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.

Director of Advancement

Dr. Scott Stewart is a passionate advocate for the arts & culture landscape as a critical element in the equitable development of vibrant, resilient, and accessible neighborhoods, communities, and cities.

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.

Assistant Principal / Director of Learning Resources

Elizabeth Cunningham is the Assistant Principal and also oversees Learning Resources for diverse learners. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education and a Bachelor Degree in Art, both from Loyola University Chicago.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Joseph (Joe) Hulbert has worked at The Academy since the fall of 2014, serving as Director of Strategic Initiatives. Joe has over two decades of experience working at the intersection of education and community arts.

Co-Chair • Humanities

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

Director of Operations / Faculty • Theatre

Emily Luhrs is a collaborative leader and educator with more than a decade of experience spanning arts education, school operations, and professional performance. She began her work at The Chicago Academy for the Arts in 2017 as a guest teaching artist and director of special programs for Middle School Programs.

Manager of Strategic Communications / Director of Middle School Programs / Faculty • Theatre

Sarah Grant has been a faculty member at the Academy since 2019, where she directs and teaches in the Theatre and Musical Theatre Departments. She holds a master’s degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago.