Instructors
Brittany Barrera
Brittany Barrera is a performer, producer, and music educator from Jersey City, NJ. Brittany is an alumni of Montclair State University who studied jazz with prominent jazz musicians of today such as Mike Lee and Dave Stryker. She has been teaching music in the city of Wilmington for 4 years and has established a bucket drumming program at Tyler’s Camp. Brittany is well versed in many instruments such as: guitar, percussion, and woodwinds. She is currently a session musician for local artists in the tri-state area.
Francee Boulware
Francee Boulware, a accomplished musician and multi-instrumentalist from Wilmington, DE, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Music Education from Delaware State University. She has worked extensively in live and studio settings across the US, sharing stages with top acts. Currently, she performs with bands like Fuzaholics, Traxxx9, Aziza Nailah, and Richard Raw. Francee’s music production has been featured on major TV and radio, and she has produced for artists including Kefia Rollerson, Ratu Suguturaga, Leon Monroe, Colby Bright, and Vokyle. Stay tuned for her upcoming EP with the Fuzaholics later this fall.
Kenneth C. Brown
Kenneth C. Brown has performed in many theatrical and dance productions in the tri-state area and is very active in the Delaware arts community. Ken completed the early arts education program at the Curtis Settlement Music School and Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania where he earned a Masters’ Degree in Education in 2002. Ken is a Kuumba Academy Charter School Founder and is Director of Family Engagement at Kuumba.
Nasia Creamer
Nasia Creamer, a Raleigh, NC native via Wilmington, DE, began her dance training at CCAC under Heidi Yancy, Gabrielle Hilliard, and Brynia Johnson. As a Howard University graduate in Audio Production with a minor in Theater Arts and Dance, she produces for East Coast radio stations and teaches dance to kids. Under the late Bishop Emma L. Creamer’s leadership, Nasia performed behind gospel artists Yolanda Adams, Vicki Winans, and Bishop Neal Roberson. She also performed in the Smithsonian’s Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation exhibit. Nasia pioneered the “Express” After School dance program at Longview behavioral management school in Raleigh, fostering a positive learning environment through dance, believing it’s a powerful way to express emotions when words fall short.
Milton Downing
Milton Downing has been an instructor and art director at CCAC since 1991. Currently teaching in the Brandywine School District. He received his BFA from Temple University and Master of the Science of Art Education from Delaware State. During his career he has received six “Teacher of the year awards”, including 2019. He also art director for Gibby Summer Art Camps and on the board of directors of Everett Theatre both in Middletown. As a professional visual artist, he had exhibited in the tri-state area. His style of art could be described as spontaneous thinking in congruence with mechanical precision to fuse an assemblage of elements. His self-proclaimed style is called juxt58 and can be viewed on his website at juxt58.com
Stacey Harcum
Stacey Harcum is a versatile musician, songwriter, and recording artist with a rich career, performing alongside renowned artists like Grover Washington Jr., Stevie Wonder, and Jazmine Sullivan. His 2013 solo album, “Soul Exposed,” garnered widespread acclaim across generations. With over two decades of experience, he teaches saxophone, piano, voice, and various music disciplines in schools across Philadelphia and Delaware. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Eastern University, he’s also working on new recordings and book publishing projects. For more about Stacey Harcum, visit Missionzinmusic.com.
Gabrielle Hilliard
Gabrielle Hilliard is a native Philadelphia. She attended Delaware Technical & Community College for her Nursing Degree and is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). She had an opportunity to perform in the production of Friends and Lovers, starring Leon of the Five Heartbeats. She has also performed in “What Men Don’t Tell” starring Kenny Lattimore and Chaunte Moore and was the lead dancer in the production of “Good Lord, “What Is The World Coming To” starring Megan Good. She is a former dance and member of the board of directors of Eleone Dance Theatre and currently is an instructor at Eleone Dance Unlimited.
Tanya Jackson
Tanya Jackson, a versatile dance teacher at Christina Cultural Arts Center, teaches a range of dance styles, including Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and Hip-Hop. Her dance journey began with a scholarship from the Academy of the Dance at just nine years old. Tanya has performed in “The Nutcracker” and joined the Wilmington Black Theater Ensemble, contributing to numerous productions. She is also a lead gospel singer with the Voices of Zion Choir and has performed with Raye Jones Avery. Tanya’s choreography with the 3 Times Tap Ensemble earned first place at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Tiana Jackson
Tiana Jackson represents with distinction the CCAC “grow our own” model of quality educator development. Tiana has been affiliated with CCAC for the past 15 years and is currently the teaching assistant for Early Childhood Movement, Choreography and serves as the lead instructor for Ballet I and Modern I. Tiana is employed in CCAC’s Early Childhood Arts Academy Pre-School. To further her career goals, Tiana is a matriculating student at Delaware Technical Community College in pursuit of a degree in Early Childhood Education. Her hobbies include dancing, listening to music, hanging with family and friends, and shopping.
Tiana Sanders
Tiana Sanders, a dance artist and choreographer from Wilmington, Delaware, currently teaches dance at the Edward Gideon School in Philadelphia. She recently earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Temple University and holds an Associate’s degree in General Business from Delaware Technical Community College. As the Hip-Hop dance instructor at Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), she also teaches various dance styles at CCAC and partnering programs, including monthly Hip-Hop and African dance classes at the Route 9 Library in New Castle, DE. Tiana has received numerous awards and training from distinguished instructors and choreographers, showcasing her dedication and talent in the world of dance.
Salimata J.D. Linguer
Salimata Linguer has been a part of the CCAC faculty in various capacities for two decades. She is currently serving as the Youth Drama instructor. Salimata believes that art is a tool for social change and promotes holistic wellness through art therapy. Her daughter Sarafina is following in her mama’s footsteps. In the spirit of Afrikan tradition, she encourages all to “See the rhythm, hear the dance, feel the song, and experience the culture.“
Darnell Miller
Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist Darnell Miller released his debut EP “Jesus & Jameson” on his own label Hidden Palace entertainment in 2018. This project is a great mix of Soul, Blues, Gospel and Rock. Darnell is not new to the industry. He first gained recognition as a member of Gospel artist Tye Tribbett”s legendary band , Soundcheck. He’s also done session work for many artists. “Jesus & Jameson” is Darnell”s first solo public musical statement to the world. He composed, arranged, and produced every note of it. This project is an eclectic mix of Soul, Blues, Gospel and Rock. Darnell is not new to the industry. Darnell has been a Teaching Artist for 10 years for K-12 students. His specialty is creating and building vocal ensembles, elementary general music, early childhood music, youth and young adult songwriting, production. He is currently piloting and Artist Development Program.
Dara J. Meredith
Dara Stevens-Meredith, originally from Atlanta, holds a B.F.A. in Dance Education from the University of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Art from Temple University, where she received the Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award. With an extensive performance background, including international work in Senegal and performances in various productions, Dara is also known for her choreography, notably for Bad Boy’s “Danity Kane.” She co-founded DCNS Summer Dance Intensive and produced successful shows in 2009 and 2018. Dara is the choreographer for the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia musicals, earning several awards for her work. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at Temple University and leads the Dance Chance Program for the Pennsylvania Ballet, all while proudly balancing her role as a wife and mother of three.
Tierre Waters
Tierre Waters is a young man who grew up in New Castle, DE who has come from a family line of musicians. With have a Choir Director, Organist, and Drummer as a father; and a vocalist as a mother, this young man was destined to have music in his blood. Mr. Waters had an undying passion for the community and enrichment of the youth around him. He has Championed organizations such as the Campus Community High School Drumline (Dover, DE) and Bayard Middle School Bulldogs Drumline. With such love for the community, he has partnered up with colleagues in 2016 to start the Essence Legacy Drill Team and Drumline right here in Wilmington, DE at the Walnut Street YMCA. Mr. Waters runs a very enjoyable class at the CCAC allowing students to musically express themselves and develop their gift, and passion for music while learning to read music.
