Krissie Odegard Geye is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Expand Community Arts Alliance, a nationally recognized group of arts organizations dedicated to sparking community dialogue through art. She oversees the four organizational branches within the alliance: The Dance and Music Academy, The Trifecta Dance Collective, the Metamorphosis; Fearless Evolution experience, and Phosphorescent Theatrical Productions.

The Expand Community Arts Alliance's four companies share a mission: to ignite community dialogue through art. Working together, they inspire connection and catalyze social change. This is achieved through deepened partnerships with diverse community organizations, raising awareness, fostering artistic leadership, and expanding the reach of compassion, empathy, and artistic integrity throughout the alliance.

Aa a presenter and master clinician and adjudicator, Krissie has shared her expertise at the International Dance Pedagogy Conference and Performance Festival (Peridance, NYC), the Big River Dance Festival (West Virginia), CRU Dance REgionals and Nationals, and the United States Tournament of Dance National Finals (Atlantic City).

Her choreography has been featured at the Spring Choreography Showcase at Peridance (NYC), Jennifer Mueller's "Hatch" series (NYC), the Detroit Dance Festival, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Big River Dance Festival, and the Exchange Choreography Festival (Tulsa, OK). She has also conceptualized and produced four full-length works at Anita's Way in Times Square and was the awarded first place in in the Ovation TV-sponsored National Choreography Competition.

Emily Ann Brooks is a teaching artist, choreographer, director and performer thrilled to be on the DMA team. Regionally, she’s performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Enchantress/Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast), Drury Lane Theatre (Cinderella and The Little Mermaid), the Marriott Theatre (Zaneeta in The Music Man, Ermengarde in Hello, Dolly!, Janet in The Magic School Bus, A Christmas Story, The Wizard of Oz, and Big Fish), and Northlight Theatre (The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk) along with Seattle’s Second Story Repertory, 5th Avenue Theatre, and Village Theatre. On the other side of the table, she’s associate directed/choreographed Waitress at the Paramount Theatre, assistant directed/choreographed James and the Giant Peach at the Marriott, assistant directed Lookingglass Alice at Lookingglass Theatre Company, and choreographed A Christmas Carol at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Inanimate at Theater Wit, The Fantasticks at Paradox Theatre Works, and In His Hands at First Floor Theatre. Emily graduated with honors from Northwestern University with a theatre major (focused on musical theatre performance and choreography) and world literature minor. Along with extensive choreography work for Northwestern’s mainstage, she directed and choreographed her senior honors thesis Going on Seventeen, recently published in Northwestern’s Undergraduate Research Journal. With 14+ years of experience in theatre and dance, and 10+ years teaching dance and theatre to students of all ages, Emily is passionate about celebrating the unique creative voice and agency of each individual artist, encouraging confidence, empathy, discipline, collaboration, and a fearless sense of play.

Kristina Finch studied acting at The Ohio State University before ultimately receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater/Acting from Wright State University. Before graduating, she was cast in the second national touring production of Broadway’s Into The Woods. Based out of Chicago, the production toured for nine months and introduced her to the city she would eventually call home. She has performed with several Chicago theater companies including Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, About Face, Victory Gardens, Griffin, Lifeline and Northlight. She has had the honor and privilege of being directed by Jessica Thebus, Amanda Dehnert, Eric Rosen, Dennis Zacek, Victoria Bussert, and Richard Block. She studied acting with top theater professionals in the area including Byrne Piven of Piven Theater Workshop, and prominent casting directors Jane Alderman, and Janet Louer.

In 2008, Kristina moved to Arlington Heights with her family to concentrate on raising two young children. Both began taking classes and performing in camps and SOPA productions at Metropolis School of Performing Arts at a young age and continue to be involved. Recently, Kristina’s favorite role is that of “mom-ager” to her teen daughter who has appeared in several productions across Chicagoland.

Previously, Kristina taught and directed at Trilogy School of Performing Arts in Lake Zurich. She was also a teaching assistant at Windsor School in District 25 and continues to be an active substitute teacher for the district. Kristina teaches acting and is a private audition coach.

Maya Lou Hlava is a professional actor, director, and acting coach with a strong presence in Chicago’s theater community. She has performed at renowned companies including Goodman Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, American Blues Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Steep Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, and Marriott Theatre.

Her on-camera work includes appearances in The Big Leap, Will Trent, and the feature film The Perpetrator.

Maya also served as Director of Broadway Bound in Wilmette for four years, where she mentored young performers and led musical theatre productions. As an acting coach, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, refine their craft, and find their unique voice. She is thrilled to begin working the DMA student population!