Anne Marie was born in Holland and spent most of her childhood in Switzerland. At age seven she joined the Opera Ballet School in Zurich. Upon graduation at age eighteen, she joined the Opera Ballet in Zurich. She also performed with the Volksopera Ballet in Vienna, the Stadttheater Badden and toured with Munich Opera. She enjoyed working with choreographers such as Patricia Neary and Hans van Manen. Anne-Marie later received an advanced degree in the teaching of classical ballet, (extended Vaganova) at the Music College in Cologne. She taught at the Opera Ballet School in Zurich, at the Swiss School for Professional Dancers and at the Theater Ballet School in Krefeld and Monchengladbach, Germany. In 1991 she moved to Madison, Wisconsin with her family where she taught for the Monona Academy of Dance. She was a choreographer for the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and the Performing Arts for Children. She was co-owner and artistic director of Turning Pointe School of Ballet. Anne-Marie has worked with many children who have gone on to professional dancing careers, such as Principal Dancer with the Charleston Ballet Theater, Hamburg Ballet, Germany and Morgan Scott Company in New York.

Amy's love of dance started at a young age where she took lessons in ballet and jazz, she continued to pursue dance throughout middle school and high school and into adulthood.  Her passion for dance led her to Ballroom where she is a continuing student as well as teacher.In additionto her passion for dance, Amy has over 10 years experience in the wedding industry working as a wedding and event coordinator and photographer. 

Beth is a graduate of the University of WI - Platteville were she was involved in theatre, musique and dance. She studied ballet under Ms. Jeanne Parus in Madison, WI. Since moving to the Fox Valley area, Ms. Howell has continued to teach arts and growth and development curriculum. She particularly enjoys teaching creative ballet classes to preschool, youth and special needs students.

Sensei Nelson started his study of the martial arts (Go-Shin-do) at the age of 14 under the instruction of Sensei Paul Dean in Rhinelander, WI. In 1977 Sensei Nelson went to college at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where he co-founded the Martial Arts Club. The club had an 'all styles welcome' format where martial artists could gather and practice. Upon graduation in 1981 Sensei Nelson moved to Wausau, WI where he met Sensei Charles St. Pierre and started the practice of Shorei Kempo Karate. In 1985 Sensei Nelson moved to Neenah, WI where he started teaching Karate at the Appleton YMCA. . Sensei Nelson received his first degree black belt (shodan) in Shorei Kempo Karate in 1986. Over the years Sensei Nelson continued to teach Karate and advanced to the rank of 6th degree black belt (rokodan). Sensei Nelson has been teaching at the Valley Academy of the Arts for eight years.

Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education (Broadfield Social Science, History, Sociology, and Geography) from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theater from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. First having taken the stage at age 6, Carrie's passion for the performing arts has been a life-long dedication. Her tenure with the stage includes work with Children's Theater of Madison, St. Norbert's Performing Arts Program, University of Wisconsin Theater, and Attic Theater. Carrie has been blessed to work with a plethora of young individuals for the past 11 years as a choreographer and performance specialist. Her partnership with groups such as the Appleton Boy Choir, Badger State Girl Choir, Appleton West High School, Ashwaubenon High School, Luxemberg-Casco High School, and Brillion High School have brought some 24 shows to life!

Jody "Joe" Vanesky, formerly education director at Appleton Art Center, offers visual art classes for preschool students, elementary students, and adults. Jody is a graduate of Lawrence University with post-baccalaureate study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He brings years of experience as an award-winning artist and art educator.

Tracy has been teaching dance in the Fox Valley for over seven years and has been studying and teaching tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical dance at several area studios. She also studied Irish dance in Co. Donegal, Ireland as part of a study abroad program in college. She is currently working toward a Masters Certificate in Dance at Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Tracy enjoys teaching and watching the creative energy of the younger students and challenging the older advanced students to stretch and break out of their structures and reach back to their creative freedom.

Sam has over 19 years of dance experience including five years as a core dancer in Santa Barbara Dance Theatre. Sam has experience as a choreographer for both dance and theatre.  He has taught ballet, modern and performing skills extensively at the university level as well as in independent dance studios.  He directed The Studio at North Park for one year, where he taught modern technique, ballet, salsa, and tango classes.  He has taught Master classes in Santa Barbara, Oakland, New York, San Francisco, the Czech Republic, Argentina, China and Bologna, Italy.  He was also the manager of Santa Barbara Dance Theater in 2002, working in collaboration with company director Jerry Pearson.

Vicky is a graduate of Viterbo University with a degree in Theatre as well as Elementary education. She has been involved in theatre since the age of 13. Vicky loves to spread her enjoyment of the arts with everyone. Upon graduation Vicky has been  employed by Appleton Area Schools. She uses her love of theatre to help the students better understand the concepts taught. Vicky is currently sharing her talents at Appleton East High School as the costumer for the theatre department.