- Media Arts Faculty
Faculty
Michael teaches Screenwriting at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the first part of the Filmmaking Program. In addition to being an award winning screenplay writer, Michael has helped students at The Media Arts Center's Charlotte location win filmmaking awards through his instruction. He hosted the Best Screenplay Judge and was the Award Presenter at the 2024 Student Showcase of Films.
Andy teaches Cameras + Lighting at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the 2nd part of the Filmmaking Program. Andy has worked as a videographer and video editor in the news and documentary business for over 18 years. His mastery of film production and post production make an in demand videographer. Recently, Andy covered the Democratic National Convention.
Rachael teaches Casting + Directing at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the third part of the Filmmaking Program. Rachel is an entertainer, stuntwoman, and producer. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TUBI’s #shockfight, Marvel’s Black Panther, and the Emmy-nominated VR experience by Meta, Goliath: Playing With Reality. Currently, she hosts HealthLine Media’s Inside Schizophrenia podcast, which has been repeatedly ranked as one of the top podcasts in the world about schizophrenia.
Ruby oversees our new high school Film Program at the Media Arts Center. It's a 24 class [48 session] program each season as the complete Filmmaking Program. Ruby is the student who received “Talks Too Much” on every report card in school but ended up being an Emmy-nominated TV news journalist for nearly a decade. Ruby also won “Miss North Carolina for America 2022” where she focused on raising breast cancer awareness. Her passion is to invest in others by mentoring students, post-graduates, and women on public speaking, interview best practices, and how similar “TV skills” can translate into life skills.
Cathy teaches Casting + Directing at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the 3rd part of the Filmmaking Program. Cathy is a Charlotte-area actor and graduated from The Media Arts Center's first film class. Her finished short film [class project] went on to win an award for Best Woman in Film.
Dan teaches Video Editing at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the final part of the Filmmaking and broadcasting programs. Dan is an experienced editor and has taught Filmmaking related courses since 2012. He is dedicated to his students.
Arroe teaches Audio Production at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the 1st part of the Broadcasting Program. Arroe has been the voice of Charlotte radio for decades. He is also a seasoned podcaster and interviews many of his guests live, along with students, right in the classroom. Through Arroe’s podcasts, students have interviewed Geraldo Rivera, Al Roker, Joey Fatone, and others. He has taught at the Center since 2012.
George teaches the Audio Performance course at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course and is the 2nd part of the Broadcasting Program. George is a 2016 graduate of The Media Arts Center. He has since done voice acting for large companies, including McDonald’s, Nike, Gatorade, Time Warner Cable, Mountain Dew ICE, ROOT Sports Northwest, and Lowe’s Home Improvement. He is the app voice for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and is the voice of DC Universe Online’s Green Lantern, John Stewart.
Silke teaches Video Performance at the Media Arts Center. It's a 6 class [12 session] course each season and is the 3rd course broadcasting program. Silke spent more than 20 years in the news business both producing, writing and anchoring newscasts (including here locally in Charlotte and for NBC NewsChannel).
Valerie advises students on resumes and Demos at the Media Arts Center. Valerie has been a SAG-AFTRA member since 1992 and has been featured on-camera talent for various films, commercials, corporate videos and live stream events. Her clients include Bank of America, Discover Card, Safeway, Dick’s Sporting Goods, American Medical Association, Avon Products, Jim Shore, Real Health Superfoods, Allegacy, Ilio, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne, MTV, PBS, and others. Valerie has been teaching at The Media Arts Center since 2016.
John enrolled in The Media Arts Center's Broadcasting Program in 1996 before launching a successful career as a reporter. . He teaches the Business Operations in the Digital Media space, featuring courses in People Management, Process Management, Product management, and Sales Process using AI. John's experience comes from successful ownership of a portfolio of private companies based in North Carolina; and more than a decade as an Emmy award-winning Miami news reporter and producer; where he's covered major events - including the 1996 World Series of the Florida Marlins, seven major hurricanes, and the 2000 presidential debacle in Palm Beach County, Florida. John is passionate journalism, movies, and avocational training. He is also owner of The Media Arts Center.
Carissa became interested in social media when she was a student at The Media Arts Center in 2002. After graduation, she helped a major radio station launch its first-ever paid content site. She has since helped television networks and local business owners with growing through social media. The Digital Social Media program has four core courses including DSM for beginners, DSM for Broadcasters, DSM for Business owners, and a DSM Capstone course. Each course consists of 6 classes and 6 labs [12 total sessions] and classes can be taken on campus or remotely.