Jane Kohl, Director

Teacher: Preschool,
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Acting, Adult Dance

  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America
  • 25 Year Member of National Dance Masters of America
  • Member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter #33
  • Past President, Dance Masters of America, Mid-South Chapter #41
  • Member of Alabama Dance Council
  • BA in Speech and Theatre, Louisiana State University
  • The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Executive Board Member www.wholebackstage.com
  • Director and Choreographer of major community theatre productions
  • Choreographer, Highlands Playhouse, North Carolina - Summer 2000
  • "Nutcracker on Broadway" - 1999
  • Director/Choreographer, The Whole Backstage "Will Rogers Follies" - Summer 2003,2007,2008
  • Director/Choreographer, The Whole Backstage
    "42nd Street" - Summer 2006
  • "The Nutcracker", Christmas Play 2004 - The Whole Backstage

Melissa Kohl Blackburn, Associate Director

Teacher: Advanced Ballet, Tap
Jazz, Lyrical, Dance Company Director

  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America
  • Member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter #33
  • Oklahoma City University, Dance
  • OCU American Spirit Dance Company
  • OCU Pep Dancers
  • BA in Dance Performance, University of Alabama
  • Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre
  • DANCE ALABAMA!
  • Broadway Dance Center
  • Dancer, Celebrity Cruise Lines
  • Dance Teacher, Tuscaloosa Extended Day
  • Dance Teacher, Boaz Extended Day
  • "Nutcracker on Broadway" - 1999
  • "The Will Rogers Follies" (Ziegfeld's Favorite) The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Guntersville-2003, 2007 and 2008 & "42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) 2006
  • Choreographer, Albertville Danceline 2007,2008

 

Lea Kohl  Blackburn
Guest Teacher

  • BFA in Performing Arts with a Dance Emphasis, Western Kentucky University -  "Chicago" (Roxie Hart)
  • Granbury Opera House, Texas                        Summer Stock Theatre - 2001 "The Will Rogers Follies" (Ziegfeld's Favorite)
  • Papermill Theatre, New Hampshire         Summer Stock Theatre - 2000 & 2002 "West Side Story" (Consuela), "A Chorus Line" (Judy)
  • Brooklyn Lyceum Theatre, NYC - 2003  "All Is for Love", Assistant Choreographer/Dancer,  Breeding Ground Productions
  • Mill Mountain Theatre, Virginia - 2003       "42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer)
  • National Broadway Touring Company       "42nd Street" 2003-2004(Ensemble and Lead Understudy)
  • June Taylor dancer, 2004 Annual Career Dance Gala, City Center, NYC
  • Regional Theatre-"All Shook Up" (Natalie), Flatrock Theatre, July 2008
  • "White Christmas" Cast member, 2008 Detroit Company
  • Westchester Broadway Theatre-"42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) January, February 2010, NYC
  • Pioneer Theatre Company-"42nd Street" (Peggy Sawyer) May, 2010-Salt Lake City
  • Broadway Rose Theatre-"A Chorus Line" (Val), August 2010, Portland, OR
  • Temple Theatre-"/Chicago" (Roxie), September-October 2010, Sanford, NC
  • Movie: "Hunger"( Fangoria Frightfest)
  • 2010-2011 Faculty: State Dance Championships
  • "My One and Only", Goodspeed Opera House, 2011
  • "White Christmas", Asst. Dance Captain, National Touring Cast, 2011
  • Certified to teach by Dance Masters of America
  • The Whole Backstage Community Theatre, Guntersville
  • www.leakohl.com

                                                                    Amy Young

                                                                                   Amy Young: Guest Teacher
KAPA Teacher Training Program * "Miss Nexstar" 2006 & Platinum  * The Whole Backstage:  "The Will Rogers Follies" 2003, "42nd St. *  Dance Major at the University of Alabama

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Tracy Downs

Theatre and Vocal Instructor, Glee Club Co-Director

Tracy has been with KAPA as Vocal Director for the last two years. She was the Director of Childrens Ministries at Guntersville Methodist Church. Her program had emphasis on all vocal and drama groups. She is the Director of the audition only, Christian hip hop group, OUTLOUD! . She has directed the musicals : "Meet me in St Louis", "Annie", "Will Rogers Follies 3 years", and "42nd Street".

Tracy is a member of two contemporary Christian bands in Guntersville as well as Birmingham.

Tracy has had lead roles the in musicals: "1776", "42nd Street", "Will Rogers Follies"-2 years, "Marrying Walt", and part of "The King and I".

She has also Stage Managed: Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe

Director: "Disney's Aladdin Jr." A KAPA Production, May 28-29, 2011

Tracy Downs 

 

Steve Downs

Steve Downs

Vocal Instructor, Glee Club Director

Steve joined the staff at KAPA last year as a vocal instructor. He studied vocal, choral, music theory and education at Jacksonville State University, Snead State Community College and Jefferson State Community College.

He was the Director of the Contemporary Praise Band, Guntersville First United Methodist Church from the summer 2001 through the fall 2009.

He was the Director of Youth Choral and Drama Ministries, Gun-tersville First United Methodist Church from the summer of 2001 through the summer 2006.

He has performed at The Whole Backstage Community Theater in" Will Rogers Follies" as Will Rogers during the summers of 2003, 2007, and 2008. He performed in "The King and I" (LunTha) the summer of 2005 and in the summer of 2006 he performed in "1776" (The Currier). In the fall of 2003 he performed in the "Mountain Valley Singers".

He was the Director of the Youth Choral and Drama Ministries at the Jacksonville First United Methodist Church from the summer 1999 through spring 2001.

He was the Director of the Contemporary Praise Band at the Arab First United Methodist Church from the sum-mer 1997 through the summer 1999 and the Director of Youth Choral and Drama Ministries from the summer 1995 through Summer 1999.

With Over 25 years of experience as a Singer and Performer we are proud to have Steve on our staff.

 
   

 
 
Carrie Lowery

CARRIE LOWREY

Preschool, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop

 Carrie Lowrey started dancing with Kohl Academy of Performing Arts at the age of three. During her fourteen years at KAPA she was a member of the Dance Extensions Dance Company. With Dance Extensions Carrie competed in vari-ous competitions as well as taking classes under many teachers. She also taught karate to children at her dad’s Dojo. After graduating from KAPA in 2005 she attended The University of Alabama. While at UA she volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and worked at The University Recreation Center as an assistant karate teacher. In December of 2008 Carrie graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Human Environmental Sciences. She then worked with Marriott International. She is very excited to be back in Marshall County and to be a part of the KAPA faculty and we are very excited to have her!

Welcome to our newest Faculty Members!

CARMEN PERKINS
LICENSED ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE BALLET & TAP  

and

LAUREN DeNARDO
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED JAZZ AND TAP

Photos and Bios to follow...

 

JANE HARVEY, TRACEY RESLER and KASEY SHEPHERD, Guest Teachers
Dance, Musical Theatre

* Graduates of KAPA Teacher Training Program

* Former Dance Captains and Elite Members of KAPA'S DANCE EXTENSIONS COMPANY