Staff Biographies
Elizabeth "Beth" Lenhart
Director of Arts Education
Originally from Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, she’s a classically trained soprano whose love for music was nurtured under the guidance of esteemed vocal coaches like Janice Wilson, Dr. Douglas Miller, and Kelly Lemus. Her artistic journey also extends into choreography and dance, with ballet, jazz, and tap holding a special place in her heart.
In the U.S., she took on leading roles in beloved musicals such as "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and "Pirates of Penzance." When she moved to the Dominican Republic, her talents flourished as both a performer and vocal coach in productions like "CATS," "Annie," and "Hansel & Gretel."
She holds undergraduate degrees from Penn State University and a Master’s in Education from Framingham State University. Over 32 years of teaching have seen her inspiring students as a choral conductor, Fine Arts Department Coordinator at Carol Morgan School, and as the founder of JAM Academy. She’s also been a driving force behind the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, winning two Southeast Emmy awards for her direction.
Her production portfolio is rich with classics like "The Wizard of Oz," "Beauty and the Beast JR," and "Hairspray." Through JAM CARES, she has produced heartfelt benefit musicals and concerts, and even guided students in creating a short film during the pandemic. Her passion for musical theatre is deeply rooted in her desire to help students discover what it means to be human through the art of performance.
Beyond the stage, her greatest joy comes from being a loving mother to her two daughters, Gabriella and Megan, who inspire her daily.
Janay Jefferson
Program Coordinator
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Janay has recently relocated to Atlanta and has quickly fallen in love with the city's vibrant energy. With a deep passion for the arts, Janay spent her childhood through early adulthood taking voice lessons, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for artistic expression. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in theatre from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from the University of South Florida, reflecting her strong commitment to education and professional growth. Janay is a firm believer in the transformative power of arts education and its impact on personal development. At home, she’s a devoted dog mom to her two beloved dogs, Bella and Kobe.
Jessica Guthrie
Development Coordinator
Jessica is a North Georgia native with a passion for the arts and fundraising! Jessica grew up in Calhoun, GA where she has been an active member of the arts community since elementary school. She was the President of the Belwood Elementary Chorus and a member of the Expressions School of Performing Arts Junior Performance Team. Jessica is an alto and was a member of the Gordon Central music and theatre departments where she participated in One Act plays, Spring Musicals, and Show Choir. During her time in Gordon Central Chorale, her love of travel was born. She participated in traveling to Ireland with the Gordon Central to perform across the country in various shows, churches, and even a wedding! She also traveled to sing during a weeklong celebration for the opening of the World War II monument in Washington DC. Her fondest memory of being involved in theatre is participating in a Broadway workshop where her and her classmates learned the number “Knights of the Round Table” from Spamalot!
After graduating high school, Jessica decided to indulge her passion for traveling and hit the road while completing a BA in History through Southern New Hampshire University. She has visited all 48 contiguous states and has lived in 8 of them! Her travels took her to Midland, Texas where she was the Assistant Director for the George W. Bush Childhood Home. There, she learned the art of grant writing and fundraising in addition to cultivating children’s educational programming. During her time at the Bush Home, she created and implemented many educational activities and programs, including the first ever West Texas Living History Camp that included character actors to bring history to life. Her travels then took her to Rockford, Illinois where she became a STEM Lab educator for the Discovery Center Museum, where she performed science experiments on stage, lead planetarium shows, and stayed overnight for SCOUT camp-ins. In addition to her work at the museum, Jessica became the first manager of the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition, where she managed $2.5 million in funds to help 14 sites across the state of Illinois that are dedicated to expanding employment and career opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged young adults. She was accepted into Johns Hopkins to pursue an MA in Museum Studies, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed her plans. She then found herself working as the Grant Manager for K9s For Warriors, a national nonprofit that pairs Veterans with Service Dogs in Ponte Vedra, Florida, where she managed a portfolio of over 200 donors. During her career, she has raised, managed, and reported for over $10 million in donor funds.
Jessica moved back to Georgia in 2023 after being diagnosed with a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects her collagen production. “I felt like the time was right to be back home with my family and friends. I have made an impact everywhere I have been, it’s time to make an impact at home.” Jessica is a huge fan of cosplay, Star Trek, and enjoys spending time with her two cats, Bowie and Pearl. She is currently completing her MA in Public Administration as she settles into life back here at home.
