Admin Staff

Shannon Olsen

Executive Director

shannon@holmescenterforthearts.org

Shannon Olsen has been heavily involved in the arts world her entire life. She founded the Take a Bow dance studio in Lawrenceville, Georgia in 2003 and has taught all levels and styles of dance for over 30 years including 10 years at Holmes Center for the Arts. Mrs. Olsen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Milligan College and a Master’s Degree in Literacy from American College of Education. She has worked as a teacher for over 21 years.and has been a pastor’s wife, serving congregations and communities for 28 years. She and her husband and 4 children have lived in Holmes County for 11 years.

Cathie Lynch

Outreach Director + Art Instructor

cathie@holmescenterforthearts.org

Cathie Lynch holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Cleveland State University. She taught K-12 art for 31 years, 30 of those years in Holmes County. Since her retirement from the public schools in 2015, Catherine has been teaching classes in portrait drawing and acrylic painting for HCA as well as some classes and camps for children and teens. Catherine also is a grant writer for the arts center and has taken on the role as Outreach Director. She is excited to make the arts accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to participate. Catherine lives at Lake Buckhorn with her husband, Kevin where she enjoys walking and finding time to draw and paint, her lifelong passions. She and Kevin have two grown sons.

Abi Besse

Dance Director
Abi@holmescenterforthearts.org

Abi Besse began dancing at the age of four with Linda Adolphi and Paul Wilson at Cleveland City Dance. She has trained under Courtney Laves-Mearini, Mark Otloski, Andrea Blankstein-Otloski, and Shannon Sterne. Abi went on to graduate from the professional trainee program of Light of the World Ballet in Syracuse New York in 2012. Over the last six years, she has enjoyed teaching, choreographing, and performing. She has performed multiple soloist and supporting roles as a guest artist for Holmes Center for the Arts and City Ballet of Cleveland including Sleeping Beauty, Paquita and the annual Nutcracker Ballet. She loves working with students of all ages and levels and finds the greatest joy in watching them grow and achieve their goals.

Lydia Johnson

Marketing Director
marketing@holmescenterforthearts.org

Lydia Johnson has a deep appreciation for all genres of art. Not only has she trained extensively in dance, but also has taught art classes and enjoys dabbling in music and theater. She loves people and has been an aide for the special needs program at Hiland High School and a Nurses Aide at Walnut Hills. Lydia is excited to bring her passions together to this marketing position to help bring more people to all the classes and events at HCA.

HCA Board of Trustees

Board President, Cheryl Shaver

Vice President, Angela O'Shea

Secretary, Olivia Biltz

Treasurer, Mike Palmer

Mark Miller

Troy Miller

Kim Mullet

Holley Johnson