team

Craig and Leane Cahoon are the owners of Right Track Academy. They founded RTA based on their love of the arts, and the need for art based programs for children in our community. Leane has 2 degrees in the Arts and Education from ECU. They both give back to their community through various programs.

Mary Ann Braswell, our Director of Marketing & Administration, has been affiliated with us for several years as a parent of two who love RTA. Mary Ann brings a wealth of experience to our front office as she has been in office administration for over 12 years, but has spent the last 2 years in marketing. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Mount Olive College. Her greatest joy is spending time as a wife and mom.

Mary Beth Grossman is Raleigh Branch Coordinator. Mary Beth is an Elon University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, she became spoiled by the warm Carolina sunshine and decided to stay! Mary Beth is thrilled to be a part of the RTA team and enjoys watching the children during rehearsals and the final performance. She loves how they seem to “come alive” on stage. Mary Beth enjoys anything outdoors and especially has a strong passion for travel, having been to over 10 countries. One of her favorite memories is exploring the rainforest and climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia!

Ashley Stout, our Brand Coordinator and Lead Theater Teacher at the Cary location, comes to us from WV. She obtained a Bachelors degree of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies while attending West Virginia University. She has a wide range of experience with children including teaching spanish and volunteering for summer reading programs. Ashley is a burst of energy each and every day. She is "repeatedly amazed by the campers and the creative ideas they are able to come up with." Nothing makes her more happy than seeing the children come alive as they express themselves through art. She has a true passion for the arts and believes they "expand creative thinking." When Ashley is not inspiring campers to express themselves through art, she enjoys travel. One of her favorite memories is "walking on the bottom of the ocean floor and feeding the fish."

Megan Madsen is our Lead Theater Teacher at the Raleigh Location. Megan has been working in camps and schools for over 15 years and is so excited to be a part of the RTA team! With an Elementary Education background, Megan has always found joy in watching the faces of her students “light up” with imagination and inspiration. Megan enjoys spending time with family and friends, making jewelry, cooking, exercising, singing, and all things involving the beach.

Candis Taylor is a University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Studies. She has been performing and dancing for over 15 years and, and has been teaching in studios, camps and public schools for five years. Candis is currently teaching dance along with teaching at RTA. She is a firm believer in arts education, and encouraging creativity among children. Of all the things she has done in her life she find that working with children is the most rewarding.  One of Candis’s favorite memories was winning a dance contest at the age of 6 for doing the running man!

Erin Thompson is our Lead Art Teacher at the Raleigh Location. Erin comes to us from Youngstown, Ohio, where she graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. She is very passionate about art and feels very fortunate to be able to share it with others. For years, Erin has taught art to a diversity of children and adults. She believes her students educate her just as much as she educates them; saying “it only gets better as time goes on”. Erin believes that all forms of art are necessary for the growth and expression of a child’s mind and spirit. She finds absolute joy in working with wonderful children every day. Besides teaching art at RTA, Erin is an artist herself. Erin loves live music, the outdoors, and is a sucker for anything four-legged and furry!

Anthony Braswell is our Director of Technology or as we like to say, "Director of All Things that Plug In". When he is not at RTA, he serves as the Lead Pastor of Northpark Church. He has an Elementary Education degree from ECU and is committed to building the families of our city. His greatest weakness is the "hot donut now" sign at Krispey Kreme.