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Meet the Cast & Crew
The Heart of Little Barn: Our Teaching Artists
Behind every dance warmup, acting game, and show-stopping number is a team of passionate, professional artists who love working with kids. Our teachers are Broadway performers, musicians, educators, and creatives who bring both technical skill and genuine heart to everything they do.
We choose team members who lead with kindness, spark imagination, and meet every camper with warmth, humor, and respect.
Kimberly Eilian
Founder / Artistic Director / Dance Teacher
Kim began dancing at age 4 and basically never stopped. After 10 years of classical ballet, a lot of jazz hands, a dash of hip hop, and some very enthusiastic community theatre, she earned her B.A. in Dance (with teaching and musical theatre emphasis!) from UC Irvine - Dean’s Honor List all 4 years, thank you very much.
She toured the Midwest in two bus & truck musicals, took every class in NYC from Steps to Broadway Dance Center, and then decided to follow her heart: teaching children. First stop? A rustic little dance cabin at a sleepaway camp - aka the seed of what would become Little Barn Dance & Musical Theatre Company.
Kim has taught everywhere from Harlem to the Hamptons, founded her own studio, and now runs one of the most magical performing arts camps on the East End - where toddlers to teens learn real dance technique (Broadway ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, theatre dance) through musicals they actually love.
Deep thanks to her husband Kevin and their two boys/muses, Jerome and Lewie. And all the glittery love to the beautiful campers who light up the studio and stage with heart, joy, and big Broadway dreams.
Broadway credits: None
Founder credits: Little Barn Dance Co., NYC / Hamptons
Mary Kate McGetrick
Mary Kate is thrilled to join Little Barn this summer again in the Hamptons! Mary Kate’s love for music, theater and dance began at a young age performing throughout Westchester County and she has been involved in the performing arts ever since.
She studied musical theater at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C, where she had the opportunity to perform throughout the DC area including The Kennedy Center. After 4 years of performing, Mary Kate stepped into the teaching field as a teaching artist at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for The American Theater and a full time music and theater teacher in Washington, D.C. where she led general music classes and directed and produced all school musicals.
Since then, Mary Kate has been a musical theater educator in the New York City public schools. In addition to teaching in the classroom, she also specializes in private voice and acting lessons. She has always felt very passionately about providing children with the opportunity to create, learn and expand their love for the arts.
Christina Jordan
Christina is thrilled to be returning Little Barn this summer!
Her passion for musical theatre began at a young age, dancing since the age of two and singing for as long as she can remember. Christina is excited to teach and guide the next generation of young performers!
She received her Bachelor’s of Music in Musical Theatre from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. While in D.C, she had the opportunity to work and perform at theaters throughout the DC area, including Signature Theatre in Shirlington, VA.
Christina has performed at regional theaters and theme parks across the country. Some of her favorite credits include Pinkalicious (Pinkalicious), Mamma Mia (Ali), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Mrs. Potiphar), and Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham). Over the past two years, she has had the pleasure of working on a new musical, SHUDDER (Debbie), performing the production in the New York Theater Festival and recording the NYTF cast album.
Christina now lives in Jersey City with her fiancé and their sassy 1 year old cat Luna, auditioning and performing year-round!
Emily Meredith
Emily is a professional actress residing in New York City. She is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Union and has performed in productions all across the country. An experienced acting, voice and dance teacher, Emily has worked with all grade and skill levels - but specializes in early childhood arts education.
Emily attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA -- where she majored in classical and musical theater and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Musical Theater.
She has trained at various other prestigious institutions including Festival Ballet (Providence, RI), T. Schreiber Studio (NY,NY), HB Studio (NY,NY), Ballet Prestige (Providence, RI), Steps (NY, NY), and Broadway Dance Center (NY,NY) among many others.
As a teacher, Emily strives to create a fun and relaxed learning environment where her students can grow in confidence and ability.
Sabine Ballouaares
Sabine is thrilled to be returning to assist Little Barn’s dance teachers. Her passion for dance has flourished from a young age and she hopes to inspire children with her love of dance. She has studied ballet, jazz, and contemporary at the Washington Ballet and Steps Dance Studio. One of her favourite performances was dancing in Sleeping Beauty at the Kennedy Center.
Sabine loves working with children and has spent the last several year teaching dance and tutoring young kids at an after school program called Fresh Youth Initiative.
Sabine is excited to continue her passion in working with children as a biology major, focusing on women’s and children’s health, at Cornell University.
Annie Voss
Annie is ecstatic to be joining the Little Barn Theatre team this summer!
She is a Twin Cities based actor earning her degree in musical theatre at Viterbo University with minors in Dance and Technical theatre and design. She has been singing, dancing, and acting from a very young age, and her love for theatre was formed through theatre camps just like this one!
Annie loves working with children and hopes that her passion for all different aspects of theatre inspire them to continue with this art form.
When she is not performing on stage, you can find her styling and designing wigs for many different productions! She is very passionate about on stage and behind the scenes work, and hopes to continue pursuing theatre after she graduates in the coming year.
Nicolas Nelson
Nicolas (he/him) is excited to join Little Barn this summer for his first year!
Originally from Florida, Nicolas attended the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, where he majored in musical theatre. Nicolas spends most of his time pursuing acting, taking dance classes, and playing jazz at various venues around New York.
He also has experience music directing for several 54 Below and Green Room 42 shows as well as filling in for any instrument needed at any given performance.
Nic grew up taking care of his two little sisters, teaching them music, and watching them perform, and he loves any opportunity to share his love for music and theatre with the next generation.
Krissie Neiman
Krissie is beyond excited to be joining the Little Barn team this summer.
Originally from Maryland, Krissie is a New York City–based dancer, choreographer, and actress. She works professionally across live performance, immersive theatre, and film, and is passionate about creating dynamic, story-driven movement. Most recently, Krissie has been involved in a variety of performance projects throughout the city, including dance, theatre, and collaborative creative work.
Krissie trained extensively in dance and performance, developing a strong foundation in multiple styles with a focus on versatility and expression. Her work as a choreographer centers around storytelling, musicality, and creating an environment where performers feel confident and inspired.
Outside of performing, Krissie enjoys exploring the city, staying active, collaborating with other artists, and finding inspiration in everyday moments.
Krissie’s favorite part of teaching is helping young performers build confidence and discover their unique voice. She believes that creativity should feel exciting and accessible, and loves fostering a supportive space where students can grow, take risks, and have fun.
Sophie Ventura
Sophie is thrilled to join Little Barn for her first year this summer!
Sophie Ventura is a New York City-based performing artist and educator. She grew up in Richmond, VA, where she trained at Barbara Hammond's School of Dance. She earned her BA in Dance Studies from Appalachian State University, where she found her love for teaching through Anyone Can Dance, a program providing low-cost dance classes to young dancers. Additionally, in the summer of 2022, she was Studios and Community Engagement intern at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC.
Sophie moved to New York City in 2024 and completed the Independent Training Program and Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center.
She has performed in the Professional Semester Showcase at the Alvin Ailey CitiGroup Theatre, in dance films featured at various festivals, and cabaret performances across NYC.
Sophie teaches tap, jazz, and ballet at The Brooklyn Dance Centers in Brooklyn, NY.
Rylan Joenk
Rylan will be joining Little Barn for her second summer.
Rylan began dancing at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago before attending high school at Walnut Hill School for the Arts under the direction of Michael Owen.
As a student at NYU Tisch School Of The Arts, Rylan performed work by Dana Ruttenberg, José Límon, and several peers.
Since receiving her BFA, Rylan has worked as a freelance dancer and dancemaker throughout NYC, as well as a part time dance teacher with Christy street ballet, dance to unite, and presently, Little Barn.
Juan Pablo Munoz
Juan Pablo (JP) Muñoz is a NYC-based performer, music director, creative producer, and educator originally from Guatemala and raised in Nashville, TN. He trained at the Nashville School of the Arts, Lipscomb University School of Music, and The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts.
JP performed with the Nashville Choral Institute before becoming the youngest member of the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony Choir. He has toured nationally as a performer, teacher, and music director, and has provided background vocals for recording artists in both studio and live performance settings.
Recent credits include Dancer/Swing for NYC Water Cruises and producing/creative directing a live performance residency in Midtown Manhattan. He is currently developing original theater and film/TV projects while writing for his solo album.
JP is passionate about making the arts accessible to all and believes everyone deserves a space to create. Outside of performing and teaching, he is also a top-rated NYC tour guide who combines storytelling and improvisational comedy for audiences from around the world. In his free time, he enjoys yoga, cooking, and spending time in nature. JP is so excited to join the Little Barn family this summer!
Audrey Porter
Audrey is thrilled to be joining the Little Barn team this summer!
Her love of ballet began at the age of two, and she has been dancing ever since.
Based in Brooklyn, Audrey holds a degree in Film & Television from Boston University. A lifelong lover of musical theater and the performing arts, she is excited to share her passion for creativity with campers. Over the years, Audrey has attended a variety of summer dance programs - including the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (CT) and The Rock School - and she currently continues taking ballet classes at Brooklyn Ballet.
Audrey loves working with children and is excited to combine her background in the arts with her love of theater to help campers build confidence, creativity, and self-expression this summer.
Jennafer Peery
Jennafer recently made her Broadway debut as the Glinda Standby in Wicked after playing Glinda from 2022-2023 in the National Tour of Wicked!
She has worked regionally in Disney's Freaky Friday (La Jolla Playhouse) and Nemo in Finding Nemo: The Musical (Walt Disney World). Other notable credits include Shelley in Bat Boy, Clara in The Light in the Piazza, and Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
She also frequently sings in concerts at 54 Below and voices new work in readings and developmental labs. She graduated with her BFA from NYU Tisch.
Violet Tzu-Hsuan Wang
Violet is delighted to return to Little Barn for her fifth season and very excited about the NYC opening.
Her special talent with teaching children is her ability to follow the kids and turn anything into a charming musical theatre arrangement, as well as introducing kids to more sophisticated musical theatre songs in a playful way.
Born and raised in Taiwan, Violet began her training in classical music at the age of 4, starting with piano.
She later approached the cello, which became her inseparable companion. She received her BFA in Music from the National Taiwan Normal University with a major in cello and a minor in piano.
She also studied composition and percussion for a couple years amongst her time there.
During her freshman year, a musical theatre workshop held in Taipei majorly sparked her curiosity for acting, ultimately leading her to move to the Big Apple to explore the wonder of the theatre.
After two years of expert training at Circle in the Square Theatre School’s Musical Theatre program, Violet is now professionally performing and teaching in New York City. She also has a great passion for classical drama, including Shakespeare, as well as exploring accents and dialects of speech. Violet is currently an Artist-In-Residence at the Titan Theatre Company with credits including “An Iliad” and “Radio Play Series: The Thin Man” as well as being a concert cellist for The Chelsea Symphony.
Some of Violet’s other favorite credits include “Twelfth Night: The Musical Adaptation” (Feste, Clocktower Players), Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” (Mrs. Cheveley), and “Romeo and Juliet” (Lady Capulet, Titan Theatre Company). Notable stages include Joe’s Pub, Irvington Town Hall, 54 Below, Circle in the Square Theatre, and The Triad.
Meredith Eib
Meredith is a multidisciplinary voice educator and performer. Currently based out of Washington DC, Meredith is on the BFA musical theatre voice faculties of The Catholic University of America’s Rome School of Music, Drama and Art as well as Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia, PA.
Meredith has spent the past three summers with Harvard Summer School teaching Voice and Speech and has held voice faculty positions through summer programs at Boston University and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
As a performer, Meredith has been seen on professional stages up and down the east coast- especially in her home bases of Washington, DC and Boston. Most recently, Meredith performed three sold out musical theater cabarets at the Napoleon Room in Boston, MA and was selected as a 2025 Voice Intern through the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Hal Miers
Hal is excited to be returning for his third season at Little Barn!
Hal teaches dance, acting and voice coaching and has been to promoted to be our Dance Captain and Casting Director.
At only 6 years old, Hal performed in a production of “Miracle on 34th Street'' and has been singing and dancing ever since.
He is a proud member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild and recently graduated with an MFA in Acting from Columbia University.
Hal also enjoys writing (particularly with his left hand) and enjoys doing stand up comedy. Some of his favorite theatre credits include: Frankenstein (Off-Broadway), A Little More Alive, His Girl Friday (Barrington Stage Company), The Sound of Music (National Tour), Chicago, Pride and Prejudice (Hangar Theatre), Fiddler On The Roof (PA Shakespeare Festival), and Grease (La Commedia Dinner Theatre). Television credits include “As The World Turns” and “Saturday Night Live.”
Hal would like to thank Kim for this wonderful opportunity in the Hamptons!
Isaac Williams
Isaac is over the moon excited to be joining the Little Barn team for his second season.
Isaac, born in Kansas, is a New York City based actor, singer, dancer, and writer currently teaching sixth grade humanities in Manhattan. Isaac recently closed Beauty and the Beast Jr. as musical director and is elated to be releasing his short film, “Iconic,” this summer.
Isaac has always been a choir kid and continued his choir journey into college where he studied Vocal Music Education and Theatre. He recorded the album “Easter: 1906,” written for the Missouri State Chorale in Lincoln, Nebraska and had the opportunity to be directed by Robert Westenberg in a production of The Secret Garden.
His pastimes include reading Walt Whitman, visiting parks, going to the gym, meditating, and studying spirituality independently.
Isaac’s favorite thing about teaching is having the opportunity to understand the experiences of the students he teaches; children seek the feeling of being understood and valued. Being able to understand others motivates Isaac to continue teaching music, voice, and performance; kids are the future of theatre.
Nicholas Meyers
Nicholas Meyers is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City. He studied ballet and contemporary dance at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He is a recent graduate of Columbia University, where he majored in Film and Media Studies.
He has danced with the Columbia Ballet Collaborative, Columbia Repertory Ballet, and the Barnard Dance Department at New York Live Arts. As an actor, he has performed with Columbia’s sketch comedy group, Latenite, and in several plays and musicals, including Dance Nation, Fun Home, and Columbia University’s 129th Varsity Show, for which he also provided additional choreography.
Nicholas enjoys collaboration, and building community among other artists and lovers of art. He has provided dance education to students of all levels, at several schools and community centers, including the Center for Rural Engagement and SPHERE, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults with disabilities. Nicholas is so excited to be joining the Little Barn family!
Julia Ruth Patella
Julia Ruth Patella (she/her) is a NYC-based choreographer, theatremaker, and educator happy to be a part of the Little Barn team! Julia choreographs and directs musical theatre, film, concert dance, and interdisciplinary performance, and holds a B.A. in dance and sociology from Barnard College of Columbia University. She provides dance instruction for a range of ages and experiences at dance studios, camps, fitness studios, and The Peddie School.
Her teaching nurtures students’ creativity and confidence and builds community through joyful shared experiences in performing arts. Outside of theatremaking, Julia loves making collages and playing percussion!
Keivon Akbari
Keivon is very excited to be joining Little Barn Theatre this summer!
Keivon Akbari is an Brooklyn-based actor, singer, musician who received his BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts through the Atlantic Acting School. Keivon is known for roles in The Great Gatsby: Immersive (Off-Broadway), MacGyver: The Musical (Stages Houston), Tosca Tehran (Atlantic Theater Company), Bismillah (The Wild Project). TV/Film: The Night Agent (Netflix), Tehrangeles, Spectator.
He is also a classically trained concert pianist and can play many additional instruments.
He would like to thank his friends and family for their unconditional love and support.
Audrey Enright
Audrey is super excited to be joining Little Barn this summer in the Hamptons! Since the age of three, Audrey has found herself immersed in music and the arts. From classical piano to voice lessons, dance classes, and musical theatre performances Audrey has loved every moment of it.
She received her Bachelor's of Music in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Psychology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During her time in D.C., Audrey began to hone in on her backstage skills focusing on stage managing and directing at Catholic and for a few boutique theatres around the area. She also had the chance to perform at The Kennedy Center. Throughout college, Audrey also spent a lot of her time with young children. She was a part time nanny for twins from ages 9 months to 3 years old and taught swim lessons to ages 6 months to early teens. She has always loved working with children, helping them to unlock their creativity and to grow!
Currently, Audrey has turned her passions for fitness and wellness into a full time career teaching yoga and yoga sculpt classes at CorePower Yoga and coaching personal training clients at Equinox in New York City. She is super excited to be able to step back into the music and the arts world as this world is near and dear to her heart!
Jason Belanger
Jason (he/him) is an NYC-based music director, pianist, and arranger originally from Fayetteville, NY. He has worked and lived in dozens of cities, states, and countries over the years, and he is so excited to be joining the Little Barn NYC team!
Ever since he started playing piano and singing at age 5, Jason knew he loved music and wanted to make it a part of his life. After singing in choir, performing in musicals, and honing his skills at the piano, he spent his high school years performing with a professional theater in Syracuse, NY, before pursuing a Drama degree at Hofstra University.
After graduating and taking jobs everywhere from California to NYC, he eventually made his way to Scotland where he recently graduated with a Masters in Music Direction from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His favorite credits include Little Women (MD/Conductor; Edinburgh Fringe), The Muny’s 101st Season (music intern), Spamalot (Keys 2/Assoc. Conductor; 6th National Tour), and Into the Woods (MD/Pianist; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).
Outside of his music work, Jason loves working with kids of all ages as a private tutor, working on academic support, test prep, and executive functioning skills in a fun and positive environment. Jason loves the excitement and joy that kids bring to everything they do and looks forward to helping them grow artistically at Little Barn!
Jo Armstrong
Jo is thrilled to be coming back after her second season in the Hamptons and joining us in our NYC Studio.
Originally from Kansas, Jo first discovered her love of theatre, at age 12, while playing a Pink Lady in Grease. She spent many summers performing at regional theatres before moving to New York to pursue her dreams! Jo recently graduated from Manhattan School of Music with a degree in Musical Theatre and is now working professionally as a singer and actress in the city. Some of her favorite credits include Saraghina (Nine), Morticia (The Addams Family), Spiker (James and the Giant Peach), and Casey (First Date). Notable stages include Carnegie Hall, Kauffman Performing Arts Center, Starlight Theatre, and Riverside Theatre.
Jo has always loved working with children and feels most inspired around young, creative minds! She is trained in music education and childhood development and is passionate about the importance of music and storytelling in children’s lives.
Amy Liu
Amy Liu is very excited for her first year at Little Barn Theatre! She is a music director and pianist based between NYC and SoCal. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Computer Science from UC Berkeley.
Previously, Amy was the music assistant on Swept Away on Broadway. Before moving to NYC, she was the Keys 2 player and rotating conductor of the national tour of Hairspray and AMD/Keyboard 3 in the national tour of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
Amy wants to send love and thanks to Alex and the rest of her family for their endless support!
