Crew
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At Salt & Light Co., our teachers and directors are individuals who share a deep faith and a love for Christ. They're also dedicated to fostering a love for community and the performing arts in our students.
Here's what to expect from our Crew:
Extensive Expertise - Each teacher and director brings a wealth of training and experience in their specific discipline.
Collaborative Spirit - We believe in teamwork! Our instructors function seamlessly as a supportive "crew" for your child's musical theater and dance journey.
Commitment to Safety - Every member of our team undergoes thorough background checks.
Aligned Values - Our teachers and directors wholeheartedly embrace Salt & Light Co.'s mission, core values, policies, and procedures.
Meet the Crew
Meet the Crew
Mrs. Jaime
Mrs. Jaime
Founder/Director
Jaime leads with a heart and passion for Christ through her ministry of worship arts, namely the art of dance, aiming for joy and purpose in her teaching style carrying a spirit of unity and compassion to the hearts of her students.
Jaime began her professional career in 1998 with a Denver-based contemporary company. Jaime’s passion for dance has also been expressed through her award-winning lyrical, contemporary jazz, and tap choreography. In 2004, Jaime danced with and choreographed for Spirit Moved Dance Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. From 2005-2010, Jaime co-founded and directed The Movement Dance Co., a non-profit woman’s dance company. The Movement Dance Co. made a stage for women in light of contemporary dance while raising funds for local charities. Jaime expanded her dance base into youth theatre in 2018, working for several youth theaters and schools in Colorado.
Jaime's day job is homeschooling her awesome kids! She is thankful to her husband Brock for his support and business management of Salt & Light Co.!
Mrs. Melinda
Mrs. Melinda
Music Theater Director
Melinda Ryken is a passionate music educator, performer, and devoted wife and mother. For over 13 years, she’s been married to her best friend, Justin, and together they are raising four sweet boys. A lifelong lover of music, Melinda has been singing, dancing, and performing since childhood—sharing her talents at weddings, community events, local fairs, and as a member of the BACHS choir.
With a heart for both excellence and encouragement, Melinda currently serves as the music director at Salt and Light Co., where she finds deep joy in helping young performers discover their voices and grow in confidence. She has directed music for two dynamic productions—“Annie Jr.” and “Crazy for You: Youth Edition”—bringing energy, creativity, and heart to every rehearsal and performance.
In addition to her work in the arts, Melinda homeschools her boys and tutors with Classical Conversations. She considers it a blessing to blend her love for teaching, music, and faith in every aspect of her life. As a child of the Almighty King, she’s passionate about using her gifts to spark joy, build character, and cultivate a lifelong love for the performing arts in the next generation.
mrs. Audrea
mrs. Audrea
Theater Director
Audrea literally fell head over heels in love with stage at the age of two years old when she played an angel in her very first church play and had to be rescued after falling off a piano bench.
She received several national and regional musical theatre awards in high school and college. In 2004, she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, MS. Audrea loves telling powerful stories. Some of her favorite roles have been Eliza in My Fair Lady, Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods.
However her all time favorite roles are homeschool mom to three amazing kids, Tripp, Cash and Magnolia and wife to JimBo Stewart. Together they have done ministry all over the United States through the North American Mission Board.
mrs. Maria
mrs. Maria
Guest Music Director/Tech
Get ready to belt out your favorite show tunes with Maria Burkett! Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting your musical journey, Maria is excited to guide you and help you discover your inner star!
With iconic stage roles like Princess Jasmine and Peter Pan under her belt, Maria's passion for musical theater shines through. She also helps families create unforgettable Disney memories as a Travel Advisor at maria@lovethemousetravel.com.
Currently residing in Italy with her husband and puppy, we'll miss Maria at Salt & Light Co., but she'll still be supporting us with tech remotely! Arrivederci!
Mrs. Kelli
Mrs. Kelli
Dance Teacher/Photographer
With a lifelong passion for dance and a heart overflowing with creativity and faith, Kelli brings over 20 years of experience to the company. Beginning her dance journey at the age of 4, Kelli honed her skills at Grace Dance Studio in Oklahoma. Here, she not only mastered various styles but also deepened her faith under the mentorship of her inspiring dance teacher and began her teaching career. This experience fuels her dedication to being a positive light for her students, fostering a love for movement, confidence, and celebrating dance as a gift from God.
Kelli has earned several dance awards and championships in both highschool and collegiate levels. She pursued a BFA in Dance at Western Kentucky University for two years and has spent the past decade teaching students of all ages, from preschoolers to adults and competitive teams. Recently, she shared her joy of dance at a homeschool resource center in Oregon, teaching ballet to 5-8-year-olds. Her expertise spans a variety of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe, and hip hop.
Kelli is passionate about creating a dance environment that is fun, encouraging, and challenging, ensuring that each student feels valued and inspired.
Beyond dance, Kelli is a photographer creating and capturing life’s big moments. She has been married to her husband for 10 years and is a homeschooling mom of three boys. They are a military family so she truly understands the importance of community and building strong connections. She's so excited to be a part of the Salt and Light Co. crew and can’t wait to see you in class!
Miss. Liv
Miss. Liv
Staff Assistant
When not singing her heart out (anywhere, anytime!), Liv channels her artistic spirit into painting, exploring the outdoors, and studying all things Broadway.
Liv is a dedicated dance and vocal instructor at Salt & Light Co., grateful for the chance to share her love, especially for Broadway. A seasoned performer with over 17 musicals, including roles like Kate in Titanic, Matilda in Matilda, and Brigitta in The Sound of Music, creation is her passion. A homeschooling senior, Liv is thrilled to be part of the Salt & Light Co. crew, guided by her motto:
"Liv in Love to All" (1 John 4:16).
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