Staff
Kate Meek
Founder & Director
Kate is originally from Kansas and has been a professional performer since the age of 6 when she had the privilege to share the stage with Bob McGrath from Sesame Street. She also fell in love with teaching kids through the performing arts as a summer camp director and knew she'd found her passion. She graduated from the prestigious Belmont University in Nashville, TN with dual degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education K-12. Four Corners Creative is a true community and family and it's a privilege to be the founder of such a wonderful organization.
Mallory King
Assistant Director
Mallory is a singer, dancer, actress, and educator located in NYC who wants to instill her love of the arts in her students. Mallory is passionate about the growth of this amazing company. She has a BFA in Music Theatre Performance with a minor in dance from Western Michigan University. Mallory has been teaching young students through various organizations since 2014 in theatre, dance, and music. Her performance credits include Lily St Regis in the Annie National Tour, and Serena in Legally Blonde on Norwegian Cruise Line. She has also worked regionally at Riverside Theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Fulton Theatre, Farmers Alley Theatre, Wagon Wheel Theatre, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Mercury Theatre Company and Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. She’s also had a few fun TV/Film appearances like the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! For more information on Mallory you can visit www.malloryking.com and @malloryking_actress.
Aisling Halpin
Education Coordinator, Social Media
Aisling Halpin is an NYC based performer, teacher, and choreographer. She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Most recently, you may have seen Aisling on an episode of HBO’s Succession. She has toured across the country with 4 national tours; the 1st National Tour of Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She has also appeared regionally at the Gateway Playhouse , Stages St. Louis, The John W. Engeman Theatre, Syracuse Stage , Merry Go Round Playhouse , West Virginia Public Theatre, Tibbits Opera House, and Cortland Repertory Theatre. In NYC, Aisling danced in the Public Theatre’s gala, One Singular Sensation, at the Delecorte Theatre and performed in The Time Machine at the New York Musical Festival. While pursuing her performing career, teaching has been another huge part of her life. She has taught Broadway Masterclasses across the country as well as teaching regularly in the Tri-State area. She was nominated for a Michigan WILDE Award for her choreography for Guys and Dolls at the Tibbits Opera House. Other choreography credits include Crazy for You, Jesus Christ Superstar, Nymph Errant, A Chorus Line, and Lysistrata.
Teachers
Delanie Ayers
Delanie is originally from Oklahoma - just like the musical! She got her degree in acting from Oklahoma City University, Go Stars!! She recently moved to New York City and has grown up with theatre all of her life. In her free time she enjoys riding her two horses, playing with her dog, and playing the spoons - can't get more country than that! She is so excited to see what New York has in store and can't wait to see so many talented kiddos!
Natalia Nikitin
Natalia Nikitin is a second year dance BFA student at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Originally from Maryland, she began her dance training at Ballet Theatre of Maryland at 10 years old. She joined the CityDance Conservatory in Rockville, MD in 2019 training in contemporary and ballet with artists like Caroline Rocher, Koresh Dance Company, Robert Priore, Alex Neoral, and Sarah J. Ewing. She has participated in summer programs with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, GALLIM Dance Company, and GagaLab in association with Batsheva Dance Company. Natalia also has found a passion in choreography, having created multiple group pieces and solos performed in Maryland and New York. Her work has been selected for the Maryland Next Generation Showcase. Natalia's dance teaching experience includes three years of assisting younger students at CityDance's summer intensives and being a counselor and dance instructor at Camp Triple Threat.
Zoë Schneider-Smith
Zoë has been working professionally in Musicals since the age of 16. After growing up in a small mountain town in California she graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. She has been teaching children dance and musical theater since the age of 12 and finds the most rewarding experience is to watch kids be creative and have fun. She hopes to pass on passion and joy to any child who partakes in her classes!
Lexie Plath
Lexie Plath comes from a dancing family in Wisconsin and has a BFA in Music Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University. She has performed with the National Tours of Anything Goes (Virtue/us Erma), CATS (Bombalurina), The Prom (Swing/Dance Captain/ us Dee, Angie Mrs. Greene), and Bullets Over Broadway (Ensemble/us Ellen/Olive). She is passionate about sharing the arts with the next generation of performers and helping them find their inner artist!
Mallory Davis
Mallory Davis is a NYC-based dancer/singer/actress who is very happy to be joining the Four Corners Family! Originally from NJ, Mallory moved to NYC in 2013 and has been performing around the country ever since. She loves teaching and can’t wait to met all the newest little dancers! When she’s not dancing, Mallory can be seen chasing dogs in Central Park and baking cookies.
Aaron Kaplan
Aaron Kaplan is an actor and teaching artist currently based in NYC, with roots in ATL and LA as well. He has appeared in multiple films and series, performed in numerous tours and off-broadway shows, and studied with a diverse selection of teachers all across the country in addition to teaching his own workshops in multiple states. At its core, Aaron’s work is all about affecting his audience. Whether he is tickling the funny bone of thousands or helping one person deal with something difficult in their lives, as long as Aaron has affected someone in a positive way, he has done his job. Art has always been a source for change, it can and will change the world. Visit TheAaronKaplan.com for more!
Cynthia Kauffman
Cynthia is a NYC based performer and artist who grew up in Zionsville, IN. She graduated this past May from Indiana University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and moved to the city in August. Cynthia has always had a passion for the arts and hopes to continue to pass on the love she has for theatre and performance to all of the future artists here at four corners!
Payton Reilly
Payton is an actress who has toured the country performing Broadway musicals. She is also has been a nanny for many families around NYC and has a passion for childcare. Some of her favorite things include dogs, nature, candy, and art!
Rachel Kay
Rachel Kay is a queer artist originally from Manhattan Beach, where they grew up dancing in their mom's dance studio, Fifth Row Center. They were lucky enough to train in many styles, including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Contemporary, House, African, Bollywood, and Irish. Rachel began teaching Hip Hop and Musical Theatre dance at the age of 13, and fell in love with it right away. Performance credits include the Escape To Margaritaville National Tour and the West Side Story International Tour, as well as NAMT, The Glimmerglass Festival, Musical Theatre West, 5 Star Theatricals, Summer Repertory Theatre, and Palace of Versailles. www.rachelkayswebsite.com // @raykayyy
Grace Cooper
Grace holds a BA in Dance and English from Colorado State University. Grace is a member of Alpine Artist Collective, an environmental arts collective that connects humans to nature through art. She has also danced for IMPACT Dance Company, Control Group Productions, HOLDTIGHT, and The Equus Projects. When she’s not dancing, Grace loves coffee, poetry, and hikes.
Courtney Echols
Courtney Echols (she/her) is a New York City based actor, singer, dancer, and educator. She is originally from Scottsdale, Arizona and a proud graduate of Penn State's B.F.A. Musical Theatre program and member of AEA. She absolutely loves performing and sharing her passion for theatre with the next generation of performers. She has been an educator in NYC for 7 years in addition to performing in touring productions and theatres across the globe. She is so excited to be joining Four Corners Creative and continue to share the joy of theatre!
Maya Kate Frueh
Maya Kate Frueh “Free” is an Actor, Musician, and Martial Artist from Boulder County, Colorado. She has a certificate in Music from Cardiff University, and graduated from AMDA’s Studio Conservatory in 2021 with a certificate in Acting. She has a 3rd Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwondo, and was a Martial Arts instructor from 2013 to 2019. Since then, she has worked with children and teens of all ages at various Summer Camp and Church programs. Her Acting Credits include various work with Quest Players, most recently Beth in Little Women, and performances at Lincoln Center (Parade, dir. Jason Robert Brown)and Carnegie Hall (HPS 2018) mayakatefrueh.com
Jalen Michael Jones
Jalen, originally from New Orleans, LA, though grew up in Atlanta, GA had the privilege of training at many institutions throughout his career. He received his bachelor's in fine arts-Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, TX. Jalen has had the opportunity to perform at many regional theatres around the US in productions including: The Prom(Pioneer Theatre); Kinky Boots(Fulton Theatre & Maine State), A Chorus Line(Cincinnati Playhouse); and Tarzan(The Atlanta Lyric Theatre). When he’s not performing, Jalen enjoys spending quality time with friends & family, photography, and listening to his favorite Broadway cast albums.
Kira Williams
Kira is so excited to be a member of the 4 Corners Creative team! She recently graduated college and received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College! Besides being a NYC based performer, she has experience in Theatre Education in young children dating back to her high school years! Kira currently also works for Broadway Workshop through assisting Broadway’s biggest stars for kids of all ages and backgrounds. With her combined love for the arts and children, she cannot wait to guide the young performers of tomorrow in their journey through dance, theater, and music! KiraWilliamsOfficial.com
Kaitie Buckert
Kaitie is thrilled to be joining the team at Four Corners Creative! Originally from Rochester, NY, she received her BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance from Nazareth University. Some of her favorite performance credits include the Annie National Tour, A Chorus Line (The Rev Theatre Co.), The Bodyguard (Theatre By the Sea), and Hair (The Forestburgh Playhouse). Kaitie began assisting with classes at her home studio in sixth grade, and went on to choreograph and teach for several summers for Rochester’s S.T.A.R. Camp (Summer Theatre Arts Repertory). As the daughter of a public school teacher, she strongly believes in the positive impact of teachers in the lives of students, and is incredibly humbled and proud to be a small part of Four Corners mission in fostering arts education.
Emma Wilcox
Emma Wilcox is so excited to join the Four Corners Creative team! She is a born and raised New Jerseyan, and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. Most recently she was seen in North Shore Music Theatre's Elvis: A Musical Revolution and Berkshire Theatre Group's Million Dollar Quartet, after spending 8 months on the road with the National Tour of Legally Blonde. She has a passion for singing, acting, and dancing, and looks forward to nurturing young artists' passion for their craft with Four Corners Creative!
Jenifer Dillow
Jenifer Dillow is a professional performer and choreographer in NYC. Jen graduated from PACE University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Commercial Dance and trained at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for Shakespearean Acting. Performing credits include: Vivian Pressman in the National Tour of Dirty Dancing, standby for Sutton Foster at the Lincoln Center, speaking role in Hollywood's Mother's Day starring Julia Roberts. Choreographic credits include: TV commercial for Junk4Joy, MOMENTS at Alvin Ailey, White Wave SoloDuo Festival, Dumbo Dance Festival. Jenifer runs her own dance company, Metanoia Dance, in NYC and proudly teaches at Broadway Dance Center. @jen4broadway @metanoiadance_
Alisha Khatwani
Alisha Khatwani is a dance performer and instructor from Austin, Texas. She moved to New York to attend NYU, where she earned a BFA in Dance and a minor in Digital Art & Design. She is currently interning at the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, where she works with children ages 3 to 8. Her passion for dance and performance shines through her training with renowned artists and companies, including Gallim Dance, AIM by Kyle Abraham, Limón, and her international residency experiences in Berlin. Alisha is passionate about nurturing the creativity and growth of young artists, especially in a school as vibrant as Four Corners Creative!
Gracie Harrison
Gracie Garza Harrison is a singer, actor, dancer originally from Houston, Texas. She is a fresh New York resident, having just graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University, and is so excited to be here, as it has been her dream her whole life to move here. In her free time, Gracie enjoys reading, trying new pastas, and finding fun new things to do in the city. She has always loved the arts and working with kids and can't wait to combine her two passions!
Dana Beth Steiner
Dana Beth Steiner is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a dual degree in Voice Performance and Judaic Studies. Her favorite past performances include INTO THE WOODS (The Flea Theater), A CHRISTMAS STORY (Paper Mill Playhouse), 42ND STREET (Encore Musical Theatre Company), and NEWSIES (University of Michigan). She was also the music director of her college a cappella group, where she performed and led the group through ICCA competitions (like in Pitch Perfect!). She is so excited to be a part of the Four Corners Creative team!
Madeline Falco
Madeline is an NYC based actor and teaching artist who grew up in Averill Park, NY. She caught the theatre bug dancing in her local studio’s production of The Nutcracker when she was 6 years old and has been performing ever since. Madeline has performed in national tours and regional theatres all over the country including The Fireside Theatre, The Argyle Theatre, Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, TheaterWorksUSA, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center and Titusville Playhouse. Madeline loves working with FCC and sharing her love of the performing arts with the next generation of young artists.
Travon Moore
Born and raised in Downers Grove Illinois, Travon is a bubbly, energetic, wonder. Travon enjoys theatre, dance, working with children, spending quality time with those they love, being out in nature, and fashion! After graduating from Western Michigan University with a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in Advertising, Travon went overseas to Japan to perform in the RENT! 2024 Japan Tour. Travon is now living in New York City and so excited to continue to make new adventures, share lots of stories, and spread peace, love, and laughter!
Sydney Greene
Sydney Greene is a NYC based performer who recently graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Musical Theatre. She is so excited to join the Four Corners Creative team! Her favorite theatre credits include Belle (Beauty And The Beast), Bea (Something Rotten), and Lorriane (Jersey Boys). In her free time, she enjoys working out at Pure Barre, dancing class at Steps, and walking through Central Park with an iced coffee in hand!
Madeline de la Parra
Madeline de la Parra (she/her) is an actor and theatre educator based in NYC. She has taught creative drama, musical theater, monologue/scene study, and dance to children ranging from ages 4-16 both in and around New York City at a range of public schools and after-school conservatories. Madeline is a strong believer in providing an arts education for all, and believes that the performing arts fosters creative expression, verbal and motor skills, and builds confidence. Alongside teaching, Madeline has performed both Regionally and Off-Broadway. She was most recently seen as “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz at The Actor’s Temple. She is so excited to be a part of the Four Corners Creative teaching team this year!
Ashley Nicole Martin
Ashley is a professional performer and teaching artist who has worked in venues and
classrooms across the US for the last decade. With experience in jazz, tap, ballet, acting and
music theory, she loves work centered around collaboration, creativity, community and kindness.
She has taught students from ages 3 to 63 and is a lifelong learner herself, always looking for
new ideas and skills to incorporate into her life. When not teaching or performing, she loves
exploring farmer’s markets, playing piano and petting all the dogs she can!
Annie Youngs
Annie is a performing artist, teaching artist, and child care provider in NYC. She has worked with children in every age range, but has especially enjoyed her time teaching music-based early language development curriculum to toddlers. She studied Music Theatre and Vocal Performance at Oklahoma City University and is currently working towards becoming a Speech and Language Pathologist. As a lifelong creative, she aspires to enable and facilitate fulfilling artistic experiences for the next generation. Annie is thrilled to be joining the Four Corners Creative team!
Kelly MacMillan
Kelly MacMillan is beyond thrilled to be teaching with Four Corners. Theatre credits include the Pre-Broadway tryout of The Karate Kid the Musical, Nickie in Sweet Charity (Gulfshore Theatre Company), Linda in The Wedding Singer (Gateway Playhouse), Footloose! (The Muny), Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain of Pretty Woman (regional premiere), Rock of Ages and Addams Family (Gateway Playhouse), LuLu/Dance Captain in Cabaret (Phoenix Theatre Company), DeLee in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (ACT of CT), Transcendence Theatre Company and more throughout the country. TV Credits: Principal Dancer on Apple TV’s ROAR (choreographed by Marguerite Derricks). She has also traveled the world as a dancer on Holland America Line and choreographed at Kings Island/Kings Dominion. She is represented by Hudson Artists Agency/ IG: xoxo_kellymac
Kaitlyn Posada
Kaitlyn Posada is originally from Houston, TX where she grew up in competitive dancing and graduated from the Kinder High School For The Performing and Visual Arts. She pursued her love for dance in NYC and is currently a freelance dancer based in NYC. She looks forward to teaching younger kids the importance of play and creativity at Four Corners!
Ava Schmidt
Ava Schmidt is a singer, dancer, and actress from St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up, she danced at COCA (Center of Creative Arts) under the artistic direction of former Ailey dancers Antonio Douthit-Boyd and Kirven Douthit-Boyd, training in both Vaganova ballet and Horton modern techniques, as well as tap, musical theatre, and hip-hop dance styles. Ava continued her education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan earning a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance, a BA in Dance, a BA in Spanish, and an MA in Hispanic studies. Throughout her time at Western, Ava worked with many industry professionals such as Paul Stancato, Paul Cassidy, and Christopher Patterson. She was also fortunate to be cast in the Winter Gala Dance Concert through the Department of Dance, as well as many other student showcases and choreography projects. And, even with her busy lifestyle, she made time to study abroad in Santander, Spain to perfect her Spanish language skills. Ava’s favorite onstage credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar; Hairspray; Mamma Mia at The Muny, Smokey Joe’s Café (DeeLee Track); All Shook Up (Sandra); Church Basement Ladies (Signe, Dance Captain) at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Bright Star (Ensemble, Dance Captain); and A Swinging Christmas; The Holiday Music of Tony Bennett (Swing, Associate Choreographer) at Farmers Alley Theatre, and Spring Awakening (Ensemble, Dance Captain) through Breaking Borders International. She is also incredibly excited to embark on the Italian National Tour of Hairspray this fall!
Laurie Veldheer
Laurie is originally from Grand Rapids MI, and has called NYC home for the past 15 years. After receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University she moved to NYC and has been working as a professional actor on Broadway, tours, throughout the country, and in TV/FILM. Broadway credits include Plaza Suite (understudy Jean McCormack/Mimsy), Mamma Mia! (Sophie Sheridan), and Newsies (Hannah/Ensemble/understudy Katherine Plumber, OBC). Tours include Fiasco Theater's production of Into The Woods (Cinderella/Granny) and Hairspray (Brenda/understudy Tracy and Penny). Select Regional credits include Maria in the Sound Of Music at Studio Tenn, Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Lamirada, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at PCLO/Maltz Jupiter/Paper Mill Playhouse, Katherine in Newsies at Broadway Sacramento, and Shelby in Steel Magnolias at the Cape Playhouse. TV/Film include LAW & ORDER and LITTLE AMERICA. Over the past 10 years Laurie has taught students here in NYC and throughout the country in masterclasses, workshops, theater camps, dance classes, and private voice lessons. She is so excited to be a part of the Four Corners Creative team and continue teaching and inspiring students!
Chelsey Lynn Alfredo
Chelsey Lynn Alfredo is so happy to be joining Four Corners Creative! Chelsey is a performer born and raised in New York and has been working and teaching kids for over a decade! She is a proud graduate of Wagner College with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and has been performing professionally all over the world for the past 15 years. Some highlights include the Annie National/International Tour and Elsa (Frozen) on Disney Cruise Lines throughout Europe! She currently resides in New York City and is so thrilled to be joining this team!