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Gary Dennis is an active member of the Augusta art community and has participated in different capacities with multiple organizations.  These roles include set design and build, director, actor, writer, and producer.  Organizations include Le Chat Noir, Augusta State University, the Augusta Players, Richmond County Board of Education, Greater Augusta Arts Council, and the Georgia Assembly of Community Arts Agencies.  Gary holds a bachelor’s degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a Master’s Degree in Business, (MBA), from Augusta State University.  In addition to performing on stage whenever able, Mr. Dennis, along with Krys Bailey are the co-founders of Le Chat Noir’s resident improv comedy group, Schrodingers Cat. execdir@jessyenormanschool.org


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Vivian Baxter Clanton, a native of Philadelphia, was educated at Temple University, where she studied business and sociology; however, she has spent much of her life working in the arts.

When she moved to Augusta, she accepted a position at Butler High School, then became a secretary/bookkeeper at
at the Davidson Fine Arts School. While at Davidson, she was able to celebrate the passion and development ofaspiring young artists, many of whom achieved excellence in their chosen fields. After 26 years working for the Richmond County Board of Education, Mrs. Clanton retired from her position at Davidson, but was excited to join the staff of JNSA on a part-time basis. vivclanton@comcast.net


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Stephanie “HAM” Willingham holds a BFA in sculpture and ceramics and is an accomplished Visual Artist. Called Mrs. Ham by her students, she is known to challenge her students and cultivate their artistic talent. Her exceptional analytical, organizational and logical skills also contribute to the overall structure of JNSA. Along with JNSA Ham is also a Board member of NuBAG, the New Urban Black Artists Guild and has been a featured artist at the Augusta Chamber of Commerce. sswillingham@jnsarts.org


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Carmen Moses is an Augusta native and holds a BFA in photography and printmaking, but has always had a passion for theatre. She is a unique and imaginative visual artist, photographer, printmaker, and performer and enthusiastically shares her knowledge of the arts with her students. Ms. Carmen started as a counselor for the 2018 summer camp and immediately felt at home at the school. Since then she has taught drama for the After School program, and photography, art, STEAM and drama classes for outreach and homeschool enrichment classes. Dramaboss@jnsarts.org


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Delia Collins has been with JNSA for many years and currently serves as the Fabulous Friday Homeschool Art Enrichment program coordinator. Through her efforts the homeschool program has grown in scope and now offers regular arts enrichment classes to homeschooled children where she connects working artists and community members with special skills with students and their families. Delia is also a talented crafter and is responsible for many of JNSAs costumes and props for productions. hsdirector@jnsarts.org


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Jacob Boland, local artist/cartoonist, has lived in Augusta since 2003. Grew up as an army brat and traveled to Europe, Asia, and all of America as a kid. Joined the army at 22 and served 4 years as a combat medic primarily with infantry battalions at Ft Benning and Ft Knox. After leaving the armed forces he used his GI Bill to further his experience in the field of communication and film editing. After graduation, Jacob was given the opportunity to intern at JNSA and afterwards became a permanent member of the faculty as the photo and digital arts teacher.

Jacob@jnsarts.org


A classically trained vocalist, actor, and native of Augusta, GA, Tony Aaron Hambrick has performed at the Fringe World Art Festival Edinburgh, Scotland, London, England, and countless stage plays in the region. In 2016, Tony Aaron Hambrick released his first single and EP entitle Fresh Fire. As a national gospel recording artist, He has appeared on several Christian television programs, including BET’s Dr. Bobby Jones new artist showcase, Nashville, Tennessee. Tony Aaron was a 2016 recipient of the sixteenth edition Who’ s Who in Black Atlanta in Spiritual Leadership. In addition, he was awarded the contemporary Christian artist award by the Akademia Music Awards.


Tony Aaron Hambrick studied at Fort Valley State University, and graduated from Augusta University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Voice. He is a music educator and choral director in the Aiken County Public School District. In 2016, Tony Aaron was selected as the First Year Teacher of the Year at Horse Creek Academy and recognized throughout the school district. In 2020, Tony Aaron was named Teacher of the Year at North Augusta Middle School for the 2020-2021 school year. He is the music educator and choral director at the renowned Jessye Norman School of the Arts (JNSA). In 2018, Tony Aaron conducted the JNSA Glee club in Toronto, Canada alongside the Sistema music program. He and his students sang for the world icon, Jessye Norman and was featured on Caitie’s Classroom (Super Simple Play YouTube Channel). Tony Aaron serves as Minister of Music and Youth Minister at the Live River Baptist Church, Augusta, GA. He is currently studying at Liberty University, perusing a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision. Thambrick@jnsarts.org




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Collin Segura formally joined the organization in 2017. At JNSA, he coordinates the organization’s grant writing initiatives, manages donor information, and assists with strategic planning. Outside of work he is a writer, standup comedian, and amateur TikToker with over 4 million views. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University with a BA in English Literature, and he studied briefly at the University of Oxford. grants@jnsarts.org


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Khalia is the administrative assistant for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts. She is also currently enrolled at Augusta University majoring in Anthropology. In her free time, Khalia likes to cook and bake.

khalia@jnsarts.org



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Art the Artist Abdon is a Filipino-American military brat, born in Hawaii, and raised in DC metropolitan area. He is a multimedia artist and visual art educator for the Augusta Area and for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts.

With a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, emphasis on Digital Art and Business Management, from the Cameron University, Oklahoma, Art Abdon began his career years earlier in the military, by first joining the US Navy and then transfering over to the US Army, for a total of 23 years of honorable service to our country. There, he developed his skill of architecture drafting, 2D drawing, and designing items such as commander coins, unit posters, logos and crests, for both the military and other businesses.

After retirement from Fort Gordon, he later volunteered for several organizations such as GAAC, theCluhou.se 1MC, and NuBAG Artists Guild. He is now an arts and culture contributor for several of these boards. For the last several years he took on in-depth mentorship arts program and made it his mission to helping the young artists to thrive as business owners.

Art the Artist Abdon also curated an art exhibit in the beginning of 2020 for the municipal building in downtown Augusta with his lovely wife Jerrie Y. Mitchell-Abdon. Through 2015 to 2019, he continued to create along side of other local artists, with painting large-scale murals or live painting at several musical events like the Arts in the Heart, Jazz Stage.He has worked on STEAM related art-tech projects, including th development of a 360 degree viewing app centered around the GA CyberCenter and theClybhou.se called “Augmented Reality theClubhou.se.”

Art Abdon is a hard-core Star Wars fan, an old-school HipHop head, and is always on the lookout for the newest art projects in town. He also has a passion for using his platform to advocate for all artists of all genres, and other causes he believes in, especially on issues of racial justice, building unity among the small business owners, and always finding ways to give back to the community.

artabdon@jnsarts.org