meet the staff
What We Believe
We believe that all students deserve a plan to feel safe and inspired to grow as artists. Through quality dance and music lessons in Kenosha WI we teach life lessons that foster community, develop leadership skills, self confidence, motivation, and creative thinking. Regardless of ability, all students will experience the joy of reaching his or her personal level of accomplishment and find a passion for the arts that will last a lifetime.
We strive to create a positive community for families through empathetic, attentive service and the understanding that each family’s educational needs are different. Parents will find a convenient location, friendly service, and welcoming atmosphere. We encourage a culture of interaction among families to create comfort, loyalty and value for everyone. Families stay with us because of our commitment to excellence and costumer care.
Annie Hackett
Owner & KAPA Director
Ms. Hackett is the owner and artistic director of the Kenosha Academy of Dance, Music & Drama, is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and is a former professor of dance at Carthage College. She has also been a guest teacher at Columbia College and Roosevelt University. She and her studio have been featured in Dance Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine.
In her 30 years as a dance educator Ms. Hackett has taught workshops, master classes and at studios in her home state of New York as well as Chicago and it’s surrounding suburbs. Her choreography has been seen at Chicago area theaters. Ms. Hackett’s performing career includes many productions at theaters such as The Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Chicago, IL), The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre (Chicago, IL), The Drury Lane Theater (Oakbrook, IL) The Drury Lane Theater South (Evergreen Park, IL), and The Fireside Playhouse (Ft. Atkinson, WI)..
She has also performed for Carnival Cruise Lines and many industrial shows for organizations like State Farm, Pepsi, Give Kids the World, and Kraftmaid. Ms. Hackett is a veteran of additional regional theatre productions in New York and Florida, and industrial shows internationally. Her company experience includes, The Zodiaque Dance Company (Buffalo, NY), Buffalo Inner City Ballet (Buffalo,NY) and The Greater Buffalo Opera Corps de Ballet (Buffalo, NY). She attended the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Susan Myers
Dance Instructor
Susan Ojala Myers began her dance training at the Academy of Movement and Music, in Oak Park, Illinois, under the direction of Stephanie Clemens. She performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as Momenta! performing arts company, dancing both new and historic works. Early on in her career, Susan realized that her true passion was teaching. She has been working with dancers of all ages and abilities for over 20 years, on the east coast, as well as in the midwest. Besides teaching in the dance studio world, she runs several outreach dance programs in local schools. Susan began her college studies at CalArts, and completed her BA in dance performance at Northern Illinois University. She is proud to have earned her level two certification in Autism Movement Therapy in 2015. She teaches AMT classes throughout the Kenosha area, including Open Wings Learning Community, where she also sits on the board of directors. Susan and her husband, Eric, live in the Kenosha area with their three children.
Jeri Gray
Special Events Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Annette Lawniczak
Dance Instructor, Education Director
Annette Lawniczak received her BFA in dance performance, graduating magna cum laude, from Northern Illinois University. After graduation, she performed with several independent choreographers and became one of the founding members and Co-Artistic Director of Fox River Dance Company. In 2001, Annette began producing and directing her own annual dance performance, Freespace, a program in which pre-professional and professional students and choreographers collaborate and raise money for charity. Annette has been teaching and choreographing in the Chicagoland area and Wisconsin for over 20 years and formerly served as Ballet Mistress for RASA Dance Chicago, Executive Director and Director of Ballet for State Street Dance Studio, and Ballet Mistress and Company Administrator for NoMi Dance Chicago. In addition to teaching at Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts, she is the Ballet Mistress for Petite Pas Ballet School in Delafield, Wisconsin. Her choreography has been performed at the critically-acclaimed Dance Chicago Festival, Esencia Dance Festival and Chicago Freelance Dance.
ALLISON HENES
General Manager
Bio coming soon!
HALEY MOORE
Dance Instructor, Special Programs Director
Haley Moore was born and raised in Kenosha, WI, she began her dance education at the age of 7. Haley studied dance at our very own Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts from age 12 until graduating high school. Following graduation, Haley attended the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA) through UWM Dance Department’s contemporary dance/choreography track. Throughout her time at UWM, she performed in several works and productions choreographed by fellow BAF students, resident MFA students, and UWM professors. Haley has recently moved back to the Kenosha area to return the gift of dance to students of her own. She is very excited to take over both STAR Leadership and NHSDA programs this year at KAPA.
LAURA WILLIAMS
Dance Instructor
Laura was born and raised in Muncie, IN where she started dancing at the age of 11. Laura studied Exercise Science at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and continued to work with her high school dance team by choreographing hip hop routines. In 2014 she began working for Inspire @ D.D.S (Dixie’s Dance Studio) where she taught hip hop and jazz classes. She worked closely with Inspire’s competition team by choreographing and cleaning/critiquing solos, hand picking and choreographing for a competitive Hip Hop Crew, working with the studio director on the studio production including 60+ dancers, and traveling to competitions throughout the U.S. In her last semester of school, Laura moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she completed an internship with Overcoming U: A Mindful Corporate Wellness, where she helped develop exercise and nutrition courses to be given to clients. She uses this knowledge while teaching her classes to make her dancers stronger and healthier. She continued to teach dance at Bricks Studio in Phoenix while completing her work with Overcoming U. At Bricks Studio, Laura took on the position of Recital Director for their 2018 Spring Recital. She spent her last year at Bricks Studio teaching beginning Ballet and Tap combo classes, recreational hip hop, a competitive Hip Hop Crew, ran the Mini Company rehearsals (ages 5-8), choreographed and cleaned solo routines, worked closely with the Company Director traveling to all competitions, all while ordering 800+ costumes and planning/directing the recital for the Spring. After the recital at Bricks Studio, Laura moved back to the midwest to be closer to family, but is excited to continue her journey in dance and inspiring children to find their love for dance!
SARAH NICHOLS
Dance Instructor
A Kenosha native, Sarah Nichols has studied dance since 1987 at Guy Singer Dance Studio with her primary focus being Tap. Sarah has competed in group and solo Jazz and Tap categories at the regional and national levels in Showstopper and I Love Dance competitions. Sarah has been sharing her love of dance, teaching children through adults, since 1998. Along with teaching dance, Sarah is a Director, Psychotherapist and Family Court Mediator at InterConnections, S.C., an out-patient mental health clinic in Kenosha, and a board member for Wisconsin InterProfessional Committee on Divorce (WIPCOD), a nonprofit organization in Wisconsin.
Braxton Molinaro
Music Instructor
Kenosha Academy of The Performing Arts (KAPA) proudly announces the addition of Braxton Molinaro, a native of Kenosha and a distinguished composer and producer, to its faculty for the 2024/2025 academic year. Molinaro, renowned for his contributions in professional theatre, film, and music, arrives at KAPA with international acclaim and a dedicated commitment to cultivating and inspiring local talent.
Molinaro gained worldwide recognition with his groundbreaking 2017 album, GUNS, praised by Billboard, People, Time, and other prominent publications. His career includes adaptations of major motion pictures for the stage, as well as teaching at a collegiate level in Hollywood at the renowned Theatre of Arts, where he led courses in Acting for Stage and Screen, Devised Theatre, Script Analysis, and Vocal Production. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The Steppenwolf School, Molinaro's career encompasses collaborations with Al Pacino, Jane Lynch, Eric McCormack, Frances Fisher, Terrence Mann and many more.
At KAPA, Molinaro will provide private voice lessons and lead a new repertory theatre company. "I'm thrilled to be joining KAPA," said Braxton Molinaro. "I look forward to
creating unforgettable experiences with our students, forging a robust pathway to the entertainment industry, and offering invaluable professional insights.”
FELICIA GLASS
Dance Instructor
My name is Felicia. My students all call me Ms. FeFe. I grew up right here in Kenosha and started dancing in 6th grade at Sass Studios where I focused on Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. In exchange for taking classes at Sass, I started teaching Creative Movement to 4 and 5 year olds. That was my first introduction to teaching dance and I fell in love instantly. Throughout my schooling I was also involved in theatre and have been in several musical productions. I would later become choreographer for Children's Theatre Academy in Kenosha where I was responsible for choreographing full length musicals and teaching around 70+ children at a time! That experience was extremely rewarding and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work directly in my community. I'm thrilled to become a part of the KAPA community and will work to support all of your individual strengths and goals, not just in dance, but in life.
EMILY MARRESE
Dance Instructor
Emily Marrese graduated at Oklahoma City University where she received her Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy. She grew up training in Kenosha, Wisconsin and is a proud alumna of KAPA! While studying ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater, she taught in the Community Dance Center at the Ann Lacy school of American Dance and Entertainment. It is with great honor that she has the privilege to do what she loves most each and every day. Being able to grow in genuine relationships right from the very moment she steps into the dance studio is why she wishes to better her community. Her philosophy will constantly evolve and blossom as she grows as an educator: striving to be the educator that turns people's interests into passions by guiding them to be more than just technical dancers but to uphold qualities of truth, honor, love, and passion in the studio and out. She is excited to be back at her home studio KAPA to share her love and passion for dance with her new students this year!
KIMBERLY BALLEZA
Dance Instructor
Kim started dancing at the age of 5, discovering her love of ballet. She eventually added gymnastics and tumbling to her talents, as well as jazz dance. She studied ballet briefly at Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago during college. Her studies in tap, lyrical, hip hop, and ballroom came later after starting her family, and her love for teaching was born. Kim continued to expand her dance studies from other local instructors, as well as taking master classes during conventions and at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She has taught various styles of dance for 15 years and has choreographed many competition routines, as well.
TALIA LARSEN
Dance Instructor
Talia Larsen, a former KAPA student, Classroom Assistant, Front Desk Host, and now Dance Teacher, has gone full circle with her involvement in the studio. Graduating from Carthage College with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Sport Science and a Minor in Dance, she is excited to incorporate her education and skills in her instruction at KAPA. Having learned to dance from the same teachers she’s now coworkers with shows the type of values that KAPA instills in their students: Creating relationships, a safe physical and mental environment, all while delivering quality instruction. Our studio is truly “More Than Just Great Dancing” and Talia’s values align entirely with these ideals. With an upbeat, fun spirited, high energy approach to teaching, her main goal is to teach kids to be just as amazing people as they are dancers. Outside of teaching she is pursuing a career in Physical Therapy, where she can develop techniques to help injured dancers/athletes. She is so excited to be in a position where she can help aspiring dancers be strong and confident in their approach to movement, while also growing as young people in our community.
Annie Hackett
Owner & KAPA Director
Ms. Hackett is the owner and artistic director of the Kenosha Academy of Dance, Music & Drama, is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and is a former professor of dance at Carthage College. She has also been a guest teacher at Columbia College and Roosevelt University. She and her studio have been featured in Dance Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine.
In her 30 years as a dance educator Ms. Hackett has taught workshops, master classes and at studios in her home state of New York as well as Chicago and it’s surrounding suburbs. Her choreography has been seen at Chicago area theaters. Ms. Hackett’s performing career includes many productions at theaters such as The Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Chicago, IL), The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre (Chicago, IL), The Drury Lane Theater (Oakbrook, IL) The Drury Lane Theater South (Evergreen Park, IL), and The Fireside Playhouse (Ft. Atkinson, WI)..
She has also performed for Carnival Cruise Lines and many industrial shows for organizations like State Farm, Pepsi, Give Kids the World, and Kraftmaid. Ms. Hackett is a veteran of additional regional theatre productions in New York and Florida, and industrial shows internationally. Her company experience includes, The Zodiaque Dance Company (Buffalo, NY), Buffalo Inner City Ballet (Buffalo,NY) and The Greater Buffalo Opera Corps de Ballet (Buffalo, NY). She attended the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Susan Myers
Dance Instructor
Susan Ojala Myers began her dance training at the Academy of Movement and Music, in Oak Park, Illinois, under the direction of Stephanie Clemens. She performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as Momenta! performing arts company, dancing both new and historic works. Early on in her career, Susan realized that her true passion was teaching. She has been working with dancers of all ages and abilities for over 20 years, on the east coast, as well as in the midwest. Besides teaching in the dance studio world, she runs several outreach dance programs in local schools. Susan began her college studies at CalArts, and completed her BA in dance performance at Northern Illinois University. She is proud to have earned her level two certification in Autism Movement Therapy in 2015. She teaches AMT classes throughout the Kenosha area, including Open Wings Learning Community, where she also sits on the board of directors. Susan and her husband, Eric, live in the Kenosha area with their three children.
Jeri Gray
Special Events Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Annette Lawniczak
Dance Instructor, Education Director
Annette Lawniczak received her BFA in dance performance, graduating magna cum laude, from Northern Illinois University. After graduation, she performed with several independent choreographers and became one of the founding members and Co-Artistic Director of Fox River Dance Company. In 2001, Annette began producing and directing her own annual dance performance, Freespace, a program in which pre-professional and professional students and choreographers collaborate and raise money for charity. Annette has been teaching and choreographing in the Chicagoland area and Wisconsin for over 20 years and formerly served as Ballet Mistress for RASA Dance Chicago, Executive Director and Director of Ballet for State Street Dance Studio, and Ballet Mistress and Company Administrator for NoMi Dance Chicago. In addition to teaching at Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts, she is the Ballet Mistress for Petite Pas Ballet School in Delafield, Wisconsin. Her choreography has been performed at the critically-acclaimed Dance Chicago Festival, Esencia Dance Festival and Chicago Freelance Dance.
ALLISON HENES
General Manager
Bio coming soon!
HALEY MOORE
Dance Instructor, Special Programs Director
Haley Moore was born and raised in Kenosha, WI, she began her dance education at the age of 7. Haley studied dance at our very own Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts from age 12 until graduating high school. Following graduation, Haley attended the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA) through UWM Dance Department’s contemporary dance/choreography track. Throughout her time at UWM, she performed in several works and productions choreographed by fellow BAF students, resident MFA students, and UWM professors. Haley has recently moved back to the Kenosha area to return the gift of dance to students of her own. She is very excited to take over both STAR Leadership and NHSDA programs this year at KAPA.
LAURA WILLIAMS
Dance Director
Laura was born and raised in Muncie, IN where she started dancing at the age of 11. Laura studied Exercise Science at Ball State University in Muncie, IN and continued to work with her high school dance team by choreographing hip hop routines. In 2014 she began working for Inspire @ D.D.S (Dixie’s Dance Studio) where she taught hip hop and jazz classes. She worked closely with Inspire’s competition team by choreographing and cleaning/critiquing solos, hand picking and choreographing for a competitive Hip Hop Crew, working with the studio director on the studio production including 60+ dancers, and traveling to competitions throughout the U.S. In her last semester of school, Laura moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she completed an internship with Overcoming U: A Mindful Corporate Wellness, where she helped develop exercise and nutrition courses to be given to clients. She uses this knowledge while teaching her classes to make her dancers stronger and healthier. She continued to teach dance at Bricks Studio in Phoenix while completing her work with Overcoming U. At Bricks Studio, Laura took on the position of Recital Director for their 2018 Spring Recital. She spent her last year at Bricks Studio teaching beginning Ballet and Tap combo classes, recreational hip hop, a competitive Hip Hop Crew, ran the Mini Company rehearsals (ages 5-8), choreographed and cleaned solo routines, worked closely with the Company Director traveling to all competitions, all while ordering 800+ costumes and planning/directing the recital for the Spring. After the recital at Bricks Studio, Laura moved back to the midwest to be closer to family, but is excited to continue her journey in dance and inspiring children to find their love for dance!
SARAH NICHOLS
Dance Instructor
A Kenosha native, Sarah Nichols has studied dance since 1987 at Guy Singer Dance Studio with her primary focus being Tap. Sarah has competed in group and solo Jazz and Tap categories at the regional and national levels in Showstopper and I Love Dance competitions. Sarah has been sharing her love of dance, teaching children through adults, since 1998. Along with teaching dance, Sarah is a Director, Psychotherapist and Family Court Mediator at InterConnections, S.C., an out-patient mental health clinic in Kenosha, and a board member for Wisconsin InterProfessional Committee on Divorce (WIPCOD), a nonprofit organization in Wisconsin.
Braxton Molinaro
Dance Instructor
Kenosha Academy of The Performing Arts (KAPA) proudly announces the addition of Braxton Molinaro, a native of Kenosha and a distinguished composer and producer, to its faculty for the 2024/2025 academic year. Molinaro, renowned for his contributions in professional theatre, film, and music, arrives at KAPA with international acclaim and a dedicated commitment to cultivating and inspiring local talent.
Molinaro gained worldwide recognition with his groundbreaking 2017 album, GUNS, praised by Billboard, People, Time, and other prominent publications. His career includes adaptations of major motion pictures for the stage, as well as teaching at a collegiate level in Hollywood at the renowned Theatre of Arts, where he led courses in Acting for Stage and Screen, Devised Theatre, Script Analysis, and Vocal Production. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The Steppenwolf School, Molinaro's career encompasses collaborations with Al Pacino, Jane Lynch, Eric McCormack, Frances Fisher, Terrence Mann and many more.
At KAPA, Molinaro will provide private voice lessons and lead a new repertory theatre company. "I'm thrilled to be joining KAPA," said Braxton Molinaro. "I look forward to
creating unforgettable experiences with our students, forging a robust pathway to the entertainment industry, and offering invaluable professional insights.”
FELICIA GLASS
Dance Instructor
My name is Felicia. My students all call me Ms. FeFe. I grew up right here in Kenosha and started dancing in 6th grade at Sass Studios where I focused on Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. In exchange for taking classes at Sass, I started teaching Creative Movement to 4 and 5 year olds. That was my first introduction to teaching dance and I fell in love instantly. Throughout my schooling I was also involved in theatre and have been in several musical productions. I would later become choreographer for Children's Theatre Academy in Kenosha where I was responsible for choreographing full length musicals and teaching around 70+ children at a time! That experience was extremely rewarding and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work directly in my community. I'm thrilled to become a part of the KAPA community and will work to support all of your individual strengths and goals, not just in dance, but in life.
Emily Silverman
Dance Instructor
Bio: Coming soon!
EMILY MARRESE
Dance Instructor
Emily Marrese graduated at Oklahoma City University where she received her Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy. She grew up training in Kenosha, Wisconsin and is a proud alumna of KAPA! While studying ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater, she taught in the Community Dance Center at the Ann Lacy school of American Dance and Entertainment. It is with great honor that she has the privilege to do what she loves most each and every day. Being able to grow in genuine relationships right from the very moment she steps into the dance studio is why she wishes to better her community. Her philosophy will constantly evolve and blossom as she grows as an educator: striving to be the educator that turns people's interests into passions by guiding them to be more than just technical dancers but to uphold qualities of truth, honor, love, and passion in the studio and out. She is excited to be back at her home studio KAPA to share her love and passion for dance with her new students this year!
KIMBERLY BALLEZA
Dance Instructor
Kim started dancing at the age of 5, discovering her love of ballet. She eventually added gymnastics and tumbling to her talents, as well as jazz dance. She studied ballet briefly at Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago during college. Her studies in tap, lyrical, hip hop, and ballroom came later after starting her family, and her love for teaching was born. Kim continued to expand her dance studies from other local instructors, as well as taking master classes during conventions and at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She has taught various styles of dance for 15 years and has choreographed many competition routines, as well.
TALIA LARSEN
Dance Instructor
Talia Larsen, a former KAPA student, Classroom Assistant, Front Desk Host, and now Dance Teacher, has gone full circle with her involvement in the studio. Graduating from Carthage College with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Sport Science and a Minor in Dance, she is excited to incorporate her education and skills in her instruction at KAPA. Having learned to dance from the same teachers she’s now coworkers with shows the type of values that KAPA instills in their students: Creating relationships, a safe physical and mental environment, all while delivering quality instruction. Our studio is truly “More Than Just Great Dancing” and Talia’s values align entirely with these ideals. With an upbeat, fun spirited, high energy approach to teaching, her main goal is to teach kids to be just as amazing people as they are dancers. Outside of teaching she is pursuing a career in Physical Therapy, where she can develop techniques to help injured dancers/athletes. She is so excited to be in a position where she can help aspiring dancers be strong and confident in their approach to movement, while also growing as young people in our community.
Testimonials
We love kapa!! They are amazing and such friendly teachers and staff! Definitely recommend kapa to anyone interested in dance!
Amanda Cepeda
The ladies did a great job of following through with covid care as they transitioned our kids back into class.
Roy Wine
Contact Us
ADDRESS
7600 75th St Suite 121, Kenosha WI 53142
Monday - Thursday: 3:00-9:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-11:00am
Saturday: 9:00-1:00pm
Sunday : Closed
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About
Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts is a children's dance studio located in Kenosha with an award-winning team dedicated to providing the best dance instruction whilst also empowering tomorrow's leaders.
Opening Hours
Monday - Thursday: 3:00-9:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-11:00am
Saturday: 9:00-1:00pm
Sunday : Closed
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