Kari Reese

Owner/Instructor

Song and dance have always been a part of Kari Reese's life. Her parents encouraged her artistic endeavors and led by their example. After graduating from Houston's High School for Performing & Visual Arts, Reese received two scholarships to major in dance at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her B.A. in Dance. She has performed regionally with theatres such as Theatre Under The Stars (Houston), The Zachary Scott Theatre (Austin) and locally with Musical Theatre Southwest, Albuquerque Little Theatre, The Adobe, The Cell and The Vortex. Her favorite roles include the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Squeaky Fromme in Assassins and Miss Hannigan in Annie. Reese believes theatre can be a positive and powerful influence in children's lives. (She and her daughters are proof of this!). "Theatre teaches us to cooperate, communicate, create and celebrate. It is a place where individuality is cherished and teamwork thrives," says Reese. As Education Director of The Growing Stage, she strives to bring the joy, magic and lessons of theatre to as many children as possible in Albuquerque and the surrounding communities. "It's important and fulfilling work. I love my job!"

Maya Reese

Teaching Assistant

Maya Reese a freshmen at the Public Academy for Performing Arts, where she studies dance, voice and theatre. She has performed numerous times with Musical Theatre Southwest in shows such as The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, Suessical the Musical, and Annie where she starred as the lead. She recently finnished filming a full length movie in which she played herslef, only alter ego. She is so excited to back and working with the kids. "This is going to be FUN!!!!!"

Zoey Reese

Teaching Assistant

Zoey Reese is a senior at the Public Academy for Performing Arts, where she studies dance and voice. She has been seen numerous times on Albuquerque’s stages, as well as a few concert performances in Santa Fe, Philadelphia, and New York. A few of her past favorites include Beth March in Little Women, Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden, Zoey in the independent film The Vortex, Orphan July in Annie, and a Bird Girl in Seussical the Musical. She would love nothing more than to spend the rest of her life in musical theatre, and is so happy to be sharing such a wonderful thing with so many people through the Growing Stage. She hopes she can continue to watch this program grow and build through the years. She is looking forward to many new faces in class, and hopes that all children have as much fun learning and performing as she does teaching. "What seems to me the highest and most difficult achievement of Art is not to make us laugh or cry, or to rouse our lust or our anger, but to do as nature does - that is, fill us with wonderment." ~ Gustave Flaubert. 

Lisette Herrera

Instructor

Lisette has been enjoying musical theater for all her life. She has been involved with several shows around the Albuquerque area, extensively with Musical Theater Southwest. Lisette has also performed professionally in Orlando at Disney World, Universal Studios, and with a professional dinner theater company. After returning from Orlando, Lisette got her degree in Elementary Education and is currently a fourth grade teacher at Mountain View Elementary School. She looks forward to working with your child at The Growing Stage.

Matthew R. Naegeli

Director/Music Director

Matthew Naegeli is an Albuquerque native who grew up with an unquenchable love for musical theatre. Now a graduate of Colorado Christian University with degree in Music, Matthew is excited to join the team at TGS. Some of his directing credits include To Kill A Mockingbird and Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, while his favorite acting roles have been Billy Bigalow in Carousel and Schroeder in You’re A Good Man… He is also a performed playwright with two adaptations of C.S. Lewis works to his credit. Matthew currently holds a position in town as the Artistic Director of the Freedom Community Theatre where his work has been critically praised.

Hal Simons

Director/Instructor

Hal Simons won a 2002 Bistro Award for his direction of Songs In The Style Of Weill, a New York cabaret act starring Lorinda Lisitza. The act also garnered Ms. Lisitza a Bistro Award and MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) Award. Previously, Hal was nominated for a MAC for his performance in The M.G.M. Society, and has directed numerous other cabaret acts here and in New York City. Originally from the Bronx, Hal is a graduate of The High School of Performing Arts, was a theatre major at Hofstra University, and recently completed his Masters in Theatre Arts/Directing at UNM.

Paul Roth

Music Director/Instructor

Paul is a native New Mexican who has been playing the piano since the age of five and received his degree in Piano Performance from the University of New Mexico. Along with being a Music Director here at the Growing Stage, he teaches privately, accompanies a few private studios in town, and is the pianist for the Albuquerque Boy Choir Concert Choir. On Sundays you can find him behind the piano at Covenant Presbyterian Church. 

Stephanie Lynn Burch

Instructor/Choreographer

Stephanie Lynn Burch graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Santa Fe with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her senior year she was awarded a scholarship to study acting at the Ithaca College in London, England. After graduation, she moved to New York where she resided for five years. She was a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway where she performed in choreography and faculty showcases. She danced in companies such as Fuzion, Underground Dance Project, and Taino Productions. She also performed in films, Off-Broadway, and was a backup dancer for a major recording artist. She taught dance/aerobics for NBC, The United Nations, New York City Sports Clubs, and Crunch. She is certified by AFFA and the National Dance Institute. She has performed and choreographed locally for the Adobe Theatre, The Albuquerque Little Theatre, Musical Theatre Southwest, The New Mexico Ballet Company, and Energy in Motion. She currently teaches and choreographs for La Mesa Dance Academy and Gold Cup Gymnastics School.

Tania Ensign

Instructor

Tania Ensign understands that every child is unique, and she has the expertise and experience to approach your child as an individual, with his or her own special style of learning. Tania earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. She also holds a New Mexico teaching certificate in Performing Arts. Tania has taught a number of playwriting and theater workshop classes focusing on expression through improvisation. She has also directed and performed with Missoula Children’s Theatre, and has recently worked as a Theatre and Music teacher in Greece. She is currently teaching in the Albuquerque Public Schools as an Elementary Music Specialist. Her recent performing credits include Maria in West Side Story and Sister Hubert in Nunsense, both with Musical Theater Southwest. Tania is looking forward to helping your child explore his or her individual talents through theatre!