Staff & Instructors
Kelly Johnson
Studio Owner
Private Voice & Triple Threat Instructor
Musical Theatre Audition Coach
Summer Camp Director
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Kelly Johnson is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a BA in Theatre and a Dance minor. Ft. Myers is her hometown where she trained in acting, singing and dance beginning at age 7. Kelly trained as a voice student of Susan Niekamp and Broadway vocal coach Mary Walkley for over 12 years in “the Connected Voice: a scientific approach to singing” technique which she now uses to teach her students. Kelly recently received her graduate certificate in Vocology (voice science) from Lamar University and recently attended the Vocology In Practice convention with voice professionals from around the world. Kelly specializes in evidence-based vocal technique and voice habilitation. She has also trained with several acting professionals in various techniques starting with Keara Trummel, Mark Duncan, and has attended several masterclasses with Atlanta film actors and casting directors. Kelly has worked as a choreographer at the professional level and with several schools in Broward and Palm Beach county including Seussical the Musical, Shrek Jr., 35mm: A Musical Exhibition and more. Beyond teaching, Kelly has been seen performing on both Florida coasts in several theatrical productions as well as performances with Broadway star Kristen Chenoweth, Barry Manilow in his farewell tour, and aboard Warner Brothers Polar Express Train Ride Experience in Ft. Lauderdale for multiple Christmas seasons. She was also the co-owner and a board member of Measure for Measure Theatre and Measure for Measure: Beyond the Stage for 3 years where she produced musicals such as Next to Normal, In the Heights, 35mm: A Musical Exhibition and more. Kelly has now been the owner of CCS since January 2021 and is passionate about continuing to provide SWFL families with great arts training and education!
Carlos Garcia
Private Piano Instructor
Carlos is excited to join Curtain Call Studios this Summer as a piano instructor! He was born in Havana, Cuba and his family immigrated to Miami, Florida when he was a child. Carlos moved to Fort Myers, Florida from New York City in 2021. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education (certified to teach K-12). Carlos has held many roles throughout his career such as a public school Music and Computer Teacher in Miami, FL for 14 years, in addition to teaching Music, Computer Science and Math for the New York City Department of Education for 15 years. Carlos also has over 20 years of experience as a Music Minister and Director for various congregations, along with being a private voice and piano instructor and coach. Carlos continues flourishing his musical journeys here in Fort Myers!
Elizabeth D'Onofrio
Film & TV Acting Instructor
Elizabeth D’Onofrio is a professional film, TV (SAG-AFTRA), and Off-Broadway theater actor (AEA), director, Instructor, and film producer. She has also directed several plays in Fort Myers and on Fort Myers Beach. Elizabeth also teaches acting classes and coaches actors, based on her studies alongside her brother, actor, Vincent D’Onofrio (Law and Order: CI) at The American Stanislavski Theater and with Sharon Chatten of The Actors Studio, both in NYC. Elizabeth has taught “Acting as a Creative Art” classes in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples. Her workshops have been conducted in cities across the United States, including NYC and San Francisco. She has worked with the Art Smart program of The Gulfshore Playhouse, classes in Asheville, Brevard College, and Transylvania Community College, as well as a Theater Arts substitute teacher at Brevard High School, and Brevard Middle School in NC.
Josephine Gilliland
Director of Dance Education
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Triple Threat & Dance Instructor
Showstoppers Instructor & Choreographer
Josie Gilliland is over the moon to bring her passion of dance and musical theater to the Curtain Call team! Before joining the team, Josie spent several years teaching and managing one of Northern Virginia’s largest dance studios, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and musical theater. Josie is also a certified Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) teacher, making sure to always put your students' health and safety first.
Hailing from the city of champions, Josie is passionate about Pittsburgh sports, home decorating and working towards her goal of running a half marathon in every state. She currently resides in Ft. Myers, FL with her partner Jeff and their two dogs, Bean and Penny.
Rachael Lord
Private Voice Instructor
Musical Theatre Audition Coach
Rachael Lord is a professional EMC actress from right here in Fort Myers! She has her BFA in Musical Theatre degree from Florida Southern College and is currently in the MFA Writing program at Lindenwood University. As a regular actor at Broadway Palm, she has been in shows such as The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, and Murder on the Orient Express. Rachael has been teaching voice lessons for the past three years, with specialities in acting the song, audition prep, and belting/mix voice. She loves encouraging the next generation of young artists to pursue their dreams, hone their unique voice, and build their confidence both on and off the stage.
Les Englehart
Level I Stage Acting Instructor
Acting Coach
Les Englehart is a local actor/educator in SWFL. After graduating from Florida Southern College in 2020 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He studied voice under Dr. Christianne Roll and Bradley Vieth. In college he appeared in productions like The Secret Garden, Jesus Christ Superstar, South Pacific, Kiss Me, Kate, and Cabaret. After college he quickly got to work as an English Teacher and Assistant Theatre Director at Lehigh Senior High. Acting as Assistant Director for Les Miserables, Eurydice, and The Addams Family. During his time as an educator he has also performed in productions such as “The Play That Goes Wrong” and “Noises Off” at the Laboratory Theatre of Florida
Professional credits also include: West Side Story with The Imperial Symphony Orchestra and Bridges of Madison County at The Lakeland Players.
Terry Hadler
Private Piano Instructor
Terry Hadler is a classically trained pianist who was taught classically at Juilliard in NYC getting her final degree from Boston University's School of in Arts in Classical Piano Performance. Terry can teach anyone, that’s willing to put the effort into learning! She specializes in how to read music and play it on a piano or keyboard. Terry was also awarded the 2020 Top Music Teacher award from Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery of Naples.
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You can visit her website- www.swflpiano.com
Eileen S. Little
Musical Theatre Instructor
Eileen S. Little is a proud native of Lee county, Florida. Receiving her diploma and Associate of Arts from Florida SouthWestern State College in 2017, Eileen had the chance to experience college level band, choir, and drama courses, through dual enrollment, compelling her to chase her dreams as a performer. She went on to study musical theatre and piano performance at Florida Southern College. Before her final year at FSC, Eileen traveled with the university to England for 4 weeks to study Shakespeare. After this, she decided to graduate a year earlier than expected, with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance (music minor). In 2020, she had plans to attend a graduate program in London, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, so she redirected her energy into online teaching and professional voice over work! During the pandemic, Eileen scratched her creative itch by completing the Performing Arts Industry Essentials Course through NYU Tisch School of Arts and dancing online in workshops with various greats like Lainie Sakakura and Abdur-Rahim Jackson. Eileen’s recent actor credits are Sweeney Tood and Save Hamlet! with The Lab Theatre and Chicago with Gypsy Playhouse. She also served as music director for Island Coast High School’s 2023 production of Matilda and 2024 production of Mean Girls. For the 23-24 school year, Eileen worked as an elementary /middle school drama teacher/music director for Lee County schools. Although Eileen did not start out as a dancer, she firmly believes when you work for what you love and want, that good things will come, as most skills are learnable if you stay teachable!
Giselle Meyer
Dance Instructor
Giselle Meyer is a SWFL native and recent graduate of Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She began her dance training at the age of 2 and has since acquired a wealth of knowledge in multiple styles and techniques including ballet (Vaganova and ABT), modern, jazz, improvisation, choreography, partnering, and contact improvisation. In addition, she is a signed model with Modern Muse, a trained vocalist (pop, musical theatre, and classical), and a theatre performer. Some of her favorite roles include Female Swing in The Little Mermaid (Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), “Turn Back, O Man” soloist in Godspell (Florida Southern College), and Dance Ensemble in Something Rotten! (Florida Southern College), as well as several dance captain credits that helped her hone her love for teaching dance! Giselle’s goal is to empower students to thoroughly understand various techniques and exploration of dance while preventing injury, always feel safe and confident in their dance journey, and find their inimitable expression in movement. Let’s dance!
Yesenia "Koki" Murray
Dance Instructor
My name is Yesenia (Koki) Murray Graduated from Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Received a 4 Year varsity Letter for cheerleading and completed a year competitively leaving with Second in the State. I danced for 15 years and competed for 2 years. I am currently studying at Florida Southwestern State College in hopes to transfer into FGCU and receive my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I was Born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Chicago, Illinois where I was raised up until I was 13. I have lived in Fort Myers ever since and I am proud to call it home. I am so excited to my spread love for dance and getting to meet such talented and amazing kids!
Associate Instructors
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Mia Wagner
Summer Camp Instructor
Mia is thrilled to join Curtain Call Studios this summer as a Camp Instructor! As a former Curtain Call student herself, she is thankful for the opportunity to share her continued passion for the arts, now through teaching. She moved to Florida when she was 10 years old and joined community theater, as well as a plethora of dance classes (her favorite is tap), eventually working as a teaching artist, and giving freelance piano and voice lessons. Mia has been in over a dozen local productions, but found her favorite part of theater was sharing it with others. She is so excited to bring scenes, songs, dances and laughter to her students, and hopes they can use theater as an outlet to express themselves and how they feel through the arts.
Anna Lehman
Substitute Instructor
Summer Camp Instructor
Anna Joy Lehman is an actress, dancer, and singer. She attended The Institute For American Musical Theatre in NYC, and graduated from the conservatory program in 2020. Anna grew up studying dance and performing in ballets. She discovered her passion for acting and singing in high school. Since then, she has performed in a variety of musicals and plays. She has also had a few on-screen and voice-over roles. More recently, she has worked with Fort Myers Theatre as a performer and instructor, Wish Upon A Star parties as a performer, and Gypsy Playhouse as a choreographer. Anna loves sharing her passion for the arts with young performers. She hopes to instill confidence in her students and enable them to express themselves and find joy in their creativity.