Meet the board members of Tri-County Performing Arts
Meet the board members of Tri-County Performing Arts
Cory has been a dedicated leader in the Tri-County performing arts
community for over a decade. With a strong background in acting and performance, she
transitioned into arts education, founding her own Youth Theater Company in Arizona
alongside a thriving voice studio. After relocating to Oregon in 2015, Cory established
Generations Arts Academy, where she provided private voice instruction for students of
all ages and led a variety of Broadway-focused classes. She also directed multiple vocal
ensembles, including Show Stoppers, Encore, Take Note Men’s Ensemble, and Broadway Bound
Youth Choir, all of which performed at concerts and community events. In addition, she
developed The Academy Players, a year-long theater program culminating in a full-scale
production each June.
In 2024, she rebranded the academy as Tri-County Performing Arts Academy
to reflect its expanding reach. Driven by a vision to establish a thriving theater company
in Junction City, Cory founded Generations Theater Company (GTC) in 2017. She served as both
director and music director for the company’s first 13 productions between 2017 and 2023.
Additionally, she has directed for Navigators Homeschool Group and GTC, bringing classic
and contemporary productions to life, including Bye Bye Birdie, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma,
Brigadoon, Hello Dolly, Elf Jr., The Little Mermaid, Annie, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown,
Shrek Jr., Seussical the Musical, Little Women, Once Upon a Mattress, Willy Wonka, Freaky Friday,
Charlotte's Web, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, and Peter Pan Jr.
In March 2024, Cory expanded
her vision by establishing Tri-County Performing Arts as a 501(c)(9) nonprofit organization,
furthering her commitment to making the performing arts accessible to the community. Under this
nonprofit umbrella, The JC Main Stage was launched in January 2025.
Cory is passionate about
directing musicals and helping performers develop their full potential, both on and off the stage.
She finds immense joy in nurturing talent, building confidence, and creating meaningful theatrical
experiences. Her deep love for the community drives her to make the performing arts accessible to all,
fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where creativity thrives.
Michelle Garnett is a passionate advocate for the arts, creativity, and
community engagement. As Vice President, she brings over eight
years of experience working on sets, stage makeup, and props with Generations and Navigators
Homeschool Co-op. Her expertise in costuming, backstage assistance, and innovative
problem-solving has made her an invaluable asset to every production she touches.
With a strong background in stage makeup, self-taught graphic design, and prop construction,
Michelle has a knack for turning the impossible into reality. From designing trick props like
a light-up hourglass that “falls apart” to crafting jellyfish from umbrellas and transforming
office chairs into thrones, she thrives on creative challenges. Her ability to merge artistry
with functionality makes her an integral part of any production team.
Michelle's passion for theater stems from her deep appreciation for its power to build character,
confidence, and leadership skills. With three daughters active in theater for over a decade, she
has witnessed firsthand how the arts connect families and strengthen communities. She believes
that theater is a place where people of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors, can find a
role—whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience.
Currently, Michelle utilizes her creativity and dedication for writing grants, graphic design,
and organizing events for the board. She is also an active community volunteer, teaching cake
decorating and art to homeschooled children while supporting local theater productions. Holding
an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, she blends her love for teaching with
her artistic pursuits.
Beyond the arts, Michelle enjoys exploring new creative mediums, solving puzzles, and dancing.
A former fitness instructor and the first baby born in the hospital in Rawlins, WY, she brings
a unique blend of energy and innovation to everything she does. Guided by the words
of Christopher Robin — "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than
you think" — she is committed to leaving a lasting impact on her community.
Michelle believes in the transformative power of the arts and envisions a future where theater
continues to inspire, unite, and uplift. She encourages supporters to seize this opportunity to
create something extraordinary—a legacy that will foster growth, connection, and creativity for
generations to come.
Naomi McCoy is a dedicated educator, mentor, and community advocate who
brings her passion for the arts and youth development to The JC Mainstage. With over 20 years
of experience as a tutor for the Junction City School District, she has helped countless students
strengthen their math and reading skills, guiding many toward earning their diplomas or GEDs.
Her journey in nonprofit service began years ago at a Christian family camp and retreat center in Minnesota,
as well as a counseling center in Indiana. After moving to Oregon, she pursued higher education, earning a
bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s in School Counseling. Her dedication to education
and mentorship has remained a driving force in her life.
Naomi's involvement Generations Theater Company was inspired by attending productions like Bye Bye Birdie
and The Wizard of Oz. Motivated by the quality of performances and the impact of theater on young actors, she joined the company and performed in the ensemble for three shows before stepping into the role of stage manager for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Since then, she has
continued to support the organization, contributing to board operations by taking meeting notes, organizing
minutes, and assisting with production needs.
One of Naomi's greatest joys is witnessing the transformation of actors as they develop their characters.
She describes the process as watching an artist at work—except the medium is people instead of paint. She
also deeply values the friendships formed in the theater community, especially as young performers find
their creative voices and build lifelong connections.
Beyond her work in theater, Naomi has been an active community volunteer for 35 years. She has taught
middle school Sunday School for 25 years, previously played mandolin on her church's worship team, and is
a member of the Junction City Grange. An opera enthusiast, she even had the opportunity to sing with the
Eugene Opera chorus, a highlight of her lifelong love for the performing arts.
Now, she brings all of her expertise and passion to The JC Mainstage, helping to shape and grow the theater
program for future generations. Guided by the words of Luke 18:27 — "What is impossible with man is possible with God" — Naomi believes in
the power of faith, perseverance, and the arts to transform lives. She is excited to continue to serve
The JC Mainstage in their mission to inspire, educate, and bring the community together through the
magic of live performance.
Tami is a visionary leader, artist advocate, and nonprofit strategist with a
deep passion for musical theater and building sustainable nonprofit organizations. She
currently serves as Executive Vice President of Incubator Creative Group, an innovative
ministry incubator established in 1989, dedicated to supporting emerging Christian artists
and communicators across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Since 1990,
Tami has been the primary artist manager and director, helping faith-based creatives develop
impactful, long-term ministries.
Her journey in the arts began as a full-time Christian vocalist, self-booking over 150 performances per year.
This firsthand experience as an independent artist shaped her passion for mentoring and equipping others.
Recognizing the profound impact of the performing arts on
individuals and communities, she now dedicates her expertise to supporting sustainable theater programs
and arts organizations.
In addition to her role at Incubator, Tami serves as the Treasurer of Tri-County Performing Arts, where
she works to strengthen financial sustainability, develop growth strategies, and ensure long-term success
for the organization. She is passionate about championing the power of theater to educate, inspire, and unite communities.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Tami has held leadership roles in chambers of commerce, nonprofit
organizations, and political committees. Her dynamic and engaging presence makes her a sought-after
speaker at music industry and ministry events, where she shares insights on artist development, nonprofit
sustainability, and faith-driven leadership.
She is the author of 15 Fixes for Your Ministry Funks , written to help Christian creatives navigate challenges in ministry. Additionally,
she co-hosts the Vista Café podcast with Incubator President Nate Sakany, offering guidance for
Christian artists and communicators.
Tami believes in the transformative power of musical theater and the arts, not only as entertainment but
as a vehicle for personal growth, community connection, and lasting impact. Through her leadership in
Incubator Creative Group, Tri-County Performing Arts, and other non profits, she is committed
to empowering artists, strengthening arts organizations, and ensuring the longevity of creative ministries
for future generations.