Leslie Bailey Flute, Piano, Voice, Theory Grades 2-12 Leslie Bailey graduated in 2010 from Shepherd University in West Virginia with a Bachelor s degree in Music Education. For two years she lived in China working with an American company called Romp N Roll teaching children music, art, and gym. Ms. Bailey attended Red Lion from Kindergarten all the way through graduation from high school in 2006. Her primary instrument is the flute, but she also has experience teaching piano and voice. Ms. Bailey is thrilled to return to Red Lion for the third year to teach music to elementary and upper school students.
Stephanie Ferguson Piano, Theory Grades 1-12 Stephanie Ferguson graduated summa cum laude from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has spent the last 25 years teaching piano and general music both privately and in classroom settings, and this is her third year directing the School of Performing Arts at RLCA. Stephanie has also worked at RLCA as the elementary music teacher, Upper School choir accompanist, and After School Choir director. Her private students consistently earn top ratings in Delaware State Music Teachers Association festivals, and many have decided to pursue music in college and as a career.
Rebecca Wooler Flute, Piano Grades 2-12 Rebecca Wooler received both her Bachelor s and Master s degrees from the University of Delaware, studying Music Performance with a concentration in flute. During her time there, she won several local competitions, such as the Newark Symphony Orchestra s Youth Concerto Competition, and UD s Concerto and Aria competition. She was also a runner-up in the Eastern Division of MENC s Young Artist Competition in 2005. Since graduating, she has continued performing with various local ensembles and as a freelance musician. She has taught music at the Hockessin Montessori School and Glasgow Christian Academy, has taught private flute lessons for the University of Delaware s Community Music School and the Music School of Delaware, and is the flute instructor for the University of Delaware s summer middle school band camp. She has also been teaching the flute privately since 2000. Her goals for her students are to work with them to accommodate their own musical interests, while still teaching them the techniques and musical principles needed to succeed at whatever their own personal goals are, whether in auditions or playing for their own personal enjoyment.
Judy Shaer Piano, Organ Grades 1-12 Judy was one of the original piano teachers at RLCA when Chuck L. Betters was one of her students. She enjoys teaching piano from both a musical and educational view, realizing that music study helps students with both music appreciation and the necessary skills used in reading, writing, and mathematics. Judy studied piano with Dr. John Thoms, classical pianist, organist, and director of Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Co. in Philadelphia. She studied organ from one of his former students at Fine Arts at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. She has played in numerous orchestras, choirs, church services, school musicals, and Youth for Christ. As a teacher, she has no greater joy than seeing a child enjoy music and develop the skills to play piano.
Stephanie Bailey Voice grades 2-12 Stephanie Bailey is a 2008 graduate of Red Lion Christian Academy and went on to study acting at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts School of Film and Television. She has been studying voice for eleven years, and for the past eight has studied under Cynthia Sanner, a vocal instructor at Juilliard. Her goal for all her voice students is to teach them proper vocal technique and for them to develop their love of music!
Jeremy Betters Violin, Guitar grades 3-12 Jeremy Betters is a senior at University of Delaware and has taught violin and guitar lessons for the past several years. He enjoys playing sports and leading Glasgow Church's youth band. His goal for students is to give them a better understanding of music especially as it pertains to the guitar and violin. More importantly, he hopes his students will learn to use music to glorify God.
Janey Debus Private/Group Dance Instruction Grades 1-12 Janey Debus has been a dance teacher and choreographer for over ten years. Most recently she worked with Red Lion students on The Little Mermaid Jr. and Meet Me in St. Louis. Janey obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2012 from Cedarville University, where she majored in Finance. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Finance at Goldey Beacom College. Janemarie currently lives in Newark with her husband, Joe, and their puppy, Lady. They enjoy their free time by playing flag football, volunteering, and spending time with friends.
Brianna Jackson Private/Group Dance Instruction Grades 1-12 Brianna started dancing at the age of three and found a life passion like no other. She enjoys sharing her love for dancing with children through teaching and continuing to perform. As a competitive dancer, Brianna has received many awards and national titles in both group dances and solos. During her competitive years she began assistant teaching in classes at the age of fourteen and became a head instructor with classes of her own at the age of seventeen. With yearly training courses from several different locations ranging from New York City, Philadelphia and more, Brianna is certified to teach ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, contortion, tumbling, and more! Brianna continues to teach classes ages 2 ½ through adult at Encore Dance Academy and dances professionally with Eclipse Performing Dance Company out of Baltimore. She is very excited to branch out and share her passion for dance with Red Lion Christian Academy this year!
Julia Marks Cello Grades 3-12 Julia Marks has been playing the cello for eight years. Having previously studied the cello under Louisa H. Marks, her grandmother and former member of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Julia now studies under Dr. Lawrence Stomberg of the University of Delaware. In addition to private study, Julia has played in her church s orchestra since 2010 and is a member of the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra, of which she has been principal cellist since March 2015. She participated in the 2014 Delaware Honors Orchestra Festival as assistant principal cellist, and in 2015 earned a Superior on her cello solo at ASCI.