Artists in Residence
Teaching Artists
Lisa Laughbaum
Teaching Artist | Music
After graduating from University of California San Diego earning her degree in Music Literature, Lisa created her own preschool music program --
The Children’s Music Workshop. She has been teaching this outstanding music curriculum at preschools and daycares throughout North County San Diego for over 20 years.
Her corresponding CD collection (now available on iTunes) has made her a popular local icon, and she currently enjoys performing for children all over Southern California.
In addition, Lisa teaches piano using her proprietary methodology that combines formal piano instruction with computer music games, and practice time.
She provides semi-private instructional sessions to over 40 students each week with patience and caring -- loving every minute of it!
Candace Carbajal
Teaching Artist | Dance
An accomplished performer, teacher, and choreographer, Candace has worked with several theatre companies throughout Southern California and Arizona.
She began dance training at age 4 in Yuma, AZ. Under the direction of Jon Cristofori and Kathleen Sinclair-Cristofori, at Ballet Yuma she performed many soloist roles as a company member and was a ballet and tap instructor for the Yuma Ballet Academy. She taught both 4th and 6th grade before relocating to California.
She became a ballet and tap instructor for the School of International Ballet, where she developed and implemented the school’s tap curriculum. She was a company member and rehearsal assistant for the Redlands Festival Ballet Company, under the direction of Cecilia Hering.
Select choreography credits include: “Sheila” (Grand Facade Theatre Prod.), “Willy Wonka” (Pickwick Players, Aubrey “Best Ensemble”), “Secret Garden” (PaccoArts), and “1940′s Radio Hour” (Patio Playhouse.) In addition to her continuing love of performing, recently playing such roles as Anita in “West Side Story” (ITL Award Nominee), Rosie in “Bye Bye Birdie,” and Featured Dance Ensemble in Coronado Playhouse’s ”Chicago,”
Candance earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She is a BASI certified Pilates instructor and earned an Extension Method certificate.
Amanda Frawley
Teaching Artist
Dance | Acting
Amanda has been a Teaching Artist with Luminary Arts with an illustrious 20 year career working with youth in the arts.
She works in the entertainment department at LEGOLAND
California Resort.
Some of her favorite on stage credits include: Sister Mary Amnesia (Nunsense), Diana (Next to Normal), and Pippi (The Great American Trailer the Musical).
George Gonzalez
Music Head
A graduate of Palomar College and San Diego State, George has performed all over San Diego County but calls Vista home. Currently George is an associate music director at St. Marks Church but has been a pastoral musician at various parishes throughout the years as well as a diocesan cantor.
His design credits include Center Theatricals, North Coast Rep, CYC at the Lyceum and schools such as Coronado School for the Arts, Mission Hills High Schooland Palomar College's Dance and Theatre Departments where he designed props, costumes, makeup/wigs and scenery. In addition to being Luminary Arts's technical director and scenic designer, George is a music teacher for our in-school programs.
Martie Clark
Education Dept Head
Theater Head
Martie Clark is an Educator, Teaching Artist, and Technical Theatre Artist. She studied theatre at San Diego State University and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Emotional Learning during the pandemic.
She has been a classroom art docent and a drama advisor for middle school. She created a self-funded program that served over 100 middle school students participating in full productions, after-school enrichment, and technical theatre .
She joined us as a Stage Manager, and evolved to a Teaching Artist for TK through Grade 8 for performing arts in our school programs. She also conducts training for teaching artists and
directs youth productions out of the Luminary Arts studio.
Tyler Jiles
Theater
Jillian Strattman
Dance
Tyler Jiles brings 15 years of performing experience, with over a decade dedicated to professional theater. His notable roles include singing in the choir for *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*, portraying multiple characters in *Monty Python's Spamalot*, John Jasper in *The Mystery of Edwin Drood*, and Judge Turpin in *Sweeney Todd*.
Tyler has been a vibrant part of the San Diego International Fringe Festival through Touring Tydes Theater Productions, where he performed in numerous humorous parodies. Tyler is also a professional voice actor, providing book narrations, character voices, commercial spots and audio adventures.
As a Teaching Artist he is developing the next generation of performers and developing innovative classes such as our RPG Acting Workshop.
Jillian Strattman earned a Best Actress nomination by Broadway San Diego for her portrayal of Donna in Mamma Mia!
She is a professional performer with over six years teaching and childcare experience and bringing the arts to life through acting and specializing in dance.