Dr. Nelson is the Founding Executive Director of InnOVATION Arts Academy. Previously, she founded the Academy for Creative Excellence Preparatory program and Broadway Bound Summer Camps at the University of Kentucky, where she completed her DMA in vocal performance. Dr. Nelson has prepared children's ensembles to perform for former president Bill Clinton (Lexington Sight and Hearing Event) and Laura Bush (St. Mark's School Literacy).  She also served as the Youth Performance Corps Director for the World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremonies in 2010.  She currently works as a performance coach for professional child actors, and many of her students (Emily Hoder, Audrey Bennett, Brooklyn Shuck, Kyla Carter) have landed roles in Broadway productions and tours. She earned her undergraduate degree in music education (University of Regina) in 2001, and has been teaching youth and children in the performing arts for over 20 years. At InnOVATION Arts Academy, Dr. Nelson serves as an administrator, producer, director and music director.  Dr. Nelson believes in developing students as 360 degree performers, offering them training in every aspect of the theatre.  She invests in her students holistically as people and as artists, and is committed to their long-term development and training.  Dr. Nelson works with young performers in Lexington, New York, LA, and Florida, specializing in voice, acting and audition techniques.

Stephanie Valentino has been dancing, singing, and performing in Lexington, KY for the majority of her life. Stephanie has taught dance and choreographed at the Academy for Creative Excellence, Stage Right Acting, and Innovation Arts Academy. She has also worked on countless productions at many of Fayette County's public schools. During the school year, she teaches English Language Learners at Yates Elementary. Some of her favorite performance credits include Margot in Legally Blonde the Musical and Tinkerbell in Peter Pan. Some of Stephanie's favorite choreography projects include Xanadu Jr., Matilda, and 13 Jr.

Erin Leland Tuttle has been teaching music and theatre to young artists for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in music and theatre. Over the years she has taught in elementary music and theatre classrooms, in her own music studio, in local theatres, with special needs choir groups, and as a contracted musical theatre director and director in local theatres and schools. Erin and her husband, Mike, have two bands: Station 22 ½ (their successful cover band that performs all over Central Kentucky) and Her Clever Machine (their originals band). They have two sons: Xander, who performs with Innovation Arts and writes/produces his own music and Addison, who attends The University of Kentucky in the Musical Theatre program. Erin loves working at Innovation and with the Innovation Arts Academy family! 

Jack McIntyre is a proud native Lexingtonian. He attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, where he played Soccer, competed on the Speech Team, and performed in many Theatre shows. Upon graduation, he attended The North Carolina School of the Arts and The HARTT School where he graduated with a B.F.A. as a part of their inaugural class. While at HARTT he had the opportunity to study abroad in England, learning from instructors from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Royal Shakespeare Company. Jack has also been certified in Stage Combat techniques by the Society of American Fight Directors. He has lived and worked professionally in New York and Los Angeles. His numerous credits include performances with Lexington Shakespeare in the Park over many years. He has been involved with teaching and mentoring young actors through the Broadway Bound Program and InnOVATION Arts Academy. He teaches physical acting, mask work, stage combat, and Shakespeare techniques. He has directed James and the Giant Peach for J.T.F. and recently directed Mean Girls Jr. for the main stage. Jack also works with and teaches children with special needs. He has been a para-educator in Fayette County since 2002. He received his M.F.A. focused in Special Education when he graduated in 2014 from Georgetown College. Jack is grateful to be a part of InnOVATION Arts and loves sharing his experience with such wonderful young artists.

Christina has always had a passion for creating and art-making. She graduated in 2015 from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Art Education and Art Studio. After graduation, she taught Art at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary School for 6 years. In the summer of 2023, she was a Wardrobe Apprentice at The Lexington Theatre Company (The Lex) and fell in love with theatrical costuming in their productions of The Sound of Music and Memphis. She also worked as Stitcher and Dresser for The Lex’s production of White Christmas and as Costume Floor Manager for The Lex's productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Jersey Boys. She is now working as the Associate Program Coordinator for InnOVATION. She also was InnOVATION's Costumer in their productions of Seussical Jr, Mean Girls Jr, and Elf Jr. In the future, she hopes to continue costuming future shows with InnOVATION and The Lex, as well as teach sewing and costuming classes. Christina is so thrilled to be a part of the InnOVATION team!

Courtney Smith is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in theatre and an interdisciplinary arts minor. Despite being more music oriented, she fell in love with theatre after being in her high school’s production of High School Musical: The Musical, which kicked off her

involvement in various shows including The Music Man (Maud Dunlop), Xanadu (Euterpe) with the Appalachian Arts Center, and many more. Her time at UK can be well defined by her versatility- being involved in choral programs such as the Women’s Choir, Choristers, the auditioned Chamber Choir, and the auditioned acapella group Bluenote, being involved in theatre productions such as Bright Star (Mamma Cane/Ensemble), and involvement in the Opera Program’s productions of Showboat, It’s a Grand Night for Singing, and Bounce: The Opera. Courtney was the librarian, section leader, and co-president of the UK Choristers during her time there. She also performed at KMEA with Choristers and at ACDA with the Women’s Choir in the spring of 2022. Courtney wishes to connect with and inspire others through music and theatre and can’t wait for what the future holds!

Danielle fell in love with theatre at the age of five after performing in the Music Man in Woodford County, leading to a childhood of performing shows all over the Bluegrass. After earning her Musical Theatre degree at Berry College in Rome, GA, she earned a contract with the California Theatre Center, allowing her to tour professionally all over the west coast. She returned to Lexington in 2010 and transitioned into teaching, earning her certificate for K-5 at Asbury University. More recently, she has also been able to focus on directing and giving back to the younger theatre generation through various outlets. Favorite performance credits include: The Secret Garden (Mary Lennox), The Tempest (Ariel), and Bus Stop (Elma). She recently directed: You Can't Take it With You, The Curious Savage, Charlotte's Web, and Father of the Bride. Danielle loves teaching acting classes and sharing her passion with all of these wonderful Innovation students.

Grace Hensley discovered musical theater in 3rd grade thanks to Mary Joy. Now Grace is starting a double major in Theater and Elementary Education at the University of Kentucky, with a Musical Theatre Certificate. She attended the KY Governor’s Scholar Program with a focus on Dramatic Expression (2020) and graduated from TCHS with a Full International Baccalaureate diploma. Grace has studied dance (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop) since 2011 and was on the TCHS Dance Team for four years. As a student choreographer, Grace choreographed “Dear Edwina” in 8th grade (TCMS) and “Madagascar Jr” for JTF. Fun fact: Grace has attended JTF every year Mary Joy has taken a group—10 years straight!—and can’t wait to take her own company one day! Favorite roles include Jojo in Seussical, Ariel in Little Mermaid Jr, and Kira in Xanadu Jr.

Colleen Ireland comes from the Garden State of New Jersey. She has performed throughout the United States and internationally, showcasing her talents in a variety of styles of dance. Highlights of her professional career include sharing the stage with Andrea McArdle who played Annie in the original Broadway cast; As a professional dancer, Colleen starred as Cleopatra at Caesars Palace in Atlantic city, New Jersey and opened for The Apprentice in Atlantic city. Mrs. Ireland has shared her love of dance showing love in orphanages in Russia, China, and Jamaica. She has taught dance and has choreographed for the Northern Kentucky Theatre and Dance Department, The Cincinnati Ballet Academy and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Lexington, KY. Colleen holds her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Northern Kentucky University. She has spent summers training at the Boston Ballet and Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, Mississippi.

Isaac is a Lexington-based music director, vocal coach, director, pianist, and choreographer. In addition to spending 9 years in the high school classroom and in the church as a choir section leader, he has conducted and supervised a number of shows in the central Kentucky region since 2013. Currently, Isaac is focused on music composition and arranging, with an emphasis on table top and adventure role playing games. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, he is very excited to join the staff of InnOVATION Arts Academy and looks forward to working with promising young talents!

Ava Wallett unlocked her love for musical theater at the age of 7 in a production of Lion King Jr, directed by MaryJoy Nelson. She is now a junior at Lexington Catholic High School and apart of the Exemplar Scholars Program with a major in Voice. In the summer of 2022, she was blessed with the opportunity to be casted in the iTheatrics Choreography Video Shoot which took place in NYC. She has studied dance for five years at InnOVATION Arts Academy (musical theater, jazz, tap) and has been on the LCHS Dance Team for three. As a student choreographer, Ava has choreographed Christ the King’s Seussical Jr. and is currently working on Finding Nemo (CKS). As a member of InnOVATION Arts Academy and a high school intern, Ava is so excited to have an opportunity to teach something she loves - dance.

Matthew T. Burney was born and raised in NY, but relocated to Lexington, Kentucky at the end of 2019. He is the CEO and Founder of Matthew Burney Studios (MBS), where their vision is seeing people’s lives changed in a moment by using the arts as a powerful tool of outreach. Everything they do falls under this umbrella. Matthew T. Burney is a trained actor with two degrees: an Associates degree in performing arts, studying at Dutchess Community College, and a Bachelor’s degree in musical theater, concentrating in acting at Long Island University-Post Campus. Additional to training in the arts, he has been working in childcare for 12+ years. Matthew now enjoys teaching students principles he has learned in his journey, that he wishes he had the opportunity to learn at such a young age. Mr. Burney is also a model, dancer, and traveling Spoken-Word poet. He thoroughly enjoys sharing his gifts with the next generation!

Bella Mancuso is a recent Belmont University graduate, receiving her BFA in musical theatre and a minor in education. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, she is so excited to be back to teach the next generation. Bella has been an educator at Missoula Children’s Theatre, Nashville Children’s Theatre, and Kentucky Shakespeare. Recent credits include Constance in "Ride the Cyclone", Jack’s Mother in "Into the Woods", and Woman 2 in "Starting Here, Starting Now".

Dakara Cooper is an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky majoring in Theatre with a Musical Theatre Certificate. She was recently on the last season of American Idol as well as the University of Kentuckys production of “Shakespeare in Love”. Her past in music directing with Mary Joy has shown her love for music and teaching, and she is excited to continue sharing her passion with others.

William Bressler received his BA in General Theatre at the College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri. Having moved to Lexington in January of 2024, he is excited to begin teaching the technical course at Innovation Arts Academy. His experience includes set construction for shows such as The Play that goes Wrong, Clue the Musical, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also was the lighting designer for two original shows titled Of Prophets and Fools and Breaking the Silence. He looks forward to beginning this semester.

An alumna of the University of Kentucky, Department of Theatre, Mary Christopher Grogan is currently an active theatre director and educator in central Kentucky.  She holds an MA in English Education (2006) and an MA in Theatre (2014).  Beginning her undergraduate studies and career with a focus in stage management, she eventually found additional passions in educating and directing.  Some of her favorite directing credits include:  Our Town,   Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story,  Beyond Therapy, Radium Girls, The Odd Couple: Female Edition, and Into the Woods. Additionally, she is extremely passionate about arts education and literacy.  She has taught theatre, as well as English courses,  at UK, KYSU, EKU, and BCTC.  She currently teaches Theatre, Film Studies, and AP English at West Jessamine High, where she served as Artistic Director of their theatre program from 2018-2023. She is excited to return to working part time with Mary Joy and the rest of the InnOVATION team, especially since her ten year old daughter Addison has been part of the company since she was just three years old.   She hopes to continue her love of theatre by returning to her work as an acting and technical theatre coach/teacher.

Chelsea is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, with majors in Theatre and Arts Administration, a Mathematics minor, and a Musical Theatre Certificate. While she is primarily an actress, she also has experience as a director, stage manager, fight director/captain, teacher, and arts administrator. She is certified in 6 of the 8 weapons offered by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a certified Actor Combatant with the SAFD. Favorite performance credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), The Watsons (Laura), Cabaret (Kit Kat), Into the Woods (Milky White/Little Red u/s), and The Wolves (#2). She is honored to have worked with companies like the National Women's Theatre Festival, Distilled Theatre Company, Merit Theatre Company, Studio Players, UK Opera Theatre, and UK Department of Theatre and Dance. She is currently based in Lexington, KY, works as a Project Manager for Storyboard Media (Durham, NC) by day, and serves as the Director of Operations for the National Women’s Theatre Festival (Raleigh, NC), Associate Program Coordinator for InnOVATION, and holds a variety of other freelance positions.