Dance, Leadership Gary Ricke Dance, Leadership Gary Ricke

Randy Duncan

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.

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Dance, Leadership Gary Ricke Dance, Leadership Gary Ricke

Patrick Simoniello

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. 

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Musical Theatre, Leadership Gary Ricke Musical Theatre, Leadership Gary Ricke

Andrew Robinson

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.

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Music, Leadership Gary Ricke Music, Leadership Gary Ricke

Rachel Brown

Chair • Music Department

Praised for her “Gleaming tone and Hollywood glamour” (Chicago Classical Review), Rachel Brown is a Chicago-based chamber musician, soloist, orchestral performer, educator, and arts administrator.

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Media Arts, Leadership Gary Ricke Media Arts, Leadership Gary Ricke

Sarah Hiatt

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.

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Visual Arts, Leadership Gary Ricke Visual Arts, Leadership Gary Ricke

Margy Stover

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.

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Theatre, Leadership Gary Ricke Theatre, Leadership Gary Ricke

Ben Dicke

Chair • 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.

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Math Science Tech, Leadership Gary Ricke Math Science Tech, Leadership Gary Ricke

Melissa Metelits

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.

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Admin, Leadership Gary Ricke Admin, Leadership Gary Ricke

Elizabeth Cunningham

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.

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Musical Theatre, Theatre, Admin, Leadership Gary Ricke Musical Theatre, Theatre, Admin, Leadership Gary Ricke

Emily Luhrs

Chief of Staff / Theatre Faculty

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.

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