Fine Arts & Music

Emily Bemis

Theater (Lower School) & Music

Although Mrs. Bemis is native to Washington State, she and her family were thrilled to become Floridians in 2022! She holds a bachelor’s Degree from Mount Holyoke College, a Master’s in Teaching from Northwest University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Seattle Pacific University. She began her career in Hong Kong, teaching English abroad. After returning to the US in 2011, Mrs. Bemis taught for a variety of private and classical schools in the greater Seattle Area. Mrs. Bemis loves instructing all subjects, but has a special place in her heart for teaching a deep love of music, theater and literature. Mrs. Bemis is very happily married to Coach Bemis, also a teacher at TCA. Mr. and Mrs. Bemis are the proud parents of Lucy and Gracie, both of whom attend TCA. In her spare time, Mrs. Bemis might be found creating culinary delights, singing loudly while cleaning her house, playing with her family on the beach, or curling up with a great book!

Mrs. Pamela Cox

Theater Director (Upper School)

Mrs. Pamela Cox graduated from the University of Kentucky with a major in Communications, and a minor in Vocal Performance. She performed professionally at King’s Island in Cincinnati, OH, Opryland in Nashville, TN, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines out of Miami, FL, and abroad for American Entertainment Productions. She has taught classically for many years, and enjoys combining her skills to inspire a love of learning in all her students. She lives in Sarasota, FL with her husband, Bart, and her three children, Charles, William, and Libby Jane.

Mrs. Megan Herlihy

Music & Patriettes

Megan has called Sarasota home since 2000. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with a double principal in voice and piano, and a minor in Christian Leadership. She is excited to be fulfilling her long-time dream of being a music teacher. Megan lives in Venice with her husband, Jason, and her five children who attend TCA. In her spare time she enjoys being active in her church, watching movies, playing the piano, exercising, and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Krista Kauffman

Art (Upper School)

Mrs. Kauffman was born and raised in Sarasota, FL, and has enjoyed creating art from a very young age which led her to earn her degree in Graphic Design. Through her passion for creating, sewing, and designing, she has worked with the theater department in costume and set design for the past three years. Mrs. Kauffman enjoys sharing her love for art with her students, and is excited about her third year at TCA. When she is not creating, she enjoys spending time with her husband and five children.

Gretchen Mossburg

Art (Lower School)

Mary Olson

Art (Lower School)

Mary Olson grew up and has lived in the Sarasota area for most of her life. She graduated college with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on English and science. After college she began teaching and went on to earn a master’s degree in education. She loves working with students and watching as they grow in knowledge and wonder. She has always had a passion for classical education. This will be her third year at TCA. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, sewing, crafting, reading, and thrifting.

Mr. Dominic Stevens

Drum Line

Mr. Stevens was born in London, England and joined TCA after moving to Florida with his wife, Kate, in 2017. He graduated from Goldsmith’s, University of London with a BA Honors Degree in History, and later received a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in History from the University of Chichester. Mr. Stevens is also a qualified soccer coach and coaches TCA’s Middle and High school soccer team. Mr. Stevens loves teaching children and bringing the pages of history to life! Outside of teaching, his interests include soccer, playing the drums, reading, watching movies, going on vacations, studying history and spending time with his wife and two young daughters, Chloe and Lucy

Mrs. Kimberly Testa

Music (Lower School)

Ms. Kim has lived and taught throughout the US, including New York, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and now Florida. She holds both a B.M. and a M.A., from The Crane School Of Music at SUNY Potsdam, NY, and Stony Brook University, NY. Ms. Kim holds several music teaching certifications, and has performed both leisurely and professionally throughout her life on violin, viola, piano, electric bass and voice. Currently she resides in East Bradenton with her husband, four older daughters and two dogs. In her free time, Ms. Kim loves spending time with her family, swimming at the beach, watching foreign documentary films, playing cards, fishing, and of course, attending fine art performances.