Education
Celebrating the artist in every child through performing arts experiences
Beyond the Stage
The artists of Ordway's Education and Community Engagement programs
In schools, in communities, and online
From artist-led workshops to special classroom curricula to free online lessons, Ordway's Education and Community Engagement programs connect artists with you—wherever you are. Get to know the extraordinary artists who are sharing their work, and learn where else you can find them!
25-26 Beyond the Stage Artists
Kym Chambers Otto
Arts Educator, Professional Actor, Singer & Dancer
Kym received a Masters in Vocal Performance from New York University and BA from St. Olaf College. Originally from California, Kym relocated to the Twin Cities after living in New York City for a decade. Kym works as a professional actor/singer/dancer and has toured with the Broadway Tours Cats, Cinderella, and The Wizard of Oz. Regionally she has worked at prestigious companies such as Kansas City Starlight, TUTS, TOTS, North Shore, Ogunquit Playhouse, Kansas City Rep, Casa Manana, Bushnell PAC and Ordway CPA . Kym is actively involved in developing New Work with Nautilus Music Theatre. She has sung with The St. Olaf Choir, The World Youth Choir, Vocalessence and is a founding member of “Chick Cheer” entertaining over the holiday season.
When Kym is not performing she runs a successful private voice studio (NATS member), choreographs for Musical Theater, is a show choir clinician/adjudicator and a Lead Spotlight Evaluator for Hennepin Theater Trust‘s Theater Education Outreach Program. Her students have gone on to NYU, Vitterbo, UW Stevens Point, U of M Duluth and Twin Cities, University of Oklahoma, Coastal Carolina, UCLA, Northridge, Hartt School of Music, Millikin University, St. Olaf, Luther, Concordia, Gustavus and BYU. Kym has strong ties to the Broadway community and has recently curated Q and A sessions with Broadway Artists to connect with her MT studio students.
While at NYU, Kym worked as a Graduate Assistant in MT and was in charge of all new student inquiries and ran auditions for all incoming students. This provided a unique opportunity to see the audition process from the inside of a highly regarded MT program.
Ordway Artists in Communities.
Andrea Mislan
Professional Teaching & Performing Ballet Artist.
Andrea Mislan's (she/her) professional performing career spans over 25 years. A graduate from Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division, she has continued to evolve in contemporary and musical theater styles, in such productions as Celine Dion's "A New Day," Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis," and "Chicago the Musical" International tour. A current resident of Minneapolis MN, she has most recently performed at the Guthrie Theater ("West Side Story," "Guys and Dolls," "Cyrano de Bergerac"), Chanhassen Dinner Theaters ("Holiday Inn," "Music Man", "Footloose"), The Ordway ("Smokey Joe's Cafe"), and in several Collide Theatrical's original jazz dance musicals. Andrea has choreographed for several regional theaters and studios across North America and has taught master classes internationally in ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, and Fosse technique (Broadway Across America). She is currently a teaching artist for Twin Cities Musical Theater Training, the Guthrie Theater, Community Movement Collective, and loves teaching company class for Ballet Co Laboratory. A movement mentor, certified in Clinical Somatic Education and Franklin Method, her focus is to guide an embodied and efficient way of moving, facilitating a deeper understanding of movement and dance technique in every style, for every mover.
Ordway Artists in Communities.
Chops Inc.
Helping school and community drumming groups access festivals and competitions
Chops Inc. is where music, culture, and energy come alive! We’re all about integrity, excellence, personal growth, and building a strong community through the power of music & performing arts. . At Chops, students don’t just learn music—they experience it! Our programs are designed to inspire creativity, boost confidence, and make every performance unforgettable. Working alongside top professionals and organizations throughout Minnesota, we’re here to uplift and empower young musicians, especially in underserved communities. With Chops, kids get more than lessons—they get a movement, a family, and a stage to shine!
Teaching students through Ordway's artists in the schools program
Chops, Inc. Official Website
Michael Gruber
Decorated performer
Mr. Gruber has had an extensive Broadway and regional theater career, performing in productions such as Miss Saigon, Swing!, Stairway to Paradise, My Favorite Year, and Kiss Me, Kate! (as both Bill and Hortensio). He played the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz, Munkustrap in both stage and film versions of Cats, Mike in the final cast of A Chorus Line, and Greg and Zach in its 2008 revival. Over the past 23 years, he has starred in more than 50 regional productions, including standout roles such as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain, Gould in Grey Gardens, and Don Hewes in the world premiere of Easter Parade. His credits also include Phil Davis and Bob Wallace in White Christmas, Young Ben in Follies, Harold Hill in The Music Man, and Tony and Riff in tours of West Side Story.
ORDWAY ARTISTS IN COMMUNITIES
Deondre' Carter
Passionate drummer, educator, clinician, composer, and director, dedicated to inspiring and uplifting the next generation of musicians.
Deondre’ Carter is a dedicated drummer, educator, composer, and clinician from Richmond, Virginia, committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians. A proud alumnus of Virginia State University’s Marching Trojan Explosion drumline, “Drum-Phi,” he now serves as Vice President of Snare S.I. Phi, Inc. and is a member of Mu Phi Sigma National Percussion Fraternity. Dre is also an Endorsed Educator Artist with Salyers Percussion and Beetle Percussion, highlighting his excellence in performance and education.
As a lead composer for VSU’s Drum-Phi, Dre creates innovative warmups, features, and solos used by programs across the Americas. He is a sought-after clinician, traveling nationwide to provide expert training and support for drumline programs. In his role with Chops, he collaborates with community and school-based drumlines in the Twin Cities, introducing HBCU and show-style traditions to local youth. His work blends cultural relevance with artistic excellence, empowering students through music and opening doors for success on and off the field.
Teaching students through Ordway's artists in the schools program.
Twin Cities Musical Theatre Training
Introducing the idea of Vocal & Physical Play when creating Characters and Storytelling.
"Twin Cities Musical Theatre Training was founded in 2020 by Kym Chambers Otto and Andy Kust. Both given the gift of “time off” from their performing careers due to Covid-19, they recognized that there was a great need in the upper Midwest for a musical theatre training program that caters to individuals who are looking to advance their careers, enhance their skills, or audition for college training programs. With a long history as musical theater coaches, and with successful careers in the industry, Andy and Kym used their connections to assemble a top notch team of instructors who come armed with an incredible amount of professional experience as well as a deep desire to provide opportunities to empower and train our community of musical theatre artists. TCMTT is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality, and personalized training to motivated individuals that have aspirations to pursue degrees and professions in the performing arts."
Ordway Artists in Communities.
Alphabet Rockers
GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS SPARKING CHANGE THROUGH MUSIC
Co-leaders Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Soulati Shepherd (he/him/they) are visionary artists who create a culture of belonging for all of us. Alphabet Rockers are GRAMMY-winners, 4-time GRAMMY nominees, CBS Icon Award Recipients for Public Service, nationally renowned children’s book authors, influential media creatives, keynote speakers, performers and commissioned songwriters for animation and other projects.
Teaching students through Ordway's artists in the schools program.
Alphabet Rockers Official Website
Stefon " Bionik" Taylor
A COMPOSER WHO CONTRIBUTES TO HIS COMMUNITY THROUGH CREATIONS IN MUSIC
Stefon Bionik Taylor is a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and teaching artist from the Twin Cities who strives to contribute to the community through creation, collaboration, and commercials. Bionik is a McKnight Composer fellow, a COMPAS resident teaching artist, Music and Education Director for Mixtape Dance and Cultural Specialist for SPPS.
Featured on the Ordway Education YouTube.
Stefon " Bionik" Taylor Official Website@bionikmusic on Instagram
Beyond the Stage artist alumni
Artists in the Schools
Bring Ordway Education to your students
School Performances
Unforgettable arts field trips with bus reimbursement for all
