Orchestra
Dance
Nicole Hunkapillar began her dance training at Community Ballet School, in Huntsville, AL, at the age of twelve. During her high school years, Nicole competed in various regional dance competitions and won numerous awards. Upon graduating from high school, she received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Southern Mississippi from which she earned a Fine Arts degree in Dance. The director of the Huntsville City Schools’ Dance Magnet since 1993, Nicole also served as an instructor for Huntsville Ballet School from 1995 until 2011. She returns as an instructor for Huntsville Ballet in the fall of 2015. She was an instructor for the Universal Dance Association from 1993-1995 and has also served on the teaching staffs of River City Performing Arts in Decatur, AL, and The Dance Company in Madison, AL. A former member of Huntsville Ballet Company, Nicole has performed in numerous company productions. Among the roles she has danced are the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Diva in Shindig, and Black Magic Woman in Colors in Motion. She received Wings Award nominations for each of these performances. For her performance as the Lilac Fairy in the 2000 production of Sleeping Beauty, Nicole was honored with a Wings Award. Her performance as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the 2002 production of The Nutcracker also earned her a Wings Award. Additionally, Nicole has worked as choreographer for the Community Chorus productions of The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and The King and I. She received Wings Award nominations for these works. In 2005, Nicole’s jazz piece “Closure” was among the finalists in the Panoply Choreography Competition. Nicole is also very proud to be the choreographer for the Lee High School Performing Arts Musicals.
Media Arts
Dillon Lee is a graduate of the University of Alabama Huntsville with a degree in Secondary Education. After graduating, Mr. Lee spent time teaching history, government, and language arts before spending five years as Theatre Director at Cullman High School. He has also worked teaching AP history in Huntsville City and one year as a theatre director in Jefferson County at Pinson Valley High School. Mr. Lee has a long history of involvement in independent film, theatre, and production. He has consulted with independent filmmakers in North Alabama, Montgomery, Atlanta, and New Orleans. He also has experience organizing community events, concerts, and charity galas in the Cullman and Birmingham communities. In 2012, Mr. Lee served as director, producer, and screenwriter on the first feature length film produced by an Alabama high school theatre department. The film, Joan: Maiden, Martyr, Warrior, Witch, went on to win Best Student Film at the 2013 River City Film Festival. Also, in 2013, Mr. Lee began a collaborative TV broadcast program at Cullman High School. This collaboration led to state level awards in multimedia production and from ALFA Insurance for commercial production. Mr. Lee now employs these unique skills to the Media Arts program at Lee High School, creating a one-of-kind collaboration between broadcasting, digital content, cinematography, and all the performing arts.
Photography
Dave Willmarth has a Master's in Arts Education from the University of Montevallo and a Bachelor of Science in Art with a concentration in painting, photography, and an arts history minor. he has worked professionally as an independent artist in Birmingham, Alabama for many years. Dave's work has been collected by a number of private individuals and corporations. His work has also been included in exhibitions throughout the state and a two man exhibition in France with the artist Nall, who he apprenticed for in the summers of 1999 and 2000
Technical Theatre
Creative Writing
Michelle Sisson, the creative writing magnet teacher, has been teaching at Lee High School since 2006, and has been the creative writing magnet teacher and English department chair since 2010. She graduated from Athens State University in 2006 with a BA in Language Arts Education. She absolutely loves her students and looks forward to meeting more and more students as the years pass.
Visual Arts
Jessica Johnson began her teaching career December of 2011 at Huntsville High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Studio Art from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2009. In 2010 Jessica continued her education by earning a Master’s in Art Education from UAB. When she is not teaching, Jessica enjoys painting in her studio space at Lowe Mill. Fun fact: Jessica plays roller derby for Huntsville's flat track roller derby team, The Rocket City Roller Derby League. "I love art and anything that allows me to create something from nothing."
Vocal and Choral
Ashley Daniel is native of Tuskegee, Alabama. Ashley is an avid traveler. One of her favorite places is Colorado Springs., having lived there for 4 years. The most important part of her is her faith in Christ. She is a member of Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church and enjoys singing in the church choir. Ashley also works with youth outside of school. "I just simply like to volunteer and minister to young people. I love watching movies and attending theater productions." Ashley also enjoys peace and quiet at her home too at times. Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Voice from Alabama A&M University.