About !Impact

!Impact is a professional Christian Performing Arts School directed by Cynthia Ford. Offering a unique blend of worship, teaching, music, dance, and drama; the !Impact vision is 1) teaching the truths and principles of the Word of God in order to see people actively transformed into the Image of Christ and fulfill their calling in God. 2) Releasing and teaching the power of the performing arts as a means of bringing glory to God in the church and as an evangelistic tool.

About Cynthia Ford

Executive Director, Cynthia Ford has been teaching dance, theatre, & creative arts for over 30 years. Her dance/drama/music troupes have performed in the U.S. and overseas. She has choreographed and directed many plays, parade routines, and musical events. Her credits include Oklahoma, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Annie, Grease, Princess & the Pea, Dames at Sea, and a host of other musicals. She is also a playright and author of the book, Why Dance? The Role of Dance in the Church. Her students have gone on to join such prestigious companies as PUSH, MIMEstry, & Ballet Magnificant. She earned her B.A. from Oswego State and M.S. from Geneseo State. She absolutely LOVES teaching people of all ages, and equipping them with top-notch technical and Biblical training along with personalized instruction. She, her husband Greg, and their three children live in Avon, NY.

About !IMPACT Instructors

David Bode has over 4 years teaching experience and specializes in drums, male voice, acoustic/electric guitar & bass guitar. Currently the Technical & Audio/Visual Specialist at Elim Gospel Church, Dave has his Associate's Degree in vocal performance from Schenectady County Community College (a Satellite of Crane School of Music) and has over 10 years of experience performing with bands and choirs including Isaiah 6, The Starlighters Big Band, and Aftershock. In addition, Dave has worked as a professional choral and solo singer and was the choral director for the Perth Bible Church Vocal Ensemble in Amsterdam, NY, and has toured Kazakhstan on a short term missions trip with Operation Acts 1:8 (a division of Isaiah 6 Ministries). Dave has played drums/percussion for many theatrical productions as well as various ensembles in all styles from rock to jazz. Dave loves working with people of all ages, but definitely loves to see children grow to love music, and teens develop their skills to truly become great musicians.

Rachel Bode has been teaching for over five years, instructing students in piano, female voice, and flute. She attended Schenectady County Community College (a satellite school of Crane School of Music) with a major in Vocal Performance and a minor in Piano Performance. She has studied piano for 19 years, flute for 10 years, and voice for 8 years. Rachel has over 9 years of experience performing with many bands and choirs including Isaiah 6, Aftershock, the Marty Wendell Band & Joshua's Army. Rachel has toured Kazakhstan on a short term missions trip with Operation Acts 1:8 (a division of Isaiah 6 Ministries), has performed as a professional choral and solo singer, & has much musical theater experience. Rachel also has experience working with people who have special needs & learning disabilities. Rachel is dedicated to making the process of learning and understanding music easy and fun for people of all ages and abilities.