MEET OUR STAFF

Matthew is currently enrolled in UL in Lafayette where he drives in from the school one night a week to continue teaching his students his love of boxing and the drums.

Matthew was born and raised in Erwinville, LA. Matthew has been a member of Boy Scouts since age 6. He earned his Eagle Rank on March 6, 2019. Matthew enjoys music, driving, gaming and hanging out with friends.

Avery Jameson: Music Theory, Piano and Voice (Mondays and Thursdays)

they/them

Avery Jameson obtained their bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at LSU in the studio of Dr. Loraine Sims. They are currently singing with the Baton Rouge Early Vocal Ensemble, a local professional vocal group specializing in lesser known historical works written before the 18th century. Avery also writes and arranges their own music; one of their arrangements was recently premiered in the Baton Rouge Early Vocal Ensemble's 2017 Christmas concert series. In addition to these engagements, Avery has performed with the Acadiana Symphony, the LSU Symphony, LSU Opera, and the LSU A Cappella Choir. In their spare time, they enjoy writing fantasy fiction and snuggling with their cats.

Kevin Landry: Guitar, Folk, Percussion (Mondays)

he/him

Kevin Landry was born and raised on River Road, Brusly, Louisiana. He took two years of piano lessons as a child with Sharon Bourgoyne and attended Brusly Elementary, Middle and High School. Kevin played saxophone from 5th grade through 12th grade, graduated in 1995. He started playing guitar with a friend after school in 10th grade. Kevin attended LSU for one semester and attended Delgado in New Orleans for one semester. He became interested in folk music after high school (blues, jazz, Cajun) and taught music independently. He has taught for Grace Notes Studio and with Dr. Michael Berthelot of Rockin' Mozart Studios.

Kevin's teaching methods include theory, notation, or by ear, to suit the needs of the student. He teaches the following instruments:

-Guitar

-Fiddle

-Bass

-Mandolin

-Banjo

-Cajun Accordion

-Piano

-Harmonica

In addition to teaching at the Centre, he currently works at Southern State Builders for Aren Langland.

Eric Littleton: Drums (Tuesday)

he/him

Kamran Vienne: Violin (Wednesday)

he/him

Starr Grizaffi: Tumbling (Tuesday)

she/her

Starr Grizaffi has been teaching children in either gymnastics, dance or physical education for the past 43 years. A former collegiate gymnast and cheerleader at College of DuPage in Illinois and member of the LSU dance theater group she brings her expertise in many forms to the Centre. Starr began teaching at the Centre in its beginnings many years ago, as well as a former member of our Board of Directors. Starr currently teaches physical education and health at Catholic Elementary for the past 25 years.

Tia Wade: Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop and Jazz (Wednesday)

she/her

Henry Robillard: Drama and Creative Writing (Thursday)

he/him

Heather Beaud: Pottery (Thursday)

she/her

Heather Beaud is a native of Morganza and now lives in New Roads. She has an associate degree in architectural drafting from ITI Technical College also has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in ceramics from LSU.

Heather has always had a love for the arts since a very young age and believes it is important for children to be introduced to art at an early age. It promotes self-esteem and expression. It also allows them to learn how to trust themselves and communicate their thoughts and feelings freely.

Ceramics (pottery) is a very versatile art form. It allows you to design many different objects such as plates, bowls, mugs, serving dishes, jewelry, sculptures, wall hangings, etc. It is also a very satisfying and meditative art form. It is extremely rewarding to see something manifest out of a lump of clay. Designing each object is a creatively playful process that grounds us to mother nature by taking something from the earth and transforming it with your own hands and your imagination into an object that has meaning and purpose. She looks forward to sharing her art skills with the community.

Melissa Blount: Sewing Instructor (Tuesday and Wednesday)

she/her

Chloe Landry: Pre-K Art (Thursday)

she/her

Chloe is a former Centre for the Arts student. She started taking art classes at 3 years old. This will be her second year teaching Pre-K Art.

Chloe begins her college journey in August at Academy of Interactive Entertainment. Chloe is talented in sculpture, watercolor and acrylics. Her charcoal work is amazing. Chloe enjoys music and hanging out with friends.

A'na Nolan: Visual Art (Tuesday and Wednesday)

she/her

A'na Nolan Huckabaa grew up in Denham Springs, Louisiana where she found her love and passion for art starting around 5 years old when her kindergarten teacher discovered her drawing detailed helicopters and landscapes. A'na's passion for teaching Art is here in New Roads at False River Academy and Centre for the Arts. She has had a teaching job in elementary school for 17 years and is member at First Baptist Church of New Roads.

A'na lives in Ventress with her 2 rescue dogs living their best life, and she enjoys gardening.

Eran Bazzelle: Tesa's Place Assistant

they/them

Eran is a native of Livonia and has been a student at the Centre since 2010. Eran began working here the summer of 2020. They work well with the youth at the Centre helping children with homework, making snacks, playing games and anything else the students need.

Eran enjoys doing makeup for our theatre productions and is planning to attend cosmetology school in the future.

Aundrea Flynn: Program Director

aundrea@centreforthearts.org

she/her

Aundrea was born and raised in the Greater New Orleans area. Aundrea has been involved in youth since she was just a teen. She has led scout troops, special needs swimming classes and taught dance. She worked at the Louisiana Lions Camp for four years. This fostered her love for special needs children and has inspired her to find new ways to help them navigate this world. She attended Northwestern State University for two years before moving back to New Orleans. She graduated from UNO with a degree in early math education and a minor in special ed.

Aundrea came to the area in 1997, when she married Todd. They have two children Matthew and Charlie. She has homeschooled both children for all of their schooling. They live in Erwinville. Through her children and friends she discovered the Centre and has been a volunteer for many years. She is now our program director, handling the day to day running of classes. She’s instrumental in bringing back our teen game nights. We can’t wait to see where her journey at the Centre takes her. Aundrea is also a professional photographer.

Phyllis Labatut: Custodian

she/her

Crystal Lemay: Tesa's Place Director

crystal@centreforthearts.org

she/her

Courtney Maciasz: Executive Director

courtney@centreforthearts.org

she/her

Courtney Maciasz has been painting from a very early age and was formally trained as an artist at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. Ever since graduating, she has focused on finding ways to share her love for art with students of all ages. After moving to south Louisiana, she was introduced to the Centre and knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of this amazing place.

After teaching art at the Centre for several months, Courtney assisted the Centre’s co-founder, Tiffany, and eventually took on the Executive Director position in August of 2013. She currently lives in Zachary with her husband, Stephen, and three children, Luke, Lizzy, and Joey.

Amy McDaniel: Finance Director

amy@centreforthearts.org

she/her

Amy McDaniel is the bookkeeper at the Centre for the Arts. She is a native of Plaquemine, Louisiana and has been a resident of Erwinville, Louisiana for the past 25 years. She has been married to Farrell McDaniel for over 30 years, and has two sons, ages
27 and 23.

Amy is a 1987 graduate of LSU, with a B.S. in Accounting. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive status). Amy retired from the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge Finance Department – Revenue Auditing Division after 32 years of
employment.

Amy is a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lakeland, Louisiana. She participates in her church choir and volunteers in the church’s food bank.

When not working, she loves watching LSU sports and Saints football, reading books on her Kindle, and doing crossword puzzles and word searches.

Dance & Physical Fitness

Theatre

Art

Administration

Dance

Theatre

Art

Admin