YOUTH ARTS

The Facilitators

Bryant “Drew” Andrews
Drew is an award-winning choreographer, accomplished Hip-Hop and Latin dancer/instructor and a dynamic, energizing force that brings over 28 years of human service, dance and fitness experience to communities worldwide including Cuba, Germany and Dubai.  Drew holds a BA in Human Services and Child Counseling, an AA in Medical Assistant, is an Accredited Human Service Practitioner, CPR/AED Certified and possesses a Group Fitness Certification from AFAA . Most recently, Drew completed “The Arts and Passion-Driven Learning” professional development program at Harvard Graduate School of Education.  Drew is the founder and choreographer of the award-winning Energy Dance Company, whose focus on Hip-Hop fusion, high-energy dance style and rich, hard-hitting choreography have won him national and international recognition. Through the creation and development of the yearly “Let’s Move! Ulster” series, Drew has worked to fulfill his mission of community building and family fitness. Drew also created DXF® – Dance Xross Fitness® as a response to a wide spread demand for a comprehensive, sustainable and scalable fitness program that is fun, engaging, challenging, motivational, inspirational and tailored for all ages and ability levels. Drew has dedicated his life to health, wellness and community, and will continue to create effective programs which combine artistic growth and development while promoting health and fitness awareness.

Debbie Lan
Debbie is a composer, lyricist, arranger, performer and teaching artist with two award-winning CDs of original music for kids and their families with her band, Grenadilla. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Debbie was Musical Director and composer-in-residence for CAPAB, the state-run theater, writing and arranging songs for original shows. She also released two solo CDs in South Africa (Mountain Records) and Japan (Pioneer LDC). Debbie has performed and recorded with Robbie Dupree, Artie Traum and John Hall amongst others and with a local favorite Family music band, Dog on Fleas before founding and fronting Grenadilla, playing original songs for kids and their families based on the rhythmic and sweetly tuneful street music of her native Cape Town. Debbie became a teaching artist in 2002 working with children in the nursery through 4th grade; she also teaches students of all ages privately. Since 2007 Debbie has directed and arranged for Bloom, a woman’s voice ensemble which she founded.

Carrie Wykoff
Carrie has a BFA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Theatre Management from Emerson College where she was the recipient of the Carol Burnett award, Vice President of the Student Government Association and President of the Musical Theatre Society. She is also an ordained Interfaith Minister, a certified yoga instructor and a certified DXF coach. She is the founder of Youth Arts @ The Rosendale Theatre and has directed numerous productions there. She has taught many different classes to many different students at SUNY Ulster, The New York Open Center, CCE, homeless shelters, adult day care centers and internationally. She is also performer and the founder of Events That Matter. She has been homeschooling her daughter since 2013.