying with: Dr. Jeff Jordan, Dr. Kristin Pisano, Brad Dawson, Dr. Lane Weaver, Hilary Shepard, Dr. Timothy Rolls & Jim Pisano.

Rebecca Schloneger- Group Music Lessons

Rebecca began her violin studies as a young child with her brother. High school years were spent in Iowa and Pennsylvania, and in addition to violin, she studied clarinet, piano, voice, and percussion. She graduated with Departmental Distinction, receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance from St. Olaf College. She earned a Masters Degree with the same emphasis from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Summers were spent at Interlochen Arts Camp and Aspen Music Festival as well as International Festivals in Scotland and lived for a year in Italy, where she taught English to Italian children. She has done Suzuki Teacher Training through Book 7 at Institutes nationwide. She has worked at BCAPA since 2001 and served as the Suzuki Director for 10+ years. Rebecca plays in the Wichita Symphony, Wichita Grand Opera, Music Theatre of Wichita, Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent performer as a soloist. She is a professor of violin at Hesston College, where she conducts the Hesston College Chamber Orchestra and the Screamin' Larks Pep Band.

Sarah Teichler- Kindermusik and Flute

Sarah is an accomplished performer and well-respected teacher of all ages. She holds a Master of Music in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Wheaton, IL. Sarah has been teaching flute since 1997, and has also taught general music, piano, voice, and recorder. She is a licensed Kindermusik educator and has been teaching Kindermusik early childhood music & movement classes since 1999. She believes that music is for everyone and that music instruction enriches a child’s development cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Sarah loves making music together with others, whether in an ensemble of highly skilled musicians, or in a class of toddlers just starting out their musical journey. Making music brings her great joy. Sarah is the mother of four musical children and is active in their schools. She also teaches choir and Spanish for the Home Educators Association of Newton. She loves to read, craft, scrapbook, and play games. She resides with her family in Newton, KS.

Rachel Unruh- Group Music Lessons

Rachel has been the orchestra director at Haysville West Middle School in Haysville, KS since 2013. She taught private violin lessons at BCAPA from 2005-2015 and has been playing with the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra since 2005, serving on their Board of Directors from 2014-2016. She is currently serving a second term as secretary of the Kansas chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Bethel College and a Master of Music Education degree from Wichita State University. She lives in Newton with her husband and two children. 

Dylan Yoder- Voice

Dylan Yoder is currently studying Music Education at Bethel College. He has a primary focus in Vocal techniques and has been studying Voice for 6 years, with many performances throughout that time. Through lessons and a positive environment, he hopes to help his students grow in performance. Dylan is excited to be working with BCAPA in their music programs.