Faculty/Staff
-
Victor Lopez: Studio Director, Piano & Vocal Instructor/Coach
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
The Lopez Theatre Mastery Project
Victor Lopez is the founder, executive director, and master vocal/performance coach of Lopez Studios, Inc. Performing Arts School, an award‑winning preparatory training ground for young performers in the Washington, DC Metro area. For nearly three decades, he has built a reputation for high‑caliber training that blends rigorous technique with character development, overseeing faculty, curriculum, and the artistic direction of concerts and productions while serving as a trusted mentor for students serious about pursuing the industry.
With formal training in Music Education (piano and voice emphasis) from Oral Roberts University, Victor brings a conservatory‑level approach to his work as a coach and director. His students have gone on to book roles and appearances on Broadway and Off‑Broadway, on national television and major streaming platforms, and in high‑profile network performance competitions, reflecting his holistic approach to performance, mindset, and professionalism.
Beyond the studio, Victor is a sought‑after mentor, speaker, and content creator, known for empowering performers to “maximize their potential” on stage and in life. Through his teaching, writing, and social media presence, he continues to expand the reach of Lopez Studios, Inc., cultivating a growing legacy of excellence widely recognized as #thelopezlegacy.
-
Rhonda Lopez: Director of Education
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Rhonda received her BS Degree in Elementary Education at Oral Roberts University and further earned a Masters Degree in Middle School Education at George Mason University as well as a second Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
Rhonda has over 2 decades combined experience in teaching, curriculum development, and management and leadership. Mrs. Lopez has taught in both private and public schools in the area and has had a successful teaching career that spans 20+ years. Rhonda is also currently an Administrator for Loudoun County Public Schools.
-
Marisa Lopez: Resident Choreographer/ Theatre Instructor
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Summer Conservatory of Theatre
The Lopez Theatre Mastery Project
Marisa Lopez received her B.A. in English from George Mason University and has been immersed in dance for over two decades, beginning her training at the age of four. Skilled in all major dance disciplines, Marisa blends her educational and creative passions currently pursuing her master’s degree in education while also advancing her professional work in the arts.
Marisa began her choreography journey as an Assistant Choreographer for Lopez Studios’ Mainstage production of Seussical Jr., later earning her first full choreography credit with Once on This Island Jr. in 2019. Since then, she has become a leading creative force and is now the Resident Choreographer at Lopez Studios, Inc., choreographing an extensive list of Mainstage and Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) productions. Her choreography credits include Legally Blonde Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Mainstage and JTF), Newsies Jr., Shrek (Mainstage and JTF), Mean Girls Jr., Aladdin Jr. (Mainstage and JTF), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Mainstage and currently JTF), High School Musical Jr., and Beetlejuice Jr. She is also the choreographer for the new TLTMP program and is currently choreographing the upcoming production of Six: The Musical.
In addition to her choreography work, Marisa plays an integral role year-round in the Lopez Studios administration office and teaches specialty classes. She leads the Dance College Prep program, where she assists aspiring performers with audition choreography, filming self-tapes, and preparing submissions for college performance programs.
As a performer, Marisa has appeared in numerous Lopez Studios productions including Aladdin Jr., Seussical Jr., The Lion King Jr., Xanadu Jr., and Once on This Island Jr. She was featured for two consecutive years in MTI’s official Choreography DVD filming in New York City and has received multiple honors, including three All-Star Awards and the Student Choreographer/Director Award at the 2020 Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, GA. Most recently, she helped Lopez Studios earn the 2024 Dance Award at JTF.
Outside of the studio, Marisa is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, releasing original music under the artist name Marisa Loren. Through both her educational pursuits and her work in the performing arts, Marisa continues to inspire young artists to follow their creativity with passion, purpose, and professionalism.
-
Megan Swezey: Acting Instructor/Coach & After School Program Director
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Meg Swezey is the After School Program Director, Specialty Class Instructor, and
is the Acting Coach for most Mainstage productions as well as the Acting Instructor for private lessons. Her theatre adventure began at the age of eight when she graced the stage as a donkey in Pinocchio at Peter Pan Players in Shreveport, Louisiana.
At Lopez Studios, she has served as the Acting Coach and Stage Manager for several Mainstage shows including- Aladdin Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Annie Kidz, and Shrek Jr.
Mrs. Swezey received her B.A. in Communications-Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and her M.A in Theatre from Villanova University. While at Villanova, Meg
was presented with the opportunity to study Irish Drama and Playwriting for a summer in
Dublin and Galway.
Overall, Meg has worked in almost every area of theatre including directing, stage management, properties design and construction, set design and construction, costumes, lighting, spotlight, and acting. Meg Swezey is proud to be a part of the Lopez Studios Inc. team and to help coach the next generation of young
theatre-makers!
-
Rachel Sita: Acting Instructor/Coach
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Rachel Sita is a Specialty Class Instructor and Private Acting Lesson Instructor. She also works as a Summer Camp Instructor and the Acting Coach for the Lopez Summer Conservatory of Theatre. With a background in theatre, including directing, choreography, playwriting, and film, she has a deep understanding of the art of performance. Her passion for theatre began by playing a pilgrim for her second grade Thanksgiving play and has not dwindled since. She is committed to sparking curiosity, confidence, creativity, and collaboration in her students.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, where she majored in English with Creative Writing Emphasis and minored in Psychology and Theatre. At Colgate she directed productions for the theatre club and wrote plays for performance. She is currently studying at American University for her MFA in Creative Writing and Teaching. Her previous teaching experience has included acting and film instruction at the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center and leading character building workshops at Sherburne Earlville High School.
During Rachel’s time at Lopez, she has taught classes for ages 6-9 and 10-15, focusing on acting fundamentals, theory, improvisation, and performance technique, ranging in levels of advancement. She has been the Acting Coach for High School Musical Jr. this past Summer and has led camps in acting and musical theatre. She also greatly values her private lesson students and her emphasis around growth mindsets. She will be an instructor for specialty classes this Spring, a Technical and Acting Assistant on Beetlejuice Jr., and the Acting Coach for Descendants this Summer.
-
Molly Manhoff: Piano & Vocal Instructor/Coach
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Summer Conservatory of Theatre
Molly Manhoff joins Lopez Studios as a dynamic private Voice and Piano Instructor, Group Vocal Coach, and Music Director for our Kids Main Stage Program, bringing a rare blend of high-level performance, scholarship, and heart for young artists. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Bucknell University with a B.A. in English Literary Studies and Music and a minor in Italian Studies, and has performed widely in opera, musical theatre, choral, and concert settings, with roles in works such as *The Telephone*, *Little Shop of Horrors*, and *Hansel and Gretel*, as well as extensive experience with Bucknell Voice Lab, Bucknell University Choir, SongFest, and the Chamber Music Collective. Her multiple academic and music awards reflect a disciplined, thoughtful artist who cares deeply about performance practice and keeping the performing arts alive, relevant, and engaging for the next generation.
In the studio and rehearsal room, Molly is equally committed to cultivating community and confidence in young performers. She has led sections and mentored singers as a Choral Scholar and Section Leader, and she brings strong skills in communication, organization, and creative planning from her work in arts administration and student leadership. With 11 years of piano study, additional experience on guitar, and a particular love for ensemble-centric performance, Molly is perfectly suited to guide individual students, lead vibrant group vocal classes, and shape our Kids Main Stage productions with musical excellence and a nurturing, student-centered approach that beautifully reflects the philosophy of Lopez Studios.
-
Jessica Gross: Social Media/Content Creator Team Lead
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Jessica Gross is a rising junior at the University of Mary Washington, where she is double-majoring in Theatre and Marketing with minors in Arts Administration and Musical Theatre. Her passion for performing arts began in her freshman year of high school with Lopez Studios’ production of Matilda Jr. Since then, she’s performed in various Lopez productions, including Aladdin Jr., Shrek Jr., and Beauty and the Beast Jr. Jessica has also represented Lopez Studios Inc. at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Ga. in both 2023 and 2024, earning the All-Star award each year.
In addition to performing, Jessica has spent the past four summers working as a camp counselor with Lopez Studios. Now, returning not as a student but as an official member of the staff, she’s excited to share her creativity, experience, and love for the arts with the next generation of performers. She is thrilled to join the Social Media/Content Creator Team!
-
Hallie Bisaga: Adjunct Music Director
ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS:
Summer Conservatory of Theatre
Hallie Bisaga grew up in Northern Virginia and is a Lopez Studios alumna. She began her journey in performing arts with lessons in piano, voice, and later acting. She also participated in Lopez's summer camps and conservatory-style musical productions as she discovered an immense love and passion for music & the performing arts. Hallie went on to study music education in college and later earned a master's degree in vocal performance from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she caught the bug to become a recording artist. She has taught private music lessons for 12+ years and directed vocals for five summer productions at Lopez Studios. Hallie loves musical theater and considers it a great privilege to share her life's work with the wonderful students at Lopez Studios, Inc.!
