Theresa VanWetten is the 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 32 years and they have 9 children and 4 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.