PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

Having begun her own theatrical training at Dayspring, April has a unique understanding of the program and how to help students achieve their full potential in a limited amount of time, all while passing on her love for theater to the next generation. With a BFA in Theater from Stephens College April has directed more than 30 musicals here at DaySpring. Some of her favorites include Finding Nemo (2024), Les Miserables (2021), Beauty and the Beast (2018), and Jane Eyre (2015).

Alecia is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Minors in Music and Drama, and a Master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a licensed and certified Speech Language Pathologist. She has over 23 years of teaching experience, as a behavioral therapist, speech pathologist, classroom teacher, children's choir director, co/op science teacher, homeschool teacher, and music director. Her love of performance led her children to Dayspring years ago, and she is thrilled to continue helping kiddos find and use their voices.

Sheri Lyn Terry, Performing Arts and Art Educator, enjoys teaching and directing numerous youth musicals, fairy tales and melodramas in schools, camps, and community centers. Some of her favorites are Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, The Little Mermaid, and Alice in Wonderland. She directed Be A Star On Stage for 9 years in Maryland Heights, MO. She also has produced themed Variety Shows with senior adults and welcomes students of all ages to collaborate with her to make a production a rewarding experience for all.

An avid world folk dancer who shares her love for dance with her students, Ms. Terry believes that all creativity is interconnected and translates into any medium one is currently working in. With 20 plus years of experience she holds Missouri teacher certifications in Speech/Theatre, Art, ELA, ECE and FACS. She is delighted to have been involved with Dayspring Arts since 2023.

Katie is a graduate from Stephens College with a BFA in Acting. While at Stephens, Katie acted, directed, designed, stage managed, and everything in between. Since moving back to St. Louis, she’s worked on multiple productions as a props designer and scenic painter for professional companies as well as high school theatre programs (where she teaches students prop building and painting techniques and how to work with props/scenery on stage). Teaching, especially in the arts, has been a passion of hers since she was in classes herself. Being a quirky kid from a small town, the arts provided her with a sense of belonging, and it was then that she made it her mission to continue to give kids that same opportunity.

Jenny graduated in 2024 with a BA in Theatre and a Minor in Dance from Missouri Baptist University. She has performed in a variety of roles over the past fourteen years, participating in over 40 shows as a performer, choreographer, director, painter, lighting designer, set designer, and more. Most recently, Jenny has performed with The Paul Bunyan Playhouse and STL Rhythm Collaborative in their professional seasons. Jenny also loves teaching and works as a dance instructor, musical theatre teacher, and acting coach.

After being bribed by her family, at the age of 5, Rachel started her performance career in the arts. She has her bachelors in Theatre as well as Psychology. She believes as theatre artists it is important to understand the people whose stories you are telling.

Rachel has been teaching at Dayspring since 2022 and before that taught at Stages Performing Arts Academy. Over the past 8 years she has professionally directed, performed, stage managed, and costumed for different theatres in the St. Louis area.

Alexandar Johnson is a 10 year member of the Ambassadors Of Harmony, 5 time international champion chorus. Alex is a former 10 year member of the Recruits chorus, the youth counterpart to the Ambassadors Of Harmony. Alex is a Young Artist with the St. Louis Symphony InUnison Chorus, going into my 4th season! Currently he is the head director at Hazlewood West High! This is his 4th year teaching and my 2nd as the head director! He’s done around 12 musicals in his 11 years of being in musical theater.