artistic & managing director

Rebekah Kellaway has been directing youth theatre productions for fifteen years and has directed over twenty musicals. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education and a teaching credential from Biola University. In 2008, Rebekah combined her love for education and the performing arts and established Haven Academy of the Arts. She believes strongly in applying educational theory and child development to the directing process. Favorite directing projects include Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. Her work as co-director for Sustaining Sound's Little Women received a five star review in Broadway World and earned an Eddon Award for Best Production. She is consistently blessed by the amazing opportunities God has given her to work with these talented young people. When she's not wrangling young performers, Rebekah enjoys singing on her church's worship team and trying out new Paleo recipes in her attempt to make gluten-free delicious.

office manager & choreographer

Rachel Geis, born and raised in Hermosa Beach, California, knew she loved theater ever since the first time she went onstage dressed as Annie’s dog, Sandy. Favorite performing credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Honk! (Ida), The Odd Couple (Cecily), La casa de Bernarda Alba (Adela), Into the Woods (Rapunzle), and Little Women (Jo). Rachel studied vocal performance at Biola University Conservatory of Music with Dr. Susannah Murray and Vangie Gunn. Choreography credits include South Pacific, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

pico union program director

Kelsea is so honored and excited to be joining the Haven Academy family. Born and raised in Southern California she spent most of her school years performing on the stage. As a very shy child, young Kelsea hid behind the older kids in her very first musical “The Sound of Music”. As the years progressed, theatre provided a place for her to grow, gain confidence, and develop her performing skills. She went on to play many leading roles such as: Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz , Cinderella in Cinderella, Cosette in Les Miserables, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Rapunzel in Into The Woods, Wendy inPeter Pan, Sandy in Grease, and to bring it full circle Leisl in The Sound of Music. She also went on to attend Orange County High School of the Arts and The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts. Most recently she toured Europe and Japan with The Young Americans performing and teaching children self confidence using the universal language of music and dance throughout many different cultures. Kelsea has a huge passion for working with children and is thrilled to be able to bring her knowledge and experience to Haven.

Administrative Assistant

​Jordan Caballero grew up just down the street from Haven Academy. She has been doing musicals at, volunteering at Havens Pico Union, and teaching the extended day classes since she was very young and is now very excited to be working for Haven officially. She goes to Santa Monica College where she is studying Business. While not commuting to school or work, Jordan is chasing around her ten pound Jack Russel Terrier-Chihuaha mix or binge watching shows on Netflix. 

musical director

Margy Emmons is the Director of Worship at OCF. Her Bachelor's degree was in Piano Performance with a voice minor and she earned her Master's degree in Accompanying at USC. Ever since the 7th Grade, Margy has been an accompanist for soloists and ensembles, performing a full range of vocal and instrumental styles from rock to Broadway to classical to opera to musical theatre. During college she added vocal coaching, composing and arranging while traveling to various countries with touring groups. At OCF, and with Haven Academy, Margy has found that all this experience has paid off in truly rewarding ways.

musical director

Gianna Andrea Summers director and performer, graduated with Honors from Arizona State University in Choral Education and Voice Performance in 2003 and graduated with Honors with her Masters in 2005 in Multicultural Education from National University. She has taught choral music in El Segundo for the last 12 years with her choir receiving many awards. They have performed at many venues across America and Europe. Gianna spent time in Costa Rica singing with the Costa Rican Opera and teaching music. Gianna teaches private voice and piano as well as singing professionally in California.  Gianna married the love of her life, Bobby Summers, in 2008, their daughter, Kate is 6 years old and loves HAVEN and softball! The Summers have attended OCF for 12 years and love our community. They currently reside in El Segundo, CA with their two dogs Griffey and Daisy.

choreographer

Marie Madera Gleerup began her passion for theatre in a church version of Godspell long ago. The creativity and support offered by that first musical cast was a refreshing change from anything she'd experienced before, and she was hooked! Dance classes followed, along with an introduction to the audition process in the Southland's musical theatre circuit. After trying a number of times, Marie was cast as a chorus dancer by the Downey Civic Light Opera, and was a member of the cast in 17 of their musicals in a row!
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Her love of dance and teaching led her down the path of choreography. She has  choreographed numerous community theatre productions for both South Bay and Orange County theatres. Marie has also choreographed a variety of youth and children's productions, and enjoys working with with Haven Academy. She appreciates the faith and support managing director, Rebekah Kellaway, has given her.

choreographer and instructor

Ashley Krouse started dancing with the DanceMotion competitive performing company when she was 2 years old. She continued with that company for 12 years while also continuing to dance with Ballet Arizona, West Coast Dance Explosion, Tremaine, Dupree, Millennium studios, The Edge Studios, as well as others, through her early 20’s. Through her school years, Ashley was also a part of Step on Stage show choir as well as 4 years in the 1st chair alto position in the Arizona All State show choir. For Ashley, it is a privilege to be able to help grow young performers, and loves being a part of the Haven Academy Family.

instructor

Kristin is a professional Actress/Singer/Dancer. She grew up in Los Angeles, trained in Musical Theatre at AMDA in NYC and has done musical theatre all over the world. She has performed the role of Christine in Phantom of the Opera in Europe and Asia, sung on Crystal Cruises, and starred in dozens of musicals all over the state of California. She was just awarded "Breakthru Musical Theatre Performer of the Year" and won 3 Best Actress Awards for 2011 by StageSceneLA. She is also the proud mom to Ryanna, Makayla, and Amelya Rowles who all perform with Haven Academy of the Arts. Read more about her at: www.kristintowers-rowles.com.

instructor

Courtney has been around Haven Academy since its birth.She is no stranger to the stage, singing in church and school choirs as well as performing in many plays and musicals throughout her life. Her Liberal Studies degree from Long Beach State includes a Concentration in Visual and Performing Arts, which she gets to put into practice with her Pretend and Play class. Courtney has participated with Haven onstage and as a parent, with her own kids being involved in many of its programs. She has watched her children grow in many ways, with Haven gently pushing and stretching them to be better people as well as performers. She’s confidant you’ll feel good about getting involved in Haven Academy of the Arts.

instructor

Candice developed her love of the arts and began her training at Santa Susana High School, where she earned her letter in dance and was an active member of the school's dance team and dance club. Her love of dance and training extended through out her college years and beyond, earning a dance scholarship to Wittenberg University and furthering her training at Moorpark College's dance program and competition team, as well as popular dance studios throughout Los Angeles such as Edge Studios, Dance Creations, Hype Studios, and Millennium Studios. She is passionate about the role dance plays on child development and is committed to developing character by demonstrating the love of Jesus to youth through teaching dance. ​

instructor

Carly is proud to be one of the original Haven students- an experience that fueled her passion for the arts and inspired her to obtain a degree in Theatre Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Since then, Carly has been directing and teaching for local youth theatre programs while performing in the local theatre scene herself. Carly is extremely passionate about using the arts to help students gain the life skills necessary to become successful and extraordinary adults. In addition to working as a staff member, Carly volunteers her time to organize fundraising and donor events for Haven, as she truly believes that this a program that changes students' lives for the better.