Austin Vahle is honored to be the Drama Teacher at BCE! Austin, a Western Kentucky University alum, has performed, stage managed, choreographed and directed for a variety of community, collegiate, regional and professional theatre companies. Directing and/or choreography credits: The Hundred Dresses and Jungalbook (WKU), Annie and Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (Arts+), Fame and The Frog Prince (SKyPAC Youth Theatre) and The Little Mermaid. Favorable performance credits: Wizard of Oz (Tinman), The Odd Couple (Vinnie), Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Wilson), Finding the Sun (Fergus). Following his own performance career, Austin now enjoys creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation of theatre artisans. Austin has worked with Lexington Children’s Theatre as a Teaching Artist, the WKU Theatre for Young Audiences programming, and school theatre programs/troupes across the state. He is excited and grateful for the development, and your support, of BCE Arts!

Joseph Wrightson is in his third year of teaching in Fayette County. He earned his degree in music education from the University of Kentucky with a minor in saxophone performance. He has music directed at several area elementary, middle, and high schools as well as maintained a private voice and piano studio. As a performer, he has been on stage with The Lexington Children's Theatre, UK Opera Theatre, and professionally with The Lexington Theatre Company. He is thrilled to be a part of BCE's innovative plan for arts integration, and is excited for the future of the arts in our community.

Lydia Austin teaches elementary Dance and Physical Education at Brenda Cowan Elementary School. She graduated the University of Kentucky with a BA in Elementary Education with a Creative Arts emphasis, a Minor in Dance, and a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology. She also completed the K-12 Kentucky Dance Certification program and teaches part-time at UK. She is KY SHAPE’s 2019-2020 Dance Teacher of the Year. Lydia trained at Barat College Dance Conservatory and performed with the Barat College Repertory Dance Theater. At the University of Kentucky, she trained with Rayma K. Beal and was a member of the UK Dance Ensemble choreographing and dancing in her joyful style. She has been a guest instructor and choreographer with the School of Creative and Performing Arts of the Bluegrass, Berea’s Kinetic Expressions, and the University of Kentucky’s Dance Ensemble. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with these fabulous performers this year!

Jess Scolf, earned her degree in Studio Arts, with a minor in Biology from Georgetown College. Her studies included various studio classes in traditional media including drawing, design, color, art history, and photography, as well as work in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. She later completed her Masters in Education at the University of the Cumberlands. In her tenth year of teaching Visual Arts, Mrs. Scolf has been involved in her field, immersed within the arts, and through various leadership opportunities. In the classroom setting, Scolf focuses on exposing students to various media, techniques and fosters an appreciation and respect for the arts with support from community partners. Outside of the classroom, she has offered additional arts opportunities for students in the form of art clubs and summer camps, and through designing/creating set pieces for musicals and other productions. She hopes you enjoy the show!