Our Teachers
Emmy Hadley
High School: Shawnee Mission East
College: University of Missouri-Kansas City, BA Communication
Recent Credits: Singer/Dancer at Worlds of Fun (Cedar Fair Entertainment), Director of Choreography at Stage Right Performing Arts, Competition Dance Adjudicator for DanceOut National Dance Competition
Favorite thing about teaching: “Lightbulb” moments! There’s nothing better than watching a student conquer a fear or master a difficult step. I love celebrating ALL wins big or small!
Emma King
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas
College: Drury University, degree in Music Therapy
Recent Credits: Emma King is a board certified music therapist. Emma grew up in the Kansas City Area. She attended Drury University where she obtained her degree in music therapy. Emma has studied piano and voice since she was young. She also plays guitar and ukulele. When she is not teaching, Emma enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and cat. On a free weekend, you can find Emma going on walks, trying new restaurants or finding live music to listen to.
Darrington Clark
High School: Ruskin
College: Kansas State University, BS Theatre and Journalism
Recent Credits: Christmas Carol (KC Rep); The Wiz (Children’s Theatre of Madison); Once on This Island (Spinning Tree); Garfield, We Shall Not Be Moved, Madagascar - A Musical Adventure (The Coterie); Ghost (Circa 21);
Other Work: Darrington is also the Assistant Creative Director at Stage Right Performing Arts
Kathleen Mitchell
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas
College: Millikin University, Musical Theatre BFA
Recent Credits: Kathleen has performed in and music directed local KC productions. She is currently the music teacher at Ascension Grade School in Overland Park!
Favorite Thing About Teaching: Getting to see students’ “lightbulb” moments when they latch on to a concept!
David Gomez
High School: Shawnee Mission West
College: Pace University, Musical Theatre; NYU, Musical Theatre Writing
Recent Credits: Choreographer / director for productions such as James and the Giant Peach, White Christmas, and High School Musical
Other Work: Guest artist with musicals developing at Montclair State University, Leads Conservatoire, and British Youth Music Theatre. As a proud alumnus of SM West, Miller Marley and MTKC, David is passionate about the ways teaching the arts can bring communities together and create collective joy, empowerment, and connection.
Ashley Kennedy
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas
College: Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, BFA Musical Theatre
Recent Credits: A Christmas Story (MTKC); Boardwalk Empire
Favorite thing about teaching: I love being able to see children’s lightbulb come on when they figure something amazing out. I will never forget when I had my lightbulb moment in acting class in college. I want to share that with kids striving to pursue musical theatre!
Jess Heilman
College: University of Kansas, degree in Music Therapy
Recent Credits: Currently teaches piano, ukulele and guitar lessons and is a music therapist at Children’s Mercy in KC!