Arts

List of 10 members.

• 

  Andrew Balettie 

  Director of Bands, Fine Arts Department Chair

  214-324-3607 ext.4119

  Bio

  Andrew Balettie came to Bishop Lynch in 2017 and serves as the Director of Bands. Prior to joining the faculty at Bishop Lynch, Andrew served as the Associate Director of Bands at Frisco High School in Frisco, TX. Ensembles under Andrew’s direction have consistently earned “Sweepstakes” awards and superior ratings at festivals, and gained national recognition through the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors program. They have achieved the highest levels of marching success and have been named Grand Champion twice at the Little Elm Classic on the Lake Marching Festival.
  
  

  Andrew graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. At UNT, he performed with the UNT Concert Band, the UNT Symphonic Band, the Green Brigade Marching Band, the Phi Tau Chorale, Phi Tau Winds, the UNT Secondary Band and the L.A.M.E. Saxophone Quartet. Andrew is an active performer and adjudicator in the state of Texas, playing in the Dallas Christian Jazz Band and judging on the USBands circuit.  
  
  

  Andrew and his wife Liz are the parents of Cole and Madi, and two dogs, Lucy and Mia.
• 

  John Athas 

  Theatre Instructor

  (214) 324-3607 x4283

  Bio

  John Athas has been teaching at Bishop Lynch since 1994, directing over 40 plays plus several student-written and performed films. He holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Southern Methodist University and a M.A. in Humanities from The University of Dallas. He is Credentialed in teaching Theatre and English from California State University, Northridge. John has been teaching and directing for over 35 years. 

   

  Before coming to Bishop Lynch, he taught five years in Los Angeles School District and three years at Santa Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica, California where he was Drama Director and Senior Teacher of World Literature. John has been acting for even more years than he has been teaching with a recurring role in the television series Dallas, several regional and national commercials, industrials, and roles in plays at such theaters as The Dallas Theater Center, Undermain Theater and Theater Three. He has two critical essays published by The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture: The Trickster Figure in Comedy: Christy Mahon: Emerging Poneros, and The Son Figure in Tragedy: The Bridegroom in Lorca’s Blood Wedding.  

   

  He counts among his accomplishments many BL Blackfriars graduates who are currently studying theater and film, and many others who are teaching and working professionally on stages, sound stages and studios in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles and New York.  John and his wife Rosemarie have eight children, ranging in age from 27 to 10 years old. John enjoys nature and the outdoors when not working in the Black Box, and his activities include hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and spending as much time as possible with his family. Carmel-by-the-Sea and Port Bolivar are favorite family vacation destinations.
• 

  Frank Brown 

  Visual Art

  (214) 324-3607 x4309
• 

  Allison Elliott 

  Dance Instructor, Head Coach of the BL Brigade

  (214) 324-3607 x4314
• 

  Robert Clark 

  Technical Theatre Director

  (214) 324-3607 x4182

  Bio

  Robert Clark joined Bishop Lynch in 2017 as BL’s first full-time Technical Theatre Director. A Dallas native, Robert graduated from Horn High School before earning his B.A. in Theatre Design and Technology with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Texas. While at UNT, Robert was a part of several organizations including: The Denton Wesley Foundation, Denton Kiwanis Club and Habitat for Humanity. Prior to coming to Bishop Lynch, Robert Robert worked in Dallas doing freelance carpentry, tech theatre and design for local companies and schools. This past fall, Robert made his directorial debut at BL with the production of THE VISIONS OF SIMONE MACHARD and he also served as set designer and lighting designer for the show. In his spare time, Robert enjoys reading, painting, two-stepping, cooking, DIY projects and hanging out with his two dogs.
• 

  Corey Johnson 

  Visual Art

  (214) 324-3607 x4356
• 

  Gloria Kenyon 

  Photo & Visual Art

  (214) 324-3607 x4154
• 

  Kathy Leos 

  Director of Choirs

  (214) 324-3607 x4296

  Bio

  Kathleen Leos has served as a Catholic music educator since 1980, and has been the choral director at Bishop Lynch High School since 1983. She received her B.A. in Music Education from Ursuline College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980. During her tenure at Bishop Lynch, the choir has grown from a single chamber group of 8 singers to a program that includes 5 ensembles, including a Treble I Choir, Mixed Concert Choir, Women’s Select Choir, Tenor/Bass Ensemble, and Show Choir. The Bishop Lynch Choirs have traveled extensively throughout the United States, as well as internationally, including pilgrimage trips to Mexico, Quebec, Ireland, France, Spain, and 3 trips to Rome. The BL Choir has sung at Papal Masses during the pontificates of Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis. Locally, our choirs participate in a variety of music festivals and service events for the Dallas Diocese. Mrs. Leos serves on the Liturgical Commission for the Diocese of Dallas, as well as on national boards for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and the Justice Choir project. Mrs. Leos is the mother of 7, two of whom are alumni of Bishop Lynch.
• 

  Terry May-Hajdar 

  Theater Manager

  (214) 324-3607 x4131

  Bio

  Since graduating in 1974, Terry has spent only ten years away from Bishop Lynch. After attending Stephen F. Austin State University, getting married and starting a family, she began working with the Alumni Association in 1984 as editor of the alumni newsletter Reflections. In 1990 she began working with Kit Sawyer and the Blackfriars staff sewing costumes and later becoming Stage Manager, then producer. Terry became a full-time employee in 1994, serving as Asst. Development Director and Alumni Director. Currently she holds the position of the Theater Manager and produces of all of the Blackfriars shows. Terry is a proud mentor in the Ricci House and is the official historian for the school, keeping up with artifacts and memorabilia. She is the mother of three BL graduates - all Blackfriars - Casey Hosler ‘93, Jamey ‘97, and Kelly ‘00, and mother-in-law to Julie Welch May ‘00 (also a Blackfriar). She is also the step-mom to three BL alumni - Valda Hajdar ‘98, Sandor Hajdar (class of ‘03), and Alejandro Hajdar ‘11. Terry and her husband Sandor enjoy traveling and spending time with family, and between them have a total of 13 grandchildren. 
• 

  Kit Sawyer 

  Musical Director

  (214) 324-3607 x4157

  Bio

  Proud of her Friar roots, Kit Sawyer is in her 38th year of teaching at Bishop Lynch. She graduated from Bishop Lynch in 1977 and received her undergraduate degree in Theatre and Speech Education from North Texas State University. She began her career at Lynch as the Speech and Drama instructor where she directed several student productions and Assistant Directed the Blackfriars Musicals. After a brief stint of teaching in East Texas, she came back to BL and in 1991 she took over the Musicals as Director. She has joyously watched many former students perform and create professionally in theatre and film and firmly believes the idea of “once a Blackfriar always a Blackfriar.” This universally held thought has led to Ms. Sawyer having the pleasure of directing several former students in 3 Alumni Revues produced in celebration of Lynch’s 40th, 50th and 55th anniversary years. With casts that ranged in age from 18 to the late 60’s, The Alumni Revues illustrate not only the affection and love that Friars have for their experiences on the BL stage, but also their devotion to the Blackfriars program. Of all the Blackfriars she loves, her two favorite are her daughters Lindsay, ’09 and Merrill,’11. Currently teaching Speech, Film and Freshman Seminar, Ms. Sawyer is also the proud Dean of Ricci House.