Zion Center for Worship and the Arts
Faculty Bios
Aaron Chen
For many years, Aaron has served as a Featured Instructor and Faculty Member with Zion Center for Worship and the Arts’ Worship Arts Conferences. This year, Mr. Chen will be serving as the Assistant Director for the Conference Intensive.
Aaron Chen started his dance journey at a Ballet Magnificat workshop. At 18 years old, he moved to Philadelphia, PA to begin his study with Stephen Wynne and At Marah Dance Theater, where he studied for 3 years. And, that is where he met his lovely wife, Abigail. He continued his work at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS where he was a charter member of Polarity Dance Company, setting works and training. From there his family moved to Nashville, TN where Aaron continued his training with Sharon Perry of Still Point Dance Theater and the Vanderbilt Dance Company. During his career, Aaron also had the opportunity to study and perform with the Jose Limón Dance Company in Nashville. In 2007, Aaron joined the faculty of Dance Revolution to teach Modern Techniques. In 2010, Aaron and his family moved back to Jackson, Ms. where he taught as a Specialty Instructor for Belhaven University. During this time, his transition to Kung Fu took place.
Mr. Chen is currently directs and runs a martial arts school in Champaign, IL. Here is what they have to say about Aaron:
“A master teacher of dance, encapsulating the very essence and flow of organic movement; not only a wealth of creativity, technique, and the essentials of performance, but also a depth, heart, and desire to enrich the talent and ability and more importantly, the life of the student…this is Aaron Chen!”
Aaron has had the opportunity to travel to and share his love of the movement arts all over the nation, and he is extremely thankful for God’s faithfulness and grace on his career and family.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jeanna Vance
Jeanna Vance received her ballet training from The Grand Rapids Ballet, under the direction of Charthel Arthur and the Houston Ballet Academy with Clara Cravey and Steve Brule. She was also awarded a scholarship to Joffrey Ballet School, as well as Regional Dance America's Craft and Choreography Summer Intensive held in Salt Lake City, Utah. During her five summers spent studying with Ballet Magnificat!, Jeanna fell in love with the role of dance in worship and faith, which has become the thrust of her entire dance career. She has been privileged to work with Ad Deum Dance Co., Sandra Organ's Dance Co., Suchu Dance, Hopestone Inc., and Psophonia Dance Co. Her acting work has included commercial television as well as five seasons with Interactive Childrens Theatre in Houston, TX.
Over the past 12 years, Jeanna has served as the ballet teacher for Dance Revolution dance convention, traveling the United States teaching dance, performing, and sharing her journey of faith and art with thousands of students and teachers. In 2014, Jeanna founded Open Sky Arts Collective, a project based company of fine artists who bring their work to audiences in hospitals, schools, homeless shelters, parks, and streets with the mission of instilling hope and value to people through the arts.
Jeanna and her husband reside in The Woodlands, TX with their two daughters.
Teresa Gardner
Teresa has long held a vision for seeing the Arts restored for the Glory of God and is the Director of Zion Center for Worship and the Arts (ZCWA) - a citywide/international center for worship training through Biblical Study and Technical Development. Teresa has been Director of the Resurrection Dance Ministry for 39 years, teaches Worship Dance Classes in Charlotte, oversees a community outreach dance program for inner-city children and youth (Dancing Together), and assists many churches in beginning and establishing their own dance ministries.
In addition to local and regional ministry presentations, Teresa and the Resurrection Dance Ministry have served through many international missions’ trips where they taught Worship Conferences on Biblical Worship and Dance. ZCWA’s newest venue of biblical worship arts education and training is through online courses (www.zcwa.com). Teresa served as Dance Company Manager for the International Christian Embassy's Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem from 1999-2010. As part of her work in Israel, ZCWA partners with the Obed Service Project to provide discipleship- training trips to Israel.
Teresa received her Masters and Doctorate of Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.