CPSOA - The Staff

Our Staff

CPSOA was founded based on the principle that all students need to be able to explore and develop their talents, dreams and possibilities regardless of their economic, social, racial and geographic status.

Billy Rugh
Artistic Director/Principal, 5-6 grade teacher, Dance, Choir, Acting, Visual Arts
is the creator and founder of CPSOA. A former actor and dancer for 13 years, he received his educational training from Cal State Los Angeles, The American Acadamy of Dramatic Arts, and the Edge Performing Arts Center. Before opening Creative Planet, Mr. Billy taught 3-4 grade and kindergarten at El Monte Christian School for five years. He has also taught the arts at various schools including the Los Angeles Unified Gifted and Talented Conservatory, Sammy Davis Jr. Performing Arts Center, LA's Heart Project, Millennium in Motion Dance Studio, Garfield High School, Maranatha High School, Rosemead High School, and the East L.A. Conservatory of the Arts. Outside of his work at CPSOA, Mr. Billy continues to choreograph and direct various events around Los Angeles. To e-mail Mr. Rugh click here.

Kathryn Rugh
Academic Director, 7-8 grade teacher, Computers, Yearbook
is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. She also has a lifetime credential with an emphasis in Math and Science. She has been teaching junior high school in El Monte for the past twenty years. Her goal is to help her students excel in all their academic subjects. Many students who leave her classes are prepared to take honors and AP classes in high school, as well as attend competitive private institutions of learning. Mrs. Rugh has been a vital part of CPSOA since its inception.

Michelle Benton
3-4 Grade Teacher, Director of Outreach and Education, Dance Instructor
is Co-Founder of CPOA where she infuses the students with her high-level of technique and discipline, having been dancing for eleven years. She received her dance training from Santa Monica College, Cal State Los Angeles, the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, and Zeal Studios in Culver City from teachers such as Don Hewitt, Charlotte Richards, Regina Williams, and Adam Parsons. Michelle also assistant taught for Cindera Che at Edge for three years. She has been teaching hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and modern dance since 2001 and is currently a dance company member and choreographer with Culture Shock Los Angeles Hip Hop troupe. To e-mail Ms. Benton click here.

Amy Rodriguez
1-2 grade teacher, Music, Piano, Creative Writing, Acting
has been a lead teacher of CPSOA since its early beginnings teaching music theory to K-8. Her eight years experience as an ABEKA-trained phonics and reading teacher has given the students of CPSOA a great head start on their education experience. Born in Wisconsin, Mrs. Rodriguez majored in education at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, where she also was trained in the arts of piano, voice, and musical instrumentation. Prior to the opening of CPSOA, she taught 1-2 grade at El Monte Christian School. Her two children, Brittney and Javier, have both been integral parts of the Creative Planet student body.

Raychele Eubanks
Kindergarten Teacher

Elizabeth Spencer
Office Administrator

Santo Ragno
Director of Development

To make charitable donations and other easy ways to support
the arts program at Creative Planet School of the Arts please click here.

CPSOA admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

Contact
4428 N. Stewart Ave.
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 856-1710

Our Staff

Click here for general questions