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, MT-BC
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, MT-BC
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!
Claire Raver, MT-BC
High School: Ankeny Centennial High School
College: University of Kansas, Bachelor’s in Music Therapy, minor in
Psychology
Recent Credits: Claire Raver is a board-certified music therapist who obtained her degree from the University of Kansas. Claire grew up in the Des Moines area, participating in choir and band both in school and around the community. Claire studied percussion, piano, and voice growing up, and transitioned to studying guitar and classical voice in college. For the last year, she has been working as a pediatric medical music therapist, church musician, and choral member of the SLSO. Claire recently moved to the KC area to work at University of Kansas Health System as an MTBC!
Christina Kromminga
Bio: Christina Kromminga is a certified K-12 Music Teacher. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University with an emphasis in flute. In college she was a flute & piccolo player for the wind ensemble and marching band, pianist in Jazz band, and briefly sang in the choir. In addition to flute and piano, she also enjoys guitar, ukulele, and recorders!
After graduating, Christina went on to teach 6 years of elementary music back home in the KC area. During two of those years, 13 of her choir students were chosen for the KMEA State Elementary Choir: 8 in 2020 and 5 in 2023. During her time teaching, Christina completed three levels of the Orff Shulwerk through Baker University. She also played flute in the Midwest Winds, a local wind ensemble. In 2024 Christina became a stay at home mom, and now is excited to teach again. When she's not taking care of her 3 children, Christina enjoys running, racing and cheering on her husband who is a runner and cross country coach.