Meet our SCHOOL OF THE Arts Staff!
CHRISTOPHER CARD
Director of The Arts
Piano & Voice Chair
Music In Movies/World Music Drumming Instructor
card@miprepschool.org
Mr. Christopher Card is a singer, pianist and veteran educator that has led and grown school music programs for the past twenty eight years. Performing groups under Mr. Card's direction have received high honors at state and national festivals and competitions and have held an international reputation as a program of excellence. On four occasions Mr. Card's ensembles were selected to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City and twice have represented the United States in performance tours in Europe. Mr. Card's performing groups have received six grand champion trophies at music festivals in the United States. The YouTube channel for Mr. Card's performing groups has a worldwide audience with over 1.5 million views. Mr. Card has directed numerous theatrical productions that have held a reputation for bringing amateur actors to professional standards of performance. His shows are known for creative and artistic excellence which has led to record breaking attendance with sold out showings.
Mr. Card's approach to education is to infuse a high level of energy and enthusiasm, incorporating humour in his teaching. His former schools have recognized him as a highly effective teacher that excels at drawing maximum potential out of all of his students in a caring environment. Mr. Card holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL.
Mr. Card is happily married to his wife of 25 years, Christine. Together they enjoy raising their two children, Cullen and Ceana. He is excited to be taking on the adventure of developing an arts program at MIPS!
Director of The Arts
Piano & Voice Chair
Music In Movies/World Music Drumming Instructor
card@miprepschool.org
Mr. Christopher Card is a singer, pianist and veteran educator that has led and grown school music programs for the past twenty eight years. Performing groups under Mr. Card's direction have received high honors at state and national festivals and competitions and have held an international reputation as a program of excellence. On four occasions Mr. Card's ensembles were selected to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City and twice have represented the United States in performance tours in Europe. Mr. Card's performing groups have received six grand champion trophies at music festivals in the United States. The YouTube channel for Mr. Card's performing groups has a worldwide audience with over 1.5 million views. Mr. Card has directed numerous theatrical productions that have held a reputation for bringing amateur actors to professional standards of performance. His shows are known for creative and artistic excellence which has led to record breaking attendance with sold out showings.
Mr. Card's approach to education is to infuse a high level of energy and enthusiasm, incorporating humour in his teaching. His former schools have recognized him as a highly effective teacher that excels at drawing maximum potential out of all of his students in a caring environment. Mr. Card holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL.
Mr. Card is happily married to his wife of 25 years, Christine. Together they enjoy raising their two children, Cullen and Ceana. He is excited to be taking on the adventure of developing an arts program at MIPS!
KERRY FLEET
K-8 Art Instructor
fleet@miprepschool.org
Ms. Kerry Fleet is a creative and caring art teacher. She has more than ten years of experience teaching students of all ages, from kindergarten through 12th-grade. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Art Education and a concentration in ceramics. In 2009, Ms. Fleet had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to teach art at The Ubuntu School in Pietermaritzburg. While there, she was able to share and grow her passion for the arts and learning. Ms. Fleet also worked as a graphic designer at the Indiana Geological Survey, where she developed an interest in digital art.
Ms. Fleet became an art teacher so she could inspire young people and broaden their appreciation of art in an encouraging manner. Her hope is to share the love of art that has been her passion since she was young. Ms. Fleet’s teaching style focuses on process and the art-making experience, as a higher priority than the finished result. She provides supportive guidance to each student she works with, so that they may develop creatively in their own unique way. She hopes to inspire children to appreciate and welcome their creativity and imagination through making art.
In her free time, Ms. Fleet loves to spend time with family, hike, and travel. She’s been to Ireland, South Africa, Mozambique, Peru, Alaska, Hawaii, and loves to practice her photography and art journaling while traveling. Creating cross-curricular projects with art and nature is something Ms. Fleet is very passionate about. While not teaching, Ms. Fleet also loves to draw, paint, and embroider. Her artwork has been displayed at art galleries and art festivals. She is excited to meet all her MIPS art students, and is eager to help further develop each student’s passion for the arts.
K-8 Art Instructor
fleet@miprepschool.org
Ms. Kerry Fleet is a creative and caring art teacher. She has more than ten years of experience teaching students of all ages, from kindergarten through 12th-grade. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Art Education and a concentration in ceramics. In 2009, Ms. Fleet had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to teach art at The Ubuntu School in Pietermaritzburg. While there, she was able to share and grow her passion for the arts and learning. Ms. Fleet also worked as a graphic designer at the Indiana Geological Survey, where she developed an interest in digital art.
Ms. Fleet became an art teacher so she could inspire young people and broaden their appreciation of art in an encouraging manner. Her hope is to share the love of art that has been her passion since she was young. Ms. Fleet’s teaching style focuses on process and the art-making experience, as a higher priority than the finished result. She provides supportive guidance to each student she works with, so that they may develop creatively in their own unique way. She hopes to inspire children to appreciate and welcome their creativity and imagination through making art.
In her free time, Ms. Fleet loves to spend time with family, hike, and travel. She’s been to Ireland, South Africa, Mozambique, Peru, Alaska, Hawaii, and loves to practice her photography and art journaling while traveling. Creating cross-curricular projects with art and nature is something Ms. Fleet is very passionate about. While not teaching, Ms. Fleet also loves to draw, paint, and embroider. Her artwork has been displayed at art galleries and art festivals. She is excited to meet all her MIPS art students, and is eager to help further develop each student’s passion for the arts.
MEGAN POLI
K-5 General Music Instructor
5-12 Level 1 Piano Instructor
poli@miprepschool.org
Mrs. Megan Nuss Poli has been teaching music for fourteen years at various levels and parts of the country for both public and non-profit entities. Among these roles, she has served as a children’s choir clinician, director for a non-profit children’s choir, presented music education research at the national level, and directed multiple musicals. She attended Doane University in Crete, Nebraska where she discovered her passion for sharing and teaching music with young people. During her undergrad, Mrs. Poli sang in the top auditioned choir for 4 years, the jazz choir, and played in the symphonic wind ensemble. A few years later, she received her MA in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Her drive and passion is to nurture the musician in all students, and genuinely care and value each individual child.
Mrs. Poli was raised in small-town America, where she found her love for all things music. She grew up performing and singing in children’s choir, church choir, auditioned choir, show choir, band, community choir, and community theater. Mrs. Poli is excited to be in beautiful Michigan with her husband, dog, and kitten. She absolutely loves reading, embracing her inner nerd, cooking, all things outdoors, and is a dog enthusiast.
K-5 General Music Instructor
5-12 Level 1 Piano Instructor
poli@miprepschool.org
Mrs. Megan Nuss Poli has been teaching music for fourteen years at various levels and parts of the country for both public and non-profit entities. Among these roles, she has served as a children’s choir clinician, director for a non-profit children’s choir, presented music education research at the national level, and directed multiple musicals. She attended Doane University in Crete, Nebraska where she discovered her passion for sharing and teaching music with young people. During her undergrad, Mrs. Poli sang in the top auditioned choir for 4 years, the jazz choir, and played in the symphonic wind ensemble. A few years later, she received her MA in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Her drive and passion is to nurture the musician in all students, and genuinely care and value each individual child.
Mrs. Poli was raised in small-town America, where she found her love for all things music. She grew up performing and singing in children’s choir, church choir, auditioned choir, show choir, band, community choir, and community theater. Mrs. Poli is excited to be in beautiful Michigan with her husband, dog, and kitten. She absolutely loves reading, embracing her inner nerd, cooking, all things outdoors, and is a dog enthusiast.
MADISON MEERON
K-12 Theatre Instructor
Producer/Director of the MIPS School Play
meeron@miprepschool.org
Ms. Madison Meeron is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI with a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre and a minor in Communication. She has worked in the theatre industry as an actor, director, teaching artist, sound designer, and playwright. When Ms. Meeron is not teaching, she can be found pursuing her passion for performance as a professional actor in the Chicagoland area. She believes that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have as individuals so she can't wait to begin creating new stories to tell with her students!
Ms. Meeron discovered her love for the arts at the ripe age of 3 when she and her grandmother would act out The Wizard of Oz beginning to end! She was always Dorothy and her grandmother miraculously portrayed every other character. Since then she has been passionate about creating art. She seeks to bring joy to others the same way her grandma brought her joy through performance.
K-12 Theatre Instructor
Producer/Director of the MIPS School Play
meeron@miprepschool.org
Ms. Madison Meeron is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI with a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre and a minor in Communication. She has worked in the theatre industry as an actor, director, teaching artist, sound designer, and playwright. When Ms. Meeron is not teaching, she can be found pursuing her passion for performance as a professional actor in the Chicagoland area. She believes that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have as individuals so she can't wait to begin creating new stories to tell with her students!
Ms. Meeron discovered her love for the arts at the ripe age of 3 when she and her grandmother would act out The Wizard of Oz beginning to end! She was always Dorothy and her grandmother miraculously portrayed every other character. Since then she has been passionate about creating art. She seeks to bring joy to others the same way her grandma brought her joy through performance.
LEE DYAMENT
6-12 Guitar Instructor
dyament@miprepschool.org
Guitarist Lee Dyament established himself in the vibrant Detroit music scene as a studio guitarist for records, commercials, radio and television. His eclectic experience includes backing up international entertainers, touring with Motown revues, Rock ballrooms and dance clubs, jazz festivals, and solo guitar/orchestral concert appearances.
Mr. Dyament’s solo performances draw from the influences of pop, jazz, world, and classical music. Premiers include the Rosewood Suite by Terry Herald, with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, and Impromptu by film composer Joseph LoDuca (Xena Warrior Princess, Hercules) with the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Mr. Dyament’s recording of Leyenda by Isaac Albeniz was included in a compilation CD for the World Music textbook Music &Culture Appreciation for the 21st Century Human by Michael Naylor, PhD.
A versatile artist, Mr. Dyament is also an active arranger. His Pops for Classics series was one of the first books of arrangements of pop and jazz standards published for the classic guitar (“The arrangements are great!” Earl Klugh). He has presented workshops on a variety of Guitar instructional topics for universities, guitar festivals, and national organizations such as the Guitar Foundation of America and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Lee Dyament has been the primary Guitar adjudicator for the American Guild of Music’s Great Lakes Regional Guitar Competition.
As an educator, he approaches both classroom and private instruction with the goal of sharing his wealth of musical and guitar experience with students, imparting best performance practices, and teaching them how to learn and develop their individual talents. His students over the years have gone on to win Grammies and competitions, record hit songs, perform in concert venues, and become teachers themselves for colleges and universities. Mr. Dyament initiated the guitar programs at Macomb, Marygrove, Oakland, and Schoolcraft College, and the University of Detroit. He retired as Divisional Director of Guitar at Wayne State University.
6-12 Guitar Instructor
dyament@miprepschool.org
Guitarist Lee Dyament established himself in the vibrant Detroit music scene as a studio guitarist for records, commercials, radio and television. His eclectic experience includes backing up international entertainers, touring with Motown revues, Rock ballrooms and dance clubs, jazz festivals, and solo guitar/orchestral concert appearances.
Mr. Dyament’s solo performances draw from the influences of pop, jazz, world, and classical music. Premiers include the Rosewood Suite by Terry Herald, with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, and Impromptu by film composer Joseph LoDuca (Xena Warrior Princess, Hercules) with the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Mr. Dyament’s recording of Leyenda by Isaac Albeniz was included in a compilation CD for the World Music textbook Music &Culture Appreciation for the 21st Century Human by Michael Naylor, PhD.
A versatile artist, Mr. Dyament is also an active arranger. His Pops for Classics series was one of the first books of arrangements of pop and jazz standards published for the classic guitar (“The arrangements are great!” Earl Klugh). He has presented workshops on a variety of Guitar instructional topics for universities, guitar festivals, and national organizations such as the Guitar Foundation of America and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Lee Dyament has been the primary Guitar adjudicator for the American Guild of Music’s Great Lakes Regional Guitar Competition.
As an educator, he approaches both classroom and private instruction with the goal of sharing his wealth of musical and guitar experience with students, imparting best performance practices, and teaching them how to learn and develop their individual talents. His students over the years have gone on to win Grammies and competitions, record hit songs, perform in concert venues, and become teachers themselves for colleges and universities. Mr. Dyament initiated the guitar programs at Macomb, Marygrove, Oakland, and Schoolcraft College, and the University of Detroit. He retired as Divisional Director of Guitar at Wayne State University.
LAUREN ODDO
4/5 Asynchronous Music Instructor
6-12 Private Piano & Voice Instructor
oddo@miprepschool.org
Ms. Lauren Oddo is a music teacher with fifteen years of classroom teaching experience. Ms. Oddo obtained her BA in Music from Texas A&M University with a focus in composition and music ministry. She has taught in private, public, and virtual schools teaching elementary music. She has also provided private piano, guitar, and voice instruction for children through adults since 2002. Personally, she has performed as a background singer and guitarist in a few local recordings, and has regularly participated in music groups for church and worship settings. As a teacher, Ms. Oddo enjoys journeying alongside her students with encouragement and enthusiasm as they have “aha” moments, watching them grow in skill and confidence with their craft.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Oddo enjoys a good cup of coffee, heart to heart conversations with family and friends, and traveling to the mountains of North Carolina and Colorado to hike with her fiance Bruno. Growing up with a Mom who was a piano teacher by trade and sisters that love singing and harmonizing together, Ms. Oddo looks forward to continuing to pass on that love and knowledge of music to the next generation!
4/5 Asynchronous Music Instructor
6-12 Private Piano & Voice Instructor
oddo@miprepschool.org
Ms. Lauren Oddo is a music teacher with fifteen years of classroom teaching experience. Ms. Oddo obtained her BA in Music from Texas A&M University with a focus in composition and music ministry. She has taught in private, public, and virtual schools teaching elementary music. She has also provided private piano, guitar, and voice instruction for children through adults since 2002. Personally, she has performed as a background singer and guitarist in a few local recordings, and has regularly participated in music groups for church and worship settings. As a teacher, Ms. Oddo enjoys journeying alongside her students with encouragement and enthusiasm as they have “aha” moments, watching them grow in skill and confidence with their craft.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Oddo enjoys a good cup of coffee, heart to heart conversations with family and friends, and traveling to the mountains of North Carolina and Colorado to hike with her fiance Bruno. Growing up with a Mom who was a piano teacher by trade and sisters that love singing and harmonizing together, Ms. Oddo looks forward to continuing to pass on that love and knowledge of music to the next generation!
CASEY RAMTHUN
6-12 Art Instructor
ramthun@miprepschool.org
Mr. Casey Ramthun graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration and has worked professionally as a graphic designer and has also worked as a freelancing artist. He has previously taught Visual Arts with Grand Rapids Public Schools. Mr. Ramthun has always returned to drawing and writing as his favorite means of creative expression, with a focus on portrait drawing. In his free time, Mr. Ramthun can be found tinkering with some new hobby or creative outlet to broaden his artistic experience.
Mr. Ramthun has been fortunate enough to have been surrounded and encouraged by several outstanding artists within his family, all of whom have fostered in him a deep appreciation of the arts for as long as he can remember. It is this unwavering support structure that drove Mr. Ramthun to the classroom where he can provide his students, the burgeoning artists of the world, with that same encouragement during these pivotal years of their artistic journey. In his classroom, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to face new challenges, encouraged to be brave and take creative risks, and be provided a creative environment where all students feel welcome and recognized when they make that leap forward in their never-ending artistic growth.
6-12 Art Instructor
ramthun@miprepschool.org
Mr. Casey Ramthun graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration and has worked professionally as a graphic designer and has also worked as a freelancing artist. He has previously taught Visual Arts with Grand Rapids Public Schools. Mr. Ramthun has always returned to drawing and writing as his favorite means of creative expression, with a focus on portrait drawing. In his free time, Mr. Ramthun can be found tinkering with some new hobby or creative outlet to broaden his artistic experience.
Mr. Ramthun has been fortunate enough to have been surrounded and encouraged by several outstanding artists within his family, all of whom have fostered in him a deep appreciation of the arts for as long as he can remember. It is this unwavering support structure that drove Mr. Ramthun to the classroom where he can provide his students, the burgeoning artists of the world, with that same encouragement during these pivotal years of their artistic journey. In his classroom, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to face new challenges, encouraged to be brave and take creative risks, and be provided a creative environment where all students feel welcome and recognized when they make that leap forward in their never-ending artistic growth.