RAQUEL ADORNO
(ArtReach Instructor / Voice)

Soprano, Raquel Adorno, has studied voice and music at the University of Illinois, where she performed roles in La vida breve, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Suor Angelica with Illinois Opera Theater and Opera Scenes Workshop.  She has performed as a soloist with the Eastern Symphony Orchestra and twice with the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble for the Salvatore Martirano Composition Competition. 

Awards include the Thomas J. Smith Scholarship in Music and the Elizabeth Meier Frauenhoffer Memorial Award.  She was a regional winner and national finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition for Singers in 2004 and a district winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2005.  In addition she has also sang with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and is so happy to be teaching for ArtReach!

CAROL BAIR
(ArtReach Instructor / Dance / Acting)

Carol couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of the ArtReach family! Carol brings a wide range of training and professional performing credits at many regional theatres.  Some of her local theatre credits include performances at Pheasant Run Dinner Theatre in St. Charles, the Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook, and at Six Flags. 

Some of her favorite roles include Dorothy in Wizard Of Oz, Rhetta in Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Velma Kelly in Chicago. Carol would like to thank Dan for all his support and encouragement!  

JAMES DAUPHIN
(ArtReach Instructor / Designer)

James is thrilled to be working with the ArtReach folks!  James enjoys designing for us and performing in many of our productions.  Although he is new to us he is no stranger to the stage.  He has spent many years performing at various summer stock and regional theatres.  He hails from St. Louis where he was very active in the theatre scene and did some performing at Six Flags there. 

He has also recently toured the East Coast performing with Child’s Play Touring Theatre.  In addition to his stage work James also spent a number of years as an animator for Disney in Orlando, Florida and here for Disney Quest in Chicago.  He is thrilled to be performing for us this Summer and just as thrilled to be working on and designing scenic elements.  Enjoy the show!

MAUREEN ERIN DAUGHERTY
(ArtReach Instructor)

Maureen is pleased to be working with the ArtReach Educational Theatre staff.  Most recently, Maureen appeared in ArtReach/Spotlite's productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Godspell. 

Other favorite chorus roles have included Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company's Yeoman of the Guard, Stage Right Dinner Theatre's productions of Annie, 42nd Street and Crazy for You and Encore Theater's Christmas by Remote Control.  She has also played both Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon in separate productions of The Odd Couple, Laurie in I'm Not Rappaport, Cassandra in Troilus and Cressida, Julia in A Delicate Balance and Myrtle Mae Simmons in Harvey. 

JENNIE DAVIS
(Instructor / Acting / Dance / Choreographer) 

Jennie has been performing since the age of five.  She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  Jennie has taught collectively for five years in the Rockford and Chicago Public School Systems.

Besides working in the classroom, Jennie has taught and choreographed for several children’s theatre programs including teaching and some choreography work on ArtReach’s Summer Arts camp productions of Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz.  As a performer, Jennie has appeared in numerous Chicago area productions.  Some of her favorite roles include the title role in Cinderella, Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense, Nancy in Oliver, Prudie Cupp in Pump Boy’s & Dinettes, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Chastity in Stage Right Dinner Theatre’s production of Anything Goes.  She has also appeared in our Theatre Mentoring Productions as Yonah in Children of Eden and Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie. She is always happy to work with the ArtReach Family and to be able to perform onstage with so many old friends.

FELICIA FILIP
(ArtReach Instructor / Voice)

Felicia Filip Burkovskiy is thrilled to return as an ArtReach instructor this year!  She has performed in shows with our program and has known Dan Walsh for years!  Her father, Gary Filip, was the music director for ArtReach’s production of Wizard of Oz.  Felicia has been performing professionally as a singer, actress and dancer in the Chicago area for nearly 10 years, and recently sailed the Caribbean singing for RCCL cruise lines. 

Felicia also teaches general music and chorus at the elementary school level, and has taught private voice lessons to high school students and adults.  These past two winters, Felicia music directed a group of madrigal singers at Ouroboros Theatre Company’s madrigal dinners, performed at the Morton Arboretum.  Felicia would like to thank Dan for the opportunity to work with the ArtReach kids.  She would also like to thank her husband, Sasha, for his support…

DAVID GILLEO
(ArtReach Instructor/Master Class Instructor) 

David has been working in the entertainment industry for over a decade. Hey has toured with the National Tour of “Crazy for You” and has also toured with the ever-popular “Sesame Street Live” tour as Telly Monster. David has also performed as a vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on board the Brilliance of the Seas as well has having appeared in dozens of regional theatre productions suceh as “Godspell” and “Children of Eden”.

Most recently he appeared as Matty, the Rat in the reading of “CPNY, the Musical” soon to be transferring to Broadway. David was a faculy member and instructor at New York City’s Gymtime Rhythm and Glues for five years. His professional experiences have varied from directing to choreographing theatrical events to producing mall shows with his own costumed character company – DandAProductions (www.dandaproductions.net).  He also writes and produces may different children’s shows. Presently David can be seen touring the nation in the Broadway National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” starring Topol.

JASON GUGGISBERG
(ArtReach Instructor / Voice) 

Jason Guggisberg is excited to be joining the staff of Art Reach.   Jason began his collegiate studioes at Wichita State University as a counter tenor in voice performance and piano performance.  After finding his true passion, Jason changed his major to Musical Theater which he received is degree in.  During his college career and beyond, Jason taught voice and piano to both middle school and high school students. 

Other achievements have included placing second in the nation at the NATS, National Association of Teachers of Singing, competition in Lincoln, NE.  You can most recently see him on stage with CGMC in Chicago.  His past credits onstage credit include: Cabaret, Candide, Babes In Arms, and Don Pasquale, with WSU Theater and Opera Departments,  Grease with Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park, Singing in the Rain and Children of Eden with Musical Theater of Wichita.   

Jessica Harrigan Texidor
(ArtReach Instructor / Choreographer) 

Jessica Harrigan is thrilled return to ArtReach Educational Theatre and to collaborate with Dan again having performed with him in the past both professionally and at Loyola University.

Such projects include Carousel, Bye Bye Birdie, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hair, and Winnie the Pooh. Other credits include performing for Norwegian Cruise Lines, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, The Cleveland Opera, Round Barn Theatre, and Princess Cruises. In addition to her work here with the ArtReach program Jessica spends a large portion of her time touring the Chicagoland area performing and directing with American Eagle Productions and as an educator for the Raven Theatre in Chicago.  ArtReach is an enriching, rewarding, wonderful organization and Jessica is proud to be a part of it.

ROBIN KELSO
(Sign Language Instructor) 

Robin is thrilled to have been asked to work with the ArtReach kids.  She recently performed onstage with Dan Walsh in Happy Trails at the White Pines Resort in Mt. Morris, Illinois.  Other recent credits include traveling the Chicago area with Theatre-Hikes in their production of Johnny Appleseed. 

She has also performed around the country at various theatrical venues and theme parks.  Most recently she has been working on the establishment of a new Chicago theatre company, Open Cage Ensemble presently performing at Chicago’s Cornservatory.  By day Robin is a sign language interpreter having studied sign language interpreting in St. Louis, Missouri.  She signs for various venues throughout the Chicagoland area from Nursing homes to corporate events to theatre venues.

BARRY NORTON
(ArtReach Instructor / Technical Coordinator) 

No stranger to the stage, Barry received his M.A. from Concordia University and his B.A. in musical theatre from Columbia College, where he studied under the direction of Sheldon Patinkin. He has also studied and shared the stage with many of the Steppenwolf Ensemble - Terry Kinney, John Malkovich, Rondi Reed, and Gary Sinese. Some of Barry's favorite roles include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, Joseph in Joseph....Dreamcoat, Lun Tha and Kralahome in The King and I, and Cornelius in Hello, Dolly.

When not on stage Barry enjoys directing for neighboring Community Theatre groups. Some of his work includes Annie, Oklahoma, The King and I, Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, Hello Dolly, Annie Get Your Gun, Seussical, The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz. When not on stage or directing this award winning teacher can be found teaching his 5th graders at the Dirksen School in Chicago.

PETER RASEY
(ArtReach Instructor / Dance / Choreography)

Peter is happy to be teaching for ArtReach! Peter first studied dance at the University of Illinois-Urbana where he also studied voice and acting.  He studied jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and ballroom and has continued in various studios in Chicago with instructors such as Margi Cole, Buddy Reeder, and Dominic Danza.  

He has been choreographing for local theaters for over five years. Credits include Beauty and the Beast, Suessical (also co-Director), Chicago, Titanic, Sugar, The Secret Garden and Big all with LZP, The Sound of Music with MOS, and The Wizaard of Oz with BOTB.  He has also worked as Assistant Choreographer or Director on many other productions. On stage, Peter appeared as Joe inSong and Dance, the ballet La Boutique Fantasque as the American Father, Dream Tony/Baby John in West Side Story, Cosmo in Singin’ in the Rain, and Mike, Paul, and Mark in A Chorus Line.   He has danced for over ten years as Howard, Wally, and other characters for the entertainment company Those Funny Little People, Inc.   Recently, he has played Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and Malcolm in The Full Monty.

ANNE SANTIAGO
(ArtReach Instructor / Dance / Choreography)

Anne was so happy to return to the ArtReach program having taught and choreographed for us back in 2003 and 2004. Since then Anne has spent the past 5 years in Los Angeles, California pursuing film and television projects.  Anne has been dancing since the age of seven. 

By thirteen, she danced professionally with a small dance troupe in Chicago now called USA Ballet has studied ballet, pointe, and pas de deux.  In high school, Anne's interests in musical theater began, and studying jazz, tap, modern, and hip-hop.  At the age of nineteen, Anne performed as Connie in A Chorus Line, her first professional musical.  Since then Anne has performed regionally in such musicals as Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly!, Mame,  Gypsy, The Music Man, and South Pacific, The King & I, and Miss Saigon.  Anne now lives in Los Angeles, CA, pursuing TV and film roles.  A Chorus Line holds a special place for Anne, having performed the role of Connie four times, and choreographing the entire show using Michael Bennett's original choreography for Up and Coming Theater Company. In addition to Anne’s stage work she was also proud to have performed as one of the Chicago Bulls cheerleaders- The Luvabulls.

JESSE SWIMM
(ArtReach Instructor/Master Class Instructor)

Jesse, a current cast member with the Broadway National tour of “Mary Poppins”, was first introduced to theatre while working backstage in a production of  "Sunday in the Park with George" in HS.  A resident New Yorker, Jesse, has spent the last 16 years working extensively throughout New York, Nationally, and Internationally. 

He was the role of Action in Broadway choreographer Joey McKneely's hit international production of "West Side Story".  Jesse was also a member of the European tours of "A Chorus Line" and "Grease" for which he was the dance captain and set over 5 companies throughout Europe.  He was Action, once again in West Side Story for Tony award winning choreographer George Faison.  Other productions include “High Button Shoes” at the Tony Award winning theatre The Goodspeed Opera House, “Swing”, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, "Footloose", "Singin' in the Rain", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Anything Goes", "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", multiple productions of "A Chorus Line", numerous industrials and a few years at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland.  Jesse also completed the role of Bobby in a newly revised version of Kander and Ebb’s “The Rink” at The Cape Playhouse starring Leslie Uggams and was in China for the Macau International Music Festival in “Guys and Dolls”.  Most recently Jesse was the Dance Captain and Swing on the Cameron Mackintosh/Trevor Nunn/Matthew Bourne National Tour of “My Fair Lady” direct from London’s National Theatre in the West End.

TOM VENDAFREDDO
(ArtReach Instructor / Voice & Music) 

Tom is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where he double majored in Vocal Performance and Music Education. He has been involved in Musical Theatre since the early age of six, when he was Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man with Addison Community Theatre. Since then he has acted in, accompanied, music directed, and conducted many shows in the Chicagoland area.

 Tom made his professional debut as the understudy for Little Josh in Drury Lane Oakbrook's production of big, the Musical. This show then traveled to the Metropolis Center for the Performing arts in Arlington Heights , IL . Tom has also recorded jingles for Cool Whip and Glade Plug-Ins, appeared in print for Scott Foresman and a promotional video for the 3Com Corporation. Tom hopes to perform, teach, and conduct musicals on Broadway before his time on earth expires.

DAN WALSH
(Instructor / Acting / Singing / Dancing)

After traveling the country teaching Arts Programs to children in such states as California, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio Dan is thrilled to channel all of his performing and directing skills into this program!  As a performer he has been seen onstage with such companies as Busch Gardens, Six Flags, Hershey Resorts, Princess Cruises, Cedar Point Entertainment, Carnival Cruise Lines, The Mel Tillis Show, The Wayne Newton

Theatre, and at various regional and dinner theatres across the country. He has performed with National Touring Companies and on various television shows, commercials, and print ads.  He holds a B.A. in Theatre and an Illinois Board of Education Teaching Certificate from Loyola University and is thrilled to be working with such an amazing staff of talented directors and teachers!  Dan is also a local freelance director/choreographer and has been seen as Albert in our production of Bye Bye Birdie

LARRY WISOWATY
(Instructor / Set / Costume Designer) 

Larry is very excited that he was brought on board as ArtReach's Resident Designer.  Larry has known Dan Walsh professionally, as well as, personally for just about ten years.  He is proud of all Dan’s ambition towards educating children about the Arts.  Larry, himself, is no stranger to children’s education. 

He is a Director for KinderCare in downtown Chicago.  While with KinderCare Larry has directed, designed, and produced two shows with the children: Remember the Magic: A Disney Revue and The Wizard of Oz.  Larry created a children’s theatre group, 100 Acre Woods.  Larry has a B.A. in Theatre from Illinois State University where he studied set / costume design and musical theatre production.  Some of Larry’s design credits include The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Nunsense, Into the Woods,  Godspell, A Lion in Winter, Extremites, Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along, and West Side Story to name a few.  He has been involved with our program on many levels from directing to designing to performing. He hopes everyone enjoys their ArtReach experience with an open heart.  “Careful the wish you make, wishes are children.  Careful the path they take – wishes come true, not free.” –Into the Woods

ZAYNA
(Belly Dance Instructor) 

Zayna is a Rak Sharqi/Belly Dance instructor, performer, & event organizer in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.  She has been studying the art of Rak Shardi (Belly Dance) for fifteen years.  Having a background in fitness, Zayna teaches many belly dance/fitness classes throughout the Chicagoland area. 

Her classes are fitness based.  She has earned two certifications from AFAA (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America).  She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and a Group Fitness Instructor.  She has had a wonderful time working with ArtReach and the students have been just wonderful!