Case Hamilton

Case Hamilton holds his B.S. in Theatre Education from Utah Valley University and his Masters Degree in School Counseling from Utah State University. He teaches (and has taught) Theatre 1, Theatre 2, Theatre 3, Productions Company, Beginning Technical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Work Release, and Student Government. He is currently in his 9th year of teaching and has always taught at Corner Canyon High School (luckily). He served as the Communications Director, Treasurer, and President on the board for the Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers (UACTT) from 2015-2024. He is part of an amazing group of teachers who were named the PTSA's choice for Department of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year; he also received the "100 Educator of the Year" for Corner Canyon High School in 2016. Case has led, or helped lead, the Shakespeare Competition Team and Theatre Team to many victories throughout his time student teaching and teaching. He has directed many shows at Corner Canyon High School; some highlights have been: Addams Family, Joseph, All Shook Up, Peter/Wendy, 26 Pebbles, Once on this Island, Bright Star, and more. He has been seen on the stage at Utah Valley University and all throughout High School. He is very lucky to teach at Corner Canyon with wonderful administrators, co-workers, students, and friends. He is grateful for his family, supporting friends, and his husband Tyler. (Also Melissa Thorne specifically...she would want a specific shout out.)

Phaidra Atkinson

Phaidra Atkinson holds her B.S. in Theatre and Communication Education from Weber State University.  She teachers or has taught:  Theatre 1, 2, 3, 4, and Productions Company, Stage Technology, Film Studies, Speech and Debate.  She has been teaching for 26 years.  She spent one year at Pine Ridge Academy, three at Bear River High School, six at Brighton High School, 3 at Highland High School and now resides at Corner Canyon High School where she has been for 12 years.  She has served as a member of the Utah Theatre Association for 10 years, was the theatre representative for the Utah High School Activities Association for 8 years, and is the founder of the Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers.  Phaidra was awarded the Outstanding Service Award in 2011 from UACTT, Best Director in 2011 from the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards, won the Utah High School Activities Association Teacher of the Year Award twice in 2012 and 2017.  In addition, she was the winner of the NFHS Regional Theatre Award in 2018.  She was awarded the Semper Excelsis Award in 2015 from Corner Canyon High School.  In 2016, Phaidra had the great honor of winning the Sorenson Legacy Award.  Phaidra has been named Educator of the month several times from the various schools she has taught at.  She has led her Shakespeare Team and Region and State Drama Team to 1st place wins or top 3 several times.  She has directed hundreds of musicals and plays.  Phaidra also works with the two best people in the world that make her look good every day: Case Hamilton and Melissa Thorne. She could never do her job without her two performing arts besties! Phaidra has also been on stage locally at The Grand Theatre, Davis Arts Council, The Park City Egyptian Theatre, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Midvale Performing Arts Center and Hale Center Theatre.  She is most proud of her marriage to her husband Garrick Atkinson of 18 years and her two amazing children Zane (16) and Millie Katherine Atkinson (13).

Melissa Thorne
Music Director

Melissa Thorne has been the choir director at Corner Canyon since its opening and feels lucky to call this home. She conducts five choirs and a handbell ensemble here at CCHS, all of which are really fun and you should join! She also plays the piano for and sings with a local professional choir, Cantorum Chamber Choir, because apparently she can’t get enough choir. Melissa is also a long-time theatre kid and is so grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our amazing theatre department as music director! When she isn’t making music, Melissa enjoys walking her cute dog Presley around Draper and hopes you’ll say hi if you see them out and about.  Thanks to my mom for teaching me all things music, to Syd for starting me on this crazy path, to Case for forcing me to be his friend, to Phaidra for always building me up, and to all my amazing students! Keep singing!