Carrie Hansen | President
Carrie Beasley Hansen grew up in a military family, giving her the opportunity to explore new worlds of performance every few years. Taking classes in gymnastics, choir, acting, and dance gave her the love of performing for live audiences. While growing in her craft, Carrie was blessed to sing in venues such as The White House, The Kennedy Center, The Philadelphia Fourth of July Celebration and Political National Conventions before graduating High School. Carrie attended Brigham Young University where she studied the Performing Arts (Music / Dance / Theatre) and American Sign Language. Carrie went on to perform with Walt Disney World as a Magic Kingdom character/entertainer. She also received her Walt Disney World ASL interpreters pin, allowing her to use ASL in the parks. It was in Orlando where she met her husband, Brent Hansen, from Brigham City, Utah. Returning to Utah, Carrie was offered a position as a Gymnastics Coach. Finding that she enjoyed teaching gymnastics, she continued her education through USAG. Carrie has been a USAG Professional Gymnastics Coach since 2003 and a member of the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges (NAWGJ) since 2014. She has served on the Utah NAWGJ Board from 2023-2025. Carrie has been blessed with the opportunity to support the growth of the National Gymnastics Association (NGA) and is serving on the National Technical Committee (2024-current). Staying true to her roots in performance, she acquired representation as an actor with McCarty Talent in 2011. Carrie has landed commercials, independent film roles as well as roles for the Sundance Director Labs and still auditions today. In 2015, Carrie accepted a position within the Special Education Department at Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning. For Carrie, teaching students with special needs, and differentiating instruction accordingly has been “a wonderful and enlightening experience.”
“Aspire Performance Academy for the Arts has all of my performance passions in one place! There are so many talented individuals in our community. I look forward to learning, sharing, collaborating and growing with all of you!”
Braden Howard | Vice President
Braden (Brady) Howard grew up in Perry, the youngest son of Bruce and Barbara Howard, where he learned the power and importance of art – specifically in music and theatre. His interest in lighting design started young as he attended rehearsals at the Heritage Theatre with his mother, who played the piano in a number of productions there. At the age of 11, Scott Nelson at Adele C. Young Intermediate School took him under his wing and showed him how to explore his imagination in the backstage arts. He also received violin instruction from Diane Austin and piano instruction from Anita Ream. His roots in Box Elder County run deep and have proven to be a solid foundation for his career as a professional lighting designer. From his first show at the Heritage Theatre in 1999 to his first show on 42nd Street, New York City in 2015, the people in his life have been (and continue to be) the lift he’s needed to accomplish his greatest dreams.
“I’m thrilled to be involved with the Aspire Performance Academy and am excited to see the same things that have blessed my life so richly bless many others in this wonderful community.”
Kariann Lee Nelson | Secretary
Keriann Lee Nelson was born and raised in Brigham City and grew up loving the arts. She attended Box Elder High School where she actively participated in theatre, music, and track. It was during her senior year that she knew she wanted to teach theatre. After high school she received her Associates of Fine Arts from Western Wyoming Community College where she was able to play Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods and Zanita in Music Man, amongst other roles. Before marrying her husband and heading to Rexburg, ID to finish school, Keriann was able to stage manage Phantom of the Opera at Box Elder High School. Keriann graduated from BYU-Idaho with her Bachelor’s of Theatre and Speech Education. Once finished with schooling Keriann and her growing family moved back to Brigham where she was presented with an idea. To take arts education in Box Elder county to the next level. As one of the founding board members at Aspire, she has been able to watch the community support for this wonderful program grow. In 2019 Keriann packed up her family and moved down south. They spent five years in Alabama where she started the drama club at her children’s school and directed Dinosaurs Before Dark which included 104 kids ages 5-11. As much as they loved the South, Keriann’s deep roots in Brigham couldn’t keep them away for long. They moved back to Brigham because no matter where life takes her, this is home.
“As a mom of five kids, I know the importance of having high quality education whether at school or in extracurricular activities. One of the many reasons I love Aspire Performance Academy is because quality and affordable education is a top priority and I’m grateful that we get to share that with our community.”