Kaya Julie Harrison

When I was little, my mom signed me up for my first audition because she said I had way too much personality inside the house and was too "shy" outside of the house. I went in for the children’s ensemble in a local production of The Music Man, and according to her, I walked out with a full "personality transplant." I'd finally got a taste of what God brought be on this earth to do, and walked out of the audition beaming to report that, "I aced it."

​

From that moment on, performing wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I needed. The stage and studio quickly became my oasis—a space for calm, growth, exploration, welcomed mistakes, joy, friendship. Over time, I realized my vocation: to use my gifts to tell impactful stories and bring important characters to life onstage.

​

Life took a detour during college and grad school, when I stepped away from performing to pursue my passion for public health. But—as God would have it—musical theater came right back into my lap. I started teaching and choreographing for a prestigious high school performing arts program, and suddenly I was back in the world of storytelling, movement, and magic. My students reminded me every single day of how much I love this work and how blessed I am to be able to do it. As any good educator knows, you learn just as much as you teach.

​

Since returning to performing after COVID, I’ve committed fully to this career path. I'm a musical theater performer, choreographer, and educator who believes in the power of storytelling to spark empathy, joy, and change in the world. Whether I’m on stage, behind the table, or in the audience, I’m here to keep growing, collaborating, and creating spaces where artists can be brave, bold, and beautifully human.