Our Teaching Artists

Isa Tejeda

Isa (she/they) is an actor, director, educator, and arts administrator based in Minneapolis. She earned her MFA in Acting & Directing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City/KC Rep Theatre’s program and has performed with the Guthrie Theatre, The Jungle Theatre, Ten Thousand Things Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and many others.

In addition to her stage work, Marisa brings more than a decade of experience in arts education and arts nonprofit work. She has designed programs for underserved communities in schools, regional theaters, and correctional facilities. When she’s not coordinating productions, Isa teaches film and theater at local colleges, bikes around the lakes, and experiments with new creative projects with her friends. 

Ches Cipriano

Ches (they/them) is a Filipino, Queer, first-generation American. They operate as a community cultivator, producer/organizer, radical joy seeker, and mixed-media collaborator. They received their B.A. in Theater & Dance with a minor in Performance Design and Technologies from Macalester College in 2020. Their artistic practice is rooted in puppetry, laughter, animation, and tickling curiosities. They treasure community-based art, and you can often find them at Heart of the Beast Theatre, or Open Eye Theater. They are also passionate about large bodies of water, juggling and being surprised.

Franco Holder

Franco Holder (he/him) is a freelance pianist in the Twin Cities. He has performed and led workshops at the Guthrie and Ordway Theaters and is a past winner of the Artistic Ambassador Competition for the state of Minnesota, bringing classical music to rural and underserved communities across the state. In 2020 he was a featured recording artist for the Schubert Club Museum's exhibit on women composers. Franco maintains an active teaching studio and enjoys collaborating with artists across many styles and genres.

Justin Anthony Spenner

A wild and anxious ride” (Star Tribune), Justin Anthony Spenner’s (he/him) appearances run the gamut from recital and oratorio staples to world premieres of experimental music. Recent stage credits include Tarquinius (The Rape of Lucretia) with An Opera Theatre; Schaunard (La Bohème) with Theater Latte Da; and Father (The Golden Ass/World Premiere) with 113 Collective. Soloist credits include Das Fliegenpapier and Strange Autumn (Steven Takasugi) and Maulwerke (Dietrich Schnebel) with 113 Collective; Coffee Cantata and Apollo e Dafne with Le Grande Bande; and Niccolai Messe/Coronation Mass/The Messiah with St. John's Lutheran Music Series. His self-produced work focuses on destigmatizing mental illness/trauma (I Enter As A Stranger; A Winter’s Journey). He is the host of Is This Music?!?!, a podcast featuring conversations with composers and performers of experimental music. He spends almost too much time snuggling with cats and listening to metal.

Marco Real-d’Arbelles

Conductor and violinist, Marco Real-d’Arbelles, is gaining a reputation for service and community building through music garnering multiple awards including the Conducting Prize for his work with the Chamber Philharmonic of Catalunya (Spain), Special Recognition by the City of Doral (Florida) for contributions to the arts and his work with youth, and is a grant recipient of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Marco is currently Music Director of Opera on the Lake and Bold North Baroque Opera. He is also Associate Artistic Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota. Previous conducting positions include Winter Opera St. Louis, Chicago Summer Opera, Miami Classical Music Festival, Oberlin in Italy, and The Miami Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Miami, Marco began studying violin at the age of 11. He is currently based in Minneapolis.

Corissa Bussian

Korean-American soprano Corissa Bussian, (she/her) has recently been seen reprising her role Ayo in Minnesota Opera’s baby opera, NOOMA at the Flint Hills Family Festival at The Ordway. She was also seen as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with the Mississippi Valley Orchestra, performing in An Opera Theatre’s Opera Underground as Dido and DIVAS & DRAG, and stepping in as the Fairy Godmother U/S in Cinderella at Theater Latté Da. Among her favorite roles are Mimì in La Bohème at Theater Latté Da and Chue Moua in Minnesota Opera’s 50th world premiere, The Song Poet.

Corissa is a graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and holds a Masters of Music in vocal performance and opera studies from The Shepherd School of Music, Rice University. When she’s not being a jiu jitsu and judo mom & wife with her husband and two mini humans, Corissa enjoys running, yoga, swimming, jigsaw puzzles and coffee!

Katie Edwards

Katie Edwards is a midwest gal who earns her living as a scenic designer and artist. She consistently designs for Rochester Civic Theatre, Apple Valley High School, and ETC Productions. Katie has been featured as a charge artist for productions at Artistry Theater (The Sound of Music, Newsies, Waitress), a lead scenic artist at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (White Christmas, Grease), and also dabbles in mural painting from time to time. Besides earning a degree in Theater Tech (UMN-TC), she also earned a B.A. in Gender and Women's Studies. When Katie isn't working, you can find her serving on the board for the beloved Art Shanty Projects or walking her two Corgis.

Dante Lawrence

Dante Lawrence is a freelance artist from Kansas City and now based out of Minneapolis. He has been a lighting and projections designer for 12 years. From musical theatre to plays to operas to film festivals he has been around the country to bring space to life through light! He is also a performance artist, painter, amateur sculptor, and recently been getting back into his sewing skills. Overall, Dante loves to tell stories and connect folks with themselves and others through those stories. He is thrilled to get to teach again and help youth find joy and enthusiasm for the arts!