Announcement: Due to Covid-19 and lack of funding, Compassion Center for the Arts has been forced to shut its doors for now.
OUR CURRENT INSTRUCTORS
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Shirley Boykin (Choir) is an accomplished director and vocalist, well-known throughout Central Illinois. She has attended Mt. Pisgah Baptist church for 35 years, where she has served as the director of their Sunbeam Children's Choir for 34 years and spent 20 years directing the adult choir. She sings and directs the American Passion Play choir (30 years), sings with the Habitat for Humanity Choir (16 years) and directed the Holiday Spectacular for 3 years. Shirley has also done work with the Boys' and Girls' Club Choir, Sisters in Christ, and the Martin Luther King Gospel Festival (26 years). Shirley deeply enjoys working with children, adults and all who are willing to learn. Shirley says of her teaching, directing and performing, ".... it is what I give back to God because he blessed me with the gift of music".
Jasil Olabode (Choir Accompanist) is a composer and musician who plays the violin, acoustic guitar, electric and acoustic bass, trombone, piano, and percussion. He’s performed in various venues including the Vocal Jazz Festival, and the District Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Jasil is the Worship Intern at Efree Church where he often leads worship. Jasil studies Music Composition at Illinois Wesleyan and is pursuing a career as a film composer.
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Marcie Taylor (Theatre and Instrumental Music) has performed in dinner theaters, cruise ships, night clubs, dance bands, community theatre, industrial shows and Busch Garden’s theme park. She’s worked in radio, television, and does freelance voice-over work. She was a Vocal Performance Major at Indiana University and holds a Communications degree from University of Illinois. Her passion for teaching kids began as a Kindermusik instructor 20 years ago. She has been the music teacher at 2PC Preschool since 2009, and currently serves as the Compassion Center’s director.
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Kara Lopez (Art) Creating art of any kind is therapeutic, relaxing, and gives one a sense of accomplishment. It can be created simply for those reasons, or as gifts for others. Kara Lopez, mother of 3 grown boys, has always had a passion for making arts and crafts, and especially sharing that passion with others. Over the years she has taught many people how to make Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs), has led numerous homeschool art classes, and has worked with 4-H students to lead art workshops. Coming on board with CCA is an excellent match for her to continue to reach out and share her love of art.
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Tahvia Olabode (Dance) has studied ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary. Tahvia has performed many roles in classical ballets, her favorite being Mouse Queen in Tchaikovski's Nutcracker. Alongside those performances, Tahvia was also spent time as a dancer for the Bloomington Edge Football Team. She studied Dance Performance with a minor in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at Illinois State University, and is currently employed at State Farm.
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Elliott Godinez (Percussion and Instrumental Music) is currently pursuing a master’s degree in percussion performance from Illinois State University. After graduating from Illinois State in 2017 with his bachelor’s degree in music education, Elliott spent a year as the music director at New-Holland Middletown SD# 88 where he directed the bands, choir, and percussion ensemble, and taught general music classes. Elliott also teaches privately in addition to working with local marching bands through teaching and music writing. In his spare time, Elliott enjoys riding his bike, drinking coffee, and playing video games.