Current Staff Members:
Theresa VanWetten
Artistic Director
Theresa VanWetten is the Executive Artistic Director for CYT Portland. Her passion for the arts began with her first Portland Park and Rec ballet class at the age of 5. She received her dance training through grade school and high school at Eckel's School of Dance in Sherwood and Anita Pienovi's School of Dance in Beaverton. At the University of Oregon Theresa was privileged to study dance under Susan Zadoff and Janet Descutner. She was a Thespian of troop #2833 at Tigard High School and continued acting in college and community theater. She coached and choreographed for various Oregon High Schools including, Tigard, Tualatin, and Clackamas, which gave her a wide range of experience working with students. She was a Blazer Dancer for 3 years and coached and choreographed the Portland Forrest Dragon Cheerleaders for 3 more years. At June Taylor School of Dance Theresa taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced dance for 6 years. She has been married to her best friend Ray for 41 years and they have 9 children and 12 grandchildren. As a follower of Jesus Christ, her greatest desire now is to help promote the arts in a safe, loving, and professional environment so students can develop their own passion for creativity and find their worth from God's perspective at the same time.
Alison Geist
CYT Portland Accountant
Alison has been married to her husband, Aaron, for 21 years and is a mom of four boys. She has spent the past 23 years working in tax and accounting, and loves bringing order and clarity to the numbers behind the scenes. Alison has been part of the CYT community since 2021. She and her husband enjoy being part of an organization that helps kids grow in confidence, creativity, and character.
Jen Straite
CYT Portland Class Coordinator
Jen is a former high school teacher and current full time mom. She became involved with CYT through her daughter’s love for theater in 2017. Jen is excited to work with class planning and organization for CYT, using her teaching experience to aid such an amazing organization.