After a year’s hiatus, Lexie is thrilled to be back at CAPAS! A Pittsburgh native, Lexie grew up performing in many community, regional, and professional productions. A BFA graduate of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, Lexie moved to NJ in 2017 to pursue performance, but ended up falling in love with theatre education through her work here at CAPAS (thanks, Miss Kerri!). After completing her Master of Arts in Educational Theatre and English through New York University in 2020 (she graduated at her kitchen table), and following her deep desire to build arts programs in the public school system, Lexie spent the past year in Charlotte, NC teaching theatre at Ardrey Kell High School. However, the draw of NYC brought her back to teach theatre, currently at Maspeth High School in Queens. The perfect mixture of performer and passionate educator, Lexie is ready to create, teach, and grow with all of the young, creative minds here at CAPAS. Favorite roles include: Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Roxie Hart in Chicago, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde among many others.

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! 

Chris Hale is a dynamic dance educator, Life Coach, and host of the

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.

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.

Kerri Ford is a graduate of the Educational Theatre program at NYU and is a performer who is passionate about theatre for young audiences. Kerri has performed and toured with several educational theatre companies, and most recently completed a certification program in Early Childhood Education. These days, Kerri spends most of her time teaching young children the joys of performing as a teaching artist in both NJ and the NYC metro area. See what Kerri is up to at www.kerriford.com.

Michaela, a Virginia native, received her early dance training at The Loudoun School of Ballet, and went on to receive her BFA with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, class of 2012. She is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, and actively teaches and sets work in and around the tri-state area and nationwide. As part of DanceLab New York, Michaela has worked with Josh Prince (DLNY Artistic Director), Robbie Fairchild, Loni Landon, Ray Mercer, Kristen Carcone, John Carrafa, and Helen Simoneau. Additionally, she’s worked with Mia Michaels (Mia Michaels LIVE), Kristen Carcone (Dinner is Served, 2019 Governor’s Island Residency), Josh Bergasse (Tisch Gala 2010, Jazz at Lincoln Center), Greg Graham (Tisch Gala 2012), Lisa Shriver (PHISH at MSG, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), Katarzyna Skarpetowska (Jacob’s Pillow with Periapsis Music and Dance), Ray Mercer (Hudson Valley Dance Festival), Aszure Barton (NYU SADC ’12), and Larry Keigwin (If/Then). Michaela is represented by CESD for Dance and Commercial Print and is also a NASM-certified personal trainer, teaching group fitness formats at Equinox locations throughout New York City.

Kathy VanDereedt is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator based out of NYC. Performance credits include productions of Carmen and La Traviata with the Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the international tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and numerous regional theater productions, including White Christmas, The Producers, and Crazy For You. As an instructor, Kathy has taught and choreographed at various schools, studios, and colleges, including NYC's Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Capezio Center and for Dance Masters of America, and is currently on faculty with the Musical Theatre department at New York Film Academy. Kathy is also an adjudicator and master teacher for multiple top U.S. and Canadian dance competitions. Kathy enjoys bringing an open and inclusive environment to her classes, inviting students of all ages to explore, challenge and dig for a deeper understanding of everything they know about technique, movement, performance and keeping a healthy mindset. www.kathyvandereedt.com

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. 

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.

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: 

https://www.meghanhoey.com

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.

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.

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.