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 theatre 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 Brilliant-Parent
Becky is a lifelong singer and actress who looks forward to sharing her passion for the performing arts with the CYT Family. She has two children, Johannes (15) and Martile (13), who are also budding performers. In addition to musical theatre, Becky’s hobbies include knitting, cooking, and gardening. She strives to bring Joy and Glory in every aspect of her life.
Chloe Rutherford
Chloe is a CYT North Idaho Alumni and graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in Elementary Education. Chloe was involved in CYT for ten years performing in over 20 shows. You may remember her cast as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, A Dream Dancer in Narnia, Snow White in Snow White and the Prince, with a favorite being a Disciple in Godspell. Chloe has been a Production Team member for CYT's Hair and Makeup committee and is always excited to teach for CYT!
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 and is currently working as a choreographer/dance instructor at Expressions School of Performing Arts where she teaches all styles of dance, as well as choreographs for Expressions competitive team. Over the years while dancing competitively since she was 10, she found a passion for theater as well. She has played Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Atina in The Little Mermaid, Dance Captain for Joseph and The Lightning Thief and also taught two sessions for CYT @ School. She is so grateful for the opportunities that CYT has given her and looks forward to helping others learn and grow at CYT just as she did.
Emme Labenne
Emme LaBenne is thrilled to be back teaching at CYT this session. As a graduate of the program, Emme is dedicated to fostering the same creative, welcoming, and educational environment that had such a positive impact on her. She has previously had the opportunity to choreograph and teach drama for CYT camp and music-directed CYT-Lite’s Honk Jr. Emme has a deep love for the arts and is always amazed to witness students' growth in confidence, skill, and passion
Jaelyn Young
Jaelyn is a recent graduate from CYT North Idaho. She has been a part of this program since she was 10 years old. CYT has always been a super important part of her life and she has made lifelong friends here! She is so excited to be able to introduce the new generation of CYT to the art of theatre. Jaelyn is currently a full time student at North Idaho College studying dental hygiene. She is so thankful for this opportunity and super excited to get started!
Jenny Keough
Jenny has been a teacher at CYT since 2020. She has been a backstage greenroom mom for many shows and was the director for Willy Wonka last winter. She has played the role of Queen Constantina in CCT’s production of Cinderella and Elsa, the Baroness in The Sound of Music. Jenny has loved theater from a very young age and took acting, singing and dance lessons throughout her childhood. She has performed off and on through the years on TV shows and movie sets and was cast as Cinderella and Ariel at Disneyland for 3 years. She loves being part of the CYT family and her goal as a teacher is to help students grow as performers and make sure they know how important and loved they are through the experience of theater.
Kaitlyn Foster
Kaitlyn Foster is so excited to be teaching here at CYT. Kaitlyn is a CYT-NI alumni and has been involved in musical theater for over ten years now! Her most recent being a holiday headliner with TOCNW. Kaitlyn is so excited to come back and teach at this program that has impacted her life in such a positive way and introduced her to many lifelong friends! She is so excited to introduce a new generation to the magic of theater.
Maya Mukhamediyev
Maya Mukhamediyev is a graduate of CYT NI with eight years of musical theatre experience. She has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap, as well as competed in various sports. Maya is grateful for the opportunity to teach in a program that has positively impacted her and looks forward to helping students grow in their dance skills and techniques.
Paisley Siemens
Paisley Siemens is a CYT North Idaho alumni, her first show with CYT dating back to 2008. As well as being involved in CYT, Paisley is also a trained dancer and has taken classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap and hip hop and has been teaching dance for the past ten years. Along with her dance training she also has an AA in Music from North Idaho College. Paisley has loved being involved over the years in many different aspects of CYT including being a summer camp counselor and choreographer , teaching dance classes and musical theatre classes, directing shows and choreographing for both CYT and CCT productions. Paisley is also a dance instructor at Northern Dance Academy. She is extremely excited to be teaching for CYT this session and to be able to be part of a new generation of CYT students as they experience the program.
Presley DuPuis
Presley DuPuis is a proud CYT graduate who flipped over to the grown-up side and hasn't looked back since North Idaho first staged production, Snow White, in 2008 (playing the Magic Mirror). He has gone from being the kid who would play the piano backstage that he wasn't allowed to touch, to a full-fledged accompanist. Over the past decade he has worn many different hats in various CYT leadership roles including teacher, music director, director, pit musician, HYPE adviser, and improv coach. Presley holds his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Eastern Washington University and serves as the resident music director for Aspire Community Theatre while also maintaining his own private music studio where he instructs in both voice and piano. He can always be found playing, teaching, and collaborating with local community theatres, schools, universities, and choirs.