Mary Beth Beasley, Owner
Mary Beth Beasley is a Havelock, NC native. She graduated high school from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts majoring in ballet. While there she was able to study at many well-known professional schools including Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Met, and National Ballet of Hungary in Budapest, Hungary. Upon graduation, she joined Southern Ballet Theatre in Orlando, Florida. During her professional career, she danced with Ballet Theatre International, The Florida Ballet, Sierra Nevada Ballet, and the Sarasota Opera, beginning as a soloist dancer and working her way up to principal status. While performing with the companies, she taught within the professional company schools, teaching ballet and modern, as well as, outreach community teaching programs for at-risk students and Arts in Education programs in public school systems. Upon returning to Eastern NC, she opened The Center of Performing Arts with the goal of providing a well-rounded arts education from her professional and past experiences. The school offers an array of performing arts lessons and opportunities in dance, drama, and musical disciplines for all levels, from the beginner to the one who wishes to pursue a career in the arts. The Center’s staff is hired for their expertise in their art form, love of teaching, and commitment to excellence. The programs are constantly evolving for the students, to provide not only quality training but to nurture creativity, self-confidence, and
self-esteem.
Myriah Harkley
Myriah Harkley is from Havelock, NC. She has a Music degree in Vocal Performance from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). While attending ECSU, she joined the University Concert Choir and University Players. Myriah had the opportunity to serve as a Vocalist, School Ambassador, Librarian, Secretary and President of the ECSU Concert Choir and obtained lead roles with the University Players.
Myriah has traveled and participated in summer programs such as 105 Voices of History and Torggler Summer Vocal Institute (TSVI). While attending TSVI, Myriah had the opportunity to work with various artists such as Recording Artist Bobby McFerrin, Metropolitan Opera Tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and Tony Award Winner Kelli O’Hara. She also studied opera under The Franco American Vocal Academy (FAVA) in Perigueux, France directed by Former Metropolitan Opera Tenor Singer William Lewis. Myriah now has taken the lead role of Music Teacher under The Craven County School System.
Meganne Smith
Meganne is so excited to join the team at The Center of the Performing Arts! She began her music career as an All-State clarinetist and, even, a high school drum major at West Carteret High School. She played in the Wind Ensemble at Governor's School and then in the Concert Band at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After college, she began teaching English in middle schools and high schools in Carteret and Craven Counties; she has also been an adjunct English professor at Craven Community College. While teaching English, she has continually taught piano lessons to those ages 4-64 and played for churches, weddings, and choirs. Meganne believes that music education and the arts allow children and adults to access more of the human experience; she also knows that everyone can become better at a skill through practice and guidance.
Bethany Strange
Bethany was born in Havelock, NC. Her love of dance began at age 5, with her first dance class at the MCAS Cherry Point community center. Four years later she started dancing competitively, competing in solo, duo, trio, small group, and dance team categories. During her competitive dance career, she won numerous awards including, 1st Overall, Marvonna’s MVP, and StarQuest’s Fabulous Focus. In 2012 she enrolled as a student at The Center of Performing Arts. Under the instruction of Ms. Beth Beasley, she performed in many productions. Some of her roles include, the Wolf in Peter and The Wolf, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Sugarplum in the Nutcracker, and Ballerina in Petrushka. Throughout her 16 years of dance, Bethany has studied a wide range of dance styles including hip hop, tap, jazz, African, liturgical, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. She earned her Associate in Arts degree with High Honors from Craven Community College and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at East Carolina University. She feels privileged to share her love of dance with her students.
Joseph Banks
Joseph is currently the percussion coordinator and arranger for the award-winning Croatan High School Band, and the Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble. Joseph is an accomplished arranger, composer, choreographer and percussion program consultant. He is also a Pro-Mark Educator/Artist. He is a 2001 graduate of Morehead State University. While attending MSU, he had the opportunity to study all areas of percussion with Frank Oddis, Todd Wright, Greg Strouse and Brian Mason. Mr. Banks was a member of the nationally recognized marching percussion ensemble, concert band, symphonic band, and concert percussion ensembles. He was also a member of the 1995 PASIC Championship drum line. During his time at MSU, he served as a member of the program design team for the 1997 and 1998 marching percussion seasons. In addition to his collegiate music experiences, Joseph is no stranger to drum and bugle corps. He was a member of the Raiders bass drum line in 1994 and was a member of the Boston Crusaders snare drum line from 1996 to 1999. As an arranger, composer, choreographer, and instructor; Mr. Banks has worked with numerous high school and WGI percussion groups throughout CT, KY, OH, PA, NJ and NC. His work has garnered many awards throughout the years.His current work with the Croatan High School Marching Cougars has been extremely successful. The CHS band was a Bands of America regional champion in Class 2A. In addition, he formed the first indoor marching percussion program at the school. The indoor ensemble placed 2nd, receiving the silver medal in 2011 and received the bronze medal in 2013 at the Atlantic Indoor Association Championships, which has created much excitement throughout the community.