About Us
Our Mission
MISSION:
The mission of the Grand Strand Charter Arts School is to develop students into artistic leaders through rigorous arts and academic curriculum.
GOALS:
Students will become proficient in contemporary and classical mediums in visual and performing arts through quality arts experiences requiring learners to persevere through experimentation, repetition, and mastery of their arts discipline.
Students will have a strong foundation in academic principles to become artistic leaders in society.
Students will develop a strong sense of community involvement through artistic culture and leadership.
meet our Planning Committee
Working Hard to Make GSCA a Reality
OFFICERS
Joshua d. colbert
Joshua D. Colbert has played the violoncello since 1999 and piano from 1996, and currently succeeds as a performer, educator, and administrator. With a wide range of experience performing along the East Coast and parts of Italy, he enjoys playing in ensembles, orchestras, and as a soloist specializing in both contemporary and classical music. He currently teaches students in his private studio in Myrtle Beach; is the instrumental staff Piano Accompanist at Coastal Carolina University; and the Music Director at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violoncello Performance from Furman University and a Master of Science degree in Arts Administration from Shenandoah University. In his spare time Joshua enjoys arranging music, playing board and video games, and cooking.
Greg London
Greg London is currently the Executive Artistic Director of Long Bay Theatre located in Myrtle Beach! A South Carolina native, Greg has directed across the country and abroad. He was the Founding Artistic Director of the Richmond Art Theatre and the Richmond Free Shakespeare Festival. Additionally, he served as Artistic Director for Planet Earth Theatre, Phoenix, A.Z., Director of Artistic Operations for Florida Studio Theatre, and Director of Production for City Springs Theatre in Atlanta where he recently directed the hit musical Holiday Inn. For the Palace Theatre in Myrtle Beach, he directed Little Shop of Horrors, Blithe Spirit, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Nunsense, Forever Plaid, A Christmas Carol, and Steel Magnolias. He was formerly the Artistic Director for the Joe Layton Broadway Series at The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama where he directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and South Pacific. As an actor he has appeared in National tours: Hairspray (Edna Turnblad), West Side Story (Doc), Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar). International tours: Hairspray (Edna), The Fantastics (Bellamy). Off-Broadway: Spurn. Regional: West Side Story (Doc/Gladhand), Ogunquit Playhouse, Greater Tuna (Thurston), Annie (Warbucks). Richard III (Shakespeare Theatre, DC) with Stacey Keach, Othello (Shakespeare Theatre) with Avery Brookes and Andre Braugher, The Lost Colony with Lynn Redgrave. Created role of “Peter” in world premiere of Lanford Wilson's Los Alamos, directed by Marshall W. Mason. While at Arizona State University, Greg was mentored in directing by Lifetime Achievement Tony winner and Founder of the famed Circle Rep, Marshall W. Mason. In 2010, he was the LA Critic's Choice Award winner for Best Actor in a Touring Production: Edna, Hairspray. London was the 2007 winner of the Eugene O’Neill Award for Dramatic Writing.
Peggy Fanny
Peggy Fanny has served many years in administration within schools in South Carolina as well as Colorado and in the legal community as a former United States Attorney’s Office financial litigation paralegal. The majority of her background has been as a paralegal or an office administrator, but she spent many years in school districts as a substitute teacher, librarian, and administrative assistant. She enjoys working with students, parents, and administration to provide excellent customer service with a smile and her upbeat personability. When she is not working, she is the mother of two teenage children, one in the arts as a musician and the other working towards a future medical degree. She is a wife of 18 years, an artist, a baker, a college student, and a resident of Horry County for the past 8 years, living in the rural area of Galivants Ferry on a farm. “I grew up surrounded by artists, my grandfather, aunts, uncles, father, mother, sister, brother, niece, nephew, and now my son. There is an actor, an author, musicians, artists, and even a ballerina and they have all influenced my love of the arts! There is always a song in my heart or on my lips, especially if there is a paintbrush in my hand. I strongly believe that society is better as a whole when the arts are able to flourish and thrive! I can’t wait to see the talent that our children have to offer to our community, and I am so grateful to be contributing.”
Vacant
Erica Vasquez
Erica Vasquez is originally from “The city that never sleeps,” and has been living on the Grand Strand for the last 10 years. Erica has Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (with concentration in Management) from Briarcliffe College. She currently is a CCU staff member in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Erica brings many years of experience in both Human Resources and Law Enforcement. Erica and her husband of 16 years have 2 children that are immersed in the performing arts world, her son plays trumpet and piano and attends the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities; and her daughter has been part of many youth theatre programs throughout the Grand Strand, as well plays piano and attends Ocean Bay Middle School. Erica enjoys volunteering her time in several youth Theatre organizations throughout the Grand Strand Community and when she’s not volunteering, you can find her at the nearest theatre venue watching a Broadway production. Erica consider herself a Performing Arts Ally because she believe it is a fundamental component to a healthy community!
MEMBERS
Mindy Prisco
Mindy Prisco is a native of the Fingerlakes region in upstate New York. Collectively, she has resided in the Grand Strand area for over 17 years with her husband and children. Mindy has a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing and 25 years experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Her interest in the arts began in high school when she joined the photography club, the senior play and several art classes. Currently, you will find her gardening, creating an artistic landscape alongside her husband of 20 years. She comes from a very artistic family, where watercolor paintings by her cousin are given as gifts, and photography talents have been shared and enjoyed by her son. Her son is currently attending the College of Charleston majoring in Urban Studies and recently joined guitar club pursuing his training on the electric guitar. Her daughter is a middle school student who has developed talents in acrylic painting, which she has shared as gifts or sold at craft fairs. Over the years, she has been actively involved in Myrtle Beach Area Community Theatre refining her vocal and acting talents. Most recently, you will find her walking the runway in NYFW and Milan, Italy as a runway model. She too is pursuing her training by participating in a workshop hosted by a supermodel. Mindy believes in educating and nurturing artistic talents which are vital for thriving in a creative environment, where people can come together to enrich, learn, share and enjoy in each other’s gifts.
Shannon Farro
Shannon Farro is the Executive Director of the Long Bay Symphony in Myrtle Beach, SC, a position she has held since 2018. With a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood University, specializing in Music Education, and a Master’s degree in Art Leadership and Cultural Management from Colorado State University, Shannon possesses a strong educational foundation combined with extensive practical expertise. In July 2018, Shannon was selected as one of only 35 orchestra professionals nationwide to participate in the prestigious Essentials of Orchestra Management seminar hosted by the League of American Orchestras in Los Angeles, CA, further enhancing her leadership skills and industry insights. Beyond her pivotal role at LBS, Shannon is deeply committed to fostering the arts within her community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Arts Alliance, an organization dedicated to advocating for the arts and raising public awareness statewide. Additionally, she holds the position of Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Brunswick Arts Council, where she continues to champion artistic endeavors and cultural initiatives. A proud alumna of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts, Shannon Farro is a passionate advocate for providing similar transformative educational opportunities for the students of Horry County. She is proud to share her enthusiasm and experience with the Grand Strand Charter Arts School Planning Committee as they endeavor to shape the future of arts education in the region.
Ashlea Sovetts
Ashlea Sovetts is a multifaceted dance artist who is able to flow between a variety of different roles. Primarily, her work centers around choreography, dance in higher education and arts administration. As a choreographer, she investigates real-life experiences as inspiration to create narratives. As an educator, she emphasizes a somatic approach by focusing on breath, fluidity and awareness of one’s presence in relationship to others. As an administrator, Ashlea was the Recruitment Coordinator for the Department of Dance at Texas Woman’s University. In addition, her skill set includes project execution, content development, grant writing/editing and leading facilitation amongst artists. Currently, she is a dance faculty member at Columbia College, in Columbia, SC and the Program Manager for the Staibdance summer intensive in Sorrento, Italy. She is a World Dance Alliance Americas board member, an NDEO Advocacy committee member and the former president for the Grand Strand Charter Arts board. Ashlea’s work has been supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission, Alternate Roots, the Andrew W. Mellon foundation, and the New England Foundation for the Arts. Ashlea, originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina graduated Cum Laude from Winthrop University and holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Dance and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Texas Woman’s University.
Joanne Thompson Ray
Joanne Thompson Ray is a former professional dancer and actors equity member. She is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Joanne began teaching dance at the age of 16 and has performed with various ballet companies. She has studied at the Alvin Ailey Dance Center. As well, trained and danced for Bob Fosse as well as many best of the best in NYC. Joanne then opened her own studio "Joannes Dance Studio Inc." where they offered Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Drama, Voice, and Piano. She sold the studio to one of her students that she has had since 6 years old. It is now called Thrive and Joanne still guest teaches master classes there. Joanne moved to the beach in 2018 and loves living in Horry County with her Husband. She has three sons and three grandbabies. Joanne loves to teach, and now works at Palmetto Dance Starz and is so honored to be part of the GSCA family.
Laura Meyer
Originally from Virginia, and with over twenty years’ experience as a professional theatre educator, Laura has made Conway her home for the past nine years, teaching young people the art of theatre at both St. James High School and Loris High School during that time. Theatre is her passion and helping young people realize their unique creative talents and potential gives her immense joy. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama from the University of Virginia where she acted in, directed, and designed numerous shows. Laura has also worked at several professional theatres, including Williamstown Theatre Festival, North Shore Music Theatre, and Mill Mountain Theatre. One of the highlights of her career was working on Children of Eden, a musical by Stephen Schwartz (composer and lyricist of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), in which she had the honor of meeting Mr. Schwartz and working alongside Tony Award-winning costume designer, Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone). Just some of Laura’s many directing and design credits include The Diviners, Dancing at Lughnasa, Trifles, Hayfever, Alice in Wonderland, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Crazy for You, and Trojan Women. In addition, she has also worked with a diverse array of students, in both the school and workshop environments, in writing and producing numerous original plays and performance art pieces, as well as improvisation workshops and shows. Laura believes when young people create a piece of theatre organically from the ground up, their passion, knowledge, and appreciation for theatre, and learning in general, dramatically increases as they see their blossoming talents propel their artistic voices forward; students realize they can make a difference in this world through the beauty and magic of theatre. Laura believes theatre is a critical component of a well-rounded education. When Laura is not creating theatre, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, as well as interior design and creating home décor, painting, discovering a great thrift shop find, and going on fun road trips around this beautiful state!