Midwinter Workshop 2023

Chris is a creator, actor, and puppeteer from Atlanta, GA. He works on film, stage and TV. His credits include: Woke, Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, Doom Patrol, and Sesame Street, where Chris is the Muppet Performer for Hoots the Owl and Elijah.

As an educator, Chris has worked on the Educational Outreach Theatre Team for Kaiser Permanente. He has also worked alongside the students of the award-winning theatre company at Lakeside High School.

Brandon Paul Eells has been acting professionally for almost thirty years. He’s voiced thousands of television and radio commercials and has been featured in many video games including “Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3,” “Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series,” “World War Z,” “Watch_Dogs,” and “Battle Chef Brigade.” Brandon is a three time SOVAS Voice Arts Award winner; in 2014 and 2017 for his work on Valspar Paint’s National TV campaigns, and again in 2017 for his work as Drax the Destroyer in “Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series.” Off-mic, Brandon has been an improviser at the legendary iO Theater and appeared in several films and television shows including “Shameless,” “Proven Innocent” on FOX, and NBC’s “Chicago Fire.”

John Willis is a musician and music educator in Little Rock, Arkansas. He also leads music for churches and helps facilitate an interfaith community choir in the area. John holds a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has served as musical director or pianist for numerous musical theatre and operatic productions in Central Arkansas. As a singer/songwriter, John has performed and recorded regularly since 2008, and his music was featured in the 2019 Pureflix film, Sweet Inspirations. John is a former Artist, Inc. fellow (2013) through the Mid-America Arts Alliance and former advisory board member of the ACANSA performing arts festival (2016). He is the music director of the annual, interfaith Love Thy Neighbor peace event (2012-present) and sits on the board of its sponsoring organization, Arkansas House of Prayer. John is a member of ACDA and NAfME and is interested in the intersections between culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogies and music education.

Tanner is the high school choral director and secondary choral program lead for Bryant Public Schools. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education, Master of Science in Education, and a Master of Music in Music Education. A sought-after clinician and presenter, Tanner has served as clinician for honor choirs around the state and has specifically researched and presented topics including socioeconomic diversity, classroom management, curriculum design, and educational technology. Recognitions include Bryant High School and Bryant School District Teacher of the Year (2020), Candidate for AR Teacher of the Year (2021), Region 3 Choral Director of the Year (2022), and Quarterfinalist/Nominee for Grammy Music Educator of the Year (2023). Tanner lives in Benton, AR with his fiancé, Cameron, and his mini schnauzer, Winnie.

Cortnie DeVore-Byrd is a veteran educator, working with students across all age groups in Arkansas, Texas, New York and Connecticut. She has received degrees from Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University, and New York University in performance and education. Cortnie currently serves as the Theatre Director and Auditorium Manager for the Beebe School District, where her students have received many accolades and awards for their performances. She currently resides in Beebe with her Husband, Daniel, and their 14 month old daughter, Charlie.