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.  She has had the privilege to work with local High Schools on their musicals where she has been awarded Outstanding Choreography in the Wisconsin Jerry Awards for her choreography in Mean Girls (2024), Mamma Mia (2021) and The Little Mermaid (2019). Jessica has also worked with local Show Choirs, where she has been continually recognized for Outstanding Choreography. Jessica is now the School Director, Resident Choreographer and Instructor at MPA where she is in her 13th year of teaching. She 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 currently the Media & Marketing Coordinator, Office Manager, Resident Choreographer, and Instructor at MPA. Crystal loves sharing her passion for dance, choreography, and creativity with her students and is incredibly proud of all of them!

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 sixth 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 currently a choreographer and dancer for Madison Contemporary Dance and is in her second year of teaching at MPA.

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 23 years and is in her fourth year teaching MPA's Special Needs class. 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 excited to be teaching for another year at MPA. Ben is a 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 several of Heinz Poll ballets. Since joining Madison Ballet, Ben has had the honor of performing multiple works by Stephanie Martinez, Ja Malik, and others as well as performing principal roles in classics such as Giselle and The Nutcracker. 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 found her love for dance at age 5 in Waunakee, WI. She started dancing at Midwest Performing Arts several years later, in 2012. 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 the 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. During that time, Erin completed a BS in Biology and a BS in Spanish. Thanks to MPA and the Wisconsin Singers, she was drawn back to her passion for dance. Erin has choreographed for the Waunakee Middle School’s musicals, “Matilda Jr.” (2024) and “Frozen Jr.” (2025) 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 and as a YPG director. She cannot wait to continue to watch young MPA dancers learn and grow in her second year of teaching!

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.

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 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 danced for 9 seasons. 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 for Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis and is in his 2nd season with the company.

Jacob Frazier started his dance training 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. Following graduation, he went on to dance professionally with Giordano Dance Chicago for five seasons. In 2020, Jacob transitioned his love for movement into a career in fitness. He spent the next year and a half training hundreds of individuals as an pvolve instructor. Pvolve is a functional fitness method focused on women's wellness. In 2022, Jacob began the next chapter in his career as a personal trainer and studio instructor with BIÂN, a holistic wellness health club that integrates eastern and western medicinal philosophy. In 2023, Jacob graduated with his masters in social work from Arizona State University. Jacob is currently a Master Trainer at BIÂN and continues his work as a functional fitness trainer with pvolve. Jacob has also opened his own business, Jacob Frazier Wellness, where he supports clients with their holistic well-being through mental health and physical practice. He is looking forward to completing his Pilates reformer and mat certification this September. Jacob is passionate about using movement as a modality to increase individuals' physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He is ecstatic to continue expanding his wellness practice and supporting others in their journey toward holistic health.

Miye Bishop is a professional dancer with Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, WI. She also works as a yoga instructor at Blaze Fitness & Yoga in Middleton, WI. Her background is in ballet, contemporary, Graham, and other forms of modern and yoga. Her early training was through Northwest Ballet Theatre, Ballet Bellevue, Kirov Academy, International Ballet Theatre, and several international summer intensives. She has also danced professionally through Northwest Ballet Theatre, Ballet Bellevue, Bellingham Repertory Dance, Madison Contemporary Dance, Dance Wisconsin, Pacific Northwest Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Madison Opera, Seattle Opera, and other freelance work. Her favorite activity is spending time with her cockapoo, Sumo. 

Richard Smith is the proud 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. The university allowed him to work with Mia Michaels, Mark Dendy, Katiti King, Frank Chaves, Alan Arnett and Tomi Overcash-Galaska. Smith was on the faculty at The Giordano Dance Center for six years and the Joel Hall Dancers and Center for three years. He has been affiliated with internationally touring Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company, and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Richard was the artistic director of Inaside Chicago Dance for nine years. 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. Richard is well known among the More Than Just Great Dancing Affiliated Studios, where he has been the technical expert for the organization for over 8 years. He is committed to giving back to the industry all the wisdom and talent shared with him and to be a leader in movement to promote the health and wellness of the whole dancers 360° Dance Festival.

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. Ashley received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Arizona, performing 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. While Ashley loves to perform, her true passion for dance is teaching. She has over 25 years of teaching experience at various schools across the country. Owning a dance studio fulfilled a lifelong dream and she feels blessed in the success of Ashley Ballet Arts Academy. As the Founder of ABAA, Ashley has enjoyed watching the studio grow and the students thrive, and inspiried 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.