Creative Arts Academy Leader Bios

Keynote Speakers

• Beth DeFazio

  Beth DeFazio teaches public speaking, teaching, and preaching here at OCC. She has been speaking at women’s and youth events for fifteen years and enjoys engaging with others in worship, study, and community. Beth, her husband Michael, and their two kids, Claire and Carson enjoy family movie nights, board games, camping trips, and Sonic Happy Hour.

  

• Seth Hart

  Seth Hart is the Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at Ozark Christian College and Lincoln Seminary. He has a PhD in Theology from Durham University. He and his wife Emily have one son named Shepherd.

  

Digital Art

• Seth Wolfshorndl

  In addition to teaching high school art for over 20 years, Seth Wolfshorndl also works as a freelance illustrator. His illustration work includes projects on children's books, artwork for his church, and even serving as Artist-In-Residence for Glacier National Park. He has also created and self-published several graphic novels and sponsored the Joplin High School Cartoonist Club for 17 years.

  

Photography

• Kallee Boone

  Hey friends! My name is Kallee (like California)! I am a stay at home mom and full time photographer! In my spare time I love crafting, hanging out with my husband and son, and going shopping! Can’t wait to meet you this summer!

  

• Emma Moody

  Emma Moody is a professional photographer based in Southwest Missouri, specializing in wedding, family, and engagement photography. As the owner of Modern Moods Imagery, an established LLC, Emma has been capturing timeless moments for five years and continues to bring creativity and passion to every session.

  

Podcasting

• Jeremiah Jones

  Jeremiah Jones is a Jesus follower, husband to a rockstar wife, dad of two awesome boys, and a proud owner of way too many board games (seriously, it's a problem). He’s a guitar-strumming, book-devouring, podcast-obsessing nerd with a passion for helping others unlock their creative potential. If you're looking for deep conversations, bad dad jokes, or a lengthy debate about the best Star Wars movie, Jeremiah is your guy.

  

Production

• Joshua Witte

  Joshua is the Production Director at College Heights Christian Church where he is blessed to work with his wife. He loves all things music and production and is passionate about providing excellent opportunities for people to come and worship, whatever that may look like. When he is not at the church, he loves playing music, watching movies, and playing with his dog, Hank.

  

Songwriting

• Kate Stoner

  Kate Stoner, a singer-songwriter from Fayetteville, AR, discovered her passion for songwriting at a young age, influenced by her parents' musicality. She's a published songwriter, actively involved in local and international songwriting communities, and encourages other writers through workshops, and song-share nights. With a forthcoming collection of songs slated for release, she continues to inspire through her music and collaborative spirit. Follow her journey on social media @thecraftystoner.

  

Studio Music Production

• Mark Proctor

  Mark teaches music in the OCC Worship and Creative Arts Department. He is a long time worship leader for churches in Maryland, Missouri and Indiana. He also writes, records and releases music online.

  

Videography

• Brian Mehrens

  Brian Mehrens has been part of CAA for over five years and loves to see the creativity the students bring each year. He has a 20 year background in film, VFX and multimedia; all of which currently teaches full time.

  

• Jared Scrowther

  Hey! I'm Jared, and I work full time at Hope City Church in Joplin, MO as the director of visual design, overseeing everything from graphic design to stage visuals to video production. I also am the founder of Blank Productions, an independent film production company based in Joplin, MO. Other than filmmaking and visual design, I enjoy creative writing.

  

Worship

• Ryan Dufoe

  I have been drumming for churches and other worship events for close to 20 years and have a passion for teaching, playing music, and the church. I'm a Worship Pastor at a local church, a husband, a dog dad, and an aspiring home barista and coffee roaster.

  

• Rachelle Hafer

  Rachelle is one of our music professors, here at Ozark Christian College. She teaches private vocals, and choir and is one of our Frontline Mentors. As a former Worship Pastor, she is excited to pour into the future of music ministry!

  

• Alyssa Marcus

  Alyssa serves as Worship Minister at Crossroads Christian Church (Baxter Springs, KS), the OCC Graduate Studies Admissions Specialist, and as a dorm parent of OCC’s Alumni Hall, but more important are her roles of wife to Chase and mom to two-year-old Callihan and to Baby Boy #2 due in August. Alyssa has led worship in various contexts for the past 15 years and is excited to join the CAA team for a second year!

  

• Emeri McGuire

  After graduating from Ozark Christian College with my Bachelor's of Music and Worship, I joined the worship staff at Sun Valley Community Church. Over the last 10 years or so I've been so grateful to lead worship in many different environments both at my church and with Christ In Youth. I'm excited to share some of what I've learned with you at CAA!

  

• Carryn Osborn

  Carryn graduated Ozark Christian College in 2018. She loves leading worship at her church in Joplin and loves sharing her passions with young people interested in music. Her favorite week of the year is Creative Arts Academy!

  

• Morgan Parkman

  I am a Worship minister full time and my primary instrument is guitar. I have four kids and I have been married for eleven years to my wonderful wife Katy. My favorite food is free. Free food.

  

• Dave Porter

  Dave Porter serves as the OCC Campus Minister. Before coming back to Ozark, he served as a worship pastor in the local church for 25 years. He has played guitar since he was 11 years old and is best known for his skill on the bass guitar.

  

• Gage Smith

  I’m Gage Smith and I serve as Young Adults Minister at Racine Christian Church. I love using art in order to glorify God and I have done so through worship music on Frontline and at church, through songwriting, and through storytelling. I’m also a former CAA student myself!

  

• Creighton Tamerius

  Creighton has spent the last ten years serving in various capacities of worship ministries from being in a touring worship band to being a full-time worship pastor. Currently, he works in the admissions and worship department at Ozark Christian College while also serving as the Worship Minister at Carterville Christian Church. If you have talked with him before you have most likely heard him say that Creative Arts Academy is one of his favorite things he has ever been part of!

  

• Chloe Wright

  I’m a wife and mama who just recently graduated from OCC. I’ve been a part of almost every single CAA since the very beginning and I’m so excited to be back as a teacher for another wonderful week!

  

Writing

• Jessica Scheuermann

  Jessica Scheuermann is a lifelong bookworm and word nerd, and she gets to live out those loves on a daily basis as a writing and literature professor here at Ozark. She also loves her husband and son, their fluffy white labradoodle Scout, dark chocolate, and coffee.