Dance Instructors

Jeni Meeks has instructed ballet at the CAC studio since 1999. She was a student of the CAC School of Ballet from the age of 5 to high school and danced the lead role in the school’s production of Coppélia and had major parts in Cinderella, Nutcracker and Graduation Ball performances with honorary roles in many other performances. Meeks is a certified instructor with the organization “Cecchetti USA” (CUSA), a national organization dedicated to responsibly training and accrediting teachers and preserving the Cecchetti Method. She holds a "TC-1A" and "Grade 4" with CUSA. She is an English, Math, and Science Middle School teacher at Southern Wells Jr/Sr High School and a graduate of IPFW with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary Education. She and her husband David have three children Cole, Grace and Sophia. Meeks has taught dance classes for the Operation Wellnesses AHA Camp, Norwell High School Dance Team, CAC Ballet Camp, and The Miss Wells County Queen Pageant.

Davina Schnaars was classically trained at CAC's School of Ballet by Pam Talarico and Beth Lampton for 13 years. She is proud to rejoin the faculty where she began her teaching career in 2004. Davina is a certified instructor with the organization “Cecchetti USA” (CUSA), a national organization dedicated to responsibly training and accrediting teachers and preserving the Cecchetti Method. She holds a "TC-2" and "Grade 9" with CUSA and is studying for her Associate. Her training has prepared her to teach clean, classical ballet for performance and personal enrichment with an emphasis on safety in the studio. Davina annually offers CUSA examination opportunities to her dedicated students and enjoys coaching them to their full potential. Davina trained in ballet pedagogy for many years under Judith Hawkesworth, CUSA, Licentiate, Fellow and Examiner, in South Carolina. While teaching there, she took on the role of non-profit Artistic Director, directing, choreographing and rehearsing The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Jeweled, constructing ballet costumes and receiving grant awards. As a dancer at CAC, her soloist roles included The Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Tarantella, Graduation Ball, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella. She also participated in ballet scholarship competitions and was awarded monies and top awards to university. Davina began teaching Creative Movement at CAC and found a passion for teaching ballet. Davina holds a Bachelors of Arts in Writing from Indiana Wesleyan University and has been published in several magazines and literary journals. She resides in Huntington, Indiana, with her husband and two children.

Megan Litherland started dancing at Brandy’s Studio of Dance in Bluffton, IN, around the age of two, where she took dance classes for lyrical, tap, jazz, and hip hop. Once Brandy closed her studio in 2017, Megan moved to the CAC where she started taking Ballet and Modern, and eventually advanced into taking Pointe classes, and started up Tap once it was added on. When she graduated from Bluffton High School in 2022, she was offered a tap teaching position at the CAC. She is currently a student at Huntington University, Majoring in Ministry a with a Minor in Psychology. While at Huntington, Megan has the opportunity to be apart of the dance group/club called Undignified, which she is now a leader for. Undignified has a variety of different types of dances they do and perform at the end of each semester, it is a way for students to get involved in one of the many ways to worship the Lord.

Janiece Lipsey began her formal dance training at the Flint School of Performing Arts in Flint, MI. While at FSPA, Lipsey was a member of Flint Youth Ballet and performed in Flint Institute of Music’s The Nutcracker and participated in Regional Dance America/MidStates festivals. She continued her dance training at Belhaven University as a dance major and Fort Wayne Ballet’s Conservatory Program. She has studied many dance styles and genres including ballet, pointe, modern, tap, and jazz. Lipsey has performed principal and ensemble roles in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. She has had the opportunity to work and train with various artists such as A. Bruce Bradley, Liz Lerman, John Magnus, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Cynthia Newland, Kathy Thibodeaux, and Kevin Thomas. Lipsey has choreographed classical ballet, contemporary ballet, and musical theater productions for various schools and companies. Lipsey began teaching dance at Creative Arts in 2008. In addition to her teaching dance classes, Lipsey is the Executive Director at Creative Arts. Lipsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Ministries from Huntington University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Southeastern University.

Music Instructors

Mike Needler’s journey with the guitar has taken him across the globe, allowing him to experience an incredible variety of musical settings and cultures. His versatility as a guitarist has led him to perform in music theater pit orchestras, where he provided the rich, dynamic textures that bring stage productions to life. For seven years, he performed aboard cruise ships, entertaining audiences from all walks of life while refining his skills in a fast-paced and ever-changing musical environment.

In addition to his work on the high seas, Mike has toured the United States twice, showcasing his musical talents to diverse audiences. One of these tours was as an original hip-hop artist, a testament to his ability to blend genres and push creative boundaries. His passion for collaboration and songwriting led him to co-write his most recent album with Jamaican star Dalton Harris, whose rich vocal talent and international recognition brought their music to new heights. Mike has also had the honor of performing with Grammy-winning artist Deniece Williams, an experience that deepened his appreciation for musical excellence and artistry.

Beyond his impressive performance career, Mike is a lifelong student of music, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge and mastery of the guitar. He views his growth on the instrument as an ongoing journey, one that mirrors his own personal and artistic evolution. His approach to music is one of continuous learning, exploration, and self-discovery.

More than anything, Mike loves to share his passion and inspire students of all ages. Whether working with beginners taking their first steps on the instrument or advanced players refining their skills, he brings enthusiasm, patience, and a deep understanding of the guitar’s expressive potential. His goal is not just to teach technique but to help students connect with music in a way that is personal, fulfilling, and lifelong.

Hannah Schrock is a passionate and dedicated violinist with over 25 years of playing experience. Her love for the violin began at an early age, captivated by its expressive sound and the joy of creating music. She was trained in the Suzuki method, a renowned approach that emphasizes ear training, technique, and a nurturing learning environment. This philosophy has greatly influenced her own teaching style, allowing her to foster a deep connection between students and their instruments.

As a violin instructor for the past five years, Hannah has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, from young beginners as young as seven to adults seeking to refine their technique or rekindle their love for music. She believes in creating a strong technical foundation while making lessons engaging and inspiring. Her teaching approach is patient and tailored to each student’s unique learning style, ensuring that they not only develop proficiency but also experience the joy and artistry of playing the violin.

Throughout her musical journey, Hannah has been an active performer, participating in numerous chamber orchestras, string quartets, and church ensembles. She has had the privilege of collaborating with other musicians in a variety of settings, from intimate chamber performances to large-scale symphonic works. Before moving to Bluffton, she was a member of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, where she performed alongside talented musicians and gained valuable orchestral experience. Her background in ensemble playing allows her to guide her students in both solo and collaborative performance settings.

Beyond teaching and performing, Hannah finds joy in a variety of creative and family-centered activities. She cherishes time spent with her husband and three young children, fostering a home filled with love, music, and creativity. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and baking homemade bread—a hobby that brings her a sense of warmth and tradition.

Hannah is thrilled to join Creative Arts in offering violin lessons in Bluffton. She looks forward to welcoming students into a supportive and enriching learning environment where they can grow as musicians and develop a lifelong love for the violin.

Lynne Niermeyer’s biography is coming soon!