Cathy Beckman
Instructor of Ballet, Modern Dance, Improvisation/Composition and Performance
(903)
983-8633
Beckman received her Master of Arts degree in Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She returned to school after having worked as a professional dancer and teacher in studios and schools in New York and Europe. As a child she began training in modern dance and went on to study ballet. Beckman was able to study with many of the best teachers in New York, including dancers from the companies of Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham and Erich Hawkins. Her ballet training included teachers at the American Ballet Theater School, Steps, Broadway Dance, David Howard, Finis Jung and Cherylyn Lavagnino. She continues to study with regular visits to New York. Her interest in injury prevention and effective technique have led her to continue the work she began with Irene Dowd in anatomy/kinesiology, taking classes in Floor Barre Technique with Zena Rommett and Pilates and yoga. Since coming to Kilgore College, Beckman has established an annual Spring Dance Concert so students have the opportunity to choreograph and perform as well as taking students to the American College Dance Festival each year.
Shelley D. Wayne
Instructor, Dance & Asst. Dir. Rangerettes
(903) 983-8273
Shelley Wayne is the assistant director and choreographer of the Rangerettes. She also teaches dance in the KC Fine Arts Department and received her Master of Education in 2000. She was born and raised in Houston, attended North Shore High School and served as captain of the Scarlets her senior year. As a member of the Rangerettes (1985-87), Wayne was both a Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster. After her two years at KC, she spent one semester at San Jacinto Junior College before moving on to Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) in San Marcos. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from SWT in 1991.
Wayne returned home to Houston to direct the Westfield High School Lariettes for one year before taking the job as the Rangerettes’ assistant director and choreographer in 1993.
Wayne taught for NCA Superstar dance program from 1985 to 1993, and has been on staff with Starmakers Dance and Performance Camps since 1994.She is a lifetime member of Rangerettes Forever and the director of the Rangerette summer camp for middle school students.
Jeanne Jordan Johnson
Music and Dance Department Chair
(903) 983-8121
Jeanne Johnson was named to the faculty of Kilgore College in 1976. During her tenure at KC she has taught private voice, voice class, music theory, fundamentals, and music appreciation. Prior to her appointment here, she was a member of the faculty at East Texas Baptist University for four years. Her educational experience began as she graduated from Kilgore College with an A. A. degree. She then furthered her education as she graduated with B.M. ED. and M.M. degrees from Texas A&M University - Commerce; and then continued with additional post-masters study at the University of North Texas. Mrs. Johnson was named during those years as: Who's Who in Music (KC), Honor Graduate (KC), Outstanding Music Student (A&M-Commerce), Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges (A&M-Commerce), and Honor Graduate (A&M-Commerce). She has studied with Dr. Edward Baird, Scharmal Schrock, Carol Mayo, Melvin Marshall, Richard Rogers, and Sandra Craft. Since leaving college she has been named to: Outstanding Young Women of America (1982 and 1985), Who's Who in American Women (1994), and Who's Who Among America's Teachers (1995 and 2004). As a singer, she has performed with major symphony orchestras, college, community, church and civic choirs and choruses too numerous to mention. She was a Metropolitan Opera Regional finalist as well as a National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional finalist. She has performed at the national convention of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and for the premiere event honoring Van Cliburn of the East Texas Enrichment Series. She was named Outstanding Faculty Member at Kilgore College for 2001-2002, the first fine arts faculty member so named.
