Suncoast Culture Club

Robyn Bell

Dr. Robyn L. Bell is the Music Program Manager, Director of Instrumental Studies, and Professor of Music at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) in Bradenton where she conducts the Symphonic Band, Bradenton Symphony Orchestra, teaches classes in music appreciation, and administrates the music program. She is also the conductor of the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota.

Robyn is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Orchestra Association, Women Band Directors International, College Band Directors National Association, and College Orchestra Directors Association. She was awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association and made an honorary life member of Tau Beta Sigma, a national band sorority dedicated to serving college band programs. She has won the NISOD Award for teaching excellence at SCF and was named to the SCF Leadership Academy.

Kelly Burnette

Kelly Burnette has traveled to 47 states and 13 countries in her professional career. She has a BFA and MFA in Modern Dance from the University of Oklahoma, and was the National Dance Association's 2007 National K-12 Dance Educator of the Year. Kelly helped to found the Manatee School for the Arts Dance Department in 1998 and is the Dance Department Chair at MSA.  She appeared as the "cover girl" of the April 2008 issue of DANCE TEACHER Magazine.  Kelly teaches dance classes at the State College of Florida and choreographs for the SCF Musical Theatre Ensemble productions.  She is an "Equity" actress and her work as a director/choreographer can be seen often on stages in the Sarasota and Bradenton area.

Katherine Bzura

Katherine Kearney Bzura is the Art Gallery Director and an Assistant Professor in Art, Design, and Humanities at the State College of Florida. She is a dynamic leader and storyteller who is constantly seeking opportunities for creative solutions to introduce art and visual thinking constructively into the steam and currency of life. At SCF, she teaches courses in art appreciation and art history while leading development efforts to enrich face-to-face and online art history course offerings as part of an innovative and dynamic fine art department at the college. She also serves at the faculty advisor to the SCF Museum Club and as the ambassador for the Avenues des Artistes annual SCF Foundation fundraiser. 

Prior to coming to SCF, Katherine owned Kama Art Gallery in Ybor City where she was the winner of Weekly Planet's "Best of the Bay 2005" Best New Gallery Critic's Choice Award. She also served as Vice-President for Aerial Innovations, an all-woman owned photography company.

Melodie Dickerson

Melodie Dickerson, soprano, is Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at State College of Florida where she conducts the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Music Theatre Ensemble while also teaching private voice and courses in music theory. At SCF, she has directed productions of The Boyfriend, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Gondoliers, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma, West Side Story, and many more. She also co-wrote and directed the 2007 premiere of a new musical titled, In Ybor City.

Locally, she has appeared as a soloist with the Northport Symphony, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, and Venice Symphony as well as performing in numerous music series concerts. She is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, serving as the President of Tampa Bay NATS, American Chorus Directors Association, Music Teachers National Association, and Actors' Equity Association and won the NISOD Award from the State College of Florida.

Amanda Schlachter

Amanda Schlachter is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the State College of Florida where she directs two shows per year and teaches Theatre Appreciation , Acting I & II, Voice & Diction, and Movement for the Actor. Directing credits with SCF Theatre include: Significant Other, The Harvest, Make Believe, Bob: A Life in Five Acts, The Laramie Project, Gaslight, Anatomy of Grey, 4AM& Selfie, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and All for One.
Amanda is a graduate and Company member of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC), holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from The University of Central Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from The University of Florida.