Studio

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.