who we are
We built RISE because we believe every young person deserves a stage. From the incredible youth to the volunteers to the donors, the arc of bringing a production to the stage is a unique opportunity to stretch, grow, laugh and come together. We are deeply committed to doing that together and making space for others to be a part of that journey.
Caryn Ipapo-Glass
Co-Founder, Artistic Director
Caryn Ipapo-Glass is an artist, educator, and choreographer whose career spans the stages of New York City and San Diego. Caryn received her BFA from Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts — one of the most respected conservatory programs in the country. While there, she earned the role of "Girl in the Yellow Dress" in the first university production of Susan Stroman's Tony Award-winning show, Contact, and has had the opportunity to train alongside and work with prominent choreographers including Toni Pimble, Artistic Director of Eugene Ballet, and Elizabeth Streb, Artistic Director of STREB Extreme Action.
Since relocating from New York City to San Diego, Caryn has built a rich and varied career as a guest artist, choreographer, and educator. She has worked with the Malashock Dance Company, Marshall Middle School, Canyon Crest Academy, Grossmont High School, Mounarath Powell Dance Company, Kidz Act Up Youth Theater Program, Lynch Dance Institute, and Teatro San Diego. From 2012 to 2016, she served as a founding co-artistic director of The Movement Initiative, a contemporary dance theater company that presented work at White Box Live Arts, the San Diego International Fringe Festival, and Diversionary Theater. The company's work, SPACES, was selected for the La Jolla Music Society's prestigious 2015 CHOREOLab, and their critically acclaimed production Victor Charlie was awarded both Top Box Office Seller and Audience Favorite at the 2014 San Diego International Fringe Festival.
Caryn is a California State Credentialed Dance Teacher, additionally holds a Career Technical Education Teaching Credential, and is currently the Director of Dance at the Coronado School of the Arts, a nationally recognized and award-winning public school arts conservatory.
Caryn finds tremendous joy in teaching the performing arts to the next generation, and creating alongside them. It is the combination of joy, the arts, and our youth that give her hope in the promise of the future, and fuel the passion behind RISE. When Caryn isn’t teaching or directing, she loves spending time with her children and family, reading, crocheting, crafting and traveling.
maris goodstein
Co-Founder, Board Chair
Maris Goodstein began her career in the nonprofit sector, working as an AmeriCorps volunteer through City Year New York (CYNY). After her service year, she joined the CYNY staff as Corporate Partnerships Manager, where she raised $2M annually from corporate partners. After that role, she served CYNY as Chief of Staff, which included board management, government relations, talent management, operational oversight and budget oversight ($11m budget). After a time as Interim Executive Director at CYNY, Maris became the Executive Director of Reading Partners NY. There she led a 5-year strategic expansion, growing the revenue from $500,000 to $2M and the staff from 23 people to 38. She oversaw the recruitment and training of 1,000 volunteers annually, who delivered reading tutoring to students across 23 schools in NYC. Part of her time as ED included overhauling the board, bringing on 15 new board members over 5 years.
In 2018, Maris decided to step away from executive leadership and launch a business centered on supporting people. Maris Goodstein LLC is an organization that provides companies with executive coaching, team coaching and training. Maris received her individual coaching certification through the Hudson Institute and holds a diploma with distinction in team coaching from the Team Coaching Studio. Maris is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds an Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Maris is a theater kid at heart, and RISE is where that part of her comes fully alive. Rise Youth Theater Collective gives her hope and brings her deep joy. When she's not coaching or working on RISE, Maris is with her husband and their two sons. She is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and entrepreneur. Outside of work, she can often be found reading, cooking, or listening to podcasts.
Celina Nightengale
Teacher-in-Residence, Choreographer
Celina Nightengale is a Denver native who now calls New York City home. She most recently completed a four-year run in Chicago the Musical on Broadway as an ensemble member and Matron Mama Morton. Prior to that, she toured for three years with the First National Tour of Disney's Aladdin as an original cast member.
Celina began her professional career in Los Angeles, where she had the opportunity to work with artists including Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, and Adam Lambert, as well as renowned choreographers Helene Phillips, Tovaris Wilson, Andre Fuentes, and Adam Parson. She began her professional theatre career in Las Vegas as an original cast member of Rock of Ages.
In addition to her stage work, Celina has appeared as a featured dancer in the ABC television series Wicked City and has co-starred on The Equalizer and FBI.
As both a performer and educator, Celina is passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence through the arts. She is thrilled to join Rise as a resident teacher and choreographer.
CODY BIANCHI
Vocal Director
Cody Bianchi is a performer, accompanist, and teacher who began playing piano at an early age, in their hometown of Fresno, California. Learning from piano scores like The Little Mermaid and The Phantom of the Opera led them to discover and fall in love with musical theatre. They made the leap onstage in a community production of Oklahoma and have not stopped singing and dancing since.
With a BFA in Musical Theatre from California State University, Fullerton, they continue to perform throughout Southern California, including credits like: Arthur/The Pianist in the West Coast Premiere of Midnight at the Never Get (Diversionary Theatre), Patchy the Pirate & Others in The Spongebob Musical (Cygnet Theatre), Charlie in In Pieces (Teatro San Diego), Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Candlelight Pavilion), Thalia in Xanadu (SDMT), and Burrs in The Wild Party (CSUF).
Cody has spent their educational career working as a musical director for youth theatre productions and summer camps (Oceanside Theatre Company, Moonlight Youth Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Children’s Musical Theaterworks), teaching jazz and tap dance in studios (Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy, California Arts Academy), and accompanying/co-directing choirs ranging from elementary schools to churches to retirement home choral programs, since 2010.
They are currently a musical director and accompanist for Musical Mondays with Cygnet Theatre and rehearsing for upcoming musicals with The Signal Hill Sandbox and Scripps Ranch Theatre. When they are not onstage or in the studio, they enjoy exploring San Diego’s sights or catching up on the newest superhero movies.
Cody is beyond excited to join RISE and share the joy of theatre with a new generation of performers. They believe the skills taught in theatre are invaluable and they can’t wait to help all students grow in their own artistry and confidence.