Riley Braem is the Director of Theatre at Northwest High School. In addition to teaching Theatre Arts classes he serves as the Artistic Director of the Theatre Guild and the Troupe Director of NWHS's International Theatre Society Troupe. He also teacher duel enrollment theatre appreciation through Austin Peay State University.

Originally from Chicago, he has worked as a Performer, Director, Designer, Choreographer, Digital Storyteller, Access and Inclusion Consultant, Independent Researcher, and Teaching Artist in Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Washington DC, and Wisconsin. He received his formal training from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona earning a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. He received a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance and Theatre Design with a Minor in Dance from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. Additionally, he received a Certificate in Theatre for Young Audiences with Complex Disabilities from Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance and Oily Cart in the United Kingdom.

Prior to working at Northwest High School, Riley taught at Middle Tennessee State University, Nashville State Community College, and as a contracted Teaching Artist with Nashville Children's Theatre. He is a member of SETC, TYA/USA, ASSITEJ, IPAY, AATE, and EdTA.

Visual Arts Instructor

• MAE Austin Peay State University

• MS in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design URI

• BFA in Illustration Rhode Island School of Design

Visual Arts Instructor ~ Room 370 ~ Shawn.Gardner@cmcss.net

Shawn Gardner holds a BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. She worked for several years as a commissioned textile artist and dimensional illustrator. She returned to school to earn an MS in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design from the University of Rhode Island.

Gardner had her own textile conservation business before moving to Tennessee. She earned a Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Austin Peay State University. Teaching is Gardner's third and, by far, most rewarding career. She has been an art teacher since 2002, first at New Providence Middle and now at Northwest High. Her students inspire and challenge her everyday to be a creative, flexible, persistent and open-minded teacher.

Ms. Gardner is a member of the National Art Education Association (NAEA).

Director of Vocal Music

• EdS, Austin Peay State University

• MBM, Austin Peay State University

• BM, Music Education, Austin Peay State University

Choir and Piano Teacher ~ Room 167 ~ Michael.Johnson@cmcss.net​

Michael Johnson is the Director of Vocal Music at Northwest High School and is a Tennessee native whose performance ventures have led him all across the United States as well as Europe. He is a pianist and vocalist who has benefited from the mentorship and instruction from a wide array of performers and educators. Some of Michael's excellent instructors include Dr. Patricia Halbeck, Dr. Stanley Warren, Dr. Terry McRoberts, Dr. Thomas King, Jonathan Carle, Dr. Kore Foster, and the incomparable Dr. Sharon Mabry who helped him to become competent in the art of performance and understanding the life of a healthy performer.In his spare time, he enjoys writing, and collaborating with other artists and going hiking on the many wonderful trails found in the hills and valleys of Tennessee. He works as a private piano and vocal coach where he has taught students as young as 3 and as old as 90. He also works as the minister of music and education at his local church.

Mr. Johnson is currently working on his doctorate in education. He lives by the mantra of never settling for mediocrity which was instilled in him by his very own high school choir director, Dr. Brian Russell. Music means so much to so many people and Mr. Johnson strives to help each of his students to understand their strengths and abilities as musicians. He also hopes to equip them with the skills necessary to attain their highest potential both as musicians as well as successful human beings who contribute to a well balanced society.

Director of Instrumental Music

• BM, Music Education, Austin Peay State University

Concert & Marching Band Director ~ Room 155 ~ Megan.Kuhns@cmcss.net

Megan Kuhns is the Director of Instrumental Music at Northwest High School. She graduated from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. While at APSU, Megan studied clarinet with Dr. Mingzhe Wang. She was part of the Clarinet Choir, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and served as an Undergraduate Assistant and Head Drum Major for the Governor's Own Marching Band. This is Ms. Kuhns' third year as the Instrumental Music Director at Northwest High School.

In her time here she has taken her ensembles to Concert Performance Assessment where they received superior and excellent ratings. The Viking Concert band has also been invited, and performed at TMEA State Concert Festival. She is an active member of the Gateway Music Association, MTSBOA, TMEA, and NAfME. Ms. Kuhns plans to pursue her Masters Degree in Music Education and eventually pursue a degree in conducting.

Visual Arts Instructor

• Education will go here

Visual Arts Teacher ~ Room 367 ~ Anna.Rubino@cmcss.net

Bio to come!