STAFF

Emily Calasopa
Executive Artistic Director/Founder

Emily is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Shine On Performing Arts, where she is dedicated to creating an inclusive, empowering environment that nurtures creativity, confidence, and community. A lifelong arts advocate with over 20 years of experience as a facilitator, director, musical director, choreographer, educator, and mentor, Emily is driven by the belief that every single person has gifts that can be used in the arts and by her personal mission to believe in others until they can believe in themselves.

Under Emily’s leadership, Shine On Performing Arts has grown dramatically—from 24 students in February 2023 to serving well over 1,000 participants to date. The program is recognized for its commitment to quality, accessibility, and innovation in performing arts education. Notably, Shine On was the first in its region to receive the rights to produce Hadestown: Teen Edition, which stands as Emily’s favorite production to date and exemplifies the program’s bold, creative spirit.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Emily has worked extensively with both non-profit and professional theater organizations. She has served as Artistic Director for three non-profit theater companies and held management roles with Triple L Talent, Tom Burke Voice Studio, Christian Youth Theater (CYT), and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater. Her broad experience spans directing, producing, casting, curriculum development, and teaching in both public and private school settings and the arts.

Emily’s own artistic journey began in her teens when she toured North America and internationally as a vocalist with The Continental Singers. That experience ignited a passion for working with youth and embracing diverse cultures—values that continue to shape her inclusive, student-centered teaching philosophy.

She also had the privilege of working under Broadway producer Laura Little at CYT-Spokane and Triple L Talent (now MAM), where she honed her leadership and mentorship skills. Emily credits this time for deepening her belief in the transformative power of encouraging others to discover their own potential.

A dedicated vocal technician and educator, Emily has over 15 years of experience as a private voice and acting coach. She holds certifications in Cabaret (Story Through Song), Speech Level Singing (SLS), and Complete Vocal Technique (CVT), and is currently studying to become an Estill Master Trainer. She is also a proud member of the Tom Burke Voice Team, continually investing in evidence-based, cutting-edge pedagogy. Her students have gone on to work at Disney, perform on Broadway, act in SAG films, and become signed recording artists. Emily believes that everyone can learn to sing and perform confidently with the right awareness, training, and encouragement.

Emily relocated from Washington State to Austin, Texas in 2017 with her daughters, who share her love for the arts. She is passionate about leading Shine On Performing Arts in its mission to provide high-quality, accessible performing arts education that celebrates every student’s unique voice, talent, and potential.

I'm a proud wife and mom of four amazing kids, plus two lovable dogs who keep things interesting at home. Life is full and lively, especially with my oldest son and youngest daughter, who are on the autism spectrum. They've taught me more about love, patience, and joy than I could have imagined.

When I'm not cheering on my kids or chasing after our pups, you can usually find me cooking, hiking, reading, or getting my daily workout in (exercise is my therapy!). I absolutely love making memories with my family and being part of a community that values creativity, connection, and fun.

I hold a B.A. in Chemistry and two MBAs - one in Management and the other in Accounting and Finance. I am currently working toward my Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. If all goes to plan, I'll officially be "Dr. Patricia" by April 2026!

I'm a big fan of cold weather, snowy days, and just about any kind of food you put in front of me. I'm so excited to be part of this theater family and can't wait to share in all the music, magic, and memories with you and your amazing kids!

Patricia Peiris
Business Manager

Taryn Raulston
Program Coordinator

Meet Kyrra Daniel, a proud Utah native who’s been lighting up Central Texas for nearly 20 years! A true supermom with two amazing kids and one more on the way, Kyrra is also a devoted wife and the heart of her home. As a homeschooling homemaker, she’s discovered a deep passion for caring for others! Whether it’s kids, adults, or even animals.

Now, she’s thrilled to bring that same love and energy to SOPA as a Show Coordinator! (Lovingly nicknamed “The Warden”) Kyrra is beyond grateful to be part of the magic, serving as both the warm welcome and the heartfelt send-off for every Cast member. Whether she’s doing hair and makeup, finding misplaced costumes, offering first aid, keeping everyone on task, helping the parents stay informed, or just making sure the snack shack is full, Kyrra is always there with open arms and a big smile.

When she’s not helping with running the show, you’ll find her whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, curating the perfect playlist for any occasion, and surrounding herself with her favorite color green. Kyrra is so excited to be part of the SOPA family and can’t wait to help each Cast member shine!

Kyrra Daniel
Show Coordinator

Lauren Laing
Community Coordinator

Lauren Laing grew up surrounded by the arts, spending her formative years performing in musicals and stage productions before earning her BA in Vocal Performance. After college, she married her husband, William, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and music. Though Lauren stepped back from performing to raise their daughters, Emily and Margaret, she remained active on worship teams at church, continued serving in her community, and found deep joy in nurturing creativity at home.

William and Lauren didn’t push music on their girls, they let it find them. And it did. Involvement in church, the community, singing, competitive dance, acting camps, and musical theatre became cornerstones of family life. One day, the girls were auditioning for Beauty and the Beast at Shine On Performing Arts, and Lauren just kinda went for it too. She hadn’t auditioned or performed in that capacity for 20 years, but something felt right about SOPA and since she was already driving them to rehearsal, she figured… why not?

Lauren quickly rediscovered a love for the rehearsal process, the storytelling, and most of all, the people. Building community, encouraging others to get involved, and creating spaces where families feel seen and connected are some of Lauren’s deepest values. She has long been driven by a heart for service, with a history of investing her time and leadership into causes she believes in. Whether through her church, local initiatives, or now through SOPA, Lauren is passionate about helping organizations grow with purpose, integrity, and heart—ensuring that families like hers can continue to flourish for generations to come.

Raven Walach
Show Coordinator

Shaunelle Trenholm
Volunteer Coordinator

Shaunelle Trenholm serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Shine On Performing Arts, driven by a deep appreciation for the performing arts and the spirit of collaboration. Shaunelle finds joy in meeting new people, connecting them with meaningful roles, and helping them find their place within our organization. She is both tremendously grateful for and inspired by the generosity of those who lend their support to help SOPA be the fun, inclusive, enriching, show-stopping organization it is!

Shaunelle and her husband of 21 years are the parents of two pretty cool children, one of whom is an actress and student at Shine On Performing Arts. The other is in college, studying business and practicing culinary arts. She is a master of organization, a skill she delightfully honed as a teacher and uses to boss people around on occasion. Her acting career peaked in middle school, with acting credits including an Oompa Loompa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...and that's about it. However, she has channeled her dramatic flair into other fulfilling roles within the arts: engineering and crafting props, painting sets, planning community outreach events, and throwing cast parties.

Outside of theater, Shaunelle can be found baking and decorating cakes, building and crafting things for her home, volunteering with Backpack Buddies and Bake-A-Wish, planning and executing special events, or catching up on true crime and comedy. She hates cotton balls, driving, and the smell of popcorn. She loves sleep, animals, being outside (when it's not 400 degrees), and Shine On Performing Arts!

Having grown up in the country, before the internet era, I was fortunate to have access to a sewing machine, scrap fabric, and a lot of free time. My passion for creating started early, and I received a sewing machine as a college graduation gift, which opened up new possibilities for me to make slipcovers, curtains, and throw pillows. However, after having children—Violet and Ryker—the sewing machine was put away.

When Violet became involved in Shine On Performing Arts’ production of Anastasia, I returned to the sewing room, initially to help with simpler tasks like sewing snaps and seam ripping. What started as a practical way to save on gas and tolls quickly grew into something more meaningful. The camaraderie of the group and the sense of accomplishment from seeing the work hit the stage were incredibly fulfilling. The gratitude from the kids and parents filled a void I hadn’t realized existed in my professional life.

Eventually, I made the decision to leave my career and step into the role of Costume Director for Shine On Performing Arts. This has been an adventure I treasure, where I enjoy learning something new every day. I see mistakes as part of the creative process, knowing that they often lead to unexpected, beautiful results. My goal is to help audiences lose themselves in the art they see on stage, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the magic of live theater for many years to come.