Current Teachers:
Amee Peltekian
Amee grew up in a very musical, theatrical family. She is so excited to have found a home with CYT so she can share this joy with her 2 kids and with this incredible theater community! You may have seen Amee as Maria in CCT's production of The Sound of Music. Before moving to the area, Amee owned and worked for character entertainment companies for four years and was a children's leader at BSF for 8 years. Amee studied acting, dance, voice, and childhood development in college and has passionately pursued opportunities to teach and grow in dance, acting, and vocal performance.
Becky Gregory
Becky Gregory has been sharing her passion for music through teaching and leadership since 2006. A graduate of Central Bible College (2005), she has served as a music and worship director in several states, bringing energy and heart to every community she joins. Becky has led choirs, taught piano, and taught music curriculum for preschool-aged children, combining creativity with a deep understanding of musical foundations. When she's not immersed in music, Becky enjoys spending quality time with her husband, David, and their three children: Lilly, Jacob, and Katelyn.
Beth Falske
Beth grew up in the theater. With 3 older siblings who were all involved on and off stage and a mom who was always sewing costumes and making props. Her first on stage experience was the age of 6 when she was cast as Gretel in The Sound of Music. She then, was heavily involved in music, dance and theater though various elementary, community and high school programs. Once in College she turned her focus to dance and started working as a Choreographer for the local school district. After 15+ years as a choreographer she took a break to have more time with her family. She has enjoyed being on the Props Committee for several CYT productions and watching her daughter find her love of musical theater. Beth is excited to be able to share her love for all aspects of the theater with others.
Emma Hoit
Emma Hoit is beyond excited for this fall! She is 20 years old and attending NIC, getting her music associates in arts. Performing arts have always held a very special place in her heart. Her CYT years were some of her favorites and she is so thrilled to be back, “playing the role” as a teacher!
Emma Jillson
Emma Jillson is a CYT alumni, who also grew up as a competitive dancer for 7 years. She is currently a dance teacher at Expressions School of Performing Arts, as well as the choreographer for their competition team, where she has won two choreography awards for her competition pieces. As a teacher, Emma loves traveling to different dance conventions, learning from celebrity choreographers, so she can come back to Idaho and share everything she’s learned with her students. She is so grateful that she can share a piece of the dance world with the theater community. Emma is so passionate about making her students grow each day, and for them to become the best version of themselves. Emma is so excited to share her love of dance with her CYT family!!
Ina Siemens
Ina Siemens is a CYT alumni and licensed cosmetologist. She works as a hair stylist at Vixen and Tod Salon and enjoys painting and reading in her free time. She is so excited to share the art of theatrical makeup with her class!
Kasie Corley
Kasie Corley has been dancing since before she could walk, or at least that’s how the story goes! Dancing for the first 15 years of her life with increasing intensity under the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum, Kasie developed skill and technical proficiency which translated into an ability to dance practically any style. Part of this ability is due to her musicality which is a direct result of her studies as a classically trained pianist beginning at age five. During her studies as a performance piano degree candidate, Kasie chose to fully shift her focus to solely collegiate sports (NCAA Division I Tennis) due to the rigorous demands of the match and tournament schedule. Slowly drifting away from the arts, Kasie explored a 20-year detour which included military service (US Army) until she returned to dance and found she was still blessed with the ability to dance and still loved to perform. Later, Kasie found her passion to teach and choreograph. Kasie believes dance, music and the arts provide a unique and personal way to experience the beauty of the human form and to grow in appreciation of God’s miraculous design.
Machaiah Bradshaw
Kia Bradshaw is excited to be teaching for CYT again! Her love for theatre began when she joined CYT as a child and has only continued to grow. She followed that passion and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Music from NIC (North Idaho College) in 2024. She has always loved being on the teaching side as well, as she has taught core voice multiple times and ran a private voice studio. When she’s not performing, you can find her hiking with her husband, enjoying game nights with friends, or curled up with a good book. Kia is looking forward to helping the students grow in performance and overall music knowledge.
Makayla Kaufman
Makayla Kaufman is a CYT alumni who grew up in the dance and theatre world. She started in the dance scene at the early age of three and since has worked to further her education and passion for the arts by studying and training in all disciplines of dance, dancing competitively, and acting and performing in many theatre productions in the area. Makayla is so grateful to have found her incredible love and passion for teaching and working with children. She is dedicated to helping kids feel loved and supported to be themselves and try new things, while nurturing the next generation of performers to follow their dreams!
Marlee Eldridge
From preparation and auditions to rehearsals and the final performance, there’s always more to a show than meets the eye. It takes a team of people using the talents and gifts God has given them to bring words on page to life on stage - and that spirit of collaboration has always been one of Marlee's favorite things about theatre. Throughout her life, God has used theatre to play a significant role in her personal growth and she's delighted to have a chance of introducing what drama is all about to this session's students. She loves connecting people, trying new things, and being part of projects that bring others together. You can find Marlee doing a myriad of things including contra dancing, hosting soup and game nights, working with Summit Ministries in Colorado, or helping out wherever she can.
Natalie Mangis
My children fell in love with CYT at a school day show, and we have been part of this wonderful program ever since. I am a mom of five and live in Post Falls with my family. I have been a teacher for over 20 years and am currently an online educator. I also enjoy sewing and being a member of the costume team for CYT!
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson is excited to be part of the CYT North Idaho team! She recently relocated from San Diego, where she worked as a music teacher and theater director. Rachel grew up immersed in theater and choir, which sparked her enduring passion for the performing arts. CYT also holds a special place in her heart as she performed in her first CYT San Diego show at eight years old and continued participating in theater throughout her school years. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential from Azusa Pacific University. Rachel then worked as a music teacher at Coastal Academy where she taught students in kindergarten through eighth grade and led the musical theater program. She is thrilled to bring her love for the arts, along with her organizational skills and teaching experience, to support the team at CYT North Idaho. Rachel is honored to contribute to a program that fosters creativity, builds character, and encourages the use of our gifts for God’s glory.