founder

LESLIE NOLTE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Leslie Nolte has emerged as an innovator in arts education in the Iowa City creative community for two decades. Under her direction, Nolte Academy has become a premiere arts program with 30 specialized instructors and 1,100 students. As part of Kennedy Center's Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child program, Leslie brings workshop dance instruction to area schools with lower socioeconomic status, helping to guarantee access and equity to the arts for all students. Leslie has also been a guest lecturer at The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. Leslie is a busy mom of five who also finds time to act in local theatre, teach Pilates at her studio, support various arts endeavors and deepen her personal yoga practice.

directors & managers

LOREN WILLIAMS
BALLET DIRECTOR
Loren Williams grew up in Rochester, New York, training at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education, under the direction of Jamey Leverett. While in high school, she was an apprentice with the Rochester City Ballet, performing in their Nutcracker, Cinderella, Firebird, Peter and the Wolf and new contemporary works. Loren received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.A. in History from Butler University. At Butler, Loren performed in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Flower Festival, Giselle and contemporary repertory with the Butler Ballet. 
 
Upon graduation, she accepted a contract from the Ballet Theater of Maryland where she performed soloist roles for four seasons. Most recently, Loren has been on the school faculty at Ballet Memphis, and served as the Assistant Director of their junior company, Youth Ballet Memphis. Loren has created several new works for Youth Ballet Memphis and greatly enjoys the creative process of setting new choreography. 
 
Loren loves helping her students realize their full potential and develop their individual artistry. Loren is very excited to be joining the Nolte Academy team and to share her love of ballet with Nolte students! When not teaching, you can find her hanging out with her dog, Harry.
RYLEE BODE
Affect director
Rylee Bode received her BA in Dance Studies and a BA in Enterprise Leadership from the University of Iowa in 2019. Rylee began taking creative movement at Nolte Academy when they opened in 2000 and danced there until she graduated high school. She began teaching at Nolte Academy her senior year of high school. Throughout her time dancing at Nolte, she participated in many years of Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Spring showcases and many outreach events. She was an active participant on Nolte’s competitive dance team for eleven years and has many award-winning solos, duets/trios and group dances. She was on Iowa City West High's Varsity dance team all four years of high school. After graduating high school, she coached the Iowa City West JV dance team for a year and then started coaching the Iowa City Liberty Dance Team when the school opened in 2017 and has coached there for the last seven years.
KRISTEN DEGRAZIA
theatre arts director
Kristen Degrazia teaches Voice, Acting and Musical Theatre at Nolte Academy. Before relocating to Iowa, Kristen spent five years performing on Broadway in Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, Side Show and King David. Kristen spent a year and a half with the national tour of Les Misérables, playing the role of Fantine. She spent several years performing with theatres in the Chicago area, including Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and Northlight Theatre, where she played the role of Violet in Side Show (Jeff Award nomination.)  Locally, Kristen has performed with University of Iowa Summer Rep, Riverside Theatre, City Circle Theatre Company and Old Creamery Theatre. Kristen holds a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan.
ERIN TAYLOR
young children's programming director
Erin Taylor has been with Nolte Academy since 2010. She started her dance training in Knoxville, Iowa, both in the studio and also as a part of an award winning dance team before attending the University of Iowa. While attending Iowa, she performed in many dance and opera productions, choreographed a variety of productions (modern, swing and theatrical), and helped to create major swing dance events. Erin then graduated with degrees in both dance and voice as well as a certificate in entrepreneurial management. She then went on to work with Celebration Iowa for two seasons as both a choreographer and tour choreographer. As a member of the Nolte team, Erin has taught dance to all ages, as well as voice and musical theatre. She has co-directed Nolte stage productions and also assists behind the scenes at the studio in many ways. Outside of Nolte, Erin has worked with local theatre companies as a choreographer and remains active as a performer in productions such as the popular Jim McDonough’s Holiday Grande tour. She continues to swing dance in her spare time and enjoys traveling to swing dance festivals and competing when the opportunities arise. Erin lives in North Liberty with her husband and three kitties. She is excited to continue working with the wonderful students of Nolte Academy!
KYLE POWELL
visual ARTs director
Kyle Sydney Powell has 25 years of experience designing and teaching art lessons to preschool through college age students in the classroom, and additionally in art clubs, art camps, and museum education programs. She has an MFA with honors, in Drawing, from the New York Academy of Art, and a BA in studio art from the University of Puget Sound. Kyle is a practicing fine artist currently working in the mediums of photography, drawing, and mixed-media. Nature, and our relationship to it, is a recurring theme in her work. She has self published two books, Maezie’s Pumpkin Patch - an illustrated children’s book, and You Are Loved- a photography gift book. In her free time she can be found outside among the trees, water, and sand with camera or pencil in hand.
JENNIFER EVANS
​PILATES DIRECTOR
Jennifer Evans is an Iowa native who began her personal Pilates journey in 2001 as a way to cross-train from running and heavy weight lifting. Inspired by the effectiveness of the method, she earned her certification as a STOTT Pilates instructor in Matwork and Reformer. Jen has a BS in Exercise Science and over 30 hours of graduate coursework in Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Health. She is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist; the American Council on Exercise as both a Group Fitness Instructor and a Medical Exercise Specialist; BarreAmped and Barre Intensity as a Barre Instructor, and is a 200-HR CYT Power Vinyasa yoga instructor. Drawing on her years of instructing Barre and Pilates, Jen developed and taught a beginning training program for future Barre instructors in 2021. Teaching with the philosophy of “build your strength from the inside-out," Jen will push you to release your mental blocks, find your inner warrior, and have fun while doing it!
AMANDA HOWE
ASSISTANT OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Amanda Howe recently graduated from the University of Iowa and began her Operations endeavors with her alma mater's track team. Throughout her time as a track athlete, she has achieved a Big Ten gold and bronze medals, second team All-American status, as well as the university's school record in the hammer throw. She plans to bring the same athletic drive to Nolte Academy to help all the students grow into their highest potential as artists! 

faculty

EMMA BACH
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Emma Bach danced at Nolte Academy from 2014 until she graduated in 2022. Nolte has been such a significant part in Emma’s life since she first started taking dance lessons at the age of 10. Throughout her years at Nolte, she participated on the competition team, the annual production of The Nutcracker, Youth Rising, Spring Variations, Austin Dance Festival, NYFW, and many other amazing opportunities that Nolte Academy has offered. Emma is set to graduate from the University of Iowa in 2026 with a Bachelor's of Liberal Studies and a Minor in Dance. She cannot wait to start this new chapter with Nolte Academy!
BREANNA DORSEY
DANCE & young children's dance instructor
Breanna Dorsey is a Chicago native who discovered the world of dance at the age of five. She began her training at Studio One Dance Theater where she was exposed to the world of ballet, modern, African and tap. After graduating from Chicago High School of the Arts in 2014, she knew that inspiring and exposing people to the beauty of dance was her passion. Breanna went on to earn her BFA in dance in 2018 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she had the honor to train under Gary Abbott, DeeAnna Hiett and Sabrina Madison-Cannon. 

Breanna has performed works by various choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Gary Abbott, Kevin Iega Jeff, Nicole Clark- Springer and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. She has also performed for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Störling Dance Theater. Throughout the years, Breanna has always taught and performed. She believed that having professional experience would make her a more understanding and resourceful instructor. She has managed dance programs for After School Matters, South Chicago Dance Theater, Safe Haven Chicago, and Art in Motion High School. Breanna has always wanted to inspire young people to be the best version of themselves and believes that the future of dance is rooted in connectivity.
CALLEE GRELL
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
young children's lead teacher
​Callee Grell graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Studies and a minor in Communication Studies. Callee began her dance training at the Nolte Academy at the age of four, over her fifteen years of dancing at Nolte she participated in the Affect competition team and many annual ballet performances including The Nutcracker and Variations. During her time at the University of Iowa she has participated in performances including a reconstruction of Helios choreographed by Martha Graham and the University’s 36th annual Dance Gala held at Iowa City’s Hancher Auditorium. She is looking forward to dancing with you this season!
KELSEY HOWARD
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Kelsey Howard began dancing at the age of three, training at Dance Vision in Johnston, Ia. under the direction of Sabetha Mumm. Kelsey has 15 years of competition experiences, winning awards and scholarships through dance conventions including Hollywood Vibe, The Pulse, Tremaine, Adrenaline, Jump, and more. Kelsey has trained in intensives led by Brian Friedman, Tucker Barkley, Laurie Anne Gibson, Dave Scott, and more. Kelsey has performed in pieces choreographed by Brian Friedman, Misha Gabriel, Rustin Mathews, and performed in professional pieces including a piece for the Beach Boys. Kelsey was the captain of Valley High School Dance Team in 2009, and placed first place in the state solo competition. Kelsey was also a former soloist for the Iowa Youth Ballet. More recently, Kelsey is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Human Relations. Kelsey received a 200 hour yoga certification through Power Life Yoga, in Des Moines.
JERE HUNT
dance instructor
Jere Hunt, a native of Huntsville, Ala., has a BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. He was a member of Rioult Dance NY for 10 years, regularly touring both domestically and internationally, and danced with Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman, Vera Huff/Veracity Dance Theater, SYREN Modern Dance, Saving Grace Dance Ensemble and numerous studios and companies as a guest artist. He is featured in the music video for “Truth Is” by UK singer-songwriter, Stealth, and recently premiered his independent short film, “One Thing is Certain: a dance film,” which was recognized by several film festivals worldwide. 

Most recently, Jere was a teaching artist for Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy in Huntsville. He also taught for the Rioult Dance NY Intensives and has been on the Summer Intensive guest faculty at Ballet Tennessee and Dance Alive Program (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Lebanon Ballet School (Lebanon, NH), and Studio Arts for Dancers (Knoxville, Tenn.). As a choreographer, he has created works for Saving Grace Dance Ensemble, City Center Ballet, Huntsville Ballet, and several high schools in Huntsville. He has been a guest teacher and lecturer at colleges, high schools, and dance studios across the United States.
JULIET REMMERS
dance instructor
Originally from Lawrence, Kan., Juliet Remmers discovered her love for movement at a young age through classical ballet and has since been dedicated to developing and studying movement. She completed her MFA in Dance at the University of Iowa in 2022, where she was the recipient of the Iowa Arts Fellowship. Juliet holds a BA in Dance from the University of Kansas and has been a certified yoga teacher since 2014. In 2019, she directed and choreographed an original youth ballet, Thumbelina. Juliet enjoys teaching ballet, modern, and yoga, and continues performing, choreographing, and directing dance. She loves to focus on healthy alignment, playful challenges, expressive focus, and self-awareness during her classes.
KARI ROSFJORD
ACRO & Young Children's dance instructor
Kari Rosfjord is a dancer who trained at the University of Iowa, and has been instructing dance since 2016. During her time at Iowa, she taught dance classes and worked as a dance technician for many show choirs in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. She directed the two prep show choirs at Kennedy High School during her final year of college. Kari was introduced to AcroDance when she moved to Des Moines, and she received her certification from AcrobaticArts. Kari is one of the handful of teachers in the state of Iowa to be certified by AcrobaticArts, and understands the importance of safe and effective progressions to ensure each student achieves their goals. She has taught Acro, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary and Pre-Pointe classes. 
DEVON STONE
ACTING INSTRUCTOR
Devon Stone hails from Boston, Mass. and is excited for his new adventures in Iowa City. He played Hanschen in the Broadway National Tour of Spring Awakening. Regionally he's performed at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Fiddlehead Theatre Company, The Hanover Theatre, and Theater Uncorked including productions of Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Spring Awakening (Georg), Life Could Be a Dream (Skip), American Idiot (Johnny), Sweeney Todd (Quartet/Trio) and Me and my Girl (Gerald). As an educator, Devon spent five years as the resident director for the Alexander Children's Theatre School in Concord, Mass. where he directed high school productions including Spring Awakening, Into the Woods, and Head over Heels. He received his BFA from Boston Conservatory and will complete his MA in theatre education this fall from the University of Northern Colorado.
JACI VISSER
THEATRE ARTS INSTRUCTOR
Jaci Visser has a BA in music education and teaches general music at Weber Elementary and adaptive music at City High. She leads children's choir year round and works with children pre-K up through 6th grade during the summers at vacation bible school. She is a warm, passionate and caring teacher and is looking forward to helping our students flourish and grow!
EVAN ZUKIN
dance instructor
Evan Zukin is a dance major at the University of Iowa, and has been with Nolte Academy for nine years as a student as well as one year as an instructor. He was a part of Affect for five years, and performed in the June 2021 Danceworks program. Evan has studied under Sean Kaminski, Robyn Watson, Sarah Reich, Ian Burg, and Star Dixon, and will be teaching Tap levels 4 through 8, in addition to Affect choreography.
SHELBY ZUKIN
theatre arts INSTRUCTOR
Shelby Zukin is proud to be in her 4th year of teaching theatre arts at Nolte Academy. As a choreographer, she has created beautiful stories through dance for multiple local high school musicals (including Footloose, Addams Family Musical, and Anastasia), City Circle Community Theatre (Little Shop of Horrors, Songs for a New World, First Date, Spamalot, and The Who’s Tommy), Young Footliters (The Show Must Go Online), and Hit the Wall at University of Iowa. In addition, she works with individual voice and dance students, supporting them in their unique talents to not only perform, but also nail auditions for musicals, collegiate programs, and national voice competitions.  

She is a 2020 graduate of the Theatre Arts Department at the University of Iowa, with Honors, where she received her BA in theatre with an emphasis in acting and directing as well as a minor in dance and vocal performance. In recent years, Shelby has been dancing professionally on tour with local pop singer, Alisabeth Von Presley, and has been seen in various shows such as: Libby in American Idiot, Jan in Grease, and Heather Duke in Heathers at Theatre Cedar Rapids; DJ Zukes in Rome Sweet Rome, Cobweb in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Celeste #2 and Naomi in Sunday in the Park with George and Ensemble/Assistant Choreographer in Hit the Wall at the University of Iowa.

Shelby took dance lessons from Nolte for ten years and was cast in Nolte's Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. She is excited to now be a teacher at a place that means so much to her. 

administrative

BETH BROWN
ICYC Artistic Director
Beth Brown is an arts educator and educational psychologist. Her first love is working with children, and she has developed music curriculum for children ages 3-17, teaching music for 20+ years in the Iowa City Community School District pre-k to high school. She is currently at Longfellow Elementary School as the general music educator. She directs Iowa City Youth Choir, Nolte Nutcracker Chorus, and is a founder and former director of the Performing Arts Preschool at Nolte Academy. Beth is a certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher and has completed Levels I and II of World Music Drumming. She has a BM in Vocal Performance and Music Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on developmental science. She is an adjunct professor in the University of Iowa College of Education, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in instructional design, cognitive learning theories, and child development. She enjoys working with both inservice and preservice teachers in a variety of capacities, including mentoring, teaching, writing, and presenting in the arts education field.

guest instructors

PATRICK DULANEY
THEATRE ARTS INSTRUCTOR
Patrick DuLaney is a professional actor, director and educator and has most recently performed on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He has worked in Chicago, performing in The Adding Machine and Cabaret, and toured nationally with Gypsy, A Christmas Carol. Patrick first came to the Iowa City area in 2008 for the Riverside Shakespeare Festival, and now considers the area his home. He is a founding member of The Alaska Shakespeare Festival. Patrick holds an MFA in Acting and Directing from The University of Missouri, Kansas City and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
MIA FRYVECIND GIMENEZ
THEATRE ARTS INSTRUCTOR
Mia Fryvecind Gimenez is a theatrical director and private voice teacher. When she arrived in Iowa in 2015, Leslie Nolte asked Mia to music direct School of Rock.  Since then she has directed Nolte’s productions of James and the Giant Peach and Side Show. Mia brings with her a lot of background in the performing arts. She has performed with conductors and directors from all over the globe including Juilliard, Paris National Opera, New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.  Mia has appeared on the stages of great American companies including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, TheatreWorks, Broadway by the Bay, Aspen Opera Theater Center, Pine Mountain Music Theatre, San Francisco Lyric Opera, Ray of Light Theatre-San Francisco, Altarena Playhouse-Oakland, Redwood Symphony and Lamplighters. Favorite roles range from Don Giovanni (Zerlina) to Tartuffe (Dorine) and SideShow (Violet) to Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Les Miserables (Fantine), and The Secret Garden (Lily). Locally, Mia performs with Riverside Theatre (Rotten Eggnog (Rebecca)), City Circle (Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett)), ICCT (Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney)), Old Creamery (Elephant & Piggie (Piggie)), Nolte Productions (Rock of Ages (Justice)) and the University of Iowa (Fun Home (Helen)) and Sunday in the Park with George (Dot)). Mia is honored to work with the CRANDIC’s talented youth to continue to develop their skills in the performing arts. Follow your bliss! www.miasings.com
DEB TALAN 
singer-songwriter
​Deb Talan has been writing songs since she was 14 years old. Her style has changed a bit since writing the forever-unknown smash-hit “Through the Window” about feeling numb, like life was going on somewhere out there but not accessible to her. She played clarinet, wrote songs
on piano and later taught herself to play guitar in college. Early on, she was heavily influenced by Shawn Colvin, and started a band in Portland, Oregon with her friend, Mark. The band, Hummingfish, had many songs that people danced to until they were all sweaty in that hipster-
grungy-geeky-Northwest-kind-of-way. Deb relocated to Boston and began playing in Boston coffee houses, opened shows for Catie Curtis (a songwriter hero of hers) and met Steve Tannen, with whom she formed The Weepies. Together, Steve and Deb toured across the
country and the world. They married and recorded five albums together. The Weepies have had songs placed in many movies and TV shows. After a time in L.A., they moved to Iowa to raise their three sons. Deb recorded a solo album in 2017. She and Steve are now divorced. Through her many personal struggles, Deb has found music to help and heal. She has a lot she could say these days, but she prefers to listen. Playing songs for people is a close second. Music heals. Songs can be prayers.