Liz Cantine

Alexis Carra

Alexis Carrra is thrilled to be on faculty at the Norris after choreographing Once Upon a Mattress and The Music Man. Dancing since age 2, Alexis has trained at NYU, Alvin Ailey, Princeton Ballet, and the Broadway Theatre Project with Ann Reinking. Alexis is a graduate of Yale University, and was last seen on Broadway in Boubil and Schonberg’s The Pirate Queen. Her other Broadway credits include: Fosse (1^st National), Wicked, and Sweet Charity (u/s Nickie, Dance Captain). Alexis said a brief “see you later” to Broadway and moved to LA where she has performed in Wicked at the historic Pantages Theatre and recently played Louise in Gypsy at Sacramento Music Circus. Other theatre credits include Fame on 42^nd Street, A Chorus Line, Tea and Sympathy, and her own solo show produced at Yale entitled Still Moving. Alexis can be seen on the new TNT drama, Hawthorne and in the indie film, Convincing Clooney. Choreography credits include West Side Story, Bat Boy, Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof.

 Erin Cottrell

Erin Cottrell is an award winning actress best known for her performance in Michael Landon Jr.'s, Love Comes Softlyseries as well as being the new Caroline Ingalls in Disney/ABC's Little House on the Prairie.She has had an extensive career in film and television including guest lead appearances onE.R., CSI:NY, Cold Case, Medium, Numb3rs, Ed,and Stranger's With Candy, as well as reoccurring characters on All My Childrenand The Guiding Light. Her film credits include Legally Blonde 2(as Reese Witherspoon's sorority president) and Faith of My Father's (as John McCain's first wife, Carol). Most recently she was seen along side Jason Alexander and Christopher Lloyd in the NBC mini-series, METEOR. When Erin is not filming she is teaching. Since 2002 she has been a proud teacher for the nonprofit organization, City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts. She has taught jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, Shakespeare and acting to the at risk youth of East LA, bringing the arts into otherwise dangerous and vastly under funded areas.

Jon Engstrom

Jon has worked throughout the United States, Europe & Asia.  Locally, Jon has directed and choreographed for most of the southland’s theatres including: Musical Theatre West, CLO of South Bay Cities, Reprise, La Mirada Theatre, Downey CLO, Welk Resort Theatre, San Diego Starlight as well as numerous productions for the Negri Learning Center.  Some of the productions that Jon has directed & choreographed for major venues include: “THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL”, “WHITE CHRISTMAS”, “42ND STREET”, “BYE BYE BIRDIE”, “THE DESERT SONG”,  “MY ONE AND ONLY”, “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN”, “THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG”, “DAMN YANKEES”, “WEST SIDE STORY”, “EVITA”, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”, “SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN”, “MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS”, “MAME”, “GUYS AND DOLLS”, “THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES”, “HELLO DOLLY”, “MY FAIR LADY”, “NO, NO, NANETTE”, “INTO THE WOODS”, “ANYTHING GOES”, “OLIVER”, “OKLAHOMA”, “SWEET CHARITY”, “CAN-CAN” & “BRIGADOON”.  Jon is currently on staff teaching dance at AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in Los Angeles.  Jon was guest director/choreographer for Pepperdine University’s prestigious fall musical for five years in a row.  Jon is proud to know that many of his former students have achieved successful careers in musical theatre and many have appeared on Broadway. Jon’s own career started with a Ford Foundation Scholarship.  He went on to become a soloist with the San Francisco Ballet.  He was an original member of Eliot Feld’s company and also guest artist with the Lar Lubovitch Company before moving on to “The Great White Way” where he was a featured dancer in five Broadway musicals:  “NO, NO, NANETTE”, “THE PAJAMA GAME”, “VERY GOOD EDDIE”,  “WHOOPIE!” & “42ND STREET” (Dance Captain of the original 1980 Broadway production) & two National Tours: “CHICAGO” & “SEESAW”. Jon has been fortunate to work with such notable director/choreographers as: Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Donald Saddler, Donald McKayle, Alan Johnson & Danny Daniels. Jon is a proud member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Tom Griffin

Tom returns to the Norris Center having worked on PETER PAN, RISING STARS 2009 and on last season’s productions of WEST SIDE STORY, MUSIC MAN, Disney’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST and the prior season’s productions of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN.  He is an accomplished pianist and nationally recognized conductor and musical director.  Other recent productions include: A CHRISTMAS CAROL and PETER PAN for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the national tour of MY FAIR LADY for Theatre Of The Stars, Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, THE LAST FIVE YEARS (both the West Coast and Los Angeles Premieres), THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, ANNIE, WEST SIDE STORY, MY WAY (West Coast Premiere) and THE SPITFIRE GRILL (West Coast Premiere), the Broadway revival of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN (Los Angeles Premiere), and SIDE SHOW (Los Angeles Premiere). He toured with the Second National (Assistant Conductor) & Third National (Associate Conductor) Tours of Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST. Other productions include: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, A CONNECTICUT YANKEE, HONK! THE MUSICAL, 70 GIRLS 70, BABY, OKLAHOMA, THE WIZARD OF OZ, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PETER PAN, SLEEPING BEAUTY, JUNGLE BOOK, ALADDIN, CLUB INDIGO, and FATTY.

Kristopher Kyer

For over a decade Kristopher Kyer and his staff has taught and coached thousands of actors in Hollywood. Kristopher Kyer was the on-set acting coach for ABC-TV's Boy Meets World; Maybe this Time; and Grace Under Fire. In addition, he was the on-set coach for the Bruce Willis feature film HOSTAGE. And he was the on-set acting coach for Jessica Simpson featured in episodes of TV's THAT SEVENTIES SHOW. As an actor Mr. Kyer has appeared in several commercials, most notably as the "Scarecrow" for the WHITE LILY CORNMEAL commercials which ran for years throughout the South. Kristopher Kyer has had co-starring roles on TV's SEINFELD; BOY MEETS WORLD; USA HIGH; LINC'S and QUANTUM LEAP. He was the starring role of the syndicated series BARNYARD PLACE. His experience as an actor and entertainer spans over three decades having appeared in his one man cabaret show on several cruise lines; a singer at WALT DISNEY WORLD and DISNEYLAND; CEDAR POINT in Ohio; Off-Broadway in the original cast of SHOWING OFF; regional theatres throughout the US. He is also a member of the member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG); Actors Equity Association, and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In addition, he was the youngest ringmaster and only the 27th in the 115 year history of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. (www.kristopherkyer.com)

Dyan Lopez-Fiamengo

Dyan Lopez-Fiamengo has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She has an extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She has a degree in Physical Education with an emphasis on coaching men's sports. Dyan started dancing at the age of 4. She has danced with the Legendary Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Gregory Hines, etc. She has performed at the White House, toured the U.S. and done TV and music videos with her last one being with Earth, Wind and Fire. She has opened for the Mandrell Sisters, Four Tops, Ink Spots, various celebrity events, etc. Dyan has choreographed numerous Clipper Half time, field, and fashion shows. She had the first all guys dance team for high school where one of her dancers went on to dance with Brittney Spears, Michael Jackson, Prince, etc. She has worked with various children's groups like American Youth Express, where the group was chosen to perform at the Pantages for a 6 month run in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. She is currently the director and choreographer of Electric Youth Dance Company. She is Co-owner of the professional tap company "The Hot Cotton Candies." Dyan is currently dancing with the Ole Skool Crew at the La Sparks games. The group was featured at two Lakers Games this year and was on Crusin TV. The group will be featured on 7 episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians. The group was also guest on the Rick Dees in the morning Movin 93.9.

Jenessa Wigler

Jenessa Wigler loves to direct/choreograph and teach various dance classes at NCPA. This summer she was thrilled to be the Associate Choreographer for The Music Man. She is a member of Screen Actors Guild, a world champion dancer (Dance Worlds 2007), and has performed in over 30 musical theatre roles throughout southern Ca. for Theatre League, Fullerton CLO, Downey CLO and Musical Theatre West. Her favorite role so far has been Peggy Sawyer in 42^nd Street right here at the Norris. She has been on various dance teams and was a in a performing group for 13 years where she was privileged to perform in 6 countries and all over the USA. Once again, Jenessa will direct NCPA’s performing groups THE HEADLINERS and the TIMES SQUARE KIDZ! This year she would like to see these groups expand and grow, including new shows, logo merchandise and possibly a weekend summer performing trip. It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity and to work with the very talented kids and staff at NCPA. She begins her senior year at LMU this fall, where she majors in dance and minors in theatre. She can’t wait to work in the new education building and to be involved with NCPA’s growth!