Head of School

Melinda Zacher Ronayne, Ed.D., is the Head of School at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. She brings a visionary leadership style shaped by more than two decades of experience in arts institutions across the country.

Private Lessons Instructor

Jesse Langen is a guitarist who specializes in new music. He works with living composers regularly and premieres dozens of pieces every season. He has taught at The Academy since 2002.

Interim Associate Head of School • Humanities Faculty

Nicholas Roux is the Interim Associate Head of School and the Co-Chair of the Humanities Department and teaches upper-level courses in literature and philosophy.

Chair • Music • Director of Community Engagement

Originally from the Islands of The Bahamas, Dr. Ty Chiko has been an international performance artist, visual artist, entrepreneur, and disability advocate for over two decades. He has received national recognition from the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas, along with the Bahamas Independence Committee for his contributions to the arts, and is listed as one of the country's Top 40 Under 40.

Director of Enrollment Management

Sophie Lane Oliver is a queer interdisciplinary artist, educator, and lifelong learner who joined The Chicago Academy for the Arts in January 2026. With a BFA from the Gwen Frostic School of Art at WMU and several years in arts admissions at SAIC, Sophie is passionate about connecting young artists to the resources and education that shape lifelong, sustainable creative practices.

Chair • Dance

Randy Duncan, a native Chicagoan, has the unique privilege to be a three-time recipient of Chicago’s prestigious Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Choreographer of the year. He teaches worldwide and has been an integral part of The Academy faculty for over 30 years.

Assistant Chair • Dance

Patrick Simoniello began his professional career as a dancer with The Joffrey II Dancers in New York City in 1993. He was soon promoted to the main company of The Joffrey in 1994. 

Co-Chair • Humanities

Anna earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in French Literature from the University of Illinois, Chicago, where she also taught before coming to the Academy. 

Chair • Musical Theatre

Andrew Robinson earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Religion from Rhodes College, his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University, and his Master of Arts in Educational Theatre from New York University.

Chair • Media Arts

Sarah Hiatt is an artist and educator born and raised in the Ozarks. She uses photography to explore the ideas of grief, innocence, and growing up. Her work has been shown in various locations throughout the United States and internationally.

Chair • Visual Arts

Margy Stover has taught at The Academy since 2003 and has been Visual Arts Department Chair since 2008. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute and Master of Fine Arts from SUNY Buffalo.

Chair • Math, Science, and Technology

Melissa Metelits, a faculty member since 2018, combines her passion for math, creativity, and storytelling, teaching advanced courses like AP Calculus and AP Computer Science while inspiring students to approach learning with confidence and curiosity.

Faculty • Dance

MMe Peff, born in New York City, trained with Margaret Craske as well as with the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre School. She graduated from the famous High School of Performing Arts. She taught at Steps NYC for over 30 years.

Faculty • Theatre

Alison Dornheggen worked as a guest artist at The Academy for a number of years before joining the faculty of the Theater department to teach directing in 2024.

Faculty • Dance

Jonathan Schang is one of Chicago’s busiest and most in-demand Modern and Ballet dance accompanists. He has been commissioned to compose and perform for a number of performances, recitals, and classes by companies and schools across the city.

Admissions Associate

Grania is a proud graduate of The Academy's Theatre Department, having appeared in numerous productions as well as serving as the Director of the annual AIDS Benefit. Now she serves prospective students and their families.

Faculty • Theatre

has been an arts educator since 2018. Her teaching artist work at the Academy began through directing support during Shakespeare festivals and Middle School Programs.

Faculty • Visual Arts

An Emard graduated with an MFA from the Art Theory Practice program at Northwestern University and with a BA from Bennington College. They have exhibited artwork in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, among others.

Faculty • Theatre

Ben Dicke holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education from Sterling College. He has worked as a professional actor for twenty years in regional markets throughout the country.

Chair • Theatre • Director of Marketing and Special Programs

Sarah Grant has been a faculty member at the Academy since 2019. She holds a master’s degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago.