Who We Are

Trinda Crow, Executive Director
2010 will be Trinda Crow's 42nd year at Camellot Academy and her fifth as executive director. Trinda has performed in productions at Starlight Theatre, Shawnee Mission Park and The Barn Players, as well as on the Camellot stage as a camper. She received a bachelor's degree in communication studies/early childhood from UMKC. Trinda spent 22 years teaching and administering preschool in Kansas City and is currently The Art Department Chair for the high schools in the Wyandotte, OK School District. Trinda is also the mother of two Camellot graduates.

Marsha Oyer, Associate Director
Marsha Oyer brings her 17 years of Camellot experience to the position of associate director and afternoon camp director. Marsha received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education from KU and an administrative certificate from Baker University. She has been in education for more than 30 years. Marsha has performed at Starlight Theatre, The Lyric Opera, Shawnee Mission Park, Bell Road Barn Players, Wyandotte Players and The Renaissance Festival. She has also been the vocal director/accompanist for Shawnee Mission Park.

Kate Leibsle, President, Camellot Board of Directors
Kate Leibsle has been involved with Camellot Academy since she was a camper many moons ago. Throught the years, Kate has been on stage at Camellot and behind the scenes, as an assistant art teacher in the Junior Division, office assistant and a member of the board of directors for the last 13 years. Kate has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Creighton University and a master's degree in journalism from KU. Kate is a freelance journalist, public relations and event planning professional. She and her husband, Fred, live in Shawnee with their dogs, Bo and Jolie.

Larry Beekman, Guitar

Larry Beekman has been teaching guitar at at Camellot Academy since 1999. In addition, he has taught guitar  at various colleges and music studios in the Kansas City area since 1975. He has a degree in Music Theory from the MU. Hal Leonard Publishing Co. has published four books of his arrangements for finger-style guitar, including the popular Beatles for Classical Guitar. In addition, he has self published a two volume guitar method, How to Play the Acoustic Guitar, as well as Folksongs for Classical Guitar and An International Christmas. In addition to teaching, Larry performs regularly both as a soloist, and with his wife, Kathy Riegelman, in the flute and guitar duo "Evensong." For information about private lessons, please go to www.larrybeekman.com.

Dan O'Connell, Drama

Dan O'Connell has a degree in elementary and secondary education as well as a master's degree in theatre.  He currently teaches history and civics to Pembroke Hill 6th and 7th graders, and recently directed You Can't Take It With You  for The Barn Players. He also has taught theatre at Sumner Academy and directed musicals for Baldwin City Theatre for several years.  He is married and has a 10-year-old daughter (a proud Camellot camper) and a three-year- old son.  This will be Dan's third year at Camellot.

Emily Nelson, Jr. Music

Emily Nelson teaches music to grades kindergarten through 5th at William Allen White Elementary School in Kansas CIty, Kan. Emily is interested in exposing children to all aspects of music and performance and preparing them for future musical endeavors. Emily has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a minor in Spanish from Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Mich. and has taken graduate classes in English as a Second Language from Kansas State University. In 2007, Emily performed at the Asolo Song Festival & Institute of Song Interpretation in Italy. She is fluent in Spanish.

Anastacia Drake, Art

Anastacia is a self-taught professional artist, born and raised in Kansas. She began art at a very young age; using art as a source of informal therapy to get through a difficult childhood. She has worked in many mediums, but prefers acrylic and oil paints.

Anastacia’s paintings convey a strength of energy and generally evoke emotion.  Her generous use of vibrant colors and texture creates a sense of connection with the subject that makes it come alive and linger long after the visual experience. 

Anastacia has sold and exhibited internationally. She has won artist residencies throughout Europe and Australia. 

Anastacia now lives in Kansas City, MO with her one year old son who is a constant muse. She owns Stroke of Red Studio and  teaches throughout the KC Metro Area. You can view Anastacia’s work at her website: www.Strokeofredstudio.com

Susan Meier

Susan Meier has been in education for more than 30 years. This will be her third summer as office manager at Camellot.

John Bickers

John Bickers, office assistant, will be returning to Camellot for his sixth year at camp with three years as a student and three as faculty. He has been involved with the performing arts for many years, starting out at Theatre of the Imagination and moving to Camellot and doing many shows at Bishop Miege High School. John graduated from Bishop Miege this May and will be attending Miami University of Ohio this fall.