DivaBee Academy

Meet Our Teachers

Owner/Founder

Jalyn Courtenay Webb

Not only is Jalyn known as a singer, actor and theatre mainstay in Northern Colorado, she has also been passionate and involved in arts education in Northern Colorado since 1990. As a college student, Jalyn began teaching classes at the Colorado Academy of the Arts in Fort Collins, where she also performed with the touring groups ENCORE and eLeMeNO-P. She was passionate about sharing her love of the arts, and begin teaching workshops and master classes in schools in Loveland, Greeley, Fort Collins and Windsor. She created a second location of CAA in Greeley while she was attending UNC, and by the end of her time there had 50 students all attending classes at the UCCC Rec center.

Awards

Henry Awards:

Best Actress – Always Patsy Cline 2017

Best Music Direction – Les Miserables, Motones vs. Jerseys

Best Supporting Actress – South Pacific

Best New Musical –Take to the Highway (Producer)

True West Award (Audience Favorite): Best Supporting Actress, Les Miserables

Di Smice Award – Favorite Faculty Member 2018, UNC Department of Theatre and Dance

Learn More

Over the years, Jalyn has stayed connected with kids in the arts, and has spent time teaching and creating classes for arts professionals, directing and music directing High School shows across the Front Range, and in 2015 she left her full time corporate life to begin a lifelong journey of owning her own performing arts academy right here in Fort Collins.
The Academy by Divabee is a place where kids of all ages can learn about performance, music, dance, acting, and most importantly- kindness. We seek to create a space of positivity, inclusivity and friendship.

Jalyn has her B.A from the University of Northern Colorado, and postgraduate studies in Music Education. She was a teacher at Traut Core Knowledge ( formerly Washington Core ) and created lesson plans that were selected to be presented at the National Core Knowledge Convention. She currently is on the faculty at UNC and teaches in the Music Theatre Department.

Jill Van Orden

Director of Elementary Programs

Jill Van Orden is affectionately known as Miss Jill to children and teen performers throughout the greater Fort Collins’ area. As a free-lance choreographer for local high schools and other local performing arts organizations, Jill choreographed over 20 full-length musical productions between 2000-2012. In 2012, she founded her non-profit organization Arts Reach Center, Inc. offering year-round performing arts opportunities both in her studio and through outreach programs to local public schools. Through Arts Reach Center (now Foundation), Miss Jill produced and directed over 40 productions at local performance venues and many local schools. Miss Jill is best known for the inclusive, thoughtful, and supportive environment she creates with each and every cast while teaching performance skills, developing self-confidence, and life-skills to each and every student. She is excited to join forces with Ms. Jalyn Courtney Webb of Divabee Academy to continue providing quality performing arts education for the Fort Collins greater community.

Lincoln

Resident Music Director

Lincoln Brandt is a student studying Music Education at CSU with a focus on singing. He grew up participating in shows and musicals with the Academy and Arts Reach Center. He began teaching students with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2020, and has been teaching and directing music at Divabee ever since.

Lincoln is at home in front of students, taking every opportunity to help students learn all there is to know and love about music, whether it’s an interesting chord sequence, a quick lesson in music history, or finding new connections within a song or a whole musical. He works to create a team mentality in casts he works with, and wants every student to have fun learning music with each other. He’s looking forward to our shows this Spring & Summer!

Lincoln also offers private instruction in piano, voice, guitar, AND music theory!
Rates:
$30 per half hour
$50 per hour

Email Lincoln to Book!

Amanda

Director of Middle & High School Programs

Amanda has a BFA in Musical Theater and is so honored to be an instructor at Divabee! She grew up right here in Fort Collins, taking dance and theatre classes at the original Colorado Academy of the Arts. She has performed professionally in Utah, Colorado, Montana, and New York City. The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing a new skill “click” into place – whether it’s a new dance move, mix/belt placement, confidence & stage presence, or leadership skills throughout the rehearsal process.

Amanda has a two year old son who keeps her very busy when she’s not teaching classes, and who sometimes makes a guest appearance as her (very helpful) teaching assistant. Amanda also works as a portrait photographer with her small business, The Tiny Studio.

Thank you for trusting us with your awesome kids! I love seeing them grow into wonderful performers and human beings.

Check Out Amanda's Photography Website

Nic Middle & High School Director
Resident Dance Instructor

Nic Rhodes (they/them) has been performing since they were three years old and plans to never stop. They grew up as a student of the Academy, when it was using the Midtown Arts Center space, and has now evolved into directing and teaching roles. Since graduating with a BFA in Music Theatre from Colorado Mesa University, they’ve proudly worked on Cats, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and The Secret Garden, and are so stoked to spend more and more time directing, choreographing, and learning with Divabee. When not spending their free time dancing with Divabee, they reside at the Candlelight as box office extraordinaire and a theatre teacher at Compass Charter School.

Mandy

Broadway Boot Camp Director

Mandy is a Fort Collins native and took classes at the original Colorado Academy of the Arts too many years ago to mention. Shes excited to join the Divabee team!

Her teaching journey seemingly began at just 14 months old when her sister was born, as her mom fondly recalls. She has been working with children of all ages professionally for 25 years. She often says that she is the teacher she is because of her time at the Academy. It’s an honor to get to know and work with your kids. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Mallory
Elementary & Middle School Director

Mallory Wilson is a music/choir teacher and amateur performer. She was a Poudre School District music/ theater teacher for 16 years (11 elementary music, 5 middle school choir). She sings with Laudamus Chamber Choir and has played ensemble roles in Fort Collins Children’s Theatre’s productions of “Cinderella” and “Peter Pan,” and Mrs. Mayor in “Seussical.” Although performing is fun and what started her on the music education path, Mrs. Mallory’s true passion is directing. She directed 15 musicals and 4 full-length plays as a public school teacher (along with hundreds of concerts and performances), and served as a musical director with Miss Jill at both Arts Reach Center and DivaBee academy. Mallory says and believes, “kids are capable of a lot. Just because a child is in elementary or middle school doesn’t mean things have to be ‘cute’ or ‘dumbed down.’ If given the proper tools and guidance then treated like professionals with high standards, the kids will create an extraordinary production.” When not at work, enjoys reading, playing board games, eating a lot, scuba diving, snow and water skiing, and watching TV.

Along with this unparalleled musical theatre training, we offer the chance to “be seen” by other professionals in the business (agents, casting directors, choreographers, composers, directors, producers) .We offer multiple productions each year!

FAQ

Frequently Asked

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

-All State and County mandates will be followed.

-Social-distancing as necessary

-Strict Adherence to staying home if you do not feel well at all - this is SUPER important!

-Regular cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day

What should students bring to class?

-writing utensil

-Water bottle

-Appropriate shoes - dance shoes or clean close-toed shoes you can move in. We have a dance floor that REQUIRES new, soft-soled shoes. Outdoor shoes cannot be worn!

-Any materials that your teacher may give you (always a good idea to have a binder or folder for papers)

-a good attitude!

How do I register for camps and classes?

If you are a new student, please create an account here.

Specific registration information can be found on the 'Our Classes' page or at the top of this page.

Cancellation Policy

Please contact admin@divabeeproductions.com if you need to cancel your registration.

10-week or semester classes and Spring productions can be cancelled for account credit for future classes and camps.

Summer camp productions have specific dates for cancelling for a refund with deposit or account credit. Please visit the registration directions for details.