Meet our teachers

Cindy Flaherty

Founder

Choir and Drama.

I founded Jubilate Choir and The Obadiah Players Drama Group in 1987. Growing up in a musical family, playing violin and oboe in the Vallejo Youth Symphony, and performing in theater from a young age, the performing arts have always been an important part of who I am. I attended Simpson College as a performing-arts major and enjoyed learning the many facets of communicating through the arts. It has been my delight and blessing to teach hundreds of children over the last 36 years and they have enriched my life immeasurably. As a published author, I enjoy the beauty of the written word and the power of storytelling. I look forward to the adventures that lie ahead as we welcome new students each year into Jubilate Homeschool Academy.

Lydia Pond

Co-Owner

Choir and Drama.

I am a homeschooling mom of three, administrator and co-owner of Jubilate Academy, and one of the directors of Jubilate Choir and Drama. Having the perspective of growing up in Jubilate Choir and Obadiah Players, I know firsthand the importance of this creative journey for homeschool students. I have studied voice and advanced choral music and technique for many years. I also attended regional and all-state honor choir multiple times. Joining Jubilate Performing Arts is fulfilling a life-long dream of using my training and skills to give to other young people the wonderful experience that so enriched my childhood. As we expand our business to include more of the arts and academic enrichment classes, I am deeply invested in making Jubilate Homeschool Academy a place for children to grow in confidence and skills, pursue their interest and dreams, and connect with others as they make life-long friendships. I would like to give a special thanks to my husband for always supporting me in everything I do.

Mandy Keller

Joined Jubilate Homeschool Academy in 2023

~ English ~ Language Arts ~ Creative Writing ~

I have been a homeschool mom for eight years. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, particularly English, creative writing, and literature. I have taught a course on creative writing to homeschool students grades 3-8 this last year, as well as assisting in the choir and drama program at Jubilate Performing Arts for the last three years. I love working with children, getting to know them, and helping them learn to love learning!

Alicia DeRienzo

~ Dance ~

Alicia DeRienzo has been a lifelong dancer and choreographer. She participated in the dance program at California State University, Sacramento, and has since choreographed and performed in a number of musicals. Alicia loves teaching children all forms of dance and always strives to have a positive and encouraging learning environment. She is a homeschooling mom, and has two children performing in Jubilate.

Sharlee & Kaia King

Joined Jubilate Homeschool Academy in 2024

~ Musical Theater Dance ~

We are excited to be teaching the musical theater dance class this year. We have had previous experience taking this class, as well as performing in multiple amazing shows with Jubilate. Besides our experience performing we've also worked in a capacity as student directors and have taught dance at multiple times to people of various ages.

Lizzi Robertson

~ Choir ~

I am a homeschooling mom of three, and as a product of homeschool myself, I have to say there is no better life! I sang with Mrs. Flaherty way back; she taught me how to sing! Over the years I have sung in many Byzantine and Russian Orthodox church choirs in various parts of the country and have experience singing and chanting many ancient hymns and music. I am a US Navy veteran who grew up here in Placerville and ended up coming home to marry my high school sweetheart. My kids and I have been with Jubilate for the last five years, and I love helping kids learn new and challenging music.

Hannah Conlee

~ Band/Instrument Lessons ~

I graduated from Sac State in 2024 with my Bachelors Degree in Music Education with a focus on Wind Band. I've been heavily involved with music for the majority of my life, starting with piano lessons when I was four. In middle school I joined the band on flute and fell in love with it instantly. From then on I have learned many instruments and performed in a wide variety of groups. I have been teaching private lessons since 2019 on piano, flute, guitar, ukulele and many more. I also had two of my own band programs the last two years of my degree through the Mandarins Music Academy and it is my professional goal to spread the love of music through all facets.

*All Prices will be on easy registration form*

Aubree Mackey

~ Early Learners ~

I am thrilled to be able to teach the Early Learners and the Little Musical Me class! After graduating with my Bachelor's in Public Relations I have worked in the business sector, substitute taught at many of the schools in El Dorado county, worked as an Instructional Specialist at El Dorado High school, ran an in-home day care, and taught various homeschooling classes ranging from one-on-one tutoring in various subjects, to a children's choir of about 40 students. I am a wife, mother of four, and a Jubilate alumnus. Of all the things I've done as a professional, my favorite by far has been teaching, especially when I get to incorporate music. Making learning fun is my passion, and captivating little minds through the beauty of story and song is my joy

*All prices will be on registration form.

Mikaela Bagdanov

Mikaela Bagdanov
~ ASL ~

My start in homeschooling began with my mother teaching my siblings and I around our dining room table. Building off those experiences, I’ve spent over ten years working with students, grades preschool through college. Whether volunteering as a small group mentor or working as a classroom teacher, my passion is to build into students academically and personally, preparing them to thrive in life. I hold a degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation and have worked for over seven years as a professional interpreter and four years as a classroom, sign language, and special education aide in a public school. During that time, I also taught small groups and individuals in ASL. Recently, I have used my bachelor’s degree in English to teach language arts at the high school and college prep levels for homeschool and charter school students. In all my classes, I emphasize practicality, fun, and empathy, drawing from my varied experiences as a former student and current professional to teach real-world skills through a low-pressure and fun-oriented approach.

Sasha

Hola, yo me llamo Sasha. I am Chico Amigos!

I have been a public-school teacher for almost nine years. I have taught third, second and first grade. Seven out of those nine years have been in dual immersion, which means the majority of the subjects were in Spanish.

I also spent about seven years as a Camp Counselor and Camp Director at the YMCA in Sonoma County and the Boys and Girls Club in Marin County!

I am also a wife and mother of three kids, two girls and a boy.

I homeschool my oldest girl and I notice there was a lack of Spanish classes.,

I love being able to provide a learning and fun environment for kids of all ages and can’t wait to meet YOU!!

Kalina Silva

History

Working with children has been a meaningful part of my life for over five years, and I’ve also had the opportunity to serve as a college-level tutor. Over the years, I’ve developed a love for helping students grow, not just academically, but as thoughtful, capable individuals.

I believe in a holistic classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and engaging with ideas in ways that are meaningful to them. I believe history goes much deeper than names and dates- it opens the door to understanding things like psychology, politics, culture, and so much more!

My teaching style is conversational and student-centered - curiosity leads the way. I love when students bring their own perspectives and creativity into discussions, and I truly believe that learning is a shared experience (& often one where I learn just as much from my students as they do from me)!

I feel incredibly blessed by the opportunity to partner with families in fostering a genuine love of learning!