Get to know us!

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Michelle Giannini (Ms. Michelle): 

Artistic Director, Owner

Michelle has spent the past decade teaching and directing elementary, middle, and high school-aged children in the Triangle in theatre and music.  She has also developed integrated performing arts curricula K-8, created and led high school retreat programs, and has established several performing arts leadership groups at the middle and high school levels.  In addition, prior to opening TAP in 2017, Michelle served as the assistant principal of a K-8 school in Cary.  

Michelle holds a BA in both Elementary Education and Dramatic Art from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as a Masters Degree in School Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.  

Michelle was blessed to open TAP in 2017 with Kevin Blackburn, and has watched it grow and thrive over the years.  TAP allows Michelle the opportunity to bring together her loves of theatre and watching youth develop as individuals to help them discover their gifts, find their passions, make new friendships, and gain skills that will stay with them forever.

Melissa Dunn (Ms. Melissa): 

Company Manager, Acting Instructor, Director

Melissa is an avid theatre lover and a passionate artist. Her love of performing on stage began as a child while growing up in Florida. She graduated from Florida State University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre, with a minor in Education. Since then, Melissa has worked in a variety of areas throughout the entertainment industry, from stage managing for the Florida State Fair to coordinating for Marquee Events at Universal Orlando Resort. Melissa also has experience teaching and directing children’s theatre in both a school and community theatre setting. 

Katie Clarke (Ms. Katie): 

Director, Acting Instructor 

Katie graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Education, and many hours spent in the theater.  Since she was student herself, Katie has spent her summers directing elementary and middle school children in musical productions at the Cardinal Gibbons High School Musical Theatre Camps and the TAP Summer Spotlight Camps.  She currently spends her days teaching middle school math at St. Michael School, and directs and teaches at TAP in the evenings!  

As an actor, director, and teacher, Katie is passionate about the way in which theatre empowers children with a voice and a confidence to be themselves, and to appreciate and respect the uniqueness in others. 

Dylan Bailey (Mr. Dylan): 

Director, Acting Instructor

Having graduated from ECU with a BFA in Theatre Arts and a concentration in Theatre for Youth, Dylan brings to TAP a wealth of knowledge and expertise in everything from Theatre for Young Audiences to playwriting, to theatre for special needs children to Musical Theatre. His passion lies in TYA, performing for young audiences as a way to engage them in live theatre.

Kat Mowat Murphy (Ms. Kat): 

Dance Instructor, Musical Theatre Class Instructor

Kathryn Mowat Murphy (Kat) has been in the theater and dance world for over 25 years, a professional Broadway dancer, actor and singer. She has been training dancers, actors and general population for years and has a loyal NYC and NC following.

Some of Kathryn's career highlights--Broadway and Equity National tours which include: Pal Joey (2008 revival), Fosse, Chicago, Sweet Charity with Wayne Cilento and A Chorus Line (Cassie and Sheila) with Mitzi Hamilton.  Some regional Equity Productions as associate choreographer and performer include: Chicago, Bye bye Birdie,  A Chorus Line, Sister Act, Steel Pier.   TV: NBC “Saturday Night Live”, Nickelodeon’s “I Carly”.  

Kat has been a faculty member at New York’s Premier Professional Dance studio STEPS ON BROADWAY since 2000. Kat teaches Jazz, Contemporary, and Theater Dance. She is also a guest Faculty at the school at Steps children’s program.  Since 2015 she has been a judge at Dancers Inc competition.  For the last 3 years Kat has been a  choreographer for winning and top place finalists in the prestigious YAGP and ADC IDC competitions.  

Kat also teaches acting classes for beginning to advanced level actors. 

Karen Maney (Ms. Karen): 

Music Director, Piano and Voice Teacher

Karen has worked in musical theater in the Asheville and Raleigh areas as a music director, pit conductor, rehearsal accompanist, singing coach, pit keyboardist, and music teacher for community and professional theater as well as children's workshops and bootcamps.  Her formal training is a BSEd in Music Education with a choral conducting focus and Suzuki Music Teacher Training in both piano and voice.  Karen works with young singers to safely develop their vocal technique and musicianship skills that they can apply to musical theater pursuits as well as to many other singing styles.  Karen has developed a powerful method of teaching piano and voice called the SPIRAL method. Learn about it here!

Emily Freer (Ms. Emily):  

Director, Acting Instructor, Studio Coordinator

Emily is a Raleigh-based actress and teaching artist. She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from William Peace University and teaches around the area at places such as Cary Arts Center, Raleigh Little Theatre, The Justice Theatre Project, Seed Art Share, and here at TAP! She is passionate about creating an environment for students to have fun, be safe, and learn about the world of theatre.

Gillian Wensell (Ms. Gillian): 

Acting Instructor

Gillian graduated from Queens University of Charlotte with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Theatre. During her time in Charlotte she sought out many teaching and acting opportunities.   She worked with elementary schools as a volunteer in the classroom  and even dressed as Cinderella for character visits!  When not in schools, she worked with the Charlotte Make A Wish chapter and performed at Carowinds Amusement Park. Gillian has always enjoyed working with students, especially when a script or stage is involved!  She has discovered that giving children the chance to embrace their creativity and imagination is the best way to learn with them and watch them grow. 

Jamie Gorski (Mr. Jamie): Director, Acting Instructor

Jamie has had advanced actors training in theatre conservatories from Alaska to California, and England. He earned his BFA in theatre performance at the acclaimed theatre program at University of Evansville. He has acted professionally in Alaska, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and has been cast in both domestic and international touring productions. He studied abroad in England focusing on British History, Theatre, and Shakespeare. 

In addition to acting, Jamie has also been both a theatre and English teacher for 20 years. He has directed over 20 productions, including contemporary and classical plays as well as award winning musicals. Jamie is also a published playwright of children's theatre with Playscripts, Inc. in New York, and his plays have been performed in 28 different states as well as Canada. 

Some of Jamie's additional accolades include being selected as a presenter for the North Carolina AIG and NCTAE conferences, being recognized for outstanding directing in ensemble performance at the  Durham Triangle Rising Stars Competition, and a two-time recognized outstanding teacher of the month in the city of Cary. Jamie's high school theatre programs have also been selected by the American High School Theatre Festival to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. In 2019, Jamie brought his program to the Fringe festival to perform Chris Coble's adaptation of "The Giver." 

Jamie is proud to join the TAP faculty and looks forward to sharing his love of theatre with the students. Jamie currently resides in Apex with his family. 

Rachel Thomas-Levy (Ms. Rachel): Director, Acting Instructor

Rachel holds a BA in Theatre/English from Warren Wilson College, and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Towson University. 

Rachel has deep theatrical roots in Asheville, NC, where she was a member of the Anam Cara Theatre Company and a founding member of their Neo-Futurist style group, Accordion Time Machine. Throughout her years in Asheville, she worked with the Montford Park Players, The Magnetic Field Theatre, and the Asheville Fringe Festival. 

Rachel has had the honor of performing in the Varna International Theatre Festival in Bulgaria under the direction of renowned Bulgarian director Venelin Shurelov; being a part of the creative team behind “Affordable Housing The Musical,” which premiered as part of Carolina Performing Arts 2018 season; and performing her own original work at the Asheville Fringe Festival. 

Over the past seven years, Rachel has taught playwriting, acting, directing, devising (creating a play from scratch), physical theatre and theatrical design in charter, public, and independent schools. She has directed students in full-length plays, musicals, one-acts, puppet shows, audio dramas and original works written by both professional and student playwrights. As an educator, she is dedicated to life-long learning and regularly participates in professional development opportunities.

Rachel’s absolute favorite thing about being involved in the theatre is having the privilege of teaching the next generation of theatre artists.  She strives to create rehearsal and classroom spaces where students are able to confidently take artistic risks as well as form positive relationships with their peers. She is thankful to be a part of the TAP team, and believes in their mission of putting the child first in their theatre education. 

John Tyson (Mr. John): Piano and Voice Teacher

John is a native of NC. Growing up he found a passion for piano and began taking lessons at the age of nine. At the age of twelve he expanded his instrumental ability and began playing trumpet. His love of music led him to the A.J. Fletcher School of Music at East Carolina University where he received the prestigious North Carolina Teaching Fellow full scholarship. John concentrated in choral music and studied piano under Dr. Keiko Sekino. During his collegiate years, John performed at the Yves Nat Piano Festival in Beziers, France, at Steinway Hall in New York City, and with the ECU Orchestra. He also discovered a love for choral conducting and cultivated this interest through private lessons.

Following his time at ECU, John taught band and choir in public school. His ensembles performed around the country and consistently received superior ratings at the state and national level. Many of his former students continued their musical studies and majored in music in college. In the summer of 2014-2015, John studied with professors at the Milan Conservatory and performed at the Academia Tadini in Lovere, Italy where he received a certificate in piano and choral conducting. He has given numerous solo recitals, served as accompanist for choirs, instrumentalists, and musical productions.

Through the years, John has judged at numerous music festivals and competitions. His students have given solo recitals, competed in music festivals and competitions, performed in Steinway Young Artists competitions, and performed in international piano festivals. In addition,  John has lead choirs and handbell ensembles of all ages. He has been a contributor of the national publication of the Call To Worship Lectionary Aid. In the summer of 2022 his choral ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC.  He has also been on staff at Montreat Music and Worship Conference. 

He is a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity and holds membership in the NC Music Educators Association, NC Music Teachers Association, American Guild of Organists, and American Choral Directors Association. In his free time, he enjoys the challenge of learning a new art. Over the years he has competed with the National Shag Dance Team, performed in community theater, and competed in dressage where he placed grand champion east coast, 5th in the region, and 14th in the nation at training level dressage with his thoroughbred horse, Jack Reacher.

Ceci Touzon (Ms. Ceci): Director, Acting Instructor

Ceci graduated from Oklahoma City University with degrees in Theatre Performance and Education, and minors in Directing and Children’s Theatre. Ceci has spent many years onstage, but she has also spent many years teaching elementary, middle, and high school theatre. 

Outside of TAP, she teaches middle school English at St. Michael School! 

Theatre is the greatest gift, as it helps us appreciate others and ourselves. Ceci feels honored that she gets to help others learn to love themselves and their community through stories!