Our Teachers

Meaghen is a child of the One, true King and has a passion to see children stretch their creative muscles with healthy experiences in the arts. She relishes being wife to Ross and mom to Hannah and Tess. Meaghen received her BBS from Hardin-Simmons University, has a background in teaching and drama ministry and currently tutors an English intensive called “Essentials” through Classical Conversations.

Lilly is a senior in high school and has been in Reclaim Academy for over a decade. She loves teaching kids and has been assisting Mrs Julian Jamar for two years in Drama 2, also assisting Mrs Talyor Fischer for one year in Music Skills & Fun. She was a student under Mrs Tinisha for years and has learned lyrical, ballroom, and basics of ballet from her. Her passion for hip-hop has grown over the past 3 years studying under Ms. Stefany. Lilly loves the outdoors/exploring with friends and family, she trains and rides horses.

Taylor has a bachelors degree in music education from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. After graduating in 2017, she taught music for 2 years at Pasemann Elementary school in Taylor, Texas. Taylor and her husband, Doug, agreed it would be best to let Taylor stay home and be a mom when her oldest daughter, Charlotte, was born in 2019. Taylor has also been leading worship since she was 13 and has been able to lead for many churches and retreats. God has given Taylor a passion for music and is excited to be back in the classroom to help teach the same love and passion to the students that come to her classes.

Tenisha Graham has a bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. She taught at a pre-professional school called Ballet Lubbock for five years and opened her own dance company at the age of 20. Her choreography has won many awards on both the State and National level. She is proficient in many styles of dance and has taught for 19 years. Tenisha is passionate about teaching her students how to use their gifts for God and be the best that they can be. She takes pride in the connection she has with each student as well as the ability to view them all as individuals versus taking a mainstream approach. She is passionate about the the arts and guiding children to learn to praise God with their individual gifts.

Mara Johnson is a mother of three boys and self taught artist in mixed media design. She started teaching classes to children when her middle son expressed interest in art himself. She holds a BA degree in business administration from St. Edward’s University, but creativity has always fueled her passions. Today she teaches a local homeschool art class, conducts private lessons, and arranges mini art retreats for adults. She also volunteers her art skills to the community by helping challenged adults and children, and has worked with non-profits such as the Hill Country Humane Society. She believes that everyone has the innate ability to create and hopes to foster a connection between art, person, and God.

Linda McArthur began her violin studies at the age of seven. She received
her Bachelor’s and Masters Degree in Violin Performance. She has extensive
experience with teaching the Suzuki Method of string pedagogy as well as twenty
years of classroom experience with the Austin ISD School Orchestra program.
Mrs. McArthur plays classical music in several local orchestras and
ensembles. She is also very fond of Traditional Music and enjoys performing Celtic
Tunes, Big Band Jazz and Classic Rock the Hill Country area.
Mrs. McArthur is well equipped to motivate and inspire string players on
many levels with many styles and methods. She hopes her students learn a
universal language that brings us all together in uplifting praise experiences.

Melissa McCallum has been married to her husband Peter since 2001 and together they have three sons.  Melissa has had a lifelong love of arts, drama, creative writing and music which she has tried to pass on to her children.  Melissa had been working in theatre for sixteen years and has filled many rolls such as acting, directing, costume and props director.  Melissa is a firm believer that everyone has been given some form of creative talent and that there is a place for every type of artist in theatre.  She is passionate about teaching young children to appreciate all aspects of theatre through drama and help them glorify the Lord with their own talents.

Peter McCallum is a writer, woodworker, philosopher, and jokester, who believes in the Oxford comma and using the gifts God gave for the glory of His kingdom. He managed to wrangle a BS in Secondary Education, English from Penn State University way back in ’95. After a short stint in teaching, he followed two-decade (so far!) career in technology sales and product development. Pete has been married to his extra-lovely wife Melissa for a long time, during which time they created three awesome sons and raised a lot of animals. The McCallum family has been so blessed over the years of participating in Reclaim, that we just can’t help but give as much as we can back to the ministry that transformed and fed our family.

Stefany has loved to dance her whole life, having grown-up in a home that encouraged freedom of expression in whatever form spoke most to you. She found Hip-Hop to be her own special way to speak with God in a way that feels direct and personal. She has been blessed to learn from incredible dance mentors and found her passion for dance when she studied at Texas A&M (Class of ’15, A-WHOOP!) and stumbled upon Fade to Black, a community service Hip-Hop team that performs and serves all over the Bryan/College Station area. From this experience, Stefany’s main goal is to carry this idea forward and teach how dance allows a person to express themselves freely when words sometimes seem to fail us and use that to connect with those around you. She is so excited to continue her journey with Reclaim Arts Academy and loves to meet new students who are seeking to build a relationship with our Lord, so feel free to reach out and introduce yourself if you see her at the church office at FBCMF.

Jenna Petty has a bachelor’s degree in History & English from Baylor University and has had a love for storytelling for much of her life. She has enjoyed serving both onstage and behind the scenes on many community theatre stage productions including The Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol, Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, Les Miserables, and White Christmas. As C.S. Lewis insightfully observed”, “we are made in the image and likeness of a creative and imaginative Creator.” Because of this truth, we are called to excellence in all facets of life, including the arts. Jenna is thrilled to work with students as they explore their gifts and talents in theatre.

I have been teaching private and group lessons for 20 years in Central Texas. As a music major at the University of Texas I studied piano and music theory and composition. I have studied a variety of styles and I have played professionally throughout Texas in several bands over the last 40 years. On occasions I have traveled to Nashville to perform in recording industry showcases.

I teach a balance between a traditional, classical approach and a more modern approach that includes an understanding of theory and contemporary styles. My students learn correct technique using scales and technique exercises. But they also learn chord construction and basic theory. This develops a broader understanding of music in general. 

I have several years of experience teaching young people. I have a BA in history and I have taught history and geography on the secondary level. I am active in my church where I lead worship and teach younger musicians how to fit into a group. In this capacity I have helped worship teams and youth groups from several churches in the Austin area hone their skills.

Please feel free to call me to discuss the possibilities of music instruction for your child; even if you are unsure and just need some advice. 

Mark Ramsey 

512-736-3831
markramsey@markramseymusic.com

Sarah Spillman holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from The University of Texas, and a degree in Worship Studies from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. Her teaching career has included independent music academies, public, and private schools. In addition to having performed with the Austrian-American Mozart Academy, the Austin Lyric Opera Chorus and the Austin Chamber Consort, Sarah frequently performs with and directs for the Fredericksburg Theatre Company. She has served on and led worship teams since the age of 16. It is her desire to equip young people to use their God-given gifts to bring Him glory.

Dorey and Amy have been married and in ministry together for 23 years. Both graduated from East Texas Baptist University, Dorey with a degree in all-level music education and Amy with a degree in elementary education. Dorey has spent his years in worship ministry, leading traditional and contemporary worship, conducting choirs and orchestras, directing musicals, and teaching on worship, among other things. Amy has assisted him in worship ministry and has also served as a children’s minister and elementary school teacher. They are Daddy and Mama to SIX children that keep them on their toes. Dorey and Amy began dreaming about a school for the arts almost two decades ago, and have watched with excitement as God has opened the doors for that dream to become a reality. They look forward to seeing how our Creator will use this opportunity for students and teachers to glorify Him with their talent and creativity.