Adam teaches music and Introduction to the Liberal Arts Curriculum at Shepherd University. He earned his MM in Musicology from Case Western Reserve University and a BM in composition from the University of South Carolina. He is interested in American music, particularly modernism in opera and constructing the idea of an American symphony. Adam is also a state champion storyteller who has become a fan favorite at festivals throughout Appalachia in the past few years. His hobbies include biking, camping, traveling, and cooking, and he is always ready to eat spicy food with plenty of Indian pickle!

Bio coming soon

Adanma is pleased to be joining the faculty of The Governor's School! She recently received her M.F.A. from VCU with a concentration in Theatre Pedagogy: Acting & Directing. A professional actor for nearly a decade, Adanma also enjoys teaching at the Henrico High School Center for the Arts and SPARC. After Governor's School, Adanma will be joining the Theatre faculty at Berea College in Kentucky.

Bio coming soon

Andrea has an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She currently works as a school psychologist for several k-12 school districts in central Minnesota. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys watching TV, reading books, going for walks, and restaurants with patio seating. Being from Minnesota, she also enjoys a warm, sunny day whenever she can get one, preferably sometime between May and September (because, you know, it's terribly cold there during the rest of the year!).

Autumn graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2006 with a B.S. in integrated lanuage arts. She teaches 9th and 10th grade English in Stafford County. Autumn does every craft imaginable and takes belly dance classes in her spare time.

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon

Bryan is currently on the adjunct music faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also earned a Masters of Jazz Performance in 2006. He directs the Jazz Band at James River High School and teaches trombone at Hanover High School. He is an active performer with myriad local groups, including Fight the Big Bull and his own quartet, Ombak, for which he also composes. His arranging work for jazz big band has been published by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press. When not musically involved, he enjoys running, playing basketball, reading, and participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Chelsey graduated from the University of Virginia in 2007 with a Bachelor's in Religious Studies and an intense fear of the "real world." She is slowly overcoming her fear and has worked for two years with the U.Va. College Guide Program. At Dan River and Tunstall high schools, she advises students on the "hows" and "whys" of going to college. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall to pursue a master's in higher education student affairs. Chelsey enjoys watching movies she's seen before, taking pictures, and doing step aerobics.

Chris spent 11 years on the Governor's School visual art faculty and has now returned after an 8 year hiatus. He is a former arist-in-education and currently. Chris has been a professional artist for 26 years living in Front Royal, VA.

Bio coming soon

Courtney graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2008 with a BA in studio art.  She is currently getting her art teaching license and certification at CNU, and is student teaching at both a middle school and an elementary school in Newport News.  Courtney absolutely loves dogs, Mexican food, and crafts.

Danny "Big D" McNamara graduated with a degree in Math from Roanoke College in 2001. He has been a math and theatre teacher for seven years at his alma mater, Colonial Beach High School where he was Teacher of the Year in 2002. He serves as advisor for Student Council, the Drama Club, the Senior Class, and the National Junior Honor Society among other activities. Danny is an avid fan of the Duke Blue Devils, the Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots, and is an active member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.

David is currently Associate Professor of Religion at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA in addition to being the founding director of the College's honors program. With a DPhil from the University of Oxford, David is the author of two books, including Matthew’s Inclusive Story: A Study in the Narrative Rhetoric of the First Gospel. He enjoys travel and regularly leads student groups on study abroad experiences.

David holds a JD in Law, an MA in Drama/Communications, and a BA in History. He is National Board Certified in Social Studies/History and is licensed to teach Speech, Drama, and Social Studies/History in both Virginia and Louisiana. A native of New Orleans, he “discovered”
Virginia by way of a two-week fellowship at Monticello where he studied Creole influences on Thomas Jefferson’s cuisine. While an “evacuee” from Hurricane Katrina, David wrote “Katrinalaya,” which has been added to the permanent archives of the Smithsonian Museum of American History. An accomplished couples dancer, David is a winner of the Tipitina’s Cajun Dance Contest.

David will be graduating from Emory University in Atalnta with a degree in computer science. In the fall he will be attending Johns Hopikins University for a Masters in Security Informatics. David is a 2004 Governor's School Humanities alum and enjoys ballroom dancing, singing, religions, and buffalo wings.

David has been a professional actor, director, and acting teacher for over 25 years. He has worked extensively in NYC and is currently the director of Studio actor training for the School of the Performing Arts in Richmond. David has been a directing fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received his MFA, and at the University of Iowa.

Deborah earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Masters of Education from Wake Forest University.  She just completed her first year of teaching Spanish at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County.  Deborah enjoys traveling abroad and has traveled to such places as Slovakia, Spain, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Mexico.  In the upcoming year, she plans to form an International Club at her middle school and take a group of students abroad.

Diana comes to the Govoernor's School from Fairfax County with 13 years teaching experience. The College of Wooster and Kent State University, both Ohio schools, are the alma maters of her BA and MEd respectively. A resident of Virginia for 25 years, she raised two children of her own. Diana enjoys the vitality of young men and women and takes pleasure in sharing her talents and experience with them. Her motto is: laughter is the best medicine. Currently she is learning German in preparation for her spring visit with her son, who is temporarily living there. She can say hello, goodbye, and order two sandwiches with a considerable degree of accuracy.

Ed is a twelfth-grade U.S. Government teacher at Tunstall High School in Pittsylvania County and has been a fixture in this program since 1987.

Elaine Smith is a 2000 alumna of the Governor's School in voice. She is a high school choir and drama teacher in Stokes County, North Carolina. In her free time she likes to sing, hike, camp, and whitewater raft. Elaine is currently working on her PhD in Music Education at UNC-Greensboro.

Eric is a professor of music and the Head of the Piano Department at James Madison University. He is an active performer of both solo and chamber music. Included in his performances this year was an "All-Beethoven" solo concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He has particular interest in the music of Beethoven, Liszt, and the 20th Century. His doctorate is from the University of Michigan. You can almost always get Eric to talk about movies, baseball or his ten year old daughter.

Harvey is a National Board Certified teacher at Hermitage High School in Henrico County. In addtion to his teaching responsibilities, Harvey is involved in the school's music and theatre arts porgrams.

Heather just finished her 10th year at hamptpon Roads Academy in Newport News where she is the director of college counseling and a member of the English faculty. She is also the sponsor of the Operation Smile Club which raises funds to provide reconsructive facial surgeies for children in developing countries. She has a burning passion for art history but can't paint.

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon

Jeff teaches AP European History, World History II, and World History I(I.B.) at York High School in Yorktown. Additionally, he coaches Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field for the high school along with Academic Challenge. Jeff earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, and his teaching degree from Christopher Newport University.

Jenn teaches AP English and acting classes at a high school in mid-Michigan, coaches the Forensics team, directs the plays and musicals, facilitates the writing lab, and writes a lot of grants. She enjoys cooking spicy world cuisine, studying brains, running, traveling, and support her amazing Detroit Red Wings. Graduating from Central Michigan University in 1998 with degrees in English, Psychology, and Secondary Education and again in 2001 with a Master's Degree in Humanities, she's plans a pursuit of a Ph.D. in Film Analysis and Criticism this fall.

Bio coming soon

Born and raised in the wintery Great Lakes State of Michigan, Jim earned his Bachelor's and Master's in Recreation, Parks, & Leisure Services (RPL) from Central Michigan University. He has worked as the webmaster of Travel Michigan, and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Resources at Michigan State University. He spends his other days substitute teaching in the local high school. When he's not studying or subbing, Jim can be found running, drinking coffee, or fiddling around with the latest tech gadget.

Jim is a sculptor living in Charlottesville and part time faculty at Mary Baldwin college. Relatively newly minted grandfather, he tries not to fall to far in love with his grandchildren.

John is currently teaching government, geography, and theory of knowledge at Annandale High School in Fairfax County.  He came to education after a thirty-year career in the Foreign Service of the US State Department, including tours of duty in Ethiopia, India, Belgium, Austria, Morocco, and Washington, D.C.  He has a particular interest in issues of perception and misperception in today’s global society.

Justin works in Hampton, VA as a guidance counselor in an elementary school. He's looking forward to working with the Governor's School as something completely different as it is always nice to have new experiences. He received his BS in Human Services Counseling and his MS Ed in Counseling (K-12 emphasis) from Old Dominion University. Originally from the west coast (Oregon), Justin has learned to really love it here in the "Mid-Atlantic."

Katie has a BA in government and religion from William & Mary, an MDiv from Yale University Divinity School, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Washington Theological Union. She has been teaching and working as an administrator in independent schools for many years, and currently does both at a girls' Catholic high school in Potomac, MD. Katie believes that laughter and chocolate can cure almost any emotional ill, although it may take some time for them to have the right effect.

With a BA in Theater, a BA and an MA in English (American Literature), Lori has been an English teacher in Fairfax County since 1985, working with students of all levels of ability. She currently teaches AP English at Chantilly High School. Lori began with the Governor's School in 1991 as a Humanities Faculty member. She served in that capacity and as Faculty Coordinator until she began in her current position as the Associate Director.

Bio coming soon.

Manuel will soon receive his doctoral degree in film and media studies from the University of Kansas. He holds a master’s degree in Television, Radio, and Film from Syracuse University and has been able to pursue his postgraduate studies in the United States thanks to two Fulbright scholarship programs offered to Mexican nationals. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech teaching English composition courses following a multimodal approach that incorporates visual images, especially videos, to construct arguments beyond the written page. When he lived in Chihuahua, Manuel explored his creative writing skills. A couple of his poems and short stories made it into two anthologies of regional writers.

Mark Greenawalt is completing his DMA in vocal performance at Shenandoah University this April 2009. He is on the voice faculty at Liberty University teaching singers in both classical and commercial music styles. Additionally, he is on the Voice Care Team at Fauquier Hospital utilizing a systematized vocal technique developed by Thomas R. Blaylock, Singing Voice Specialist. Mark’s professional singing has included opera, oratorio, musical theater, Christmas Caroling, and worship teams.

Mary Ann is director of dance at Woodside High School, Center for Comunications and the Arts. she received her PhD from NYU in dance education and masters in dance performance from Mills College.

Michelle is a voice instructor and Stage-Co-Director of Opera Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University. For two summers, she worked at the Bay View Music Festival as Director of Theatre Arts and Musical Theatre Stage Director.

Michelle received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University in 2008. She is the band director at Colonial Heights Middle School, an itty-bitty town just south of Richmond. Outside of music, Michelle loves to exercise, read, and eat delicious, gourmet food!

Mike received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University this year. He is looking forward to teaching music next year and hopefully pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Composition in the near future. Mike also enjoys cooking, coffee, and reading.

Rick currently is doing freelance theatre. He plays banjo and a little guitar, likes to travel, collects nomads' textiles, and, quite obviously, doesn't require a quiet summer. Rick has been with the program since it first came to the University of Richmond in 1987.

Samantha is a middle school counselor in Waconia, MN, and she is excited to spend her second summer outside of the upper midwest. Previously, she spent five amazing summers as a residential staff member at the North Dakota Governor's School. She received her B.A. in Psychology & Organizational Communications from Concordia College - Moorhead, MN, and her M. Ed. in School Counseling from North Dakota State University. Samantha enjoys random pop culture references, the Perseid meteor showers, and the continuing search for the perfect Greek gyro.

Sarah is currently a PhD student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where she is majoring in musicology. She holds a Master's degree in flute performance from Ohio University, and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Akron. Before returning to school, Sarah taught elementary-middle school music in Elyria, Ohio, where she developed a new music curriculum and started a band program for middle school children.

Sheila holds an M.F.A. in Classical Acting with Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy at The George Washington University. She also holds an M.A. in Voice Studies from Central School of Speech and Drama, London and studied at Ecole Etienne Decroux in Paris, France. The year after Katrina, Sheila was an Assistant Visiting Professor at Loyola University New Orleans. She received a Dallas Critics Forum Award for best actress for her role in The Red Plays by Erik Ehn. This production was selected by the Dallas Morning News as one of the Top Ten Theatrical Events of the Decade.

Sheryl has been involved with the Governor's School program since 1994, starting as a Resident Advisor. She received a BS in mathematics from the University of Richmond, and MDiv and ThM degrees from Union-PSCE. She was also a PhD candidate (ABD) in Biblical Studies (New Testament). She has held several part-time jobs to sustain her education and Governor's School habits, including church pianist, campus minister, and adjunct professor in the religion department at William & Mary. Sheryl is also an ordained Baptist minister.

Steve has been an actor and director for over twenty years. He is chair of the theatre department at the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk. He holds an MFA degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BFA from the University of North Carolina. He has also studied at the Gaiety School for Acting in Dublin, Ireland and the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Steve has taught for Longwood College, Virginia Commonwealth University and the School for the Arts in the Richmond Community. He is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Taylor was born and raised in the Richmond area. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2004 with a degree in English and a concentration in poetry writing. After a year in UVa's MFA program in Fiction Writing, she decided to enter their Postgraduate Masters in Teaching program and will receive her degree in May. She will teach high school English in Hanover County in the fall.

Bio coming soon