Meet Your Instructors

Andy Buck

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Cathy Beasley

Instructor since 2023
Filmmaking School

John Casson

Instructor since 1996
Onsite School Director

Dan Cava

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Michael Chasin

Instructor since 2019
Filmmaking School

Arroe Collins

Instructor since 2012
Broadcasting School

Valerie Menel

Instructor since 2013
Filmmaking School

Silke Rible

Instructor since 2024
Broadcasting School

George Washington III

Instructor since 2016
Broadcasting School

Rachel Withers

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Enrollment Process

1. Syllabus

Learn more about each program’s details, explore your in person options:

2. Catalog

Learn more about the school’s offering at this venue (onsite)

3. Tour

Explore the campus at Charlotte, North Carolina

4. Enroll

Get started with an onsite program. General enrollment ends in:

Days
Hours
Minutes

After submitting your enrollment request you’ll receive an email with further instructions.

© 2025 The Media Arts Center Programs are avocational: designed for recreational, self improvement, or continuing education of occupationally qualified individuals. Avocational programs do not fall under board of education oversight. 

Andy Buck

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Andy teaches Cameras + Lighting at the Media Arts Center. It is the 2nd part of the Filmmaking Program. Andy has worked as a videographer and video editor in the news and documentary business for over 18-years. His mastery of film production and post production make an in demand videographer. Recently, Andy covered the Democratic National Convention. 

Cathy Beasley

Instructor since 2023
Filmmaking School

Cathy teaches scriptwriting at the Media Arts Center. Cathy is a Charlotte-area actor and graduated from The Media Arts Center’s first film class. Her finished short film [class project] went on to win an award for Best Woman in Film. 

John Casson

Instructor since 1996
Onsite School Director

John brings experience as an Emmy award-winning Miami news reporter and producer; where he’s covered major events – including the 1996 World Series of the Florida Marlins, seven major hurricanes, and the 2000 presidential debacle in Palm Beach County, Florida. John started at The Media Arts Center as a student in 1995, after dropping out of high school. He moved up from teacher’s assistant, to part-time broadcast journalism instructor, then campus director in 2006. He was promoted to Director of Operations in 2009, and became the Owner and President in 2023. 

Dan Cava

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Dan teaches Video Editing at the Media Arts Center. It’s the final part of the Filmmaking and broadcasting programs. Dan is an experienced editor and has taught Filmmaking related courses since 2012. He recently covered the Debate in Atlanta for CNN between Presidential Candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. 

Michael Chasin

Instructor since 2019
Filmmaking School

Michael teaches the Screenwriting Course at the Media Arts Center It is the first part of the Filmmaking Program. In addition to being an award winning screenplay writer, Michael has helped students at The Media Arts Center’s Charlotte location win filmmaking awards through his instruction. He hosted the Best Screenplay Judge and was the Award Presenter at the 2024 Student Showcase of Films.

Arroe Collins

Instructor since 2012
Broadcasting School

Arroe teaches Audio Production at the Media Arts Center. It’s the 1st part of the Broadcasting Program. Arroe has been the voice of Charlotte radio for decades. He is also a seasoned podcaster and interviews many of his guests live, along with students, right in the classroom. Through Arroe’s podcasts, students have interviewed Geraldo Rivera, Al Roker, Joey Fatone, and others. He has taught at the Center since 2012.

Valerie Menel

Instructor since 2013
Filmmaking School

Valerie advises students on resumes and Demos at the Media Arts Center.  Valerie has been a SAG-AFTRA member since 1992 and has been featured on-camera talent for various films, commercials, corporate videos and live stream events. Her clients include Bank of America, Discover Card, Safeway, Dick’s Sporting Goods, American Medical Association, Avon Products, Jim Shore, Real Health Superfoods, Allegacy, Ilio, Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne, MTV, PBS, and others. Valerie has been teaching at The Media Arts Center since 2016.

Silke Rible

Instructor since 2024
Broadcasting School

Silke teaches Video Performance at the Media Arts Center. It’s the 3rd course Broadcasting program. Silke spent more than 20 years in the news business both producing, writing and anchoring newscasts (including here locally in Charlotte and for NBC News Channel). 

George Washington III

Instructor since 2016
Broadcasting School

George teaches the Audio Performance course at the Media Arts Center. It’s the 2nd part of the Broadcasting Program. George is a 2016 graduate of The Media Arts Center. He has since done voice acting for large companies, including McDonald’s, Nike, Gatorade, Time Warner Cable, Mountain Dew ICE, ROOT Sports Northwest, and Lowe’s Home Improvement. He is the app voice for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and is the voice of DC Universe Online’s Green Lantern, John Stewart. 

Rachel Withers

Instructor since 2024
Filmmaking School

Rachael teaches Casting + Directing at the Media Arts Center. It’s the third part of the Filmmaking Program. Rachel is an entertainer, stuntwoman, and producer. She has appeared on MTV’s Ridiculousness, TUBI’s #shockfight, Marvel’s Black Panther, and the Emmy-nominated VR experience by Meta, Goliath: Playing With Reality. Currently, she hosts HealthLine Media’s Inside Schizophrenia podcast, which has been repeatedly ranked as one of the top podcasts in the world about schizophrenia.

AI for Business School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration fee.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

Broadcasting School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

Creative Animation School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

Digital Social Media Marketing School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

E-Commerce School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

Filmmaking School Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

Empower & Thrive

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.

STEM for Media Enrollment

By clicking the button below, you’ll be sent to the payment screen to complete your $25 registration process.

After succesful registration, the next step is setting up your student profile. You’ll receive further instructions after payment via email.