Central Arts Wendell Policies
*Please read through our policies before arriving at your first lesson with us.
Music
Dance
CAW Calendar 2024
CAW CLOSES 3 WEEKS OF THE YEAR. OUR MUSIC PROGRAM CLOSES 4 ADDITIONAL WEEKS, DURING ONE IN THEY RUN “BAND CAMP” IN LIEU OF LESSONS:
- Music Director's Choice Week - January 14-20, 2024
- Easter Week - March 31-April 6, 2024 - CAW
- Band Camp Week - June 17-21, 2024 - Music ONLY
- 4th of July Holiday Week - July 1-5, 2024 - Music ONLY
- Music Director's Choice Week - July 15-19, 2024
- Thanksgiving Break - November 25-29, 2024 - CAW
- Christmas Break - December 23-27, 2024 - CAW
Please note after careful consideration we have decided to adjust our calendar and make a change from closing for New Year’s week annually to closing for a Music Director's Choice Week instead.
Meet the Team
Jeff Germain
Director Of
Music
Music
John 15:4-5 says, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
It is Jeff’s deep conviction and belief that worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth(John 4:23) is only possible through a genuine intimate relationship with God built on abiding in Him by reading His Word, and open, honest communication with Him through prayer. The desire and calling to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in this is often reflected in the songs he writes, the conversations he has in spontaneous discipleship opportunities, teaching (“His Word in the words”) in the ensembles he directs and in his beloved small group that he leads weekly. In 2016 Jeff joined the Central staff as Minister of Worship and Creative Arts bringing with him over 25 years of music experience including worship leading, ensemble directing, teaching and professional songwriting and production experience. In January 2020 he transitioned to serve as full time Director of Central Arts Academy. He is now the Director of Spirit & Truth Music, our music division of Central Arts Wendell. Jeff earned his Mus.B. in Music Education from Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY. He and his wife Corinne have two sons, David and Ben. Jeff enjoys time with God, family, playing various instruments, basketball and “Ben & Jerry’s” Chunky Monkey.
It is Jeff’s deep conviction and belief that worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth(John 4:23) is only possible through a genuine intimate relationship with God built on abiding in Him by reading His Word, and open, honest communication with Him through prayer. The desire and calling to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in this is often reflected in the songs he writes, the conversations he has in spontaneous discipleship opportunities, teaching (“His Word in the words”) in the ensembles he directs and in his beloved small group that he leads weekly. In 2016 Jeff joined the Central staff as Minister of Worship and Creative Arts bringing with him over 25 years of music experience including worship leading, ensemble directing, teaching and professional songwriting and production experience. In January 2020 he transitioned to serve as full time Director of Central Arts Academy. He is now the Director of Spirit & Truth Music, our music division of Central Arts Wendell. Jeff earned his Mus.B. in Music Education from Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY. He and his wife Corinne have two sons, David and Ben. Jeff enjoys time with God, family, playing various instruments, basketball and “Ben & Jerry’s” Chunky Monkey.
Eli Erikson
Music
Instructor
Instructor
Eli Erikson has been immersed in the world of music for 13 years. Over the past three, he's had the privilege of sharing his passion as a music instructor. Eli's mission is to spread the joy of Jesus through music education and to help others embrace and cultivate the God-given gift of music within them.
When Eli's not teaching or playing, you'll find him on the NC State campus, where he's pursuing an engineering degree. In those rare moments of leisure, you'll catch him playing volleyball with friends, on a roadtrip with his family, or devouring the worlds’ best Orange Chicken from Golden Dragon.
When Eli's not teaching or playing, you'll find him on the NC State campus, where he's pursuing an engineering degree. In those rare moments of leisure, you'll catch him playing volleyball with friends, on a roadtrip with his family, or devouring the worlds’ best Orange Chicken from Golden Dragon.
Daniel Cody
Music
Instructor
Instructor
Daniel comes from New Jersey as a former Music School director, teen worship band director, and youth pastor. Growing up in the church, he has been singing in choirs since the age of 5, and playing drums since 3. He picked up bass guitar in high school and piano in college, all leading to a bachelor's degree in Music Production & Audio Engineering. He has been involved in music education and performance for over 15 years as a solo artist and singing in groups that have toured nationally and internationally. He loves to share the wisdom and gifts that God has given him with students to make music accessible to anyone, no matter where they are starting from. He believes that "If you can count, you can learn music" and takes the approach of "Patience and positive encouragement leads to confident musicians." Him and his wife, Tiffani, have three children - Josiah, Olivia, and Brielle, and they all love a good, impromptu dance party.
Brian Youngkin
Dance
Co-Director
Co-Director
An accomplished soloist and choreographer, Brian Youngkin holds a BFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After guest appearances with companies such as the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, Mr. Youngkin served as ballet master at the 1,000 student Pierrette Sadler Danceurs Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, for fourteen years. He is proud of the many accomplishments of his students including appearances on Broadway, television, and film. Mr. Youngkin's students can be seen performing for Cirque du Soleil, Alvin Ailey, Disney, and Jose Limon, as well as teaching or studying at Julliard and The UNC School of the Arts. He currently serves as Resident Choreographer and Instructor at Infinity Ballet Conservatory, and is co-founder, with his wife, Cari-Lenn Youngkin, of Restoring The Lost Arts.
Cari-Lenn Youngkin
Dance
Co-Director
Co-Director
Cari-Lenn Youngkin grew up in Raleigh, NC and started training in dance at a very early age. Upon graduation, she trained at UNCSA before joining the Certificate of Dance Program at the world- renown The Ailey School (formerly known as The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center) in New York City. At completion of the Certificate Program, Cari- Lenn joined the staff of The Ailey School under the Direction of the Denise Jefferson. Her dance credits include Foot Prints Dance company under the direction of Freddie Moore, Spirit Wings Dance Company, Earl Mosely Diversity of Dance, Crossroads Theater Company, Urban Bush Women (apprentice) as well as solo works that were created specifically for Cari-Lenn. One special high light was being invited to perform with the Broadway cast of the Lion King as a featured performer for a special performance. Returning to Raleigh in 2010, Cari continued her love for the arts through teaching and served on faculty at various ballet conservatories within the Raleigh, Cary and Apex communities. In the past several years, Cari-Lenn has been choreographing for the prestigious YAGP and ADC IBC competitions where her solo works and artists have been award winning and top-placing finalists. Her students have gone on to dance with distinguished ballet companies such as The Stuttgart Ballet among others as well as have received trainee positions and scholarships to The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Richmond Ballet, The Institute for American Musical Theatre, Philadelphia Ballet, Houston Ballet along with collegiate schools of dance.