Aspire Performing Academy for the Arts

President

Carrie Beasley Hansen grew up in a military family, giving her the opportunity to explore new worlds of performance every few years. Taking classes in gymnastics, choir, acting, and dance gave her the love of performing for live audiences. While growing in her craft, Carrie was blessed to sing in venues such as The White House, The Kennedy Center, The Philadelphia Fourth of July Celebration and Political National Conventions before graduating High School. Carrie attended Brigham Young University where she studied the Performing Arts (Music / Dance / Theatre) and American Sign Language. Carrie went on to perform with Walt Disney World as a Magic Kingdom character/entertainer. She also received her Walt Disney World ASL interpreters pin, allowing her to use ASL in the parks. It was in Orlando where she met her husband, Brent Hansen, from Brigham City, Utah. Returning to Utah, Carrie was offered a position as a Gymnastics Coach. Finding that she enjoyed teaching gymnastics, she continued her education through USAG. Carrie has been a Professional Gymnastics Coach since 2003 and a Northern Atlantic Women's Gymnastics Judge (NAWJ) since 2014. Staying true to her roots in performance, she acquired representation as an actor with McCarty Talent in 2011. Carrie has landed commercials, independent film roles as well as roles for the Sundance Director Labs and still auditions today. In 2015, Carrie accepted a position within the Special Education Department at Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning. For Carrie, teaching students with special needs, and differentiating instruction accordingly has been "a wonderful and enlightening experience".

"Aspire Performance Academy for the Arts has all of my performance passions in one place! There are so many talented individuals in our community. I look forward to learning, sharing, collaborating and growing with all of you!"

Secretary

Keriann was born and raised in Brigham City and grew up loving the arts. She attended Box Elder High School where she actively participated in theatre, music, modeling, and track. It was during her senior year of high school that she knew she needed to teach theatre. After graduation she attended Western Wyoming Community College on a theatre scholarship. There she was able to play roles such as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods and Zanita in The Music Man, amongst others. It was there she met her husband Brandon and followed him to BYU-Idaho after graduating from Western with her Associates of Fine Arts. She then worked, went to school, co-directed Rigby High School's Production of Oklahoma! and finally graduated with her Bachelor's in Theatre and Speech Education. Keriann is now living in Perry with her husband and two (almost three) children.

"I am incredibly excited to be on the board of Aspire Performance Academy for the Arts. The people of Box Elder County have always been so supportive of the arts in our community, and I'm happy that we're going to offer arts classes to not only students but also adults. We have amazing talent in our county and I can't wait to see where that can take us."

Treasurer

Whitney Collins - B.F.A Modern Dance & Minor in Earth Science, Utah Valley University Originally born and raised in Brigham City, Whitney has once again returned to her homeland! In high school, Whitney danced for the Box Elder High School Rockettes and also took classes from both Starlite Express Dance Academy and Classical Youth Ballet (CYB). For the past 4.5 years, Whitney attended Utah Valley University (UVU) to pursue her passion in both dance and earth science. With over 17 years of dance experience, she has been developing a stunning resume encompassing her skills in performance, choreography/freelance, teaching/leadership, as well as dance for film and more. Whitney has had the honor to perform professionally for both The Penguin Lady Dance Collective and for BRINE's show, Disembodied WE. For the past two summers, Whitney has had the privilege to attend the American Dance Festival's 6-week summer intensive (ADF 6WS 2016 & 2017), where she took opportunities to perform, network, attend professional dance concerts, and continue her dance training. Most recently, Whitney has been teaching the youth at Velocity Dance Academy and is also excited to begin her journey as a Board Member for Aspire Performance Academy for the Arts. For more information about Whitney, you can check out her website here.

Fundraising
Event Chair

I'm Sarahn Durfee Mund--homegrown in Willard, Utah. I always loved music, but didn't "find" my voice until I was 13 years old. I've been singing nearly every day since! I was able to sing in audition choirs throughout high school and college and earned a degree in English (Communication Minor) from Weber State University. I've led community choirs and assisted youth with theater and choir auditions for several years. But--my greatest achievements are my husband and our four amazing children. I love being a mom! I believe music picks up where words fail. It has the power to create, build, and alter emotions. Music truly is power--and I'm so excited to help strengthen our community through song!

Culture Chair

I grew up in South Ogden, Utah. I am the 6th of 7 children in my family. I attended Utah State University and studied Psychology and family human development. We have lived in New Hampshire, Maine, and have now settled in Willard, Utah and have been here for the past 12 years. I don't have any background with music, but I have seen first hand what amazing things music can do. When I worked with children in therapy groups we had music therapy students come in and work with the children a couple times a week. I was amazed at the role it played in their healing and being able to express their feelings in a way that was safe for them. I know what an amazing effect music can have on a child's brain development, as well as help them heal, express, and connect. I am grateful for the opportunity to have my two oldest children be interested in the fine arts and I have seen what joy it brings to them. I love that I can be a part of this exciting new opportunity for our community to be able to have so much more available to them in the fine arts, and am happy knowing what a positive impact Aspire will have on so many.