MARIN JOHNSON |
Marin has enjoyed being a professional dancer, choreographer and dance educator throughout the US and abroad since 1992. As a dancer, Marin has shared the stage with artists such as Brenda Lee, Wynonna Judd, Lee Greenwood, Pam Tillis, Steve Winwood and more. She has been featured as part of an adage couple as well as a soloist for several main stage theaters, television specials, theme parks, pageants, music videos, corporate conventions, etc. Her television credits include videos and specials for CBS, CMT, TNN, TBN, VH-1 and local networks in the areas of TN, GA, PA and SC. Behind the scenes, Marin has choreographed several large scale production numbers for companies such as Radio Shack, Office Depot, Information Technologies and Redken, as well as for main stage shows such as Tribute in Concert, Superstars Live in Concert, and Country Tonight Theatre in Pigeon Forge,TN. Additional choreography credits include Jigsaw Entertainment's "Calling All Classics", Celebrity Cruise Lines (Assistant Choreographer), WSB Promotions, Music Theatre of Madison's "Floyd Collins" and several college and high school show choirs and dance teams. As an educator, Marin has worked with all ages and skill levels from 3 year old beginners to adult working professionals. She has been a guest artist in TN for several area dance programs as well as nationally for the Energy Source Dance Company. Johnson also served as a faculty instructor for Columbia State Community College's Commercial Arts Program in Franklin, TN. For four years, Marin and her husband Wes successfully owned and operated A Step Ahead School of Performing Arts in Lavergne, TN, just outside of Nashville. The pair also directed, taught and wrote shows for Cannon County Arts Center's summer intensive workshops. Marin has a BA Degree in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has studied with former Radio City Rockette Jean Kettell as well as with Nashville School of Ballet, Gary Harrison, TN Dance Theater, Royal Academy of Dance, TN Association of Dance, and Lou Conte Studios. She is a certified member of Dance Masters of Wisconsin and continues to educate herself though dance conventions and regular trips to Chicago. |
WES JOHNSON |
Wes has been a professional Vocalist, Host/MC, Production Manager, Writer and Business Owner in the entertainment business for 20 years. During that time, he has had the good fortune of working with several wonderful artists, producers, directors and organizations. As a performer, Wes has worked around the world with artists such as Pam Tillis, Lori Morgan, Lee Greenwood, Steve Winwood, Wynona Judd, Louise Mandrell, Vince Gill and Kenny Chesney. For two years, Johnson toured around the country with country music legend Barbara Mandrell as one of two background vocalists and dancers, The Do-Rites. He has been a featured vocalist and host for various main stage shows, television specials, pageants, conventions and corporate events as well. One such production was "One Enchanted Evening", a national tour which paid tribute to the music and life of Richard Rogers. Wes played "Frankie" in the off Broadway hit "Forever Plaid". Other live performance credits include "Ballys" in Las Vegas, the Merv Griffin Production "Hitmakers" and "Cliff Notes", a one man show written and performed by Wes himself. Wes has been spotted on CBS, ABC, NBC, CMT and TNN. He was a two time contestant and finalist on the hit television show "Star Search". Other television credits include "A Tribute to Minnie Pearl", "Prime Time Country", "The Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade", the "Music City Bowl", "The Last Dance" and the host of "The Miss Pennsylvania Pageant". Behind the scenes, Wes has served as a production staff member for various artists and organizations which include Kenny Rogers, Wayne Newton, The Oakridge Boys, The Alabama Theater, The Chicago Club Cabaret Theater and most recently the Production/Project Manager for Celebrity Cruise Lines. As an educator, Wes has worked with all ages and levels as a voice teacher and vocal coach. He was the artistic director for the Cannon County Arts Center in Tennessee. As the artistic director, Wes not only produced and directed, but acted as the voice teacher and script writer for the performers. Johnson has served as a vocal coach for Cristaldi Music and Zona Productions. As a vocal coach, he worked hands on in the studio with various professional artists in the Nashville area. For four years, Wes and his wife Marin owned and operated the successful performing arts school "A Step Ahead School of Performing Arts" in the Nashville, TN area. Wes Johnson has a Music Business Degree (BS) with an emphasis on voice from Millikin University; Decatur, IL. He has studied voice, music theory, dance and ear training with Gene and Sharon Raymond, Marin Johnson, Mark Williams, Matt Davenport Productions, Gary Musick Productions and Phil Stegner of "Maestro Productions". Wes had recently been working with various productions companies as an actor, host, voice over actor and vocalist around the Madison area. He is the Co-owner, vocal director and producer of Jigsaw Entertainment Services. Go to www.jigsawentertainment.com to find out about upcoming shows and services in your area.
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STEVEN STACK |
Steven has been involved with theatre for over 30 years and has played many roles within that world, most notably those of drama instructor, playwright, actor, and director. He has acted in professional productions in the Columbia, SC area and locally, as well as voice-over work for television commercials.
His theatre career began in the third grade, when he took on the challenging dual role of both Hansel and the Father in Hansel and Gretel. Steven's 15 years teaching middle school gave him a thorough knowledge of the inner workings of middle-school students' minds, which has influenced his writing style, the topics he incorporates in his plays, and often his intended performers and audience. He spends part of every summer at the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth, where he guides gifted and talented students in writing and performing their own original theatrical works. He also teaches writing classes online for WCATY and also creates and teaches classes for Theatrefolk, a theatre publishing company. Steven has written and directed several full-length plays, countless one-acts and one billion scenes for various theatres, performing arts schools and professional organizations. He has published over 20 plays (many first performed at Forte) with various outstanding publishing companies.His plays have been performed in 37 states and 6 countries. Steven’s goal in working with and writing for this age group is to help them grow into themselves by giving them stories that resonate beyond the stage. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Maggie, their two daughters, Chloe and Zoe, and a cat named Pants at their cabin in the woods. |
JASON ATKINS |
Jason Atkins has been performing for a very long time. He began studying voice at a very young age and has continued his education throughout his adulthood. While living in Florida, he studied voice and vocal technique with Jason Longtin. While studying with Longtin, Jason became versed in the various styles of music, ranging from classical voice to musical theater and pop.
As a performer, Jason has worked with several different vocal groups which include First Image, concert choir as well as Illumination, a premier madrigal group in Longwood, Fl. Jason has performed with the Orlando Chorale, a critically acclaimed group ensemble in Orlando, Fl. In Madison, Jason has been involved in over 20 theatrical productions and shows including Jigsaw Entertainments production of "Calling All Classics". He is a performer with the Madison Opera and has been spotted with the UW-Madison Choral Union, Men's Chorus, and Edgewood colleges Madrigal Choir. He has worked behind the scenes as a stage manager, lighting designer and assistant director. He most recently provided assistance with the production of Once On This Island, a children's show produced by Sugar River Community Theater, located in Belleville, WI. |
VICTORIA KEMNETZ |
Victoria Kemnetz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Theater and Drama from UW-Madison. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old and has almost 20 years of experience under her belt. She began studying in Wausau, WI. While there she studied the styles of ballet, jazz, musical theater, lyrical and pointe; all of which she danced competitively at such competitions as Thunderstruck and Dance Magic with DDH Dance Academy. She competed in WIAA Reginal and State dance competitions as well as UDA Nationals with the Wausau East Dance Team. She was invited to dance in the WDC Disney All Stars Dance Team in 2006. She spent 3 years putting on summer performances with Introspect Arts Company where she learned the importance of Modern dance and Expressionism.
During college she was a part of the student organized Optima Dance Team. She continued her jazz experience by taking classes under Phyllis Sanfilippo and ballroom classes under Karen McShane-Hellebrand. Victoria has been seen in various productions around Madison with companies such as: MTM, Four Seasons Theater, UW Theater, CTM and RAVE Entertainment. She has had teaching experience with Horace Mann Middle School Dance Team, Wausau East's Theater program and the YMCA of Dane Company. As a vocalist, Victoria has studied voice instruction under Scott Hunsberger at the Wausau Conservatory of Music and was a part of Wausau Choraliers/Choralation, where she studied for 5 years under the direction of Julie Burgess. Victoria also spent 3 years under the direction of Jeff Krause as a part of the East Camerata singers. Finally, she was a part of UW-Madison’s Masters singers choir as well as the female scapegoat group, Tangled Up In Blue. She has been cast in productions with central Wisconsin’s children’s theater, central Wisconsin Educational Theater Alliance & Wausau east end players. She is excited to be teaching at Forte Studios and hopes that her students are ready to have fun and work hard. |
ASHLEY REISEN |
Ashley was born in Dubuque, IA and eventually relocated to Dodgeville WI. It was there where she grew up and graduated from Dodgeville High School. Ashley has worked in Customer Service Industry since 2004. Her passion has always been being able to serve people of all types. Her main goal is to help others become successful in life. Ashley and her husband have been together for the past 11 years. She enjoys being outdoors as well as traveling to car shows on the weekends with her husband and two step daughters (both 13) when they’re not focused on school or work. Some of Ashley’s other interests include shopping, baking, cooking, gardening, fishing and hunting. She is excited to be a part of the Forte Family and is looking forward to the future.
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BRITTANY LUHMAN |
Brittany graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in dance, accounting, and business administration. Her primary dance education at UWSP was under Jeannie Hill, Michael Estanich, Joan Karlen, and Pamela Luedtke. In the spring of 2012, Brittany spent five months in Liverpool, England studying dance and marketing. Brittany is originally from Tomah, Wisconsin where she began her dance training at the age of six at Marilyn’s School of Dance under Suzanne Swanson Wagner. She transitioned from a student to an assistant teacher in middle school and eventually had the opportunity to teach her own classes before graduating from high school. During her time at Marilyn’s, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe and hip hop. Brittany has also attended many dance workshops such as Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, PULSE, and Just for Kix which has allowed her to work with choreographers in a variety of styles. Brittany’s goals as a teacher are not only to provide students with the breadth of knowledge required to be a dancer but also to help them develop their artistry.
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ABBI TOPPER |
Abbi Topper, a SENIOR in high school, has been dancing since she was three years old. If it were up to her, she’d be dancing every second of every day. Abbi is currently the captain of X-Tension Dance Company and could not be happier. As a teacher, her main goal is to instill a passion for dance and the art of performing in each of her students. She believes that with hard work, everyone has the ability to be a strong, confident individual with a high skill set. Abbi hopes to travel and go to school in Olympia, Washington after high school. She plans to study something in the arts. Abbi’s passion for dance is what keeps her a motivated student, teacher, and role model.
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ANDREA CHARBONNEAU |
Originally from Massachusetts, Andrea began her twenty years of dance training in New Bedford, studying Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Pointe, and Musical Theater. During her time at the Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance, she went on to compete in these same genres in the Dance America circuit. During her time competing she was a six-time semifinalist for the “Dancer of the Year” scholarship, and in 2014 was awarded the Young Choreographer award. To further her training, Andrea participated in multiple intensive yearly, and from 2002-2010 participated in week long summer intensives studying Jazz and Tap, and Ellie Potts Barrett studying Modern technique.
Andrea has worked for South Coast Children’s Theater under the direction of Denis Lawrence, where she choreographed, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, and “Peter Pan”, as well as assisting in workshops for the students. In 2013 she spearheaded “Legendary Dance Project”, a four day dance intensive focusing on technique, conditioning, and self care. Andrea went on to the University of Massachusetts where she would complete a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. There she studied ballet under Thomas Vacanti and Tekla Kostek, and in the Spring semester of 2015, was given the opportunity to teach the Tap class for the university. The following semester while studying abroad in Buenos Aires, she expanded her training with classes in Tango. As a teacher Andrea loves to delve into the student's exploration of personal expression as an artist, and seeks to provide a well-rounded knowledge of both the craft and the body. She is excited to begin exploring the beautiful state of Wisconsin, and is thrilled to be working with everyone here at Forte! |
ANNEKE DeJONG |
Anneke is from Stillwater, Minnesota and excited to return to the Midwest after dancing with Texas Ballet Theater Professional Division where she performed with the company in Ben Stevenson’s Alice in Wonderland. At age six, Anneke began her Vaganova training at St. Croix Ballet in Stillwater, Minnesota with some of her favorite memories dancing as Snow Queen in the Nutcracker and Diamond Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.
During high school she attended Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and was an apprentice with Continental Ballet. In 2013, Anneke moved to NYC to train with Gelsey Kirkland in her Professional Program where she danced in the company premieres of Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and Nutcracker. After returning to the Twin Cities in 2015, Anneke was an apprentice with St. Paul Ballet and performed Mirliton in Clara's Dream, An American in Paris and was a part of several new contemporary works. She also performed as a Demi-Soloist with Metropolitan Ballet in Minneapolis in Romeo and Juliet; Marie in the Nutcracker; the Generosity and Jewel Fairies in Sleeping Beauty and Midsummer Night’s Dream. Anneke worked with choreographer Ernst Meisner and performed in one of her favorite contemporary pieces by him while attending Dutch National Ballet’s summer program in Amsterdam. She spent her summers with Texas Ballet Theater, Open World Dance Foundation, Gelsey Kirkland Academy, English National Ballet, Bossov Ballet Theatre, Kirov Academy of Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet. Anneke is honored to serve as a 2017 Russian Pointe ambassador. She is very blessed to be joining Magnum Opus Ballet’s premiere season. |
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KOBI JOHNSON
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Forte Studios has been a big part of Kobis life for several reasons. He began his training with Boys Club when he was in kindergarten and loved it. Over time he began taking acting and singing classes, as well as modern and ballet classes. He has enjoyed each and every class that he has taken. Kobis hobbies during his limited free time are making progressive teen rap and electronic music, biking and playing all of the stacks of Call of Duty games on his shelves. He very much looks forward to being a hip hop instructor this year and is excited for the many adventures to come. |