PAC Staff and Faculty

Lois Brace, Founding Executive/Artistic Director

Mrs. Brace has lived in Mexico for 30+ years and together with her husband Craig raised 3 children Collin, Evan, Lillian. She has a Master of Arts from Texas State University in Theatre Directing, and a Bachelors of Arts in Speech Communication and English from Southwest Baptist University.   She served as faculty at Howard College, MACC, and worked on-stage productions with community theatres, churches, and universities. She has been involved with Presser Performing Arts Center since 1992 as production director, and now as the Founding Executive Artistic Director of the Presser Arts Center.  She currently serves on the board of directors for Missouri Arts Council as Chairman of the Board. She serves on the Arts Education Collaborative for the State of Missouri, The Audrain Inclusive Health Collaborative, and is a member of Americans for the Arts, American Association of Community Theatre, Missouri Citizens for the Arts, the D.A.R. and P.E.O. It is through Mrs. Brace’s planning and vision that PAC has grown and developed into a thriving arts center. Her enthusiasm has only been matched by her energy to impact vibrancy in the arts for Mexico and the REGION. Her passion is directing and seeing lives change through creativity.

Katie Azdell Administrator

A frequent face around Presser since 2015, Katie has managed the office operations, programing and directs the Summer Camp programs serves the community any way she can. Originally from Oregon, Katie has been a Missourian since 2014, when her and her husband moved to the area. Since then, she has made Mexico her home. She is currently raising her two daughters on the family farm that her husband now operates. Her days are spent feeding numerous snacks to her vivacious 8 year old, chasing after her 4 year old and picking up after both of them constantly. Katie has been in specialized industries since 2006 when she started her career at a chic beauty shop in Park City, Utah. She uses the same personalized touch at PAC working with the public. Katie is currently a sitting board member for MACAA (Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies).

Tiger Rotenburger Facilities Manager

Tiger has been with Presser since 2017 and has learned the value and art of greeting the public. He is the friendly face that will welcome you first. He will get you registered, sell you a ticket, post your photo, promote our events all with a smile and genuine concern. There is an ART to cleaning and Tiger is an ARTIST! He oversights all the custodial and janitorial personnel. He is a quiet hero, ALWAYS pleasant, smiling, greeting and touching the messes no-one else wants to touch. (sometimes these are the hearts of people) He is the provision of safety for all who enter because he has laid down a nice frontline of germicide on everything that can be touched. And he has planned your path through our facilities with traffic patterns. He maintains the first impression and enjoys shooting photos.
He is a Professional Photographer/Cinematographer as well.

Emily Terry, Director of Arts for All Abilities

Emily earned two associate degrees from North Central Missouri College and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. She began her career as a Case Manager at Audrain Developmental Disability Services before becoming Director of the Arts for All Abilities Program. Emily is passionate about building meaningful relationships, fostering inclusion, and creating positive experiences through the arts. She lives in Perry with her husband, Michael, their son, Cooper, and two dogs, Laynie and Axel. In her free time, she enjoys supporting her family’s activities, walking her dogs, cross-stitching, and watching The Golden Girls.

Yukiyo Lake, Piano Instructor

Ms. Lake has been with Presser for over 15 years, growing its music program into one of Missouri’s recognized Suzuki piano programs. Born and raised in Japan, she came to the United States in 1990 and earned degrees from the University of Colorado Denver and Wichita State University. Inspired by the Suzuki Method through her son’s violin lessons, she became a registered Suzuki piano teacher in 2007. Committed to lifelong learning, she regularly attends workshops and conferences. Yukiyo teaches students ages 3 and up, encouraging joyful music-making through solo and ensemble performances across Missouri.

Margaret Frazier, Piano Instructor

Margaret Frazier has been playing piano since she was 6.  She is a long time resident of Mexico having raised her family of 8 here with her husband Jeff, and has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University.  She has been with Presser for the past 20 years in and out of productions and wants to give back now as the newly certified Suzuki Piano Instructor.  She love to paint and spend time with her family.

SARAH GIVEN, THEATRE INSTRUCTOR/DIRECTOR

Sara Given has been a leader in theatre education and arts advocacy in Mexico, Missouri, for more than 30 years. A graduate of Central Missouri State University and William Woods University, she spent three decades at Mexico High School, building award-winning speech and theatre programs. She founded the Jellybean Theatre Program to expand opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and continues her theatrical mission at Presser Arts Center through Lil' Drama Dawgs, Jellybean Jubilee, MMA/PAC Instructor and the Presser Youth Traveling Company. Mrs. Given remains dedicated to enriching lives through inclusive performing arts, creativity, confidence, and community.

Cara Miller, Presser Pipes Community Choir Conductor

Growing up in the Mexico area and graduating from Mexico High School, Cara married her high school sweetheart and lifelong Mexico resident Robby Miller. Their family includes 2 grown children, 1 son-in-law, and 1 grandchild. Cara graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Cara has always loved music! She has played the piano for over 40 years and has been actively involved in band, choirs, ensembles, and musical productions her entire life. Cara is the director of the Presser Pipes, our community choir. “Music is therapy for me and brings such joy to my life!”

Sara Bright, Ballet Instructor

Sara is a wife and mom of two kids. She is a youth director at a local church here in Mexico, Mo where she gets to work with many youth, children and families throughout the community.

Sara has loved dance since the age of 4 when she started taking tap and ballet in Iowa. She participated in various competitions in different types of dance including tap, jazz, and lyrical with ballet always being her favorite. Sara continued dancing though college where she danced on the Culver-Stockton College dance team. Over the years she has taught many different age groups ballet and lyrical and has enjoyed every minute of it.

Sara is excited to be working with Presser Arts Center in their Dance program teaching students ballet technique and giving them a chance to be creative with dance.

Sam Scholting, Youn Wha Ryu & Tai Chi Instructor

Sam Scholting is a certified Youn Wha Ryu Martial Arts instructor who began training at age 12 and teaching at 15. After overcoming a back injury as a teen, he discovered the power of martial arts to build strength, resilience, and confidence. Drawing from multiple martial arts systems, Sam creates personalized, holistic training experiences that meet students where they are. He believes progress comes through patience, perseverance, and an open mind. A 2017 University of Missouri graduate, Sam has also taught summer camps at Presser Performing Arts Center and enjoys volunteering backstage and caring for his pet tortoises Onix and Goliath.

Dale Vermillion Scene/Set Builder, Backstage Instructor

Dale Vermillion has lived in Mexico for a few years with his wife, Jeani, of 42 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Dale served eight years as a Medical Laboratory Specialist, Medic, and Graphic Artist, earning recognition for creating realistic mass-casualty training exercises. For 30 years, he designed props and sets for Michigan’s Miss Victorian Program and has contributed to local productions with Presser Arts, including My Fair Lady, The Angel Next Door, and Willy Wonka. Dale looks forward to inspiring students with confidence, creativity, professionalism, and problem-solving skills.

Jina Deimeke, Ceramics Instructor

JINA DEIMEKE, CERAMICS INSTRUCTOR

Jina grew up on a farm outside Martinsburg, Mo. and discovered her passion for ceramics while attending Columbia College. Encouraged by professor Bo Bedilion to try wheel throwing, she quickly fell in love with creating functional pottery. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 2013 and later completed an Assistantship Residency at the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Maine. Jina specializes in wheel throwing and also enjoys hand building. She and her husband, Scott, live in Benton City, where she creates pottery in her home studio while caring for their children.

Lisa Snow, Yoga Instructor

Lisa wears many hats: photographer, therapist, mom, wife, social worker, and yoga instructor. She owns Snowfall Designs Photography and Mexico Counseling Services and has practiced yoga for nearly 10 years, with extensive teacher training. A licensed clinical social worker with bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Missouri, Lisa teaches from a trauma-informed perspective, creating a welcoming, supportive space for all. She offers modifications for every body, including children, older adults, and differently abled individuals, believing yoga is about breathing—not touching your toes. A longtime supporter of Presser, Lisa’s classes emphasize compassion, connection, and freedom from judgment or competition.