Instructors

Izabella George

Izabella went to her first dance performance at the age of 3 and immediately fell in love and signed up at a local dance studio. Shortly thereafter, she realized she also had a passion for teaching and choreography. This passion led her to offer free dance classes out of her garage. Over her 20 years of dancing and 15 years of competing, she was trained in contemporary, modern, lyrical, ballet, tap, hip hop, salsa, bachata, and more.

After graduating from Larkin Dance Studio she went on to pursue a degree in dance education at Hamline University. While attending Hamline she founded a dance organization that went on to perform and compete at the national level. Izabella is excited to share her passion and knowledge with the students and become part of the amazing work at Mayer Arts!

Kate Herrera

Kate Herrera is a performer and teaching artist based in the twin cities. Born and raised in Minnesota, she went to North Dakota State University and graduated with a BFA in musical theatre. Kate has been doing theatre since she was 8 years old and her passion has only continued to grow as she’s gotten older. In college she found directing to be a true love of hers as well as working with kids. Therefore, she is delighted to be working with Mayer Arts this fall!

Olivia Lundberg

Olivia is a graduate from the University of Northwestern St. Paul, where she received a bachelor’s degree in theatre. She has studied in voice, acting, and dance, and has been performing since the age of six. She also has almost a decade of childcare experience and loves combining her passions of theatre and childcare by working for Mayer Arts.

Elinor Rees-Hill

Elinor Rees-Hill is thrilled to be a Musical Theatre Instructor at Mayer Arts! She was in her first musical at the age of seven, and has loved the creativity and community to be found in theatre ever since. In addition to performing in musicals and plays, she enjoyed receiving vocal training and studying jazz and contemporary dance styles. She recently graduated from Carleton College, where she earned a B.A. in English and performed with Carleton’s Jazz and Contemporary Dance Company, Semaphore Repertory Dance Company, and Experimental Dance Board. Away from campus, she has worked both as a theatre educator and a dance instructor. She loves watching children grow into their confidence and express themselves through the performing arts!

Carina Birkholz

Carina got her first tutu on her third birthday and has been dancing ever since! Growing up, she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre. She graduated in 2020 with a B.A. in Dance from the University of Minnesota, and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education in 2021. Carina is honored and excited to share her passion for movement with others. (Photo by Isabel Fajardo)