MEET THE STAFF

Meghan began her dance training in Madison, WI, where she was a part of the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and other performing groups in the area. Meghan decided to further her dance education by attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2001, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and most outstanding student in the Department of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Following college, Meghan was awarded a scholarship to study at the Giordano Dance Center, from there she became an apprentice with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and then a professional company member.  With Giordano Meghan traveled the world dancing and had the opportunity to perform works by Randy Duncan, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano, Christopher Huggins, Ron de Jesus, Jon Lehrer, Mia Michaels, Tony Powel, Davis Robertson, and many more. She also had the honor of representing Giordano on the cover of the August 2007 issue of Dance Magazine.  Meghan completed her fifth and final season with Giordano in 2009. After her departure from Giordano, Meghan served one year as the Rehearsal Director and as a dancer for Piel Morena Contemporary Dance. Collaborating with this company Meghan became Co-Director of and helped to create a very successful summer intensive dance program, International Contemporary Dance Intensive. Meghan’s teaching career took flight at North Shore School of Dance in Highland Park, IL, where she became the head of the Jazz Department and Director of the North Shore Repertory Dance Ensemble.  She has also been a Master Teacher and Guest Choreographer in the Chicago area and across the United States. Meghan feels very fortunate to be able to share dance with others as the Founder and Owner of Midwest Performing Arts.

Jessica found her passion for dance at the age of four in her hometown of Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin. Her love for choreography and teaching started at a young age when she was asked to choreograph for Sauk Prairie’s Executive Session Show Choir’s European Tour upon graduating high school. Jessica continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. There she had the privilege to perform works by professional companies as well as showcase her choreography in both the university’s dance and musical theater productions. Jessica was dance captain and performed in professional dinner theater productions throughout her college education. After college, Jessica began her teaching experience at Midwest Performing Arts (MPA) in Waunakee, WI. Jessica is now the School Director, Resident Choreographer, and Instructor at MPA where she is in her 12th year of teaching. She has had the privilege of working with the Sauk Prairie High School on their musicals for the past four years. She has also worked with their Executive Session Show Choir where she has been recognized for Outstanding Choreography. Jessica was awarded Outstanding Choreography in the Wisconsin Jerry Awards for her choreography in Mamma Mia (2021) and The Little Mermaid (2019). Jessica is so proud of all the dancers and performers she has worked with for their hard work, dedication, and love for dance! It has been an absolute privilege for her to watch them grow into amazing dancers and people.

Crystal Sutherland began dancing at age six, where she grew up Mercer, WI, a small town in Northern Wisconsin, near the U.P. of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Columbia College Chicago in 2016, focusing her degree on pedagogy.  Crystal has performed in choreography during her time at Columbia under the direction of Taisha Paggett, Alicia Wilson, Rebecca Huang, Pamela McNeil, Dr. Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris, and Jessica Miller Tomlinson.  Upon graduation, Crystal moved back to her home state of Wisconsin to Madison. Here, she has had the pleasure of being a choreographer, performer, teacher, and director with Madison Contemporary Dance for three years.  Within MCD, she performed in pieces under the direction of Corinne Jones, Michael Knight, Natalie Nemeckay, Tyler Nemmers, Beth Piccolo, Kimberly Smith, and herself.  Crystal is an award-winning choreographer and her piece, “Remember My Name,” was selected for the final gala at Cathedral Dance Festival in 2019. Crystal began teaching at Midwest Performing Arts in 2016. She is now the Media & Marketing Coordinator, Office Manager, Resident Choreographer, and Instructor at MPA. Crystal loves sharing her passion for dance and choreography with her students and is incredibly proud of all of them!

Ashley Harty’s dance journey began at Dance Arts Center in Racine, WI. During college, teaching dance became her calling. Ashley has taught at Gotta Dance Academy of Performing Arts in Lancaster, WI and guest taught at Elite Dance Centre in Beaver Dam, WI and Dance Gallery of South Dakota. In 2023, Ashley began working with Applause Talent Dance Competition as part of their tour staff. She self-choreographed a solo for a concert organized by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and was a part of ‘A Chorus Line’ musical put on by the Lancaster Community Players. Ashley is currently dancing with Madison Contemporary Dance. Collaboration is key to her creative process. Through collective creativity, Ashley finds inspiration and enriches her artistic journey with diverse perspectives and experiences.

Meghan’s love for dancing began at the age of six in her hometown of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Meghan joined Midwest Performing Arts when they first opened their doors. She was a part of the Youth Performance Groups and yearly Nutcracker performances where she performed many roles including Clara, Harlequin Doll and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Meghan decided to further her training by attending summer intensives with Ballet Arizona, Joffrey Ballet School, and Bolshoi Academy. During her time at the Joffrey Summer Intensive, she received an offer and scholarship from the Artistic Director, Era Jouravlev, to attend the year-round Trainee program (founded by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino); thus, beginning her professional career. In 2018, Meghan moved out to New York City during her senior year of high school to finish her schooling. With her time at the Joffrey Ballet, she performed soloist and lead roles such as the Lead Pas De Deux Flower, Lead Spanish, and Snowflake in the Nutcracker, as well as Soloist roles in Romeo and Juliet, Naina’s Magical Garden, and Gamzahtti’s Variation from La Bayadere. Working and learning aside many established teachers, Meghan was given the opportunity to work with world renowned ballet instructors such as Era Jouravlev from Perm State Ballet, Marina Bogdanova from the Mariinsky Ballet, Gaiane Akopian from Vaganova Academy, Stacy Caddell from the New York City Ballet and the Balanchine Trust. After three years with the school, Meghan began finding her love for teaching and sharing her passion with others in the Madison area. She is heading into her fifth year of teaching, and can not wait to dance with you in the studio!

Taylor Jade Kohlbeck has a BA in Dance and BS in Psychology at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Growing up, she trained at Monique's School of Dance in Apple Valley, MN, Center Stage Dance Studio in Prior Lake, MN, and was a part of her high school dance team. Taylor has studied various styles of dance, attended conventions like NYCDA and Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive in NYC, and had the opportunity to perform in the Super Bowl LII and the Outback Bowl. In college, she was a part of the UWSP Dance Team for four years and was dance captain her final year. Here she performed for various sporting events as well as competitions in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. She also got the opportunity to choreograph their jazz and pom routines. Taylor performed in three Afterimages and Danstage concerts and choreographed a piece called Silhouettes in the 2021 Afterimages. Taylor attended ACDA in 2023 where she performed in two works: Four Seasons choreographed by Sarah Olson and In the Absence of Conformity choreographed by Elizabeth Pischel. Taylor is now dancing with Madison Contemporary Dance.

Celia grew up in Monona, WI and started dancing at the age of three at Monona Academy of Dance. She studied summers on scholarship at Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Midwest, Orlando Ballet, and Ballet Hispanico. She danced professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet performing in several of Michael Pink's works including Dracula, Swan Lake, Scheherazade, and Nutcracker and with The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC). She has taught at Monona Academy of Dance, the Milwaukee Ballet School, in the Milwaukee Area Public Schools, in a demo-video in the Milwaukee Children's Museum, MSCR Programs, at DCDC Dance School, in the Dayton Public Schools, and Dance Academy LTD in Elm Grove, WI. She hosted a Summer Dance Camp at Cambridge High School where she choreographed for their dance team; as well as choreographed for the non-profit Dance Wisconsin. She graduated from Edgewood College with a B.S. in Business in 2010 and an MBA in 2013. Currently, Celia is working for the University of Wisconsin Systems (UWSA). Celia has been teaching for 22 years and is in her third year teaching MPAs Special Needs classes. She is very excited to be part of the MPA Dance family and be able to share her love of dance and teaching.

Ben Shepard is new to the Madison area dance community, and he’s excited to teach at MPA. Ben is a new company dancer with Madison Ballet. He moved from Cleveland, OH where he danced with Ohio Contemporary Ballet (Formerly Verb Ballets) for 5 seasons. While there, he performed roles such as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet in Havana, Cuba; a principal in Celebration by Gerald Arpino, and as the lead in a number of Heinz Poll ballets. On the contemporary side he enjoyed performing in world premieres set by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Joshua Peugh, and Stephanie Martinez. Ben has a Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Arts Administration from Butler University, where he studied the Vagonova method, the French school, the Balanchine style, Graham, and Cunningham technique. He is looking forward to sharing all that he’s learned through his education and professional experiences with the students at MPA.

Erin grew up in Waunakee, WI and fell in love with dance at the age of 5. She started dancing at Midwest Performing Arts in 2012, on the first day they were open. In her time at MPA, Erin participated in Nutcracker performances and the Youth Performance Groups. Her training with MPA later set her up for success in UW-Madison’s Broadway-caliber Wisconsin Singers. Erin completed 3 years as a singer/dancer and spent 2 of those years as the Production Manager. In her time with Wisconsin Singers, she worked with Madison local professionals Michael Stanek and Abby Pritzl. She spent 3 wonderful years performing nearly every weekend in the spring in theaters around the Midwest. She has also choreographed the Waunakee Middle School’s musical "Matilda Jr." and is eager to stay involved in both music and dance. Erin has always loved her MPA family and is absolutely thrilled to take on roles in the office, front of house, and especially in the studio. She cannot wait to watch young MPA dancers learn and grow!

Dana has enjoyed being part of MPA since its beginning in 2012.  She brings to MPA her organizational skills, her eye for color and costuming, and friendly disposition.  You will often find Dana back in the costume room, her favorite of the new addition. “I love watching the students grow into young adulthood, and although are happy for them, am also sad to see them graduate.”  Dana’s greatest joy has always been watching her two daughters grow through their love or dance and the experiences they are able to share with their students. Family has always been important and Dana relishes her role of “Nana” to her 6 grandchildren.  Dana retired from her Executive Director role in 2023, however, you may see her here and there at the front desk and she will continue to help with our beautiful costumes for Nutcracker.

Abby Hermans graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 2024 with a BA in Dance. Prior to her time at UW-Stevens Point, Abby trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop and Pointe at Midwest Performing Arts. At UW-Stevens Point, Abby trained in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and theater dance under the instruction of Sarah Olson, Michael Estanich, Pamela Ludtke, and Jeannie Hill. Within these four years, she has continued to grow her love for modern and tap dance, along with the additional passion for ballet. Abby has been a part of many performances choreographed by her fellow classmates along with her professors in the shows "Afterimages" and "Danstage". She also had the honor of choreographing and performing in her own piece "Unresolved", shown in Afterimages 2023. Attending guest artists master classes, Abby experienced body percussion and tap with Max Pollak and Heather Cornell, hip-hop with Aysha Upchurch, African style jazz dance with Monique Haley, and ballet with Yuki Tokuda. Abby had the great opportunity to attend the North-Central American College Dance Association Conference in 2022, 2023, and 2024. There, she took several master classes in varying styles and performed "New Beginnings" choreographed by Alyssa Krueger, "The Absence of Conformity" choreographed by Elizabeth Pichel, and her very own work "Unresolved". Abby’s love for dance, performance, and teaching continues to grow.  

Lauren Thompson grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and received her early training at Ballet Hawaii and Honolulu Classical Ballet. She has always loved teaching, assisting teachers at both Ballet Hawaii and Honolulu Classical Ballet. She continued her studies at Ballet West Academy and Nashville Ballet II. In 2018, Lauren moved to Oconomowoc to become a founding member of The BrayBallet under artistic director Eddy Bray. Upon moving to Wisconsin, she rediscovered her love of teaching and has been teaching as much as she can. While dancing at BrayBallet, she performed principal roles in Bray’s Dracula, Nutcracker, and Sinatra Suite, as well as a variety of pas de deux from the classical repertoire. Lauren is currently dancing at Madison Ballet. 

Jacob Frazier started his dance training in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Butler Tech School of the Arts in 2012 and attended Point Park University where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance with a concentration in Modern Dance. While attending Point Park, Jacob has had the privilege of training and performing a variety of works by José Limóne, Lar Lubovitch, Dwight Rhoden, Mark Morris, Brian Enos, Jessica Lange, Douglas Bentz, and served as dance/fight captain for Oklahoma! under the direction of Patrick Cassidy. In 2014 Jacob attended the Indigenous Dance Residency at the Banff Centre. After attending the residency Jacob returned to Banff as a company member with Red Sky in which he performed as a dancer and choreographer in multiple showcases in Banff and Vancouver Canada. Jacob dance professionally for five seasons with Giordano Dance Chicago. While being in the company Jacob had the opportunity to teach for Giordano Dance Chicago’s Jazz Dance Science and Health program. Educating Chicago youth and sharing the art form of dance. Jacob has also had the privilege of choreographing for Giordano on Giordano Jacob has taught all over the country including the Big Island, Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Jacob was honored to teach for University of Hilo Hawaii as well as perform in multiple shows with Giordano Dance Chicago. Since moving to Chicago in 2016 Jacob has performed in Randy Duncan’s Dance for Life Finale/Opening number. Jacob has performed multiple times on the Pritzker Stage in Millennium Park including Randy Duncan’s choreography for the 10th annual Chicago Dance Festival and Summer Dance with Giordano Dance Chicago. In the summer of 2017, Jacob had the opportunity to be Assistant Producer of Unity in Dance at the Pride Arts Center in Uptown, Chicago. In 2023, Jacob earned a Master of Social Work degree at Arizona State University and is currently a Fitness Coach and Dance Instructor in the Chicago area. Jacob continues to lead his life with an open heart and open mind by sharing his passion of dance and art with the world. Love, light, and gratitude.

Richard Smith is the proud new owner and executive director of 360° Dance Festival. He attended East Carolina University in North Carolina, where he earned a BFA in Dance Performance, with a concentration in Jazz Dance and Dance Education in 2000. After college, he moved to Chicago to train with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Richard was fortunate to have the opportunity to work and travel with the late Gus Giordano and he now teaches the Giordano Technique in Chicago, IL. The Gus Giordano Dance School named Richard a master jazz dance teacher and he is currently a summer faculty member at the Gus Giordano Dance School. From 2009 until 2017, Richard was the artistic director of Inaside Chicago Dance. In addition, between 2008 to 2012, Richard had the opportunity to be an artist-in-residence at his alma mater, East Carolina University, as well as at Western Michigan University, Elon University and Duke University. In 2012, Richard was a judge for Miss America of North Carolina. He is also a regional and national adjudicator and teacher for Applause Talent Presentations, Kids Artistic Revue, Dance Masters of Michigan, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, Bravo Dance Competition, and Rainbow Connection, in addition to teaching and choreographing for workshops, studios and companies throughout the US. Richard was a visiting professor at his Alma Mater East Carolina University for the 2022-2023 school year. Currently, he is the technique expert for More Than Just Great Dancing Affiliate Studios and serves on the advisory board for Youth Advocates Protection in Dance (YPAD). Richard is excited to be a leader in movement to promote the health and wellness of the whole dancer at the 360° Dance Festival.

Cesar G. Salinas, originally from Portland, Oregon, is Giordano Dance Chicago’s Associate Artistic Director. This year marks Cesar’s 10th season in an artistic administrative role previously serving as artistic assistant and artistic programs manager. He began his formal studies in dance with Zohar School of Dance, under the direction of Ehud Krauss in Palo Alto, CA. There he was introduced to the classic jazz styles of Gus Giordano, Luigi, and Matt Mattox. He moved to Oregon where he studied at Willamette Ballet Academy under Deborah Higginbotham. Cesar went on to further his training at the University at Buffalo, where he graduated with a BFA in Dance. Twenty years ago, he received a scholarship to the original Giordano Dance School in Evanston, IL,  in 2004 and in the summer of 2005. From 2006 until 2011, Cesar joined Giordano Dance Chicago as a full company member performing throughout the United States and Europe. During his tenure, he was proud to be a part of GDC’s educational outreach pilot program, teaching science and health dance classes to 4th and 5th grade students in under-resourced public schools in Chicago. Cesar was honored to be on the cover of Dance Magazine (August 2007) and to teach at the Jazz Dance World Congress in 2007, 2009, and 2012. In 2013, he was chosen as a soloist for BalaSole Dance Company performing “Hunted” in New York City’s Alvin Ailey Citigroup where he received rave reviews: “richly physical performance that drew the audience’s unfettered enthusiasm” – Philip Gordon. Cesar toured the world with Royal Caribbean cruise lines as a performer in the Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever as well as an aerialist. In the January 2018 issue of Dance Teacher Magazine, Cesar demonstrates the Giordano Technique alongside Nan Giordano in honor of the company’s 55th Anniversary Season. Cesar is a certified teacher in the Giordano Technique at the Basic, Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Professional Levels of the Nan Giordano Certification Program® (NGCP®). Most recently Cesar returned to the stage at the Auditorium Theatre to perform Gus Giordano’s 1978 iconic solo Wings in honor of Nan Giordano’s 33 years at the helm and 25th Anniversary as Artistic Director for GDC. Lauren Warnecke of See Chicago Dance wrote, “...you could almost imagine Gus himself up there performing the piece he made 40 years ago.” He currently teaches master classes and workshops, as well as choreographs for universities and studios across the country. 

Todd Rhoades received his BFA in Dance from Point Park University and his MFA in Dance from the University of Iowa. Todd has danced professionally across the US with various dance, theater, and opera companies. He started his professional dance career as a guest artist at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He moved on to dancing soloist roles for Ballet Austin (George Balanchine, Stephen Mills, David Nixon, David Parsons, Septime Webre.) and performing with Luna Negra Dance Theater, Danzloop Chicago, The Seldoms, and Ron de Jesus Dance Theater. As a principal dancer with the Lyric Opera of Chicago for over twelve years, he worked with many international choreographers and directors, including Lucinda Childs, Phillipe Girardeau, Wayne McGregor, Lynn Page, and Danny Pelzig. In the theater realm, Todd was seen onstage at the Tennessee Williams Festival in Provincetown, MA, the MUNY in St Louis, The Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and many regional theaters. Aside from performing, Todd has also choreographed for professional dance companies: Trifecta Dance Collective, Nomi Dance Theatre, Inaside Chicago Dance, Project Bound Dance, Chicago Dance in the Parks, Finger Lakes Opera/New York State Ballet, New Orleans Opera/New Orleans Ballet, Des Moines Metro Opera, Paramount Theatre (Aurora, IL), Music Theater Works (Wilmette, IL), Lifeline Theatre (Chicago, IL), The Theatre School - DePaul University, University of Michigan (Opera, Theater, Dance Departments), and The University of Iowa (Department of Dance). His works have been presented at the Trifecta Dance Festival (2020) and the Iowa Dance Festival (2022, 2023). As an instructor, Todd has taught movement in various forms, including dance (ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary), Pilates, Yoga, and functional exercise/injury prevention for over twenty years. He has been on faculty at The Theatre School – DePaul University, the University of Iowa – Department of Dance, Ballet Austin Academy, The Youth Ballet at the University of Iowa, guest instructor for Inaside Chicago Dance, Thodos Dance Chicago, Chicago School of the Arts, Southern Vermont Dance Festival, and served as the private yoga and Pilates instructor for the touring cast of Cirque du Soliel’s Luzia.  Todd served as the Development Director of Chicago-based contemporary company Para.Mar Dance Theater and as the Assistant Director of the University of Iowa Dance Company. He is a recipient of the Iowa Arts Fellowship, the University of Iowa Research Grant, and the City of Chicago’s Year in Theater Scriptwriting Grant. Todd is grateful to share his knowledge and experience with others and is a proud member of the unions: SDC, AEA, AGMA, and COGS and a member of Director’s Lab Chicago. 

To Be Announced

Named “The Swiss Army knife of Chicago Dance” by Dance Magazine, Martin graduated from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point earning his BFA with additional summer training dance programs from Luna Negra Dance Theater, Thodos Dance Chicago and Giordano Dance Chicago where for over 9 years as a company member Martin performed and toured nationally. After concert dancing, another passion of Martin is musical theater. Martin recently appeared in Lyric’s Opera of Chicago Champion, West Side Story and Jenůfa. Other credits include Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Evita, Saturday Night Fever, and Mary Poppins at Drury Lane; Newsies at Marriott Theater; Cabaret at Paramount. Film Choreography Credits include “Moving In” and “Good Enough The Musical." Martin has also keeping busy working in the fitness industry with a number of certifications under his belt for major athletic clubs around the Chicago area.

Ryan Galloway, originally from New Richmond, Indiana, began his training at Dance By Deborah in Crawfordsville. He is a 2015 graduate of Indiana University, where he received a B.S. in Kinesiology with a focus in Contemporary Dance. While at IU, he won the Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, and performed works by esteemed guest choreographers such as Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Larry Keigwin, and Ishan Rustem. Upon graduation, Ryan began dancing professionally with Giordano Dance Chicago where he just recently concluded his 9th season. With GDC, he had the privilege of touring around the country and the world, performing renowned works by Roni Koresh, Ray Leeper, Peter Chu, and Al Blackstone, and choreographing on Giordano II. Ryan is currently dancing his first season with Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ashley Burkland received her early training with the Kehl School of Dance, under Susan Marsden, Shannon Gallagher, and Jo Ann Janus. She was a member of the youth ballet company Wisconsin Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Jo Jean Retrum. With this company, Ashley danced roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, La Fille Mal Gardée, and Peter Rabbit Ballet. She also worked with choreographers Frank Chavez, Julie Janus, Tyler Walters, and Greg Begley. Ashley received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Arizona, training with Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Sam Watson, Jory Hancock, Melissa Lowe, and James Clouser. While there, she performed in numerous Dance Department Showcases and ballets including Paquita, Gershwin Medley, and Carmina Burana. She also danced with the U of A Pomline. Ashley completed her degree at the University of Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2004. Ashley has danced professionally with Kanopy Dance Company, Jazzworks Dance Company, Madison Contemporary Vision Dance Company, Continental Ballet Company, and Cities Classical Dance Ensemble. In her professional career she has had the honor of working with choreographers such as Randy Duncan, Sherry Zunker, Ron Tice, Lisa Thurell, and Robert Cleary. While Ashley loves to perform, her true passion for dance is teaching. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at various studios in Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities area. It is a dream come true for her to own a dance studio and she feels blessed for the success of Ashley Ballet Arts Academy. In ABAA’s eleven years of business, Ashley has enjoyed watching the studio grow and the students thrive, and inspiring a love for the ART and JOY of dance in the Twin Cities community. Ashley now lives in the Mankato area, with her husband Carl and their three children, Charlie, Oliver, and Eden.