Encore! Performing Arts Training & Enrichment Center, 1723 N. Chestnut, Suite 201, Fayetteville, AR  72703.

Fayetteville, AR Encore performing arts training center. Private music lessons, guitar, drums, brass, winds, acting lessons, dance classes. Songwriting Instruction

Fayetteville, AR, Music Lessons, Private Music, Private Acting Lessons, Vocal Coach, Music Instruction, Piano, Voice, Guitar, Drums, Brass, Winds, Dance Classes, Songwriting Lessons, Springdale, Bentonville, Lowell, Rogers, Fayetteville, AR performing arts training center. Private music lessons, guitar, drums, brass, winds, acting lessons, dance classes. Songwriting Instruction, Musical, Music Instruction, Acting Workshops, piano and keyboards, music school, acting school, drama, country music, rock music, classical and opera, jazz and blues, broadway and musical theatre, music theory and composition, music theory instruction, voice teacher, piano teacher, band teacher

(Spring 2010)
Quick Links
To view individual Instructor bios, scroll over name, then click on photo.
encore! Founder & Artistic Director

      Brian Yandell is a professional musical entertainer and actor fairly new to the NWA area.  He recently moved to Fayetteville, AR from Nashville, TN and continues to tour periodically, as a Guest Entertainer on leading cruise lines, for resorts, hotels and other venues worldwide.   In recent years, Brian has performed as a solo artist as well as appearing with other artists in the Country/Bluegrass, Pop, Jazz and Gospel music markets.

The Actor
      In July, 2009, Brian made his theatrical debut in NWA as “Curly” in the Arts Center of the Ozarks’ summer musical, Oklahoma!  His acting and musical theatre credits also include  performances at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (as "Joseph" in the Technicolor... and "Mr. Beaver"  in Lion, Witch & Wardrobe), Branson’s Shoji Tabuchi Theater and minor roles  in feature film ("Biloxi Blues," Indie projects) and commercials (such as "Kelloggs,"  "Bittner's," and "Campbell's.")..
read more about Brian at www.brianyandell.com
"I plan to continue to perform, compose and record, but what I REALLY am excited about at this phase of my professional career, is coaching & mentoring aspiring creative and performing artists..."

www.BrianYandell.com
Founder, Artistic Director
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Music & Technology Instructor
Acting & Theatre Instructor
Music Instructor

~ Private & Class
Areas of Instruction
"Deep in the Ozarks there dwells an uncompromising desire to explore the possibilties of sonic expression. This small stitch of the world wide web serves as an athenaeum for such experiments; specifically those involving me. Here are a few folks with whom I've been working lately...  "
see and hear at
www.DrewPackard.com
  • Modern Guitar Methods
  • Classical Guitar
  • Jazz Guitar
  • Electric Bass
  • Double Bass
  • Music Theory
  • Fundamentals of  Piano/Keys
  • Improvisation
  • Computer Music- Finale! Sibelius - Cakewalk - ProTools - Logic - More
  • Composition & Arranging
The Singer/Pianist
Brian is an accomplished pianist and vocalists and In recent years, has performed with the likes of Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Tracy Lawrence, JoDee Messina, Gretchen Wilson, Rascal Flatts, and many other major artists in the Country/Bluegrass, Pop, Jazz and Gospel music markets.

The Songwriter
As a performing musical artist, Brian’s main influence is country and blues, but has other songwriting credits and collaborations in the gospel music market and radio as well.  Many of  his own songs have been recorded by major gospel music artists, two of which hit the top of the radio charts, “Remember Me,” by Priority, and “Center of Your Will,” as recorded by........             read more about Brian at www.brianyandell.com

The Recording Artist
Priority, WORD/Homeland Records- Nashville, TN
The Yandells, SONLITE Records- Nashville, TN
Peacemaker Children's Album,
BGV Master Session...      read more about Brian at www.brianyandell.com
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Drew Packard is a long-time Fayetteville resident and an active musician- much respected in the arts community as an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist.

With his own list of impressive musical mentors, including Dr. James Greeson, University of Arkansas; and, Mark Facci, Principal Bassist for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Drew follows suit by providing artistic inspiration to his own students; dedicated to providing sound, insightful musical instruction in a variety
of formats. Drew has the ability to integrate traditional pedagogy with a technologically current and multi-culturalistic approach in order to meet the needs of the individual student.

As a performing artist, Drew continues his more than 10-year, professional career outside of the "lesson room,"  and has been fortunate enough to be on stage with many great artists including Earth, Wind and Fire, Inga Swearingen, She-e Wu, Greg Osby, Jack Wright, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Garaj Mahal and many others.  Locally, he can be found working regularly with projects such as the Claudia Burson Trio, Fayetteville Funk Ensemble, 1 Oz. Jig, Kory Montgomery Band, and the Fayetteville Jazz Collective.  For his musical efforts, Drew is also the recipient of several Northwest Arkansas Music Awards as a part of his involvement in these and a number of other renowned and respected bands.

If you are walking down the infamous Dickson Street in Fayetteville on any given night, and happen to stroll into one of the many popular "hang-outs," quaint clubs or ecclectic venues featuring a "live" band, you are LIKELY to get to see and hear Drew performing.  These venues will include Teatro Scarpino- with the Claudia Burson Trio, the Smoke & Barrel Tavern, Soul Restaurant and Lounge, Majestic Lounge, and many more.

For a complete list of Drew Packard's upcoming performances and to hear audio clips of his recordings, visit Drew's professional performance website at www.drewpackard.com.

Updates to this page for Artist-Instructors are being maintained on Monday, December 14th.
Thank you for your patience and feel free to contact us for more information at 479-251-7100!
Producer          +          Actor          +          Hair, Make-up & Costumes          +          Teaching Artist      
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds          The Public     Play the Moment Productions
X: The Rise and Fall of Asylum Star     Augustine     maddest w(rung) productions
As You Like It                  Audrey                   Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Dan McCleary
The Secret Garden         Martha Orlando       Shakespeare Theater, David Lee
Comedy of Errors   Nell(Charm Seller)  Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Patrick Flick
The Marriage of Figaro   Marceline                UCF Conservatory Theatre, Frank McClain
Noises Off *         Dottie/Mrs. Clackett UCF Conservatory Theatre
Hamlet         Player Queen         UCF Conservatory Theatre
The Learned Ladies*    Philamente    Mitchell Hall Theatre
Early Frost   Hannah         Pegasus Theatre
Al Capone's Place           Ruby                                 Silhouette's
Agamemnon and His Daughters         Chorus                     Mitchell Hall Theatre
As You Like It                            Audrey                               Shakespeare in the Park
The Laramie Project*              Ensemble                           Mitchell Hall Theatre
Naomi in the Living Room                   Naomi           Pegasus Theatre
Wild Oats                                                        Emelia                     Mitchell Hall Theatre
The Ugly Duckling          Ugly Duckling                     Oklahoma Children's Theatre
Richard III                                 Queen Margaret                 Shakespeare in the Park
Graceland             Bev               Oklahoma City Community Theatre
*Irene Ryan Nominee 

FILM AND VOICEOVER
The Smallest Atom Stirs Stacy Holliday Films
Rune Location    Scout           Isis Productions
Casablanca        Ilsa   UCO Broadcasting
 

Private Acting

Semi-Private Acting

Auditioning

Musical Theatre

Sense Memory

Stage Hair & Make-up

Costuming & Wardrobe

Intro to Theatre Design

Private & Class
Areas of Instruction
Erika Wilhite received her BFA in Theatre Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma and her MFA in Acting from the University of Central Florida. Before relocating to Fayetteville, she worked as an actor and teaching artist at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, where she performed in a one woman show, X: the Rise and Fall of an Asylum Star.

   The show debuted at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. Her last project in Orlando, she produced, developed and performed in Orson Welles' War of the Worlds. Today she is a founding member of The Artist Laboratory Theatre, a national collaborative theatre company and  a brand new addition to the NWA theatre community.

Philosophy
"As a teaching artist I strive to lead my students to all creative possibilities, inspire presence and receptivity, and encourage honesty in every given circumstance through performance. I believe that together we can grow and learn from our discoveries in the classroom, studio, rehearsal space, and on the stage as we examine the world through the lens of theatre."
Co-Founder, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Download Encore Brochure
Download Student-Artist Application
Creative & Performance Training for ALL AGES and LEVELS of ability!
encore! Artist - Instructors & Staff
John Seat
is a native of Northwest Arkansas,
growing up in Kingston and currently residing in Fayetteville.  John has two children, his daughter Ashley is 18 and just finished her first year at the University of Arkansas, his son Dalton is 15 and will be entering into the 10th grade at Fayetteville High School this fall.

He has been serving the business community all of his working life either as a sales consultant or in management.  Most recently he was a corporate trainer for Vitamin World.   Prior to that John had been serving the housing and transportation needs of NWA residents in real estate and auto sales.

Although, John may not have an entertainment background, he does have a passion for the arts and the benefit they have on the community.   John knows what it takes to develop and grow a successful business, and that is providing a service above and beyond the clients needs.  As well above and beyond what they could expect any where else.

Even though you may not be seeing John performing at any of the local venues (yet), you will see him in the community supporting the arts in Northwest Arkansas.  Whether it be serving in his position on the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Arts, Entertainment & the Creative Economy committee, catching the latest production at Arts Center of the Ozarks or enjoying one of the great local bands on the patio at Jose’s.

&
&
encore! Performing Arts Training & Center believes in the
enrichment of the arts for people of all ages.  Who better
to learn than your child?  Our program allows your child
to experiment with different instruments and musical styles. 

Involvement in music teaches children:
* Communication & Comprehension Skills
* Develops Problem Solving & Fine Motor Skills
* Provides a Healthy Environment for Social Interaction

Involving your children in “encore’s little stars” will aid in developing these various skills and allow them a place to explore their own creativity.

Music will:
* Allow your child to explore and express themselves.
* Heighten brain activity, making learning in any field easier.
* Is entirely interactive and should be fun!!!

Participation in this program will involve both the
child and the parent.

Our program begins with children as young as 3 and spans to age 7.  Your child will have the opportunity to play several different instruments and learn different styles of music.  LITTLE STARS will inspire a love for music,  provide an outlet for creativity and enrich your child’s life!

your child's creativity inspired!
John Seat is the innovator of
-John Seat
areas of instruction
Modern Guitar Methods
                   Jazz/Blues Guitar
             Electric Bass
  Music Theory
                       Improvisation
   Composition & Arranging
          Commercial Songwriting

Hailing from Dogpatch U.S.A, Newton Co. native Jeff Kearney has been making a stir in the pond of the Arkansas music scene in the past couple of years. Jeff's swanky croon and funk chunk attack on the guitar grab you like a worm on a hook and reel you into his catchy songs, often about real life situations with a clever uplifting twist. Jeff began playing guitar at the age of 14. “My parents were music lovers so there always was an acoustic guitar around. Both of them played and sang. I thought
Our professionally-based performing & creative arts training center is built by professional creative & performing artists!  Our Directors, Staff, Artist-Instructors & Coaches ALL agree that our sincere mission is to effectively inspire, enrich and educate the hearts and minds of aspiring creative and performing artists of any age or levels of ability.

As well, we strive to provide definitive, expert instruction and support to seasoned artists- to equip, cultivate and perhaps broaden the talent and technical skills of even the most experienced artisans!
For more info about Erika, visit her website www.erikawilhite.com. 

For more about Erika Wilhite:producer,  click
guitarist   l   singer   l   songwriter
everyone did.” Though self taught for the first years of his musical growth, Jeff moved to Fayetteville in 2005 to study music at the University of Arkansas.

    He was soon playing in most of the music venues in the area, and quickly gained many fans with his various funky projects Jeff recently took home the 'Best None of the Above' award in The 2009 Northwest Arkansas Music Awards for a new project that he fronts called the 1 oz. Jig and was nominated for Best Male Singer. He was named Singer/Songwriter of the Year in 2008 and was also inducted into the NAMA hall of fame for his work with Newton Co. based group “The Flipoff Pirates” . He was also runner up in Little Rock singers Contest Called “ The Great Arkansas Talent Search”  Today, Jeff lives in Fayetteville with his wife and son, and plays music for a living and works as a professional music coach at encore!.

    He is also the emcee of the twice-monthly Skinny Squinty Show at the Smoke and Barrel Tavern, a sort of singer-songwriter showcase that features guest artists often from differing genres. The Skinny Squinty Show ultimately allows some of Fayetteville’s best musicians to collaborate and improvise in a one-of-a kind performance.

    For a complete list of Jeff Kearney's upcoming performances and to hear audio clips of his recordings or to watch videos, visit Jeff's professional performance website at www.myspace.com/jeffkearneymusic.