.png)
Gwen Berger
Director
Jr./Sr. Company Instructor
Gwen received her Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance from UNC-G, her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance at LSU, and pursued further training in Manhattan.
Gwen then worked in Manhattan with Metropolitan opera singers, agents and conductors, traveled in Europe working for an opera conductor, and worked as personal assistant to a world-renowned opera singer for the last 23 years. These experiences have been incredibly rewarding and have helped Gwen bring a fresh perspective to her voice and drama training. She considers her years of hearing and seeing the best the world has to offer to have been the most excellent and nurturing teacher of all.
Gwen served as choral director for the Charlotte Home Educators Association’s Carolina Youth Chorale for three years, and provided opportunities for these students to experience the joy of musical theatre. The CYC Players’ final production of Little Women was performed at Elevation Blakeney to great reviews.
She is excited to offer this unique set of classes at Eagles' Wings Studio. Dubbed by a colleague as the "Ms. Frizzle of musical theatre, she loves unpacking the hidden voice and actor within. She considers it a privilege to nudge, cajole, throw pom-poms, and use comical torture devices so that a student can feel free to be silly or make ridiculous sounds in order to discover those hidden voices. Teaching a student is like leading him on a fantastic journey to seek a treasure chest, that once opened, becomes his inheritance forever.
Music is a powerful element in our lives and in the lives of all humans, and Gwen finds it exciting to share this with others. She says, "Have you ever noticed how we come fully equipped with our own exquisite instrument that identifies us and helps to define who we are and how and where we soar? Think of your mom’s voice…now make that voice sing. Smile!"
Joey Hehn
Jr./Sr. Company Dance Instructor
Joey began performing at a very young age. A Central Oregon native, she was immersed in the production and performance elements of drama and musical theater in her developmental years. Choosing to start a new focus, she commenced training in dance at the age of 14. As she progressed, she was able to begin teaching classes and had the honor of competing and performing in multiple lead roles.
Joey is now classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. She was a member of the professional tap company, Central Oregon Rhythm Project, for their 2015 season. In 2021 she graduated from Belhaven University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Global Studies.
After ankle surgery, Joey was introduced to Mat and Reformer Pilates as physical therapy in her recovery. She soon became passionate about Pilates and was able to completer her Balanced Body Instructor Training through her university. She became a fully certified instructor in 2022.
Joey moved to North Carolina to volunteer full-time with A21, a global anti-human trafficking non-profit organization. If you see her at the studio and are interested in the topic of anti-human trafficking, please ask her questions! She would love to have a conversation about any and all of her passions.
Marni Arnold
Administrator
Marni takes care of all of our behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our business moving. She came to us as a mom in 2018 merely as a mom of the studio, and volunteer, while her son participated for a couple of years in the program in the Jr. Company and enjoyed a part in Holiday Inn in 2020. She has a High School choral background and enjoys the theater arts, musicals, and music in general. Holding an undergraduate science degree from Liberty University in Religion, she also has an extensive academic background in EMS/Fire and Biology. Relocating to the Charlotte, NC area in 1997 from Tucson, AZ, she has been married for 18+ years and has been a homeschooling mom to her son since 2009.
She is currently pursuing ACBC Biblical Counseling Certification (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) and is an avid volunteer within the South Charlotte area homeschooling community. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors (particularly the mountains), hiking and camping, hobby photography, and knitting/crocheting. She enjoys being a part of the Eagles’ Wings staff to support the mission and vision of this program and ministry.
She can be reached for any EWS admin-related inquiries by text or email at: (704) 890-4799 or info@eagleswingsstudio.com.