Sarita Pauline Mehta

Sarita began her early ballet training at Rochester School of Dance. At the age of twelve, she was selected to dance with The American Ballet Theatre in their production of Le Corsaire.  At age 13, Sarita was accepted into the Michigan Ballet Theatre under the direction of Cornelia Sampson and danced in the Company until her junior high school year.
 
As her relationship with the Lord began to grow and mature, she felt a strong calling to dance for the glory of the Lord. Still a part of Michigan Ballet Theatre, Sarita became one of the first members of Grace Dance Ensemble, a local Christian dance company, under the direction of DeAnne Essian. She is now the assistant director of Grace Dance Ensemble and has choreographed numerous pieces for the company. Sarita has a huge passion for teaching young girls to dance for God’s glory. She believes it undoubtedly has the ability to change lives by its beauty and power. Sarita is a student at Oakland University pursuing a graduate degree in Elementary Education.
 
We are very excited that Sarita will be joining us this fall teaching our worship classes at The Link.

Susan Howard

Financial Administrator and Ballet Instructor

Susan Howard received her early classical ballet training at the Doris Marsh School of Ballet.  Earlier jazz and tap training were studied at the Judy Kanary School Of Dance.  Following her study, she went on to become a dancer with the Detroit City Dance Company, a professional modern dance company under the direction of Carole Morisseau.  Plans to join the Alvin Ailey Dance Company were thwarted when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior.  In 1984, Susan joined “The Glory Dancers”, a Christian interpretive ballet company that toured locally, regionally and nationally, communicating the Gospel message through dance.  As a member of CCA, Susan has attended numerous Cecchetti seminars as well as workshops including the 1998 IBC Teacher’s Workshop with David Howard and Master Classes at the Houston Ballet in Houston, TX, in addition to spending two summers with Sylvia Palmer, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Mary Beth Kisner, Gus Giordano Dance Company.  Susan was a ballet instructor for 7 years at the Bethesda Christian School of Dance and performed with the Latter Rain Christian Dance Ministry for 11 years.  She then went on to teach ballet, tap, jazz, and modern for 7 years at Kensington Church School of Dance.  In 2002, Susan assisted Betty Mitchell in launching The Link School of the Arts, a 501c3 arts launch of Kensington Community Church.  Currently, Susan serves as Financial Administrator and is a Ballet instructor at The Link.

Theresa Maybee Bolinger

Drama Instructor and Director Of Productions

Theresa has been a performer, director and producer for over fifteen years.  Performance credits include:  performing as a cast member on Main Stage at The Second City (Detroit, MI) and Assistant Directing there under Saturday Night Live Director Tom Gianas, cast member of “Strong Women Keep Coming”, Host of TV pilot “Peacemakers”, Improvisational Comedian for Toyota Motors and a Spokesperson/Product Specialist/Trainer for automotive companies including General Motors, Daimler Chrysler, Honda and Toyota.   Theresa has also had featured film roles in “Mutant Swingers from Mars”, “Temptation” and “A Polish Wedding”.

Theresa has served as Executive Director for Spare Me Productions and Executive Producer for Peacemakers, Inc.  Theresa has also served as Director/General Manager of The Magic Bag in Ferndale, The Millennium Centre Convention and Performing Arts Complex in Southfield, The Majestic Theatre in Detroit and The Federal Reserve Conference Center in Detroit.  Mrs. Maybee Bolinger has served as a Director, Assistant Director, Producer, Costumer, Make Up Artist and Set Dresser for many productions such as, “A Family Affair”, “If These Hips Could Talk”, “Ain’t Nothin’ Like Family” and, most recently, “Whatever She Wants” starring Vivica A. Fox in 2007.  Theresa  has spent over twelve years in Christian Arts Ministry including Director, Producer and Programming Team for Kensington Community Church from 1997 – 2000,  Drama Team at Northridge Community Church from 2003 – 2005 where she directed the drama for “The Glory of Christmas” 2004- attracting over 20,000 audience members.

She is currently Drama Instructor and Director of Productions for The Link School of the Arts in Troy since 2002.  Theresa has been a member of Word of Faith International Christian Centre in Southfield, Mi under Bishop Keith Butler since 2001.

Lisa Johnson

Jazz Instructor

Dance has been part of Lisa’s life for as long as she can remember. Lisa began her early training with Mask School of Dance, Jean Nuccilli’s School of Ballet, Toni’s School of the Arts and Wendy’s Dance Arts. Later, Ms. Johnson was crowned Miss Wendy’s Dance Arts where she began formal training with Carol Morisseau of Detroit City Dance Company. Following her training, Lisa became a company member and for the next few summers trained with the Harbinger Dance Company, Alvin Ailey and New York City Ballet. Lisa has performed with Wayne State University Dance Department, Oakland University Dance Department (Laurie Eisenhower), and Other Things and Company.

Lisa received a BS in Biology from WSU and years later discovered that her true passion was teaching. Over the years, she has created winning choreography for local Dance Schools and Churches. While teaching, Lisa began her focus of teaching in Creative movement, while still concentrating on Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip Hop. With the true freedom of expression, Lisa later incorporated her love for Christ into her teaching, and has taught at many area churches. Lisa and her husband, Blake, are members of St. Scholastics Church in Detroit, MI.