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.