Dr. Mary Joy 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 nearly 30 years. At InnOVATION Arts Academy, Dr. Nelson serves as an arts advocate and leader, 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.

Jack McIntyre is a proud native Lexingtonian who has been performing since he was five years old. He attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1990-1994) where he played soccer, competed on the speech team, and performed in many shows in the theatre program. Upon graduation he studied theatrical arts at the North Carolina School of the Arts (1994-1997) and The HARTT School (1997-2000). While at The HARTT School he had the opportunity to study abroad in England as an integral part of his classical training. He received a B.F.A. as part of the inaugural graduating class of the HARTT Theatre Program in 2000. Jack has also been certified in many stage combat disciplines by the Society of American Fight Directors. He has worked professionally in New York and Los Angeles and has extensive credits including performing in numerous productions with Lexington Shakespeare in the Park. He has been involved with teaching, directing, and mentoring young actors for over 20 years through Broadway Bound, ACE Academy, InnOVATION Arts Academy, and Paul Laurence Dunbar's theatre program. He teaches physical acting, mask work, script analysis, Shakespeare techniques, and stage combat. He has directed InnOVATION productions including James and the Giant Peach, Mean Girls Jr, Finding Nemo Jr, Elf Jr, Disney Dare to Dream, and he was an associate director for Hadestown High School Edition. Jack also works with children with special needs at Paul Laurence Dunbar. He has been a paraeducator with Fayette County Public Schools since 2002 and was a certified teacher for two years. He received his M.F.A. focused in Special Education from Georgetown College in 2014. Jack is grateful to be a part of the InnOVATION Arts Academy and he truly loves sharing his experience with such wonderful young artists.

Charlize (Charli) O’Dell proudly serves Innovation Arts Academy as a dance instructor and choreographer. A lifelong theatre kid, Charlize has a passion for working in Musical Theatre choreography. Charlize holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of Kentucky and currently teaches dance through Fayette County Public Schools. Some previous choreography credits include: Legally Blonde Jr., Newsies (Innovation Arts Academy), SIX: Teen Edition, CATS: Young Actors Edition, Mean Girls Jr. (Gateway Regional Arts Center), Shrek: The Musical, Once Upon a Mattress (Bryan Station High School). Charlize loves to dance and loves to share dance with the students of Innovation!

American baritone Michael Preacely is a rising star on the operatic stage and is also known for a versatile singing ability and style that allow him to cross between genres from classical repertoire to pop, contemporary, and Broadway. He has received critical acclaim for many of his performances, including Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Scarpia in Tosca, Ford in Falstaff, Marcello in La Boheme, the High Priest in Samson and Delilah, and Porgy and Jake in Porgy and Bess. Mr. Preacely has performed with many major and regional opera houses and orchestras in the United States and abroad. Recently, Mr. Preacely completed a European tour of Porgy and Bess where he received great reviews for his performance of both Porgy and Jake. He also toured Russia in a concert series with New York based Opera Noire, debuted with Opera Memphis in the role of Marullo with a Rigoletto Cover, and Opéra de Montréal in the role of Jake. Michael made his debut with the Butler University Symphony Orchestra opposite world-famous soprano Angela Brown in a beloved performance of the Porgy and Bess Suite. Michael has performed with Cincinnati Opera, Opera Company Philadelphia, Opera Memphis, Kentucky Opera, Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and Bohème Opera of New Jersey.

Mr. Preacely’s success on the concert stage has blossomed with some of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Oakland East Bay Symphony, the Memphis Symphony, the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Greater Trenton Choral Society, and the American Spiritual Ensemble.

Mr. Preacely has received numerous accolades. He was invited under scholarship to participate in the International Vocal Arts Institute with Joan Dornemann and the VOICE Experience with Sherrill Milnes and Friends. He was the First Place Graduate Winner in the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition at the University of Kentucky and the recipient of awards in various competitions such as the National Opera Association Vocal Competition Artist Division, the Fritz and Jensen Vocal Competition, and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Michael resides in Lexington, KY with his wife LeTicia and three sons, Joshua, Benjamin and Jayce Bryson.

Christina Haffler 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 productions of White Christmas, A Christmas Story, 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and A Christmas Carol. Christina has also collaborated and costumed at Woodford Theatre (Woodford) and helped with their Summer Academy camp productions of School of Rock: Youth Edition and Madagascar Jr. She is now working as the Associate Program Coordinator for InnOVATION and is also InnOVATION's Costume Designer. Some of her favorite shows she's costumed are at InnOVATION are Seussical (her very first show with InnOVATION), Mean Girls, Hadestown Teen Edition, and SpongeBob The Musical. In the future, she hopes to continue costuming future shows with InnOVATION, Woodford, and The Lex, as well as teach sewing and costuming classes. Christina is so thrilled to be a part of the InnOVATION Arts Academy team!

Courtney Smith is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky (Theatre BA) and has had an immense passion for music and theatre since childhood. Some of her past credits include Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), Ilona (She Loves Me), Euterpe (Xanadu), Pilar (Legally Blonde), Lucinda (Into the Woods), and Marty (Grease). She also has an extensive choral background, including her the University of Kentucky Treble Choir, University of Kentucky Chamber Choir, University of Kentucky Choristers, University of Kentucky a cappella group Bluenote, and has been accepted into, attended, and performed at the KMEA (Kentucky Music Educators Association) and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conferences on multiple occasions. Beyond theatre, she writes poetry and short stories, draws, paints, and works for the state health cabinet. She loves working with InnOVATION and seeing the kids grow and achieve so much has filled her life with so much joy! She can’t wait for the upcoming season and hopes to be a positive, kind, and accommodating force for the program!

Logan Wilkerson from Jacksonville, FL has been training in the arts for over two decades. Prior to college, she trained in pageants, dance, theatre, and aerial silks. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre from Morehead State University. While in college, she had a strong focus on Theatre Education, working with The Little Company on 2 theatrical tours, 5 summers as a Teaching Artist for Shooting Stars YouTheatre, and taking several classes in the Theatre Education program at MSU. She most recently directed Newsies Jr. for InnOVATION Arts Academy. Logan received an Undergraduate Research Fellowship where she worked as Box Office Manager for the Lucille Caudill Little Theatre. Recent acting credits include Olympe De Gouges (The Revolutionists), Edgar Allan Poe (MisterE of Imagination), Peppermint Patty (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown).

Isaac Jones is a Lexington-based musician, composer, educator, performer, and arts advocate whose work spans music, theatre, education, and interactive media. A graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Jones spent nearly a decade as a music educator with Fayette County Public Schools, where he taught choral and guitar music and developed a longstanding interest in creating accessible pathways for people to participate in the arts.

As a performing artist, Jones has worked throughout Central Kentucky as a musician, actor, composer, arranger, and music director. His theatrical work includes music direction for numerous community and educational productions, alongside work as an actor and instrumentalist. Performing and composing under the artistic identity The Drifting Bard, Jones has developed a particular interest in the ways music and traditional performing arts intersect with digital media, games, and interactive storytelling. 

Jones is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky, where his graduate work has further developed his interests in arts entrepreneurship, audience development, marketing, and expanding access to creative participation. His current creative and advocacy work focuses on strengthening connections between performing and visual artists and the growing fields of digital and interactive media .

Chrissy Ashford, (Lexington, Kentucky), has built a life rooted in dedication, athletic excellence, and a passion for mentorship. From a young age, she immersed herself in sports, beginning with soccer and cheerleading—two disciplines that would shape her competitive spirit and leadership skills.

As her focus turned toward cheerleading, Chrissy quickly distinguished herself through commitment and talent, going on to win an impressive 10x national titles throughout her career. Competing locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, her success in the sport reflects not only her athletic ability but also her drive, discipline, and team-oriented mindset.

Beyond her personal achievements, Chrissy has made a lasting impact as a coach and mentor. She has worked with Parks and Recreation programs as well as middle and high school athletes, helping to develop young talent and instill confidence, resilience, and perseverance in her athletes. Her experience also includes coaching all-star cheerleading, where she has guided athletes to reach their full potential.

With a deep love for young athletes and a heart for teaching, Chrissy continues to inspire the next generation through her leadership, experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. With a newfound love for the performing arts, she’s excited to use her creativity to help the kids continue to grow.

Dorothy (Dot) Smith began her dance training at the Frankfort School of Ballet at age 8 and never stopped dancing. She graduated into the pre-professional program at Lexington Ballet, where she appeared in a number of productions including "Coppelia" and "Les Sylphides." She has received additional dance instruction at Dance Theatre of Tennessee and Ballet Detroit. Dorothy expanded her performance skills with training in circus, fire performance, and musical theatre. She currently dances professionally with Calypso Flow Performance Arts, and is a passionate Dance Teacher and Pilates Instructor.

Ian Scott is a theatre artist, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader who believes the arts have the power to transform lives. As Founder and Executive Director of Antagonist Productions, he has created opportunities for hundreds of people across Central Kentucky through productions, educational programs, and community outreach.
For nearly a decade, Ian has also been part of the team at Innovation Arts Academy, where he serves as Technical Director and is passionate about creating an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and inspired to explore their creativity. His work with Innovation has allowed him to collaborate with incredible educators and young artists, helping bring their ideas to life through creativity, craftsmanship, and teamwork.
Ian is especially grateful for his partnership with Dr. Mary Joy Nelson, whose mentorship and friendship have been an important part of his journey. Over the years, their collaborations have been some of the most inspiring and rewarding work he has been a part of, built on a shared belief in the power of the arts to encourage confidence, creativity, and personal growth.

Anna Daavettila is a music educator and performer based in Winchester, KY. Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Anna earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern Michigan University in 2019. Since relocating to Kentucky in 2023, she has had the opportunity to work with the Gateway Regional Arts Center and Innovation Arts Academy in an educational capacity, open a private piano studio, and has appeared on stage with GRAC and Leeds Center for the Arts as a performer.