Archives: Profiles

Danielle Calabrese is an educator, choreographer, and dance instructor. Danielle is entering her seventh year of teaching in Sarasota County. Danielle has choreographed many Ashton Elementary School musicals including The Little Mermaid Jr., Seussical Jr., and Shrek Jr. She has also choreographed for The Ashton Elementary School Show Choir. Danielle is the Coach of The Braden River Middle School Dance Team in Manatee County. She previously taught a variety of dance classes at Ovation School of Musical Theatre in Bradenton, FL. Danielle has cheered professionally for The Florida Tropics MASL as well as The Florida Sunsations. Throughout her life in Florida, Danielle has trained extensively in dance and also studied at The Rockettes Summer Intensive in NYC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts degree in Reading Education from The University of South Florida; Go Bulls! Danielle is excited to be a part of Matilda The Musical. She especially loves that Matilda showcases the positive impact that literacy and a caring teacher can have in a child’s life. Danielle thanks everyone at Rise Above for their hard work and dedication to the performing arts. She thanks her parents and her dog Teddy for all of their love and support always.

Michelle Martin is the elementary theatre and summer camp director with a passion for storytelling that connects, challenges, and inspires. She began directing and choreographing 12 years ago. After a brief hiatus to get a “real job” her son found passion for theatre and it pulled her back into the world.

6 years and many coffee-fueled tech weeks later, she’s still at it—wrangling actors, making bold choices, and hoping no one notices she’s been using the same clipboard since 2014.

Favorite directing credits include SpongeBob the Musical, Secret Garden, Moana Jr, and Aladdin Jr. When not directing, she can be found driving her children to rehearsal, at a Sarasota theatre supporting other artists, making elaborate to-do lists, or pretending to “unplug” while still checking rehearsal notes.

Olivia Huseonica is a passionate freelance choreographer with a unique blend of dance training and musical theater experience. Raised in Minneapolis, MN, Olivia began her dance journey at the Classical Ballet Academy of Minnesota and later became an apprentice with Ballet Minnesota, where she performed the role of Nikiya in La Bayadère Act 2.

While dancing full-time after school, Olivia also attended St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists during the day, where she deepened her passion for musical theater and was a featured dancer in productions of Cabaret and On the Town. She then pursued a BFA in Ballet with a Minor in Nutrition from the University of Utah. Upon graduation, she received the Ballet Senior Award for Choreography, an honor bestowed on one student per year, for her exceptional artistry and creative promise.

While Olivia’s career has been grounded in concert dance, her foundation in musical theater continues to shape her choreography. Her work throughout her college years and beyond reflect a commitment to both precision and emotional storytelling, with emphasis on heartfelt acting and universal themes.

Olivia made her professional choreographic debut with Azara Ballet in 2024, where she created two original pieces on the company: Ms. Protagonistand Is This What Love Is?, both of which explored narrative-driven movement and character development. She looks forward to continuing her work with Rise Above Performing Arts Center, where she is excited to bring her skills in both dance technique and musical theater storytelling to new and exciting projects.

During his tenure as a producer, Tyler Mount has been the recipient of three Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Drama League Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and a GLAAD Media Award. His years of experience span Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theater. His Tony Award for Once on This Island (Best Revival of a Musical) made Tyler one of the youngest Tony Award-winning producers in history. In October of 2020, Tyler received his third and fourth Tony Award nominations making him the youngest individual producer to be nominated for Best Play, Best Musical, Best Revival of a Play, and Best Revival of a Musical.

As an industry-leading digital strategy expert and owner of Tyler Mount Ventures, a digital agency specializing in social media strategy for the world’s most influential thought leaders and celebrities, Tyler has managed digital campaigns for Biden for America, NBC, Playbill, IBM, Hilton Hotels, Sofitel, T-Mobile, the Tony Awards, the Grammy Awards, the Olivier Awards, and countless others.

Tyler’s digital strategy expertise can be seen throughout the nearly two hundred videos he created for Playbill’s The Tyler Mount Vlog, a web series that has been seen by over 25 million viewers in 168 different countries. Guests included Lin Manuel-Miranda, Gloria Estefan, Billy Porter, Perez Hilton, Jerry Mitchell, and Ali Stroker. Tyler has been profiled in dozens of esteemed publications including The New York Times, Forbes Magazine, and Out Magazine.

Tyler’s Broadway/West End credits include: Hadestown, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, The Inheritance, Once on This Island, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan, An American in Paris, ¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices: Gloria Estefan LIVE!, and The Acting Company’s 2014 benefit concert of The Cradle Will Rock, starring Patti Lupone. He is currently producing the United Kingdom tour of Dream Girls, which is scheduled to make its triumphant return to Broadway in 2023.

Tyler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance and Arts Administration from St. Edward’s University, attended CAP21 in New York City, now the Molloy College/CAP21 Theatre Arts Program, and holds a postgraduate certificate from MIT in Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics

Emma began performing in musical groups at a very young age as she grew up in Sarasota, FL. She went on to earn a Bachelor's in Vocal Music Education from Hope College in Holland, MI. She was the musical theatre and chorus teacher at Booker Middle School for the VPA program for 5 years and then switched to Gulf Gate Elementary School for 4 years. She recently has taken a step back from being in the classroom full time due to her four-year-old son, Mason, and two year old daughter, Julianna. She has years of experience both in a classroom setting as well as in private lessons for voice and piano.

Toni Dentico is coming to us from Buffalo, NY, she is very excited to become a member of the Rise Above Family. Toni has been the Choreographer for the St. Joseph Collegiate Institute's Music Department for the last twelve years, while there she has choreographed twelve musicals and numerous musical numbers for their Swing Choir. As Co-Director, Toni ran the Artpark and Musicalfaire Summer Camps for the last eleven years. Prior to work at St. Joes Toni was the choreographer at the Academy of Theatre Arts in Williamsville, NY. She choreographed over twenty shows while with the Academy. Toni received her dance training at the David DeMarie Dance Studio where she was a student for many years. She performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic and at Artpark in Lewiston, NY. Toni was awarded the titles of Miss Junior Dance of WNY, Miss Dance of WNY and Miss Dance of America, she was crowned in Miami Florida!

Krista Benson began performing in musical theater at the age of ten. She performed in countless school and community theater productions growing up. Also an accomplished flutist, Krista chose to pursue a vocal degree with a musical theater emphasis in college. She graduated with a BA in music with a Vocal Option from SUNY Geneseo. She then went on to earn a Masters in Music in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. During her time in Boston she had the honor of singing with The Boston Pops, The Thayer Symphony Orchestra and performing on The Spirit of Boston.

Many of her favorite musical theater roles from that time include "Once on this Island" (Timoune) "A Chorus Line" (Sheila), "Guys and Dolls" (Sarah), "The Apple Tree" (Barbara), "The Threepenny Opera" (Polly), "Oliver!" (Nancy) and "The Fairy Queen" (Titania) as well as roles in "Cabaret", "Sweet Charity", "Marat...Sade", and "Hair".

While attending The Boston Conservatory she met her future husband. After they were married they moved to NYC. After too many cold winters spent in Boston and NY they decided to move to southeast Florida. Krista had many opportunities as a professional performer at Stage Door Theater in Ft Lauderdale performing in such shows as "My One and Only", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (Angel) "No Way To Treat a Lady" (Sarah) and the original musical "Are We there Yet?" (Woman 1).

After moving to upstate NY Krista then took some time away from the spotlight to stay home and raise their two daughters. Upon encouragement from a mentor, Krista began teaching vocal lessons in 2008. Krista's training in both classical vocal technique AND musical theater has made her a unique resource for her students.

Under her tutelage many of Krista’s students have gone on to BFA musical theater programs at highly esteemed universities such as Rider, Montclair, SUNY Fredonia, Ithaca College, Belmont and Coastal Carolina to name a few. Krista’s students have also performed with the Boston Pops, Mormon Tabernacle Choir and have won numerous vocal competitions.

Currently Krista is a faculty member teaching Vocal Technique, private vocal lessons and Musical Theater at Ovation School of Musical Theater in Bradenton, FL.

Her passion for music, musical theater and working with her students is evident in her enthusiasm!!

As a business owner of a product that embraces creativity and artistry Donnie is always able to bring an interesting perspective to the table. In his first career he worked in the country of Niger on the edge of the Sahara desert with nomadic herders helping bring education to traditionally isolated communities. He worked to make it possible that these children could access education and have options that previously were not available to them. In an environment that came with many life challenges Donnie helped them overcome challenges by teaching them to think creatively and dare to dream in a land where dreams rarely exist.

Currently Donnie owns a Lego business and is inspiring both children and adults all over the world by using the medium of a building brick. He teaches individuals how to use a simple platform to bring their circle of influence into the world they build and take them on an unforgettable journey by showcasing their talent and hard work.

Gregg Barker is an entrepreneur who has been an executive and founder in two successfully startup businesses, one as CIO the other as Co-founder and CTO both of which are still operating on their own today. After selling the company in 2016 Gregg joined Microsoft. Gregg’s current role as a Principle Solution Architect requires him to manage relationships and negotiate at the C level with fortune 500 customers around the globe.

Brian’s love of Theatre began in High School becoming the technical director for the plays stretching the limited technology available at the time. That love continues in bi-annual trips to Broadway to see the latest shows that are out as well as traveling locally to see shows.

Brian has a long history of working with non-profit organizations. He spent 10 years as IT Director for one non-profit followed by 8 years as Director of International Operations for another. He serves on the board of directors of another non-profit working with teens. Brian currently spends his time as Realtor in Texas.

“It is an honor to serve Rise Above and the Rise Above Community and I hope we can continue to grow and allow students to have an amazing experience introducing them to theater and helping them find their hidden talents. The staff of Rise Above is unmatched and I am excited to see what they do each and every time!”