Our Team
Mary Beth Beasley, Owner
Mary Beth Beasley, a native of Havelock, NC, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a major in ballet. During her time there, she had the opportunity to study at several renowned professional schools, including Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Met, and the National Ballet of Hungary in Budapest. After graduation, she joined Southern Ballet Theatre in Orlando, Florida. Throughout her professional career, she danced with Ballet Theatre International, The Florida Ballet, Sierra Nevada Ballet, and the Sarasota Opera, starting as a soloist dancer and working her way up to principal status. While performing with these companies, she taught ballet and modern dance in professional company schools, as well as outreach community teaching programs for at-risk students and Arts in Education programs in public school systems. Upon her return to Eastern NC, she established The Center of Performing Arts to offer a comprehensive arts education based on her professional and past experiences. The school provides a wide range of performing arts lessons and opportunities in dance, drama, and musical disciplines for students of all levels, from beginners to those aspiring to pursue a career in the arts. The staff at The Center is selected for their expertise in their art form, love of teaching, and commitment to excellence. The programs are continually evolving to provide students with not only quality training, but also to nurture creativity, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Joseph Banks - Percussion
Myriah Harkley
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Myriah Harkley is from Havelock, NC. She has a Music degree in Vocal Performance from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). While attending ECSU, she joined the University Concert Choir and University Players. Myriah had the opportunity to serve as a Vocalist, School Ambassador, Librarian, Secretary and President of the ECSU Concert Choir and obtained lead roles with the University Players.
Myriah has traveled and participated in summer programs such as 105 Voices of History and Torggler Summer Vocal Institute (TSVI). While attending TSVI, Myriah had the opportunity to work with various artists such as Recording Artist Bobby McFerrin, Metropolitan Opera Tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and Tony Award Winner Kelli O’Hara. She also studied opera under The Franco American Vocal Academy (FAVA) in Perigueux, France directed by Former Metropolitan Opera Tenor Singer William Lewis. Myriah now has taken the lead role of Music Teacher under The Craven County School System.
Joseph teaches percussion.
Bethany Strange
Bethany was born in Havelock, NC. Her love of dance began at age 5, with her first dance class at the MCAS Cherry Point Community Center. Four years later she started dancing competitively, competing in solo, duo, trio, small group, and dance team categories. During her competitive dance career, she won numerous awards including, 1st Overall, Marvonna’s MVP, and StarQuest’s Fabulous Focus. In 2012 she enrolled as a student at The Center of Performing Arts. Under the instruction of Ms. Beth Beasley, she performed in many productions. Some of her roles include the Wolf in Peter and The Wolf, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Sugarplum in The Nutcracker, and Ballerina in Petrushka. Throughout her 16 years of dance, Bethany has studied many dance styles including hip hop, tap, jazz, African, liturgical, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. She earned her Associate in Arts degree with High Honors from Craven Community College and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at East Carolina University. She feels privileged to share her love of dance with her students.
Joseph is currently the percussion coordinator and arranger for the award-winning Croatan High School Band, and the Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble. Joseph is an accomplished arranger, composer, choreographer and percussion program consultant. He is also a Pro-Mark Educator/Artist. He is a 2001 graduate of Morehead State University. While attending MSU, he had the opportunity to study all areas of percussion with Frank Oddis, Todd Wright, Greg Strouse and Brian Mason. Mr. Banks was a member of the nationally recognized marching percussion ensemble, concert band, symphonic band, and concert percussion ensembles. He was also a member of the 1995 PASIC Championship drum line. During his time at MSU, he served as a member of the program design team for the 1997 and 1998 marching percussion seasons. In addition to his collegiate music experiences, Joseph is no stranger to drum and bugle corps. He was a member of the Raiders bass drum line in 1994 and was a member of the Boston Crusaders snare drum line from 1996 to 1999. As an arranger, composer, choreographer, and instructor; Mr. Banks has worked with numerous high school and WGI percussion groups throughout CT, KY, OH, PA, NJ and NC. His work has garnered many awards throughout the years.His current work with the Croatan High School Marching Cougars has been extremely successful. The CHS band was a Bands of America regional champion in Class 2A. In addition, he formed the first indoor marching percussion program at the school. The indoor ensemble placed 2nd, receiving the silver medal in 2011 and received the bronze medal in 2013 at the Atlantic Indoor Association Championships, which has created much excitement throughout the community.