Directors
Tony Zanfardino Tony recently joined the Guild as Executive Director. After 30 years of project management at IBM, Tony has shortened his daily commute. With a strong apprection for opera and theatre, Tony will be working diligently to expand the Guild's programs as well as its facility! Come by the Guild and meet Tony. We are all looking forward to great happenings in the future!
Jessie Bonanno Jessie joined the Guild as Dance Director in 2005 She earned a BFA in Dance Pedagogy from Brenau University in Gainesville , which awarded her a four-year dance merit scholarship. Ms. Bonanno's fields of study include kinesiology for dancers, improvisation, music for dancers, anatomy and physiology, dance practicum and choreography. She has earned extensive performance credits and has also trained extensively with many notable dance instructors including several who have danced with premier international companies. Since moving to this area, Ms. Bonanno has taught and choreographed for Dalton School of Ballet/Ballet Dalton, where she most recently worked as owner and director, the Baker-VanCura Ballet Centre, Mountain Laurel Dance Studios and Bessie Smith Hall.
Lisa Elders As our Music Director, Lisa is the quiet force that holds the fabric of the Guild's music program together with her organizational skills, patience and solid sense of planning. Her multi-talented staff benefits from her own thorough understanding of musical education, and her grasp of what students want and need in music lessons. From her skills with the flute, to her care and supervision of the music department, Lisa is proving herself to be a key player in Guild progress.
Leanne LawsonLeanne is the Event and Facility Director at the Guild. She has been with the Guild for 15 years. Leanne's longevity at the Guild has made her a tremendous resource for serving our community in many ways. Leanne is the Director for the annual arts FESTIVAL hosted by the Creative Arts Guild each year.
Minnette Lusk Minnette, our Living Well and Gymnastics Director, is a proud mother of 4! She has devoted much time and energy making her family healthy and nutritionally sound. She has a BS in Exercise Physiology from BYU along with 15 years in the health and fitness industry ranging from cardiac rehab and physical therapy to personal and group fitness training. She enjoys educating others about eating right and exercising properly. Minnette coached competitive and recreational gymnastics at Upstate Gymnastics in Pendleton, SC. She taught children from 18 months to 18 years gymnastic skills including, balance, coordination, tumbling, and all apparatus. She currently teaches fitness classes at Bradley Wellness Center. Her biggest endeavor is becoming the Living Well Director for the Creative Arts Guild where she develops and manages adult and child wellness programs for the local community. Minnette has introduced “The Art of Living Well for Mind, Body and Spirit” at the Guild.
Renee Rector Arts in Education Director: The role of the arts in raising the quality and effectiveness of education is beyond question. So the task of coordinating the Jonas Foundation/Guild Arts in Education program couldn't have found a better champion than Renee, whose hard work, dedication and devotion to bringing arts into the public schools has been demonstrated over and over again.
