Metropolitan Performing Arts
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Meet Our Instructors

And discover the amazing talents they bring to Metropolitan Performing Arts!
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Jeffrey Puukka
acting
Jeffrey Puukka is curious and passionate about actor training, and joined Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy to teach Acting Fundamentals in 2017.  Additionally, Jeffrey teaches the highly popular and successful Monday Night Acting Lab at Mt. Hood Community College, and is also a mentor and adjudicator for high school competitive speakers.  Jeffrey has directed thirty-something theatre productions in the Portland metro area over the past 15 years.  Favorites include “Women of Troy” which he adapted from Euripides and directed in 2015, “Elective Affinities” (Portland, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Cambodia), and “Dracula” (Portland, 2004).   
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Shannon Jung
dance
Shannon is a dancer, actor, choreographer, and arts educator based out of the Vancouver/Portland area. An alumna of Western Washington University, she is a double major in Theater (acting) and Dance (performance). She has trained heavily in tap, modern, musical theater, ballet, devising, Suzuki, viewpointing, and Stanislavski Technique. Since 2013, Shannon has been choreographing and teaching tap technique, as well as various workshops. Recent MPA choreography credits include: Matilda (2019), Willy Wonka (2018), The Fantasticks (2017), and Aladdin (2017). Other choreography credits include: Young Frankenstein (2018), 1776 (2017), Peter and the Star Catchers (2016), and Twisted (2015).
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Willow Swanson
DANCE
Beginning with classical jazz, and soon expanding to a variety of styles including tap, hip hop, and contemporary, Willow Swanson fell in love with dance early on.  Fascinated by other types of movement, as well as how to apply them to dance, she has also trained in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Acrobatics, and rock climbs as another way to train.  She has collaborated with a number of Portland locals such as DarVejon Jones, Alicia Cutaia, Jamuna Chiarini, Beth Whelan, Amelia Unsicker, and Katie Burkes, and her performance experiences include dancing with Portland companies Polaris Dance Theatre, Agneizska Laska Dancers, and Tongue Dance Project, as well as the Vancouver-based company Horizon3 Dance. Credits also include performing with Victoria Perez at the Young Choreographer's Festival 2019 in New York City, showing and performing her own work at Chapel Theatre earlier the same year, and several small film roles.  She currently teaches a diverse range of dance classes at studios across Vancouver and Portland, and continues to work with dance companies and independent artists on several projects, including live shows, film and photography, and dance outreach.
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Pip Kennedy
makeup design
ACTING
Pip Kennedy is an actor, director, vocalist, and dramaturg based in Portland, Or. Classically trained in Meisner Technique & Victorian Period Dramaturgy, he has over 8 years of study in these areas plus, stage direction, script analysis,  new play development, musical theatre & Shakespeare. His professional training started at Concordia University, then to Portland State University & also NYU. He's traveled the country & Eastern Europe performing for various companies. He's been professionally working as an actor & director for about 20 years. 
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Kemba Shannon
dance
Kemba Shannon received her BFA from Towson State University and trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,  Martha Graham School,  the Edge, Lula Washington,  Peridance,  and Morgan State University.  She has taught dance classes at UCLA,  Loyola Marymount,  El Camino College and Portland State University among others. Kemba‘s stage credits include: The Lion King (LA cast), The Color Purple (Broadway cast), Cirque du Soleil (Zumanity), Aida and FAME. Kemba‘s ambition and drive have won her world recognition with icons MADONNA (“Drowned World Tour”), PINK (Try This World Tour”), Celine Dion ( Taking Chances World Tour”), RIHANNA (Nike Rockstar World Tour), Kanye West, R. Kelly and FANTASIA just to name a few. Her television credits include: American Dreams (NBC), Oscars (“Chicago” Performance), MTV Music Awards (Pink performance ), the Emmys (Kristin Bell performance), World Music Awards (Kanye West & R. Kelly), NAACP Awards and the Grammy’s. Kemba‘s multifaceted dance style continues to inspire her students to be fierce and dance with their heart and soul.
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Laura Harris
WRITING, CLOWNING
Laura Anne Harris is a theatre artist and writer raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She recently graduated with a Master of Fine Art in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. She is a multi-award-winning artist who has toured internationally with her plays including such cities as: Syracuse, NY, New York City, NY, Lancaster, PA, Bangkok, Thailand, and Toronto, Ontario. Laura has trained for six years in clown-based performance in Montreal, and Toronto, Ontario with renowned clown instructors John Turner, Helen Donnelly, Adam Lazarus, and Francine Cote. She has trained in improv and sketch at Second City in Toronto. Most recently Laura has toured the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit with her solo show Destiny, USA about her experience working as a Relay Operator in Syracuse, New York. Her play was professionally produced by The Belfry Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia as part of their 2020 Spark Festival. Now a resident of Vancouver, Washington she cannot wait to cultivate creativity and joy at the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center.  
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Barbara Richardson
acting
musical theater 
Barbara Richardson is an actor, singer and voice over artist based out of SW Washington. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Vanguard University of Southern California (VUSC) and took part in the 2009 NYC Making it on Broadway intensive studying under Jodie Llangel, Nick Wyman, Erin Dilly, Kim Steiner, Dave Clemmons, Ryan Stanza, Judith Fredricks & Pasek and Paul. In 2011 she started her own private vocal studio and has been a vocal coach and musical director for several productions in the Vancouver/Portland area. Barbara is passionate about arts education and creating a safe space for kids to be unapologetically themselves. When not working she enjoys listening to jazz music, reading and hanging out with her niece. ​​
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Ryan Mayfield
DANCE
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Michael Burris
LIGHTING
Michael Burris’ love for theater grew out of his first ever experience in a theater when he went see Lion King. A lighting designer from Las Vegas, Michael strives to inspire creativity and a passion for the arts through design and the behind the scene magic that theaters get to produce. He has worked on several shows from Blue Man Group and Central Live in Las Vegas, to West Side Story, RENT, and Aida. Michael brings his production experience and love for inspiring youth to Metropolitan Performing Arts and hopes to see more students become involved in the arts on and off the stage.
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Kristin Heller
Private lessons
acting
​Originally from Ohio, Kristin received her Bachelor of Arts and Communications in Theater Arts from Bowling Green State University. She moved from Ohio to Chicago, IL and  was Artistic Director of a non-profit theater company that focused on new play development. In 2009, she moved to Portland, OR to pursue her Master in Theatre, graduating in 2011. Kristin has apprenticed under world renowned directors such as Tito Capobianco, David Edwards and Elizabeth Bachman. She has worked as Acting, Dance, and Directing faculty for the Tyrolean Opera Program in Maurach Austria. Kristin has worked summers as Acting, Dance and Directing faculty at the Napa Music Festival and recently directed Mozart’s ‘Cosi fan tutte’ with Ping and Wolf Opera in Portland, Or, touring to Hood River, OR. Kristin is currently directing ‘Hello Dolly’ with Sherwood Foundation of the Arts.  Currently, she privately coaches voice, flute, acting, acting for singers, and Public Speaking, as well as, instructs larger Master classes on Auditioning, and Acting. She is also a voiceover actor for audio books. http://kristinheller.com
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William Johnson
ACTING
TECH
AERIALS & silks
After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Will went on to get his bachelor's degree in Theater Education from Western Washington University. Since 2014 Will has been teaching Acting, Acrobatics, and Theater Technology in the Vancouver area having the opportunity to work in all aspects of the theater from play-writing to performance. Previous credits include: Midsummer Night's Dream (Puck), Jack Sprat World Tour (Jack), Town of Gruff (Playwright), Madeline's Christmas (Director), and many more.
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Mark Martin
SET DESIGNER
RENTAL TECH MANAGER
Mark is excited to bring his experience and insight to MPA. His theater history began in grade school and continued through college. He has held positions at CYT and other theater companies as Set Designer, Stage rigging engineer, Assistant director and Director, as well as a class instructor. Recent directorial credits would include Cinderella, Great American Tall Tales, Aladdin and HONK! Mark holds an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences from Clark College. 
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Katie Cole
COSTUMING & MAKEUP
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Laura Hankins
TECH
STAGE MANAGER

GUEST INSTRUCTORS

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JIMMIE HERROD
​MUSIC
 Jimmie is a musician and actor currently residing in New York City. Jimmie is a vocalist with locally beloved international superstars Pink Martini, for the Grammy-nominated ODESZA for their national television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and recently debut his second solo album. After graduating Cornish with a degree in composition and performance, Herrod pursued a Master of Music in jazz studies from Portland State University and made a name for himself as a theater artist in Seattle. Authoritative Broadway World deemed his 2015, gender-bending performance as Tunny’s Extraordinary Girl in American Idiot by Seattle’s ArtsWest “a performance for the ages.” Jimmie has served as an adjunct professor of voice for the PSU jazz program and performed with the Oregon Symphony, 5th Avenue theater Seattle, NWCT, Staged!, Portland Opera and Seattle Rock Orchestra. 
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Brandon Woolley
audition coach
Brandon is a director, producer, and collaborator in Portland, Oregon. Directing credits include: A Christmas Memory paired with Winter Song (co-creator), Mary's Wedding, Sex with Strangers, and JAW Promising Playwright Events (Portland Center Stage at the Armory); Luna Gale, International Falls and The Few (CoHo Theater); The God Game (Self-produced); The End of Sex (Theatre Vertigo); Dial M for Murder (BagnBaggage Productions). Brandon has worked on multiple shows at PCS as an assistant director (Astoria: Part One and Two, Lizzie, The Whipping Man, Red, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and A Christmas Story). He has also collaborated with The Oregon Symphony and Michael Curry on Persephone, Third Rail Rep, Broadway Rose, and Live on Stage. Brandon worked from 2010 to 2018 at Portland Center Stage in various capacities; most notably as Associate Producer, Casting Director, and JAW Co-Producer. From 2018 to 2019 Brandon worked with Michael Curry Design as Head of Theatrical Projects. He is a proud SDC member and is currently freelancing as a director and producer. www.brandonwoolley.me
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Rebecca Chelson
MUSIC DIRECTOR
In the past 25 years, Rebecca Chelson has worked on more than 120 productions throughout the Pacific North West. Her work has been seen at George Fox University, Costers Theatre, Centennial High School, Canby Highschool, Oregon City High School and Reynolds Highschool, to name a few. Rebecca was one of the first music teachers at Metropolitan Performing Arts almost 10 years ago. She has music directed many MPA productions including The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Les Misérables, Disney's Peter Pan Jr, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, Gypsy, Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, Seussical, The Little Mermaid Jr, Anything Goes, Little Women and Oliver. Rebecca is very happy to be back music directing at MPA and especially happy to be back music directing after spending the past year successfully battling cancer. To top off the good news, her hair is growing back nicely.
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Amy Palmer-Cole
​MUSIC DIRECTOR
Ms. Cole is currently performing with Opera Quest Northwest as the Ingenue in “Opera the Great.” A private vocal teacher and manager at Cole Studios in Battle Ground, she has sung roles in several operas including Emmy in Albert Herring and Armchair in L’enfant et les Sortileges with Portland Opera, and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel with Vancouver Children’s Opera. She has been a featured soloist with the Oregon and Vancouver symphonies, performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, toured Europe with the Portland State University Chamber Choir and was soprano soloist on the CD On American Shores. In her spare time, Cole enjoys traveling, garage sales and activities with her three children.
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Robert Head
MUSIC
​dance

A Portland area native, Robert Head currently resides in NYC where he works as a musical theater actor/pianist. Credit highlights include Something Rotten National Tour, Royal Caribbean cruise lines, and
regional theaters around the US.  Robert teaches private voice/music at various youth theater programs in the NYC area, and is also a certified Yoga Instructor.
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Paul Angelo
Director
Paul Angelo serves as the associate artistic director of Staged! musical theatre and as a director in residence with defunkt in Portland, Oregon. He holds a BFA in musical theatre from the State University of New York (SUNY) Fredonia and an MFA from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival/ University of Alabama. In 1997 he co-founded the New Ensemble Theatre (TNE) in Manhattan; during his five years as co-artistic director, TNE focused on new plays and the plays of Shakespeare creating three seasons and eleven productions. TNE and its members were the recipient of several awards including an OOBR (Off-off Broadway Review) award for outstanding production for the play Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom (2001) and an invitation to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC for Henry V. Off-off Broadway directing credits includes Hamlet, The Hunger Waltz(part of the NY Fringe Festival 99′) and Henry V. He has also directed productions of Charlotte’s Web and Godspell for The Capitol Arts Youth Theatre in Bowling Green, Ky. He has directed five musicals for Staged!, Les Miserables, which received two Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards (PAMTA) for Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Young Performer of the year.  Big River which was also awarded two PAMTAs and the Portland premier of Jason Robert Brown’s ‘13′  this production was awarded a Drammy for Outstanding Pit Ensemble and four PAMTA nominations including Outstanding Direction. Also, Jason Robert Brown’s Parade  which was nominated for five PAMTAs, including Outstanding Direction, winning the award for Outstanding Ensemble. And Dogfight by Pasek and Paul, four PAMTA nominations including Outstanding Direction. Other Portland directing credits: The Homecoming by Harold Pinter, Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom  by David Zellnik and Blasted by Sarah Kane for defunkt theatre. Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Equivocation, by Bill Cain and Coyote on a Fence by Bruce Graham for Post5 Theatre. Romeo and Juliet for the Portland Actors Conservatory and Ruthless! the Musical for Stumptown Stages. A Civil War Christmas by Paula Vogel for Artists Repertory Theatre, ART  Paul is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, SDC. He served as the resident drama instructor at West Sylvan middle school for seven years from 2006 to 2013 where productions included Grease, Godspell, Oliver!, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, School House Rock Live!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Annie, Hamlet and The Little Mermaid. Other Portland area educational credits include: Into the Woods at Wilson High School.​​
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Kristen Mun
Violence choreographer
​stage combat
​Kristen Mun has worked as a violence choreographer for over half a dozen theatre companies in the Portland area. She is the recent recipient of the Leslie O. Fulton fellowship has won Drammy’s for her work on Danny in the Deep Blue Sea, Oedipus El Rey, and Henry IV Part 1.  Outside of Portland she has worked at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Repertory Theatre, and was the assistant fight choreographer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 2 seasons (09-10).  She is an officer and a recognized fight instructor with Dueling Arts International.
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Randy Davis
DANCE
Texas born, Randy Andre’ Davis was raised in Germany and then Portland, Oregon. It was in Portland, Oregon that Randy began his dancing ‘career’ when he joined an experimental magnet program within the public school system. “Dancin’ Davis” hasn’t stopped! Randy has been seen in numerous Broadway shows and National tours throughout his career. One of his favorites  was the colorful Broadway revival of “Guys & Dolls” with Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince, and Nathan Lane where he featured in the Crapshooter Ballet. In “Cats,” Randy performed the challenging and beloved role of Mistoffelles; Noodler the Pirate in Cathy Rigby’s “Peter Pan.” Essential as Dance Captain, Randy assisted in the Broadway production of “All Shook Up.” When theater history was made by the opening of “Harlem Song” at the famed Apollo Theatre, Randy Davis’ name was among the select actors chosen to appear. In addition to his skills as a dancer, singer and actor, Randy is known for his choreography work. He assisted in the restaging of the National Tour of “All Shook Up” and became the Children’s Director and Stager for the National Tour of “Whistle Down the Wind.” In Japan, Randy choreographed the “Japanese Musical Review” for one of Tokyo’s theaters. Across the country, Randy’s choreography has been in demand by numerous upscale dance studios for the restaging of “Guys & Dolls,” “All Shook Up,” as well as numerous other musicals. On his first visit to the White House, Randy performed a tap solo at the request of the White House after having seen Randy’s performance in “Hot Mikado.” The second visit was a part of Black History Month celebrations. Randy and the cast of “Harlem Song” were invited to visit and perform in honor of the history of both the show’s content and the Apollo Theatre.
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Sean Kelly
DIRECTOR
​Sean began performing in the 5th grade with a community theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof. He attended Southern Oregon University as a BFA student with an emphasis in Performance. Sean's interests grew with his education, and he took a full course of Sound Design and Directing classes in addition to his acting, movement, speech, and dramatic literature courses. He also served as a guest lecturer for the Drama in the Western Culture class at SOU for two years, and performed at the Oregon Cabaret Theater and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival before coming North to the Portland/Vancouver area. Sean received his Masters in Teaching at Concordia University, and has been the director of the drama department at Camas High School since 2011. Sean and his department have received state-wide recognition at the 5th Avenue Awards in Seattle earning dozens of nominations and honorable mentions for scene design, lighting, directing, performance, and choreography, including 3 nominations for Outstanding Overall Production, and wins for Outstanding Direction for 2013's Into the Woods, and Outstanding Overall Production for 2015's Cabaret. Two of his students have won Outstanding Leading Actor/Actress awards, and have been sent to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York. Sean also performed with Post5 Theater in Portland's 2015 performances of Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing.​
 

What People are Saying About MPA

"I am so impressed with Metropolitan Performing Arts! We have had such a great experience in working with them each year. Barbara Richardson has been so helpful in making sure that our daughter was getting the best of care. I also really appreciate the high quality level of costumes and props and imagination that are put into the Harry Potter LARP camps and also the performances we've seen during the years. The acting examples of the teachers and of the older students speaks well of the quality of teaching that my daughter is getting. I feel very fortunate that we have found this academy. And best of all our daughter just loves coming! We wouldn't miss it! In a day and age when money is tight, we feel it is money well spent." - Emily Ihasz

"Metropolitan Performing Arts is a wonderful performing arts school for children. The instructors are knowledgeable, encouraging, and kind. Their classes, events, and camps engage young people." - Kristin Nordberg

​"My daughter has been taking classes and performing with Metro for about a year and nothing makes her happier than being a part of this group. She has gained confidence and skills and has enjoyed every minute. She feels welcome and supported and encouraged by the warm and caring and talented staff. Metro is her "happy place." -Alia Woolfe Walsh

"My son has been with MPA since he was in 3rd grade. He came to me one day and said, "Mom, I want to be on stage." It is so amazing that there is a place like Metropolitan Performing Arts in our community to provide access to the arts for kids of all ages. Not just access, but QUALITY, authentic theater training, and classes. You've brought the passion out for my son. Thank you!​" - Gail Moore
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"Great program for kids. My daughters have learned so much about being in a show. From auditioning to take down a set and everything in between. Great teachers and great environment!" -Cristina Kennington

"My kids have been taking lessons and performing with this group for years. While always mostly happy with things in the past, after recent changes to staff and programming, we are super happy. Amazing tap and jazz teachers and some really fun acting teachers. My kids have learned so much at MPA."-Kristie Gebhard

"
We found Metropolitan Performing Arts by chance when I was looking for summer activities for my daughter. She loved it and now two years later being a part of the Metro Family has been such an amazing experience for us all. She has learned so much about singing, acting & dance. The productions are phenomenal, the instructors are passionate & make classes so fun for the kids. The friendships she has made and the confidence she has gained from taking part in shows & classes in these two years are priceless. Highly recommend for anyone with kids looking to find their niche in the performing arts!" - Joanna Connelly

"Life changing experience for my daughter! There has been a dramatic improvement in her grades at school and her drive to succeed in other areas of life since joining."- Melissa Galland

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  • Home
  • About
    • Contact | Directions >
      • Dining
      • Theatre Etiquette
    • Mission | Vision | Values
    • Staff | Board
    • Costume | Prop Rentals
    • Free Theater in the Park
    • Re-Imagined Radio
    • Audition
    • Past Productions
  • Calendar
  • Education
    • Classes >
      • Winter 2021
      • Musical Theater Program (MTP)
    • Camps | Workshops
    • Private Lessons
    • Instructors
    • Financial Assistance
  • Shows | Events
    • Affairs of the Heart
    • Cooped Up Cabaret
  • Support Us
    • Donate | Sponsor
    • Support While You Shop
    • Our Sponsors
    • Scholarship Fund
    • Volunteer