Maurissa Powell is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, she began her training at the School of Madison Ballet, where she became a Trainee and later an Apprentice.
Her professional performance experience includes appearances with Madison Ballet, Ruth Page Civic Ballet, Ballethnic Dance Company, Charlottesville Ballet, Charlottesville Opera, and Dissonance Dance Theatre. Maurissa has performed featured roles in works by renowned choreographers such as Keith Lee, Julia Mitchell, Brandye Lee, Timothy O’Donnell, and Shawn Short. Career highlights include her performance in the Kennedy Center’s Reframing the Narrative program, as well as soloist roles including the Snow Queen, Dew Drop, and Fall Fairy and in many repertory works. She was recognized nationally as a Silver medalist in Ballet at the 2019 NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, and was honored with the 2021 Lauren Anderson Scholarship. Maurissa is very excited for her first season teaching with MDA!!
Jared Cataggatan is a fourth-year UW-Madison scholar in the First Wave Hip-Hop & Urban Arts program. As a competitive dancer and choreographer, his work has been awarded multiple state titles within Wisconsin high schools. As a previous dancer for the Madison dance group, Barrio Dance Factory, he has trained in House and Litefeet and won a national title at the 2024 World Of Dance Summit in Los Angeles, CA. As a teacher, he prioritizes teaching Hip-Hop choreography authentically through proper knowledge of the technique. As a Bachelor of Science in Dance candidate at the UW-Dance Department, he performs repertoire by UW faculty and Guest Artists in Residency. He continues to train in Milwaukee, WI as a trainee of the Artists in Movement (A.I.M) program directed by Davien Holton, where he has performed with headlining artists at PrideFest ‘23/24. After his undergraduate career, Cataggatan intends to teach dance and perform professionally, aspiring to represent diverse voices in performance spaces. While pursuing a certificate in Asian American Studies, he continues navigating his role as a Filipino artist, striving to understand the impact of performing arts in bridging diverse communities.
Isaac Knuteson (Perm, Ru) was adopted from Perm Russia, and started dancing at a local
competition studio training in multiple styles of dance & attending national events at
Nycda and Dupree Dance. He competed at Yagp & placed top 12 in contemporary in
2021. He then later started training heavily in ballet and trained with Madison Ballet as a
pre professional/trainee, under the direction of Rachelle Fochs and Central Midwest Ballet
with Marguerite Luksik. Isaac attended Nashville Ballet SI in 2021, then later became a
pre-professional student for a few months, working with Nick Mulllikin, Anaïs
Chalendard, Julia Eisen and Aeron Buchanan. In 2022 Isaac attended Miami City Ballet Si
where he then became a pre-professional that year, where he worked with Lourdes
Lopez and Herman Payne. Isaac then trained with Oklahoma City Ballet In the summer
with Ryan Jolicoeeur-Nye, Oliver Muñoz, Jason Ambrose and Chloe Jenson, where he
then became a Postgraduate student in 2023. He has attended multiple summer
intensives including Milwaukee Ballet, Kanopy Dance, Des Moines Ballet, Point Park
Dance, Visceral Dance Chicago & Symbiosis Arts under Braeden Barnes. Isaac was an
assistant for Dupree Dance in 2021-2023, where he got to work with Terrill Mitchell,
Kobi Rozenfeld & Addison Holmes. During his time being an assistant he got the
opportunity to sign with Go2talent agency in L.A in 2023. Isaac then danced
professionally with Water Street Dance Milwaukee under the direction of Morgan
Williams for a season in 2023-2024, where he got to perform and work with multiple
choreographers. Isaac has performed at “APAP”, “Trifecta Dance Festival”, “Collective
Contemporary Awards”, “Wisconsin Dance Festival”, “Midwest Arts Expo”and “World Of
Dance Chicago”. Isaac also danced professionally as a guest artist for Madison
Contemporary Dance in 2021 and New Brese Dance Company in 2023. He also danced
professionally with Regenerative Beings in Texas under the direction of Brian Stevens,
where he got to work with Alex Clair, Jennifer Milner and Tim Fox in 2024. He also danced
professionally with Nova Linea in Milwaukee under the direction of Jared Baker for a
season in 2024-2025. He is currently an assistant for Showstoppers Dance convention,
and assisted for Arielle Elonys, Nathaniel Trasoras, Mary Ann Lamb,and Alexie Agdeppa.
He is featured in their magazine for the 2024-2025 season. Isaac has taught all around
the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Chicago, Texas, Minneapolis,
Indianapolis and the Nashville area. His choreography has been nominated for the “Industry
Dance Awards” in 2023 and 2024 and the People Choice Award in 2024. He is currently
judging for Fly Dance Competition for their 2025-2026 season.
Molly has been dancing with Madison Dance Academy since she was two years old. She grew her love for dance with her mom’s help, Ms.Nessa who was a dance instructor for over 15 years at MDA. Molly competed with Madison Dance Academy as well as with the Sun Prairie Varsity Dance Team. She has trained in various styles of dance including, ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary. Molly is currently studying Sociology with a minor in Psychology at student University of Wisconsin La – Crosse in hopes of working in a school as a guidance counselor.
Shaina began her dance training when she was 3 years old at A Step Above Dance and Music
Academy in Monona, WI where she was also a member of the competitive dance company. She has
trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theater, hip hop, contemporary, modern, improvisation,
African, and dance composition. At the collegiate level, Shaina had many performance opportunities
including university dance department showcases and the American College Dance Association
festivals. Shaina has been teaching dance to students ages 2-18 since 2014. Her choreography has
received awards including “Best Choreography”, “Creative Concept”, and “Most Entertaining” at
several competitions including Dupree Dance, Rainbow Dance Competition, and Imagine Dance
Challenge. Shaina’s favorite part about teaching is seeing the students beam with excitement when
they master a skill and perform on stage. She is excited to share her love for dance with all the
students at Madison Dance Academy!
Marcus purchased the studio in July 2017 with his wife Emily. Marcus grew up in Cottage Grove and went to college for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology. He grew up in a family with two sisters who were very involved in dance. Marcus currently works at Epic in his field of study. He has always been passionate about business and customer service. Owning a small business has always been a dream of his and now he gets to own a business with his wife!
Emily and her husband Marcus purchased the studio in July 2017. Emily started dancing at the age of 3 in Madison, WI where her mom, Carol taught dance. She has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and lyrical. Emily started coaching a middle school dance team at the age of 16 and taking on her own classes at a dance studio at 17.
Emily is also certified in ballet, tap, and jazz and a former member of Dance Masters of Wisconsin. Emily and her husband, Marcus got married in September of 2016 and live in Sun Prairie with their two young children and two pups.
Ever since high school, Emily has wanted to own a dance studio of her own and her dream has now become a reality!
coming soon!
Kaitlin does a little bit of everything here at MDA. From managing our website, helping with our socials and marketing, to photo and video, to prop making and team building she helps wherever needed. Kaitlin has a background in Nursing, Professional Photography, and more currently she is a Special Educator for Elementry aged students. Kaitlin has years of competitive experience, she competed in country and world-wide competitions in middle and high school and is passionate about youth development, team and relationship building.
coming soon!
Sara began her dance training at A Step Above at the age of six. She has taken classes in ballet,
pointe, jazz, tap and lyrical and she was a member of A Step Beyond Dance Company for 10 years
where she performed and competed in solo, duet and group dances. She also performed in the Peter
Rabbit Ballet with the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble. Sara began assisting with classes in middle school
and became a substitute teacher in high school. Sara was instrumental in implementing a summer
dance program for children ages 4 – 10 within the Cottage Grove Recreation Department at the age
of 14. Sara began teaching at A Step Above in 2009 and in 2011, she became a choreographer and
teacher for the A Step Beyond Dance Company. Sara has choreographed many award winning dances
to a variety of ages, levels, and in different styles. Sara holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood
Education from UW-Whitewater.
Rachelle professional training began with Wisconsin Dance Ensemble (now Madison Ballet) under the
direction of W. Earle Smith and A Step Above under the direction of Maelanie Kuzma. Fochs continued
her training with some of the best schools in the country including Ballet Chicago, under the direction of
Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair. While at Ballet Chicago, she performed a large repertoire of Balanchine
ballets as a soloist and principal dancer.
Her professional career began with Sacramento Ballet and continued with Madison Ballet, where she
performed soloist and principal roles until her retirement in 2016. Following her retirement, she became
Ballet Master and School Director for Madison Ballet. Fochs began teaching while a student at Ballet
Chicago and has continued to develop her comprehensive and compassionate teaching style throughout
her professional career. Mrs. Fochs encourages dancers through a curriculum of ballet training with an
approach that includes focus on muscle and bone alignment. Currently, she spends most of her time
learning and growing with her son, Xavier, and teaches throughout the Madison area.
Kami has been dancing since she was 3 years old with Ms. Carol and then in future years, Ms. Emily also.
She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Kami has danced with Madison
Contemporary for their holiday performance and our Nutcracker Remix in 2019. She is currently
attending Edgewood College for her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Kami has been with Madison
Dance Academy since 2020..
Courtney Kopchinski is a dancer, choreographer, and certified Pilates Instructor from Plover,
WI, currently residing in Madison, WI. In May of 2021, I graduated with a BFA in Dance from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am trained in a multitude of dance styles but specialize in
Hip Hop and Contemporary with an emphasis on Floorwork technique. As a creator, I
emphasize the use of isolations, foundational and dynamic movements to challenge those I
work with. I value the community that dance creates between every mover and the use of artists
bodies as a means of communication.
Becca grew up in the Madison area, and has been part of the Madison Dance Academy family for 19 years!! Starting with ballet and tap, Becca has grown her love for dance in all genres including lyrical, contemporary, jazz, pointe, and hip hop. Dance has taken her from competing in local towns all the way to performing at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Becca started teaching for Madison Dance Academy at the age of 16 as an assistant teacher and by 17 started teaching classes of her own. Becca has recently moved to the Green Bay area, but comes back often to work with our dance team and is a master at cutting music.
Brad is a Sussex, WI native, and has been dancing for 17 years. He started in Accompany of Kids in Menomonee Falls, which he still choreographs for today. Additionally, while in college, he was a choreographer for 4 years on Case Kismat Fusion Dance Team, and captain his sophomore and junior years where he took Kismat to get 4th at Bollywood America—the national championship competition for Desi Dance Network.
In 2018, he was a choreographer on the hip-hop team Watchlist, and currently, he works for Epic during the day, but he also coaches UW-Madison’s Bollywood fusion team, Wisconsin Surma. Brad has been with Madison Dance Academy since 2019.
Brittney grew up in Phoenix, AZ. She began dancing at the age of 5, studying jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, and other styles at Royal Dance Works in Phoenix. She began assisting at the age of 12 and teaching at the age of 14.
She has taught dancers and gymnasts of all ages at various dance and gymnastics studios around AZ and WI. She has worked with dancers in both a recreational and competitive capacity. Brittney has been with Madison Dance Academy since 2017
Callie began dancing at the age of 3 and grew up dancing alongside Miss Emily and under the guidance of Miss Carol. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, pointe and hip hop. Callie was also a member of her high school’s Show Choir for three years and participated in their musical productions all four years.
She choreographed many of the Show Choir’s numbers her last two years of high school and returned for two years post-graduation to continue teaching. Callie has been with Madison Dance Academy since 2017
Carol started dancing at the age of 4, studying ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and lyrical. In the 6th grade she knew that she wanted to teach dance and now has over 42 years of teaching experience. Carol has choreographed plays, danced in productions and has many years of dance training. As a former member of DMW and CNADM, she has received her master certification in dance. Carol joined the Madison Dance Academy when her daughter, Ms. Emily, opened the studio in 2017
Lexie has been dancing since a little girl. She danced with Crystal, Emily, and Lexie for many years taking tap, jazz, and ballet. She absolutely loves tap and everything that goes with it…the movement, the rhythm, and the flow. Lexie has been with Madison Dance Academy since 2020
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