Krisha Despenas is a Tampa native and distinguished alumni graduate of Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy. She began dancing with Mary Jo in 1985, was a member of Dance Encore and has been teaching numerous disciplines of dance at the Academy since 1991. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Krisha is certified to teach through Dance Masters of America and has participated in Florida Dance Masters Intensive Training Program.

Krisha performed as an Imagineer with the renowned Cirque Productions in Paris, France and Amelia Island. Her other performing credits include: The Busch Gardens Olympic Send Off Show, a singer/dancer abroad the MS Tropic Star of Starlite Cruise Lines and in local productions of South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Follies and Jesus Christ Superstar. Krisha served as Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain of Fiddler on the Roof, Nunsense and Jesus Christ Superstar for St. Paul Summer Theatre Productions. She has also choreographed productions of Children of the Day, Bye, Bye Birdie, Fabulous Fifties, The Music Man, Fame, and Godspell for Tampa Bay Triple Threat Theatre. Her choreography for the Universal Movement Performing Arts Company has received numerous awards at both Regional and National Competitions.

Krisha is a Director of Universal Movement Performing Arts Company and serves on the Board of the Tampa Bay Triple Threat Theatre.