John Boggs

John Boggs is a pianist, composer and vocalist based currently in Thornton, Colorado. He holds a DMA in Composition from the University of Colorado Boulder, a M.M. in Composition from the University of Michigan and a B.F.A. from Bard College. Previous piano instructors include German Diez and MaryAnn Griebling. He taught students of all ages and experience during his undergraduate and graduate studies.

At Bard College he studied voice with tenor Rufus Müller. He has sung such roles as Jamie in The Last Five Years, The Lecturer in Reefer Madness, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He teaches repertoire in the genres of musical theatre, art song, pop and opera. He currently is a Choral Pro for both the Ars Nova singers and the St. John’s Episcopal Compline Choir. In 2016, John co-founded Renaissance and Contemporary a cappella group, Solis, to promote new works from local and national composers.

His music direction includes Pippin and Rocky Horror Picture Show with the Bard Musical theatre Company. In 2017 he music directed Centerstage theatre Company’s production of Godspell, and most recently their 2021 production of Theory of Relativity.

He has had composition premiers by such groups as the American Symphony Orchestra, University of Michigan’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, DaCapo Chamber Players, Ars Nova Singers, the Columbine Chorale, 303 Children’s Choir (now Vocal Coalition), the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and new music ensemble Contemporaneous. He is the co-founder/co-writer as well as the keyboardist and vocalist for experimental rock band Fifth Veil, and is delving into the world of film and interactive game scoring.

He also has experience teaching students with developmental disabilities. He provided accompaniment for Tapestry theatre’s productions of Elf, School House Rocks and Shrek Jr. He was previously employed with Imagine’s CORE day program, where he instructed group music classes using midi over wifi to create the feeling of being in a band and orchestra.

Amy Arpan

Amy Arpan has worked professionally as an actress, show host, variety artist, improviser, fight choreographer, clown, and director for 22 years.

She is represented by Radical Artists Agency, and you may have seen her competing in the ‘Dish Network Challenge’ and zooming along on an electric scooter in the ‘Colorado Lottery’ Commercials.

Past local credits include Ella Enchanted at the Arvada Center; Mrs. Soames in Our Town at Miners Alley; the Conductor and Engineer in The Polar Express; Madame Volange in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Miners Alley; Characters in Crisis for the Colorado Police Departments; and directing Fright Fest and the Summer Illusion Shows at Elitch Gardens. She is also a local weekly Trivia and Bingo Host.

Favorite out of State Credits and Clients
include: Nickelodean, Royal Caribbean,
Disney Cruise Lines, & Cedar Fair Theme Parks , Shakespeare Carolina, ChickSpeare, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte,.

In addition to Clowning around with her Ringling Brother’s Circus School training, she is also fond of Juggling, Improv-ing, Performing Magic, Balloon Twisting, Lip Print Reading, Stilt Walking, Mascot work, Puppeteering, Show Hosting, and Character Roaming. She has been the owner and principal performer for Amy Arpan’s Illusions And Confusions since its founding in 1998.

Katie Reid

Resident Acting Director

Katie is thrilled to be returning to her beautiful home state of Colorado after 15 years away performing and teaching professionally in NYC and Chicago. Katie holds a BFA in Musical theatre from The University of Oklahoma. In Chicago, Katie taught and directed in several performing arts programs, directing/music directing over 20 shows with ages K - 12, including multiple pilot productions with MTI and Disney theatricals. She also worked in events and development at American theatre Company and as Production Manager for the award-winning program, BRAVO Performing Arts, in Oak Park. theatre credits include the National Tours of South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), 'S Wonderful (Jane), and Annie (Ronnie Boylan). Regional theatre: Nunsense (Sister Robert Ann), Last Five Years (Cathy), Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), Princess and the Pea (Queen u/s), Land of Forgotten Toys (Queen), Full Monty (Pam), Ordinary Days (Claire), Broadway: The Big Band Years (featured singer), Sweeney Todd, and The Who's Tommy. She is excited to be a part of the PAA staff!

acting@paacolorado.org

McKensey Struzik

McKensey graduated from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a BA in Acting and a Minor in Musical Theatre in 2016.  Since, she has taught children’s theatre at various studios in Virginia as well as in Colorado.  She has taught dance, private voice and group acting classes as well as choreographed, music directed many productions.  She has tap danced for 17 years and had the opportunity to study under tap dancers such as Savion Glover, Chloe Arnold, Maude Arnold, and Jason Janas.  She is thrilled to teach tap with PAA this year and can’t wait to get started.

Jana Wesson

Jana Wesson is thrilled to be back at PAA! As a former alumni, Jana is excited to be continuing with PAA as a staff of the outreach program. Since her last show in 2013 Jana has gone on to do community theatre at the Pace Center and Wesley Players Theatre Company, starring in shows such as Singin’ In The Rain, Mary Poppins, The Music Man and many more!

Andrew McGlothen

Andrew McGlothen is thrilled to be back for his 2nd summer with PAA. Originally from Texas, Andrew has been fabricator, scenic painter, director and actor for over a decade. He’s had the privilege to work for companies like the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities, Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids, Denver Comic Con, Visionbox Studio and many others. If you need something designed or created, he’s your guy. When not working in theatre Andrew is a Graphic Designer and coffee snob. He’d like to thank his husband and dogs for the support and PAA for the opportunity!”

Jennifer Maggi

Jennifer Maggi grew up dancing in Orange County, California at the Pacific School of Ballet from the age of 5 to 18. Throughout her years there, she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, and Tap. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Fullerton with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern. While completing her degree, Jennifer performed and choreographed for numerous professional dance shows and showcases as well as participated in the Limon Dance Intensive under Collin Connor. After graduating, Jennifer returned to Cal State Fullerton to choreograph the BFA Musical Theatre main stage productions of Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party, and Cry Baby. In 2014, Jennifer was cast as a performer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California where she danced and portrayed famous Disney characters in the Pixar Play Parade, Paint the Night Parade, The Frightfully Fun Parade, and The Christmas Fantasy Parade. She moved to Denver in May 2019 and is so excited to join the team at PAA and share her passion for dance with her students.

Kathryn Dudley

Kathryn Dudley is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and stage manager based in Denver. She attained her Bachelor of Arts in both Dance and Theatre from Gustavus Adolphus College where she received the Distinguished Dance Student Award and graduated with honors. Originally from Minnesota, Kathryn has worked with various theatres around the Twin Cities such as Children’s Theatre Company, SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development, and Daytripper’s Dinner Theatre. Some of Kathryn’s favorite performances were with ...and Company, of which she is a founding member. Along with the 4 other founding members, Kathryn choreographed, directed, produced, and performed in 2 shows for the MN Fringe Festival. Her work has also been featured in shows by Minneapolis Ballet Dancers, Zenon’s Zone Program, Sarah Hauss, and COHORTS. Kathryn is a company member, resident choreographer, and production manager for 21/40 Productions where she enjoys exploring every facet of the performing arts. As an educator, Kathryn is passionate about sharing dance with people from all walks of life and lives by Alvin Ailey’s famous words: "Dance is for Everybody”.

Jennifer Lillibridge

Jennifer Lillibridge came to Colorado from Los Angeles where she earned her BA in theatre Arts and Directing at Occidental College. For several years after college she was a proud member of Actors Equity and worked throughout the Greater Los Angeles area as an equity production stage manager and scenic artist for several prominent theatre companies. Since moving to Colorado, Jennifer has been at D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School as their theatre program’s director and costume designer. She and her husband Adam, enjoy creating stories and having wild adventures with their daughter Juniper and two dogs.

Aria Faddis

Aria Faddis grew up in Boise, Idaho, and moved to Colorado in 2017. She began dancing at age twelve and has since discovered how much she loves to share her love of dance with children. Aria has a BFA in Dance with an emphasis in teaching from the University of Montana and spent one season dancing with Off Center Dance Company in Boise before relocating to Colorado.  Aria currently teaches at studios across the Denver Metro area as well as working as a choreographer for D'Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School. When she is not dancing, Aria is visiting as many National Parks as possible and enjoying exploring all Colorado has to offer.

Rachel Snyder

Rachel Marie Snyder is so excited to be returning to PAA! She has been teaching musical theatre and dance for over 8 years at studios in New York City and across the country. She shares her passion for creativity and self-expression in the classroom and on the stage. Rachel has performed internationally as a vocalist with Aida Cruise Lines and regionally in roles such as Sherrie in Rock of Ages and Maggie in 42nd St. She continues her lifelong training in dance, acting, and theatre in New York, and loves to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of young artists.

Steph Holmbo

Steph Holmbo is an actress, dancer, singer, poet, creatoe. Steph received her BFA from New York University's Atlantic Theatre Company and worked off-broadway with the dance company Mitra Dance Collective for 3 years. Since moving to Denver she has performed at several theatres including Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Miners Alley Playhouse, Town Hall Arts Center, and originated roles in two world premiere musicals with Mitch Samu. In 2020, Steph wrote and performed in her one-woman show and again, creating a story around how we listen in a world where everyone is talking. Steph is passionate about storytelling, justice, and finding hope in especially difficult situations. www.stephholmbo.com

Darin Drown

Darin Drown is in his 18th year teaching choir at Grandview High school in Aurora, CO in the Cherry Creek School District, and 30^th year of teaching.  His choirs have consistently received the highest ratings at festivals around the United States and have been featured performers at the Colorado Music Educator’s convention several times.  In addition, Darin directed the 120-man Sound of the Rockies barbershop chorus to 7 medalist performances in international competition in the Barbershop Harmony Society, reaching as high as 3^rd place.  Darin has traveled all over the world coaching men’s and women’s acapella quartets and choruses.  He also sings in Storm Front, the 2010 International Champion barbershop quartet.  He has been named Teacher of the Year in two different schools over his career, as well as a District Teacher of the Year.  He took over directing responsibilities for the Velvet Hills Show Chorus in Colorado Springs for the past three years.

Cambel Rule

Cambel Rule has been with PAA for three years working a assistant technical director in order to help bring imagination to life. Cambel attends Metropolitan State University of Denver. majoring in history and minoring in theatre. he looks forward to working on all of the great shows PAA has lined up this year.

Valerie Igoe

Her regional credits include The Other Josh Cohen (Denver Center), Beehive, the 60's Musical (Lone Tree Arts Center), Tomfoolery (Aurora Fox), Shout! The Mod Musical (Town Hall Arts Center), Rock of Ages, Annie and Footloose (BDT Stage), Annie, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and The Full Monty (Rocky Mountain Reperatory Theatre), and Junie B Jones, the Musical (Arvada Center). Training: BFA Musical Theatre, Nebraska Wesleyan University. Valerie is a member of Actor's Equity Association.

Gavin Juckette

Gavin Juckette (He/They) is a non-binary teaching artist fresh off their 3-year stint in Valencia, Spain where they obtained their Masters of Music in Voice, with an emphasis in Production, from Berklee College of Music. With theatre and music degrees for a base, and 12+ years in the industry, Gavin is thrilled to expand their career to teaching the arts that they love so dearly. Along with songwriting and producing, Gavin is working to deepen their support of the LGBTQIA+ community, participating in outreach programs and involvement in organizations that share the same passion. Gavin hopes to take part in nurturing the musical community with their experiences from home and abroad while continuing to grow with every new experience. Brilliantly put by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius."

Caleb Sporrer

Caleb is going to Texas State University for their prestigious BFA program next fall. Caleb will be there to talk about Caleb's audition experience from Pre-qualifications to acceptances.  For students thinking about applying for musical theatre and acting BFA programs, he will give an overview of his experience, the recommended timeline for the application and what students can expect from the audition process in general. If you aren't sure where to start for college auditions, this is a great opportunity to ask questions from a students who just successfully went through the process!

Kat Gabriel

Kathleen (Kat) Gabriel is a performer, artist, and educator who is delighted to be teaching with PAA and back in their hometown of Denver, CO.  Kat attended Denver School of the Arts and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Drake University (Des Moines, IA); they also studied acting abroad for three months at the Moscow Art Theatre School through the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute.  Kat spent nearly two years touring the US and Canada with the Missoula Children's Theatre where they taught, directed, and performed with local kids in shows like Blackbeard the Pirate and Snow White.  When they are not on or around the stage, Kat can be found drinking coffee, crafting, and/or petting the nearest dog.  Thank you to everyone at PAA and my family!

Tobi Johnson-Compton

Tobi Johnson-Compton has been dancing most of her life and has danced, taught, and choreographed throughout Colorado.  She has been teaching jazz, modern, ballet and tap for over 30 years around Colorado, most recently at PACE Center in Parker and The Arvada Center before that. She not only teaches and choregraphs but performs and stage manages as well. Her choreography credits include Disney’s Newsies with Inspire Theatre/PACE Center, where she was nominated for a Henry Award for choreography; resident choreographer for Overland High School, where her choreography was nominated for a Bobby G award for Sister Act; Mary Poppins, Lutheran High School; Shrek the Musical, West Side Story, Grease, and Sister Act with Inspire theatre/PACE Center. Performance credits include the premiere of Idris Goodwin’s 3 person play, Blackademics (Ann) and Tobi’s very first straight play! Musical theatre credits: The Addams Family (Grandma) and Tuck Everlasting (Ensemble) – Vintage Theatre; Mary Poppins (Ensemble), Spamalot (Laker Girl) and Hairspray (Cool kid) – Inspire theatre/PACE Center. Tobi enjoys everything about theatre and loves watching it all come together from behind the scenes putting it all together, to the heart and soul the performers bring to the stage.

Daniel Mason

Daniel holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado.
He has studied T’ai Chi academically as well as practically. Daniel earned a
bachelor’s degree in Traditional Eastern Arts with an emphasis in T’ai Chi Ch’uan
from Naropa University where he completed a teacher’s training program. After
his studies at Naropa, Daniel began teaching in 1996 in Boulder, CO.
While implementing his Corporate Stress Management & Senior Citizen
Wellness Programs, Daniel has lead hundreds of people to experience the many
benefits of T’ai Chi.

Julia Tobey

Chelley Canales

Chelley Canales has been performing professionally in the Denver area and beyond for 25 years with companies such as Town Hall Arts Center, The Arvada Center, The Aurora Fox, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Vintage Theatre and Theatreworks. She has choreographed youth productions at PAA, the JCC and American Academy and is thrilled to work with the hard working and talented cast of Moana, Jr.

Chelley also takes to the stage as a Benefit Auctioneer, helping non-profits raise funds for their missions.

Rebecca Givens

Vice Chair

Rebecca has more than 30 years of experience practicing law both in private practice and as in-
house counsel. Her areas of concentration include contracts, real estate and finance. Through
her years leading corporate legal departments, she is well versed in the legal challenges facing
Colorado businesses and in risk mitigation through inter-departmental collaboration. Rebecca is
currently a partner at Moye White LLP, which is a patron member of Colorado Business
Committee for the Arts, and she currently volunteers with Colorado Attorneys for the Arts on
their vetting committee. Rebecca holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of
Nebraska – Lincoln and a J.D. from Creighton University.
Rebecca is passionate about the arts and energized by youth. She sees PAA as a wonderful place
for young people to discover their own passion for the arts in an inclusive and supportive
environment that helps develop teamwork and self-expression while simultaneously building
confidence.

Lynzee Jones

Lynzee holds a BA in musical theatre from the University of Northern Colorado. She first found her love of all things theatre while growing up in Durango, Colorado and has been privileged to be able to make a career of it! She has been acting professionally since 2009 and continues to do as much performing as possible in the Denver area.

Lynzee has always enjoyed working with children and has found so much joy in blending her two passions in teaching children’s theatre! She has been directing and choreographing children’s theatre since 2012, as well as teaching workshops and coaching young actors and singers. She is thrilled to be a part of PAA!

Marisa VerSteegh

Molly Fickes

Melanie Ware

Melanie has been with PAA as their Properties Master for six years and teaching classes for five. Melanie received her BA in Theatre from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in May of 2016. Between Acting, Directing and Properties Design she has roughly 12 years of theatrical experience. Favorite PAA design credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Addams Family.

Stephanie Hesse

Stephanie is thrilled to join PAA, and is very proud of this group of talented kids!  With a BA in both Theatre and Dance from Colorado Mesa University,  Stephanie has performed with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Avatar Movement Dance Company, and in several musicals in the Denver area including 9 to 5, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, and West Side Story. Choreography credits include: A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder, Hello Dolly!, She Loves Me, 13: The Musical, and Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.

Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman

By the age of 29, Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman is a successful multi-branch dance entrepreneur and award-winning professional traveling choreographer and dancer with over 26 years of dance training and 14 years of choreography experience. Kayleigh is the founder and owner of POYDS Dance Company (AKA “Put On Your Dancing Shoes”) and KASH Dance & Choreography (AKA Kayleigh Schadwinkel Dance & Choreography).

Some of Kayleigh’s past dance and fitness training opportunities include working virtually with some of the world's most elite choreographers, dancers and dance instructions in the CLI Studio Dancer in Professional Virtual Mentorship Program based in Los Angeles, California including training from Mandy Moore, tWitch, Teddy Forance, Marquette Derricks, Allison Holker and more! Kayleigh was trained by a NYC Radio City Rockette, Tiffany Tabor-Mackrill along with other veteran dance instructors including: Kathy Tabor, Kathy Reub, Peggy Curby and much more growing up in her hometown studio in Scottsbluff, Nebraska!

Kayleigh made her choreographic Broadway debut in the NYC Believe / Arts For Autism Broadway Benefit Concert in June 2022 and returned her choreographic work to the Broadway stage in the 2023 Arts for Autism Benefit Concert with the first ever dual state Colorado and Nebraska triple threat performance troupes. The NYC Executive Producers have already invited her back to rejoin the Broadway concert and experience again in June 2024.

Kayleigh’s POYDS Dance Company was the first studio in the state of Nebraska to have a LIVE virtual dance program established in 2019 priorto COVID-19. During the height of COVID, Kayleigh connected more than 23,000 individuals of all ages and dance backgrounds in 17 states in the US and 44 countries worldwide to put on their dancing shoes in her weekly online community dance classes.

In less than 3 years of being established in Colorado, Kayleigh has developed successful figure skaters and competitive athlete cross training dance and stretch & strength programs locally. From this, word has positively spread for Kayleigh to be asked to guest work and train with some of the most elite local figure skating clubs in the local area including: Aspire Figure Skating Club and Denver Synchronization Figure Skating Team. Kayleigh is humbled to be going on another year with TPH - Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Denver Synchronization Figure Skating Teams as their Weekly Dance + Ballet Stretch & Strength Coach. Kayleigh grew up as a multi-sport athlete in volleyball, track & field, cheerleading, speech, dance and more with several statewide honors and awards in which she understands the importance of cross training, recovery and multitasking the demands of a student athlete. Kayleigh values working with motivated, hard-working, kind individuals who have dreams and goals and enjoys collaborating with the athlete and their families to help them achieve them!

In just seven years of establishing her own businesses, Kayleigh is proud to share that her company went national in 2022. Within this timeframe, Kayleigh has choreographed over 550+ dances, 15+ show choir sets and 60+ musicals with over 65+ schools, theaters and organizations across the US.

Dr. James Ramsey

Executive Director

James Ramsey is Executive Director for the Performing Arts Academy and Director of Music and Arts at St. Luke's UMC.  Previous engagements include college instruction positions at the University of Colorado, University of Denver, and Whitman College in Washington.  Additionally, Ramsey has also served as Artistic Director for the Wesley Choral Festival and Assistant Conductor of the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus.

James earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Literature and Performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder, a Master of Music degree in Conducting at the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Education at Middle Tennessee State University.  Mentors and teachers include Raphael Bundage, Joan Conlon, Vance George, Donald Neuen, Alfred Mann, and Samuel Adler.  Ramsey has served as the American Choral Directors Association’s Repertoire and Standards Chair for Community Choirs for both Colorado and the Southwest Region.  James resides in Littleton with his wife, Leigh, and their sons, Jack and Luke.

Contact Jim at drjim@paacolorado.org or 303-900-7041 ex.1.