Lisa Danser joined the RTKids teaching artist faculty nearly twenty years ago and is proud to have been a part of its growth over two decades, reaching thousands of New York City public school students. As Artistic Director, Lisa leads the ACTE II scholarship program for participants in grades 6-12, overseeing curriculum development, managing full and part-time faculty, and engaging with students, families, and alumni. She is the director of RTKids’ Passing It On Gala, an annual benefit that pairs mentors from the performing arts community with individual RTKids students and ensembles.

Lisa has collaborated with a wide range of mentors over the years, including BD Wong, Jessie Mueller, John Tartaglia, Mayte Natalio, Chesney Snow, Maleek Washington, Regina Taylor, Earl Mosley, and Julio Monge. She created the organization’s vocal curriculum in its inaugural year and has continued to develop it over the years. Lisa coaches her students for their performing arts high school and college auditions in addition to conducting weekly semi-private vocal instruction to ACTE II students. Some highlights of her time at RTKids include partnering with The New York City Autism Charter School, creating Me, You, We, a short musical inspired by Malala Yousafzai with her students, and meeting President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama with her students and colleagues at the White House.

Prior to working with RTKids, Lisa taught for the Vevey Youth Ballet, ROAD (Reach Out and Dance) of Ballet Excel Ohio, and National Dance Institute. As an actor, she has performed around the country and was a founding member of Muse of Fire Theater Company. She earned her BA in Musical Theater from the University of Central Oklahoma and holds a Certificate in Arts Management from NYU School of Professional Studies.