Emily Mixon
Emily Mixon was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida along with her six siblings, a modern-day ''Von Trapp'' family. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. In her formative years, she studied acting, voice, piano, flute, and began her dance training at the age of three with Kaleidoscope & Ballet Pensacola. Regionally, Emily has performed at Pensacola Little Theater, Pensacola State College, University of West Florida, and the Summer Lyric Theater at Tulane University. Some of her favorite performing opportunities were Queenie in The Wild Party at the Boston Conservatory and at the 45th Street Theater in NYC for the Musicals Tonight! staged reading of Good News. Most recently, Emily played Mrs. White in Clue: On Stage and the Stepmother in Cinderella at PLT.
Emily was a member of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and later returned home to serve as a resident choreographer for PCC: creating movement for over 300 performers. She directed and choreographed the 2015 production of Seaplane at the Saenger Theater. Emily’s work has also been seen on the stages of Pensacola Little Theater and Pensacola State College. From 2010 - 2020, she served as Co-founder and Head Instructor of Broadway Dance Machine at Ballet Pensacola. She was a Teaching Artist with the Pensacola Opera while serving as Adjunct Faculty in the Theater Department of the University of West Florida. A passionate and dedicated educator, Emily taught Theater and Dance at Escambia High School and also served on the fine arts faculty at Creative Learning Academy. She’s led students to high level rankings and awards at the District One and Florida State Thespian Festivals.
In 2020, Emily came to the rescue of her sister’s family. She created a fine arts curriculum for her nephews to help provide healthy activities while the pandemic raged on. Emily helped them develop confidence and an appreciation for performing arts and musical theater. After only two months, she had those boys doing barrel turns and Brooklyn accents. This grassroots pandemic production fueled a spark in Emily that is now Mixon Magic Performing Arts. Emily realized that this programming was something she could provide for children of all ages. She has a distinct gift of working with a variety of skill levels, aiming to educate, encourage, and inspire with a spirit of excellence. Emily consistently motivates performers to reach their highest level.
Artistic Director & Instructor
Donna Mixon
Donna Mixon is Miss Emily ‘s Mom, Business Manager, and an Instructor at MMPA! Donna graduated with a BFA in Theatre, with a Minor in Dance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1968. That same year, she and Dr. Fred, her childhood sweetheart, were married; during his years of Medical School and Residency as a Family Physician, they enjoyed a stint in the Navy, and decided to call Pensacola home. They were blessed with seven wonderful children that all manifested a passion for the Arts. After 34 years of being a Home Manager, Miss Emily convinced Ms. Donna to audition for the role of Mame Dennis Burnside in a production of Mame at PLT, and to her surprise, she booked the role. She received a Vera and Crystal Award for her performance in 2002. Other roles followed as Clairee in Steel Magnolias at PLT, and Mrs. Harcourt in Anything Goes at PSC, and Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka, directed by Miss Emily for PLT’s Treehouse Theatre.
Donna developed her administrative skills during Dr. Fred’s Medical School education in New Orleans while employed by Davis Oil Company. She was an avid volunteer with the Pensacola Children’s Chorus serving as Props Mistress, Choreogapher, Production Coordinator, Choir Representative, and Director of The Rock Slinger, a PCC Pizazz Summer Production. Most recently, Donna Co-Directed a Curtains Up Production with Miss Emily of Rescue in the Night at First Baptist Church.
FUN FACT: Donna had two dreams for her life, one was to be on Broadway, and the other was working with children to instill encouragement, training, and confidence so they could enjoy the same joy she experienced when performing. Miss Emily and MMPA have made that dream come true even at 75! Broadway will just have to wait!
Business Manager & Instructor
Erin Lapaglia-Kottler
Erin Lapaglia – Kottler is from Austin, Texas. Since the age of six, she has been dancing and began training seriously at age eleven. She trained with many ballet schools and performed with several dance companies in Austin. In addition, Miss Erin has studied at summer programs with the Virginia School of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School, School of Alberta Ballet, and Ballet Austin. At 18 years old, she moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to study as a Pre-Professional/Trainee at The Alberta Ballet School. In 2010, she moved to Pensacola to perform as a professional with Ballet Pensacola. Over the next 8 years, she brought magic to that stage dancing in The Nutcracker, Wizards and Warriors and Thunderstruck. In 2018, Miss Erin married Mr. Jordan Kottler, and they have two magical children.
Miss Erin’s passion for teaching started as a student teacher at age 14. She teaches Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Modern and Creative Movement, and now Miss Erin is so excited to join Mixon Magic and share her love of dance with the next generation of young stars.
Preschool Dance
Hayley Earle
Hayley Earle graduated from Samford University with a degree in education and a minor in dance. Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, she has been dancing for over twenty years throughout the United States. Hayley was a member of the Samford Dance Company from 2017-2021. Also while in Birmingham, she was a part of Sanspointe, which is a professional modern dance company. In July of 2021, Hayley moved to Pensacola to teach 3rd Grade at N.B. Cook Elementary School of the Arts and after one month, transitioned to the full time dance instructor. As a performer, her most recent credits include A Chorus Line and Cinderella at PLT and HERE with Sanspointe. Hayley is well-versed in many dance styles including tap which she loves teaching to children. She looks forward to joining Miss Emily in providing quality training to the Mixon Magic family.
Preschool Dance
Isabella Pinzone
Isabella Pinzone is a recent graduate of Alethia Christian Academy and thrilled to be Instructing at Mixon Magic Performing Arts after studying with Miss Emily for the past two years. Isabella trained with LaBelle Performing Arts and received high honors at multiple dance competitions and conventions during her time there. She has performed on stages in the Northwest Florida area and beyond that include: Stage Crafters, Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola State College, and Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre. Most recently, Isabella played the role of Judy in A Chorus Line, for which she won a Crystal Award. Isabella assisted Miss Emily with a variety of classes while enrolled in Advanced Broadway Dance and Advanced Tap. She is excited to spend the year giving her magic to Pensacola while her bright future awaits!
