Founders information
James A. Goins
Writer/Director/Composer
james@laityarts.org
James has been involved in the arts since the age of 5! He comes with a background in teaching, writing, directing and composing both for theatre and film and youth activism.
James has been honored by the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission where he received a Certificate for Outstanding Service to the People of Los Angeles, from former Mayor Tom Bradley, an Award of Outstanding Youth Citizenship from former councilman, Robert Farrel 8th District, City of Los Angeles, a Commendation from former Mayor, Tom Bradley for the Development of the Nations only Drop-out Retrieval program, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the California State Assemble for Outstanding Service to Youth.
James holds a BA in Theatre from California State University Dominguez Hills, a Certificate in Film Scoring from UCLA, a California Teaching Credential, and a Ryan Designated Subjects Vocational Education Credential in Theatre Arts. He is a member of BMI, the Recording Academy or NARAS, the Academy for New Musical Theatre the American Composers Forum, The Playwrights' Center, Dramatists Guild of America. and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
He has studied music under Emmy Award winning and Academy Award nominated composers such as Gerald Fried (Roots, Roots: The Next Generation, Star Trek, Napoleon and Josephine) Thom Sharp (When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Aladdin, Little Mermaid) Jerry Grant (Quantum Leap, Hired to Kill, Hunter) and composition under Dr. Russel Steinberg one of America's leading Neo-Classical composers and performers.
As a writer - James has written and produced four musicals. "This Time and Age" A Musical Opera, "Way Back When" A Musical Fairy Tale, "Times Up" and "Bridget's Girl." He has written a screenplays a teleplays and an anthology called "Today's Anthology" a series of monologues and a one act play. He has also produced several non-musical works as well.
As a director James has directed such diverse works as Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Bye Bye Birdie, A Raisin in the Sun, The Piano Lesson, Barefoot in the Park, The Colored Museum, Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, The Dutchman, True West and more.
As a composer, he has composed original music for musicals, plays and film. "Bridget's Girl" won the 2008 Chameleon Theatre Circle award for Best Musical for which he wrote the music. In addition to composing original music for his own CD's "Born to Score!" and the newly released "Promises To Keep: Then & Now" James' passion for the arts is matched only by his passion for his family.
Delayna E. Goins
Choreographer/Educator
delayna@laityarts.org
Delayna Goins exhibited artistic giftedness at a very young age! The first grandchild in a family of artists, scholars and eccentric thinkers, she was introduced to music and dance as a toddler. Delayna became interested in ballet when she discovered a 1930's "B"encyclopedia filled with diagrams and terminology. This dusty book became a springboard into entering her first ballet class at the precocious age of 3, and she's been hooked ever since.
As a teen, Delayna balanced high academic standards, dance and music training. Since she could never compromise any of the three, she learned to devote equal time and effort to her studies in each area.
Delayna trained as a dance student at the local community college youth dance program and later with Lillian Kinsey, who introduced her to classes at Rwanda Lewis's dance studio. She later attended Long Beach Poly High School, where she trained in ballet and Graham technique with Barbara Arms and Gladys Kares. As a member of the Dance Repertory Company at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills under the direction of professor Carol Ann Tubbs, she danced in "Petrouchka", "Pictures At An Exhibition", "Company" and as the Sugarplum Fairy in "Nutcracker in Concert" with the Carson Symphony Orchestra. She was also cast as Judy Turner in "A Chorus Line". Delayna became passionate about creating dance, eventually choosing to choreograph many works for her own company, Inertia.
Classical music is also Delayna's passion. Trained by her godfather, Joseph R. Taylor, she soon became a skilled young musician and traveled throughout Southern California with other classically trained hopefuls, playing for various events. As a concert violinist, Delayna has played with the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra, Chambrey Chorale, Torrance Symphony and the Southeast Symphony Orchestra where she was privileged to sit as principal second violin on various occasions
Delayna holds a BA Degree from California State University Dominguez Hills in Athletic Training with a minor in Dance. She completed her teaching credential at Chapman University where she was awarded as the program's Outstanding Student (2001) for the creativity and insight she brings to classroom instruction.
Over the years, Delayna eventually applied the theories and practices she acquired for Laity students to develop and implement several arts programs for various schools in Los Angeles County, including both Compton Unified and Palmdale School Districts. In Compton, she served as District Dance Instructor and Choreographer where she iinstructed students in grades 1-8 in beginning, intermediate and advanced dance techniques such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern and alternative styles. She was instrumental in preparing students for stage work through development, performance and auditions skills. In addition, she formulated, organized and conducted a comprehensive dance program for teachers and students district-wide. She was also instrumental in forming a strategic alliance with the Bottom Line Dance Collective, an arts welfare organization, to help provide dance apparel for financially challenged dance students.
Now in the Palmdale School district where she currently teaches, she helps to facilitate students in the development of Core Content skills in alignment with the California State Standards while promoting arts education in the school and classroom. She is also the former artistic director of Palmdale Learning Plaza's Performing Arts program, where she choreographed and directed some of the most memorable and celebrated staged productions the Plaza has ever seen, including "Rogers and Hammerstien's Cinderella", "Lost On Broadway", and Disney Jr.'s "Aladdin". Her diligent work ethic led Delayna to be awarded as Teacher of the Year (2004-2005) for her site, and a Los Angeles Music Center Bravo Award Nominee (2007). It is because of this background in education and the arts that Laity is able to provide such rich content driven instruction. Together with her husband they created LEAP (Laity Educational Arts Program) to provide content rich and State Standard aligned curriculum to schools who desire comprehensive arts programming.
Delayna has been married to James for 23 years and together they have three children.
