Isabella Panko

traveled to Austria, Germany, and Italy with my high school dance company for two weeks in the summer of 2015. 

    After high school I joined one of the top dance programs in the country at Southern Methodist University. At SMU I double majored in Dance Performance and Educational Studies, and gained more experience in theatre and voice through a minor in Musical Theatre. I was involved in many mainstage and student productions at SMU, as well as Greek life and study abroad.
    One of my favorite programs I became involved with during college was the Highland Park Methodist Church Belong disAbility Ministry. I believe arts therapy programs are beneficial for children and adults who have special needs or physical handicaps. Through the Stage Skills program I taught dance, movement, and musicality to a wide range of adults with varying ages and severities of special needs.

     In 2022 I graduated from an accelerated masters program at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. After a year of study and a summer internship with Ravinia Steans Music Institute, I was accredited with a Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. Though I enjoyed learning about the business practices of the Arts and Entertainment sector, I knew that my days of performing were far from over and moved to Orlando, Florida to pursue my dreams of dancing for Walt Disney World. I have been a full-time cast member for close to a year now and have loved continuing to grow and achieve my goals with Disney Parks Live Entertainment!