Class Act Performing Arts Studio faculty
directors
For over 15 years, Page has been helping young people grow into artists of integrity by providing a nurturing environment in which to train, develop, and be heard. She is a mentor and den mother to her students, believing very strongly that every child has something special to offer. Her greatest joy is advising students and helping them succeed in all aspects of their lives. Page is regularly called upon for help with everything, be it performance related, or even fashion help. And, after having supported her own daughter through the many joys and challenges of growing up in the arts, she is well positioned to mentor young people through everything from social conflicts to college auditions. Page created CAPAS to provide a safe, challenging, and professional space for students to explore their creativity, have fun, take risks, and excel. She believes firmly that if you put the positivity and heart back into the process, the results will speak for themselves.
Page has been described by trusted colleagues and friends as, "an amazing leader with a knack for spotting talent and building strong teams. She kept the studio afloat and thriving through the pandemic. She’s a champion of her students and her staff, and cares deeply about the success of everyone who comes through the doors at CAPAS.” She can’t wait to welcome you into the CAPAS family.
Raised in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, Calen Kurka started his training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Modern, and Chinese Dance. He then later moved to Edmonton, Alberta, furthering his training competitively.
Currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as an instructor Calen has taught across Canada, the U.S. and Japan, and more recently in Ireland at Dublin's Dance Jam '07. He is currently instructing for Dance Masters of America as one of their Master Faculty, and is also on faculty with Dance Educators of America. His choreography has been recognized as outstanding at many competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has been the recipient of many awards. In addition to teaching in and around New York he's also assisted choreographer, director, instructor, Michele Assaf.
Calen's performing credits include being an original member of the first national tour of Jeff Amsden's widely acclaimed "A Few Good Men Dancin'", and performing with recording artist Carmella in a tribute concert to Cher. He's also worked closely with choreographer/instructor Chris Hale. As a featured performer, Calen's stage credits include having spent a year on contract with Tokyo Disney as a Main Stage performer, and taking on such leading roles as Capt. Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" and Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" in regional stage productions. In addition he can be seen in "The Live! at Broadway Dance Center" video series "Turns and Turn Combos", dancing with choreographer Danny Herman, and heading his own instructional video "Floor Work with Calen Kurka and Chris Hale": A new addition to the "Live at BDC" collection.
As founder and Artistic Director of Pushing Progress Contemporary Dance, Calen hopes to continue his journey as an artist, instructor and choreographer. He wishes to inspire, and be continually inspired by those who so honestly give of their talent and themselves. He continues, with his company, to create work pushing new movement, strong technique, honesty, emotional commitment, and growth. It is an evolutionary journey with no boundaries, no limits, no ends.
Pushing Progress Contemporary Dance is a New York based contemporary dance and workshop company under the direction of Calen Kurka. Born out of a desire to strengthen awareness of mind, movement, and body, :pushing progress is considered a new dynamic force in the dance community bringing forward a new generation of technical strength and contemporary movement. It is pioneering new programs for training and making knowledge of the the human anatomy as a foundation for technique in dance. accessible not only to an elite, but to anybody who wishes to truly understand their ability and artistry as a dancer.
The work of Calen J. Kurka is considered highly athletic and of a new energy. Combining contemporary dance with the improvement and education of oneself, the work is both noetic, and emotionally charged with a focus on breaking boundaries and finding new perspective on movement and the challenges that bind us to our own bodies. It is a process determined to find artistic style and beauty through technique, the strength of intention, and trust of one’s energetic self.
Kaela O’Connor is a 2015 graduate from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. She is also a 2021 grad from the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) in the United Kingdom, where she received her MFA...also in Musical Theatre! While attending CCM, Kaela was credited as the Associate Choreographer for the department's production of "Carrie, The Musical" in addition to serving as the Choreographer for her own Freshman and Senior Showcases, the latter of which was presented for industry professionals in NYC. Creative credits while at GSA include serving as the Movement Director for the MFA production of "Babe, The Sheep-Pig", the Assistant Choreographer for the BA Musical Theatre department's production of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella", and the GSA 2021 BA Musical Theatre Showcase, for which she served as the Assistant Director and Choreographer. At CAPAS, she has choreographed productions of “Carrie, The Musical”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Spring Awakening”, “Head Over Heels”, and “Pippin’”.
She has had the opportunity to perform with companies such as: The St. Louis MUNY, Broadway Cares, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, and The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She can also be seen in a Pepsi/NFL commercial featuring Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback, Andy Dalton. Favorite roles include Mother (Ragtime), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Maureen (Rent), Linda (Blood Brothers), Fly (Babe, The Sheep-Pig), and the chance to originate the roles of Zoe, Olga and Parthenope in the world premiere of Extraordinary Women, with a book by Julie Andrews' biographer, Richard Stirling, and music by Tony Award winning musical arranger, Sarah Travis. Kaela is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association and British Equity, and proud mama to Instagram SENSATION, Otis Botis Boy @the.world.according.to.otis @kaelaoc320
Nathaniel is excited to be joining CAPAS! A 2015 graduate of the University of Cincinnati CCM Musical Theatre department, he now lives in New York City as a writer, filmmaker, and actor. At CCM, among the roles he played were “Ernst” in Spring Awakening, “Emmett” in Legally Blonde, and “Captain Hook” in Peter Pan. Some of his recent credits include Ogunquit Playhouse, The Gateway, La Mirada Theatre by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Originally from Minneapolis, he performed at the Guthrie Theater, the Minnesota Opera, the Children’s Theatre Company, the Minnesota Orchestra, and Theater Latté Da where he worked as assistant to Artistic Director Peter Rothstein for a season. Nate was honored as a Scholar of Distinction in the Theater Arts and the SpotLight Musical Theater Awards’ Best Actor. He created NDI Backyard Productions which performed to Minnesota audiences for a decade, raising money for children’s arts scholarships. Since graduating from CCM, he has begun serious pursuit of his career in filmmaking. This fall will mark his professional debut as screenwriter, director, and producer with the premiere and festival release of his short horror film The One.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Dance/Musical Theater FACULTY
Jenna was born and raised in Ankeny, Iowa, and was trained at Elevation Performing Arts Center. She danced competitively growing up and won numerous awards for her performances. Alongside her dancing, she started teaching class, and choreographing for her competition team at the age of 16. She has taught jazz, ballet, and technique for about 3 years. She has loved choreographing jazz solos, duets, and trios, and her routines have received many high score awards. Since graduating high school in January of 2023, she has been training at The Bridge Movement under the direction of Stacey Tookey and Calen Kurka. She attends class 5 days a week with many leaders in the dance industry. Jenna is very passionate about giving dancers choreography that makes them feel confident and look amazing on stage and helping dancers grow.
Abigail Day is a teacher, choreographer, and artist currently based in NYC. Before moving to the East Coast, Abigail graduated from International Ballet Academy in Bellevue, WA where she trained heavily in Vaganova, École Francaise, and Balanchine Ballet techniques. There she also took Composition training where she grew her passion for choreography. She supplemented with training in styles such as Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, and Musical Theater technique from Westlake Dance Center and Acting training through Greenwood Acting Studio.
This past year, Abigail has been training with ‘The Bridge Movement,’ a program directed by Stacey Tookey. There she has trained in all dance styles, acting, voice, and mental skills. In the past year, she has also worked in administration, substitute teaching, and assisting at Class Act Performing Arts Studio.
Most recently, Abigail traveled to Orlando, FL to perform her choreography for the Open Doors Performance experience directed by Peter Chu and Alexandra Wells.
Maggie Carol Gates recently completed her degree as a BFA dance major from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She was born and raised there, beginning her dance training in all styles at The Dance Shoppe in Waterford, Michigan. Throughout her time at Wayne State Maggie had the pleasure of working with local and international artists such as Biba Bell, Dr. RAS Mikey Courtney, Jackie Nowicki, and Wanjiru Kamuyu. Currently, she is training with The Bridge Movement directed by renowned choreographers Stacey Tookey and Calen Kurka. She spends each week dancing in New Jersey and New York with rotating faculty curated by the program including Peter Chu, Roger Van Der Poel, Lucy Vallely and Heather Lang. In 2022, Maggie had a co-choreographed work titled Space Unfounded but Familiar to Three performed at the 93rd Annual Wayne State Spring Dance Concert as well as the Detroit Dance City Festivals Summer Stage and the Detroit Institute of Arts Rivera Court Stage. In 2024, she performed in and directed the preshow portion of an nteractive dance installation entitled Are We Still Playing? A work performed at Purdie Space in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Chris Hale is a dynamic dance educator, Life Coach, and host of the
You Need A Coach, B!tch
Podcast with credits including Sex And The City, Saturday Night Live and more. Co-founding the Pushing Progress Contemporary Training Program, Chris developed a method of dance training with a blend of functional anatomy, mindset coaching and classical technique, guiding students to success in NYC's top companies. He’s taught at NYC’s premier studios including Broadway Dance Center and Seps NYC. With over 20 years of experience, he’s trained dancers at elite East Coast studios leading students to some of the country’s top dance programs. Chris’s impact has extended to fitness as a SoulCycle instructor and as an adjunct ballet instructor at Montclair State University. His passion for personal development shines through, inspiring students to take control of their lives. Chris is a recognized thought leader in the self-development space with a deeply rooted belief that personal development and healthy striving are the keys to success.
I’m Meghan Hoey (she/her) and I’m excited to be joining the CAPAS faculty. I am an actor, dancer, and singer who grew up right here in Maplewood, New Jersey. I recently graduated from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, receiving my BFA in Musical Theatre with an Emphasis in Dance. I began training in dance, acting and vocal disciplines from a young age here at Class Act PAS where I found a deep love for the arts and its many mediums. Later on I found my footing as an artist at programs like The Performing Arts Project, The Joffrey Ballet School and Pushing Progress. I’m so excited by the opportunity to teach these artists of tomorrow. And encourage them to take up space, be wholeheartedly themselves, make mistakes fearlessly and be curious about their art! Website:
Mason Derreck Lewis graduated from The Cobb County Center of Excellence in the Performing Arts, a nationally accredited performing arts magnet program just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and went on to study Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance at Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, PA. He then went on to perform in the 2017 Broadway National Tour of the Tony Award winning Revival musical, "Pippin" as one of the three dancers in "Manson Trio", originally choreographed by Bob Fosse and reimagined by the incomparable Chet Walker, in 28 states and parts of Canada. He was also the 1st understudy & went on several times as Pippin, Lewis, and King Charles. Mason then went on to be a Singer/Dancer with Norwegian Creative Studios, where he traveled to 37 different countries getting to do what he loves most! When he’s not singing and dancing, Mason can be found in the studio teaching fitness classes at Jane DO in Hoboken and Jersey City. Nothing brings Mason more joy than the musical theater, and he is so excited to be joining the Class Act team!
Lily Lindstrom (she/her) is a proud CAPAS alum, having joined the studio when it first opened. She’s thrilled to return as a faculty member and hopes to inspire young performers to embrace storytelling with nuance and individual artistry—just as CAPAS once inspired her. Lily recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with emphases in Dance and Tap. She has also trained with the Verdon Fosse Legacy Professional Training Program, learning from those closely connected to Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. While at the Conservatory, Lily discovered a love for artistic leadership, teaching and creating new work. She has had her choreography featured at Boston Dance Studios, and most recently brought original project Acts of Love to the iconic 54 Below in NYC. She directed and choreographed for Boston Conservatory’s Annual Choreography Showcase and Berklee College’s Tap Club. As a performer, Lily has appeared in productions at regional theaters like Reagle Music Theatre and Firehouse Center for the Arts, as well as event spaces such as The Royale Boston and Club Drosselmeyer. Outside of performing and teaching, Lily also enjoys media and website design. She hopes to continue to bring creativity, clarity, and optimism into every room she enters. lilylindstrom.com
Merit Moody comes from Las Vegas Nevada, where she attended Las Vegas Academy of the arts. Merit has been a competitive dancer for 16 years and has received multiple scholarships from National Dance Honors and The Dance Awards. This past year she has been closely trained under Peter Chu, Stacey Tookey, and Robert Contreras. She is a current member of The Bridge Movement in South Orange, New Jersey pursuing a professional dance career.
Rilee Nyborg grew up training and competing in multiple styles of dance including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, and Ballroom. Upon graduating from Bunker Dance Center and Las Vegas Academy of the Arts in 2018, she moved to Chicago to join the Hubbard Street Professional Program where she continued her dance education under the direction and mentorship of Alexandra Wells. There, Rilee has worked with artists such as Jonathan Alsberry, Peter Chu, David Norsworthy, Adam Barruch, Ryan Mason, Gilbert Small, and has workshopped repertoire by Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Alejandro Cerrudo, and many more. She has also supplemented her training with summers at ChuThis Movement Intensive and has been an assistant for Peter Chu and Alexandra Wells during chuthis.Perspective workshops. During the pandemic, Rilee became certified in IMAGE TECH for dancers™, a weight-bearing somatic technique created by Alexandra Wells. Since then she has been eager to spread this knowledge to young artists in hopes to better their awareness of their bodies and give them the tools they need for a healthy career. Rilee has currently finished her training at The Bridge Movement, directed by Stacey Tookey, and is looking forward to traveling, educating, choreographing, and dancing with artists with a passion for progress over perfection.
Mariner grew up in Annapolis, MD and began her dance training at a young age. She trained in many styles but heavily focused on ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. Over her summers she attended several prestigious programs including The Rock School for Dance Education. In tap she trained under Baakari Wilder, Mark Orsborn, Justin Myles, and Jodeci Milhouse all in both class and choreographic settings. She was dance captain of Broadneck Dance Company for two years. Later on, Mariner assisted Emily Martin, the owner and artistic director of Level Dance Project. She also assistant choreographed with Nathaniel Hunt at Community College of Baltimore County. She has been teaching and choreographing for several years and loves sharing her passion with the next generation. She continues to pursue her own growth in the art being part of The Bridge Movement’s class this year.
Elisabetta Spuria is originally from Italy, where she grew up and started her professional career as a dancer/choreographer.
Since moving to New York City, she has been working with such artists as Mariah Carey (“Charmbracelet World Tour”) and Michael Bolton (“Only A Woman Like You Tour”) as both associate choreographer and assistant director.
She has been an assistant choreographer, dance captain and performer in numerous theater productions including; Footloose, Nights on Broadway III, and the operas Carmen, Candide and Aida. Elisabetta has worked and collaborated with directors and choreographers like, Josh Bergasse, AC Ciulla, Andy Sandberg, Andrew Goldberg, and Michele Assaf. Elisabetta was the choreographer of the regional premiere of Spring Awakening (ReVision Theatre/TheatreC), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (LIVE Asbury Park), Hair directed by Andrew Goldberg, Chicago at the Michael D. Palm Theatre in CO, The Who’s Tommy directed by Carlos Armesto, Tess A New Rock Opera (NYMF), disOriented, a play by Kyoung H. Park (Peter Jay Sharp Theatre), the Off Broadway play Zelda at the Oasis, Standby (NYMF), Madame Infamy (NYMF), Billy Lewis Jr.’s Jealousy (music video).
Elisabetta was associate choreographer for the PBS children show, “The Electric Company” and for ABC’s 2010 “One Life To Live” musical episodes. In addition, Elisabetta travels extensively to teach master classes and workshops throughout North America and across the globe; she has also been a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center and at Steps on Broadway in NYC.
Most recently recurring on HULU’s Wu Tang: An American Saga. Also seen playing the role of George Washington in Jay Craven’s war drama Lost Nation, and costarring on Broadway originating the role of Bruce Sudano in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. Broadway: Lysistrata Jones. Tours: Wicked, We Will Rock You. New York: Romance Language (Ars Nova), Pretty Filthy (The Civilians), The Jerusalem Syndrome (York), Michael in Beaches (Theatre Row), Fat Camp (Dodgers). Regional: Alfred Davidson in the World Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s RAIN (Old Globe), Dracula in the World Premiere of Dracula: A Comedy Of Terrors, SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical (La Jolla Playhouse), Lt. Sam Weinberg in A Few Good Men (Alley Theatre), Jerry in The Full Monty (North Shore) Nate in LMNOP (Theatre Under The Stars, Goodspeed Musicals), Radames in AIDA (Drury Lane), Roger in RENT (Hangar Theatre), Matthew in the DC premiere of Altar Boyz, Giuseppe in The Light in the Piazza (Maine State Music Theatre). Readings: Vanity Fair and Pride & Prejudice (Bedlam), Tommy in New York New York (Susan Stroman), Rob Camiletti in The Cher Show, Vinnie in Life After High School (Roundabout), Elton in Clueless, Rodya in Crime and Punishment (Old Globe), Jamie in 50 First Dates (Dir Casey Nicholaw), Jacob in Twilight: The Musical (New World Stages). Television: Guest stars on Law And Order: SVU and Blue Bloods. Costars on Blindspot and Pan Am.
Voice/THEORY
