Rick Hand, M. M.

Director of Meridian 8, Bella Voce, Musical Theater Company, Children’s Choir, Music History, & Music Department Head

Sterling Finkbine, M. Ed.

Director of Jr. Musical Theater, Baby Grands, Chorale, Synergy JH Choir, Masterclass, & Private studio Coordinator

Cynthia Heister, M. M.

Director of Voices of SCPA, Junior High Choir, Choir Exposure, and serves as faculty Collaborative Pianist

Cynthia Heister is a passionate music educator and director with extensive experience in teaching and musical direction. With a rich background in public school education, she has managed numerous ensembles and music programs for grades K-12, reflecting her commitment to shaping the next generation of performers and the continuous integration of arts in education. She is also a passionate private voice and piano instructor, specializing in musical theater performance and audition preparation, empowering students to find their voice. Cynthia holds a Masters of Music in Music Education, with specialization in Arts Administration and Musical Theatre, from The College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, where she researched and developed a notable capstone project on adolescent vocal techniques. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from Southwest Baptist University. Cynthia has obtained teaching certifications in both Ohio and Missouri.

Laurie Wyant-Zenni

Private Voice Faculty

Laurie Wyant holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education grades K-12 from the Crane School of Music in New York. Her postgraduate studies include a Masters Degree and Doctoral Studies in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Laurie has performed as a principal soloist with many prestigious ensembles including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Artpark Opera, White Water Opera, Boca Raton Philharmonic and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. She has also performed with the Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Philharmonic Orchestra. Laurie has performed principal roles in the following Major Musical Works: The Rake’s Progress, The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, The Chalk Circle (during its American Premier), Street Scene, The Student Prince, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Mozart Requiem and Haydn’s Creation.  As a highly sought after educator and vocal director, Laurie has assembled choral groups to accompany many incredible artists and performers.  These include  Quincy Jones, Mel Torme, Patti Page, Doc Severinsen, Kenny Rogers,  BareNaked Ladies, Josh Groban, Betty White, Joe Nuxhall, Former President George Bush and former Vice-President Dick Cheney.  She has also prepared ensembles to perform with Cincinnati Opera, The Cincinnati May Festival Choir, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Broadway Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Laurie’s work with the Cincinnati pops includes preparing multiple ensembles for their PBS specials and Telarc Recordings. In her 30 year career at The School For Creative and Performing Arts Laurie had the great fortune of working with incredibly talented students.  During her tenure at SCPA, Laurie’s ensembles performed nationally and internationally, winning top accolades in The World Choir Games, Verona, Italy Choral Invitational and the Beijing Forbidden City Choral Festival to name a few.  Laurie now teaches private voice lessons at Lachey Arts and works as a choral consultant for Lachey Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kelly Mackenzie-Thurley

Private Voice Faculty

Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley is a graduate of both Northern Kentucky University and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has performed in venues and festivals throughout the United States, Australia, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, the United Kingdom and Germany, including performances at Cincinnati’s Music Hall, Harlech Castle, and the Sydney Opera House.

Kelly is on the voice faculty at Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts and recently joined the faculty at Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts. In 2018 she took over as Director of the NKU Vocal Jazz Ensemble and has continued her studies with Darmon Meader of New York Voices. In October 2021, Kelly served as a Jazz Ambassador for the Cincinnati-Nancy Sister Jazz Initiative in Nancy, France. Kelly continues to perform regularly throughout Southwest Ohio including Caffé Vivace, Muse Café, and the Härth Room, and has upcoming performances with the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

Xan Jeffery

Private Voice Faculty

Xan Waddell Jeffery, B.M. and M.M., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is on faculty at CCM, Northern Kentucky University and the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts teaching Vocal Techniques for Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Song/Scene, and Applied Voice. She also has a very active private voice studio. She has done continuing education courses in Contemporary Commercial Music Techniques and Vocal Injury and Wellness. Her students have been/are currently seen on American Idol, Broadway, numerous National Broadway tours and many of the top BFA Musical Theatre and BM Vocal Music university programs. Xan music directs around the Tri-State area for professional theatre companies, universities and high schools. She is the alto section leader at Indian Hill Church and has sung with the Cincinnati Fusion Ensemble and Cincinnati Choral Society. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Sigma Alpha Iota. Xan is passionate about instilling confidence in her students while developing healthy vocal technique and finding just the right repertoire for each one.

Reed Gnepper

Private Voice Faculty

Reed Gnepper is a tenor from the riverbanks of Toledo, Ohio, dedicated to advancing the operatic and vocal art forms. Since a young age, Reed has performed with prestigious ensembles and alongside prominent artists such as the Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Bill Medley, and Kenny Rogers. His passion for opera blossomed during his teenage years, leading him to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the renowned Juilliard School in New York City. At Juilliard, Reed debuted as Puck in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, covered Endimione in the New York Premiere of Luigi Rossi’s L’Orfeo, and performed the role of L’amante in Menotti’s Amelia al Ballo. His ensemble work included appearances in the choruses of La Bohème and Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, as well as performances in two of the New York Festival of Song’s “At Juilliard” events under the guidance of industry veteran Steven Blier.

With a deep appreciation for crossover genres, Reed portrayed Archibald Craven in the Chautauqua Institute’s production of the musical Secret Garden. Following graduation, Reed joined the choruses of Lucia di Lammermoor and Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Cincinnati Opera last summer. Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Reed studies under the guidance of Grammy Award-winning baritone Elliot Madore. Beyond the stage, Reed enjoys listening to his vinyl record collection, composing music, and savoring Skyline Chili.