FACULTY
Salvatore Messina
DIRECTOR: Tap / Jazz
SALVATORE MESSINA - Mr. Messina and his wife, Barbara, are the founders of King David Dance Company, a non-profit touring evangelistic ministry established in 1985. They are also Artistic Directors of King David Christian Conservatory, the performing arts center which integrates exceptional training with a distinctly Christian worldview. Formerly on faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Sal frequently traveled as a master class instructor and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. Widely remembered for capturing the first national Male Dancer of the Year Award for Dance Masters of America in 1979, he was also a principal performer for the Miss America Scholarship Pageant and for Am-Dance in Concert, a tap and jazz company belonging to the Northeast Association of Regional Ballet Companies. Mr. Messina’s choreography has been seen across the state, including staged works for the Charlotte Philharmonic and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s event with Dan Rather. He is currently studying through Rhema Bible School for future ordination.
Barbara Messina
DIRECTOR: Pre-Ballet / Ballet / Pointe / Tap / Jazz / Contemporary
BARBARA MESSINA - Mrs. Messina received her fine arts degree as a summa cum laude graduate and full scholarship student, and is well noted for her versatility in the dance disciplines. She has performed with the Buffalo Regional Ballet Company and was a featured tap dancer in Maurice Hines' Performing Arts Showcase in New York City. Barbara was formerly on faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where her choreography was set on their resident dance company. Like Sal, she also traveled as a master class instructor and adjudicator for organizations nationwide. With professional experience spanning more than 40 years of teaching, performance, and choreography, Barbara partners with Sal in preparing, discipling, and mentoring others for a career in the arts. The couple’s students have gone on to dance in numerous venues, most notably with the New York City Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, the Young Americans, on cruise ships, at Disney World and Universal Studios. Married for 40 years, this husband and wife team take joy in their children and grandchildren.
Rebekah Abbuhl
INSTRUCTOR: Hip Hop
REBEKAH MITCHELL-ABBUHL - Rebekah is enthusiastic about all things related to the performing arts! In addition to dance, her love for acting, singing, and musical theatre was evidenced through her participation in KidzAblaze Ministries, a traveling evangelistic group that uses the arts to minister to youth. Throughout middle school and high school, Mrs. Abbuhl was committed to the KidzAblaze team and often taught dance and drama workshops. She was also a recurring character actress in a Christian television program called Tween You and Me for several years before beginning work at Image Christian Preschool. Rebekah is deeply motivated to inspire children to find creative expression through the arts and is equally passionate in helping them grow into close relationship with the Lord. She and husband Landon recently welcomed their first daughter, Dove.
Abbey Koenig
INSTRUCTOR: Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz
ABBEY KOENIG - Abbey spent her early years studying at King David Christian Conservatory and the Resurrection Dance Ministry in Charlotte, NC. Throughout high school she trained at many different summer intensives including Ballet 5:8, Ballet Magnificat!, and Burklyn Ballet Theater. Upon graduating high school Ms. Koenig moved to Illinois to continue study at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts. The following year she joined Arrows International Dance Company in Oklahoma where she trained in body, soul, and spirit to be a more effective minister of the gospel through dance. Abbey loves teaching and has a desire to help all of her students grow in their technical skill and in their ability to fully worship the Lord through the gift of dance He has given them. She has a passion to create meaningful and worshipful choreography that brings the audience, as well as the dancer, into a deeper place of worship and praise to the King.
Alyson Lewis
INSTRUCTOR: Voice
ALYSON LEWIS - Born and raised in North Carolina, Alyson was brought up in a very musical family. Always gathered around the piano and beginning to sing at a young age, many of her favorite memories are centered around music. Mrs. Lewis completed her education at Urshan College in St. Louis, Missouri. She was involved extensively in voice, piano, choir, chorale, as well as the small group 'United.' Alyson has travelled across the United States with multiple singing groups and has worked on four recorded projects. She is currently involved in her local church as a worship leader and band member. With a love for guiding others on the journey of developing their vocal abilities, she is a firm believer in singing with purpose and Godly confidence. Mrs. Lewis is passionate about creating an outlet for children and adults where the arts and ministry collide.
Noel Nixon
INSTRUCTOR: Piano
NOEL NIXON - Noel's formative years were immersed in the arts. Having begun formal lessons as a child, it wasn't long before she taught herself to play piano by ear, soon thereafter creating compositions of her own. In addition to being actively involved in musical theater, she has written and directed several shows, and currently teaches art to elementary through high school age students. Noel enjoys passing on her love of music and all things arts-related, and helping students discover their gift and passion for piano playing.