LINDI LINDSEY CONNALLY has been passionately dancing since she was 5 years old.  Lindi is a home grown sun-ripened Abilenian. She is happily married to Mark and they have a son, Matthew and a daughter Abba.  She is thankful that her life is richly blessed. As a child, Lindi took ballet and tap from The Dotty Botkin Dance studio for ten years. In High School, she enjoyed two years of being on the Cooper High School Cougarette Drill Team.  Her senior year, Lindi was Captain of the team and received Outstanding dancer from ADTS.  She studied dance at Dance Discovery studios where she also performed with the Chameleon Dance Company.  Lindi attended Hardin-Simmon University. As an adult, Lindi expressed herself through liturgical dancing at her home church and other community churches and gatherings.  She also taught Lyrical and Tap at Turning Pointe Academy of Performing Arts.  After taking a nine year break from dance to enjoy her roll as a wife and mom, Lindi and her daughter, Abba, joined the APAC family.  Once she got her feet a flappin’ again in the advanced tap class, she knew she couldn’t stop!  In Summer 2010, Lindi began teaching preschool dance for APAC’s summer camps and has joined the APAC staff as a Dance Instructor. She is so excited and proud to be apart of this amazing performing family! Lindi teaches First Steps, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. 

AMANDA ETTER has been dancing since the age of 5 and grew up attending a variety of dance classes in studios across Houston and Austin, Texas. Growing up, Amanda found her passion to be jazz and music.  Amanda continued to dance, peruse cheerleading, and the violin from elementary through high school. Through the years, Amanda was recognized with several dance awards, including “Dancer of the Year” and “Outstanding Dancer” in high school. After graduating high school, she moved to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University where she continued her passion for violin and dance; taking lessons under Dr.  Peter Isaacson, and becoming a member of the nationally ranked the Spurs Dance Team. The Spurs Dance Team became nationally recognized winning a national dance championship in the spring of 2004, and winning consistent Outstanding Team and Dancer accolades at UDA Dance Camp. Throughout her college career as a dancer, Amanda continued to choreograph and help judge various dance team auditions locally.  Amanda graduated in May of 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Telecommunication and Spanish. As a dancer, she has learned discipline, self-confidence, and to strengthen her walk with Jesus Christ, glorifying Him through all things. After graduating, Amanda has successfully choreographed award winning dance routines for various teams. While in college Amanda met her husband, Mitchell Etter who shares her love for music and fine arts. Mitchell is the headband director at Clack Middle School, in Abilene, Texas. They have a beautiful son, Owen Etter who enjoys attending Kindermusik classes at APAC. Amanda is blessed to be a part of the APAC family. Amanda teaches Musical Theatre.

ASHLEY GRAY has been dancing since the age of four and grew up attending jazz, tap, ballet, and pointe classes at the Academy of Dance Arts in Greenville, Texas. As a member of "The Northeast Texas Dance Company", she won numerous awards and performed throughout Texas. In 1999, Ashley was one of only four dancers in the United States to have successfully completed Al Gilbert's Grade VII tap exam. She has studied under Jackie Ramon, Keith Clifton, Al Gilbert, Rhonda Miller, Darryl Retter, Linda Bernabei Retter, Jackie Sleight, Laurie Johnson, Dian West, Sonya Tayeh, Joey Tarwater, Doug Caldwell, and Joe Tremaine, and she continues her own dance education by attending many dance conventions throughout the year. As a choreographer, her pieces have won top awards at Adrenaline, Tremaine, Star Systems, Starlight, Hall of Fame and other competitions. As a teacher, Ashley uses her love of dance to promote self-discipline and self-confidence in her students. Most recently, Ashley was a nine-year faculty member at Amanda’s Dance Express and Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, where she taught various dance disciplines and worked with the ADX Dance Company that competed and performed throughout Texas.  Outside the dance studio, Ashley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's and master's degree in Accounting from Texas Christian University and is a Certified Public Accountant. She also graduated from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in May, 2007 with a doctorate in jurisprudence and is currently licensed to practice law in Texas.  Ashley is married to Capt. Dustin Gray who is stationed at Dyess Air Force Base.  She is looking forward to a great year here at APAC!  Ashley teaches Ballet, Jazz, Tap and is co-director of Fusion Dance Company.

KAREN HIGGINS is an accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer. She received both her BFA/MS in Dance and Psychology at West Virginia University. She was the Director of the Children’s Dance Department at West Virginia University and staff member of the West University Dance Department.  Karen was a member of the Orchesis Modern Dance Company for eight years and founder and director of the JACDO contemporary dance company for five years in Charleston, West Virginia. Karen worked three years at The Federal Bureau o Prisons to develop an innovative wellness program that was implemented nationally throughout the federal prison system. She also worked as an adolescent addictions counselor for 6 years and served as crisis specialist for Union Carbide Corporation. Since join in the APAC team, Karen has helped develop and expand the dance and musical theatre departments. She has choreographed and staged all of the annual APAC/Paramount children’s musicals as well as develop the new musical theatre summer camps. This year she began directing Fusion Dance Company, an elite pre-professional dance company for young talented APAC dancers. She continues her work promoting the arts throughout the Abilene community as well as serving as a guest dance artist and choreographer at workshops and conventions throughout the United States.  Karen is married to Dr. Henry Higgins and they have four children, Isaac, Lauren, Ian, and Adam. Karen teaches Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and is co-director of Fusion Dance Company.

ROSEMARY HOLLINGSWORTH uses her knowledge of music and the arts and her energy for to provide unique, nurturing, and fun programming for children and their families. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University (Indiana) in Voice Performance, and a Master’s degree from Binghamton University (New York) in Voice Performance and Opera, Rosie knows how music can influence, educate, and entertain. She performed extensively in lead roles at Tri-Cities Opera (New York), and continues to perform nationally (most recently singing Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte and Adele in Die Fledermaus with The Soo Opera Theater in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan). But, nothing provides as much satisfaction as sharing music and love with children.  Moving to Abilene from Bloomington, Illinois where she owned, operated, and founded Ring Around with Rosie - a company committed to serving and loving families through artistic programming and entertainment, Miss Rosie is thrilled to join the APAC team.  She gets the opportunity to live her passion every day with her family. Her husband, Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth (Hardin-Simmons, Voice Faculty and Opera Director), and children, Colin (9) and Julia (7) provide a never ending education in life and love.  Miss Rosie instructs Private Voice and Ring Around with Rosie.

SARAH SLAUGHTER HUGHES is an accomplished and awarded actress, director, and playwright has created, performed, and taught across the U.S.A., from Texas to Washington, and from Los Angeles, to Miami. She received her BFA in Theatre and a minor in Special Education from Southwestern University of Georgetown, TX. Most recently, Sarah spent several years as a Resident Actor and Playwright at Casa Manana Theater in Fort Worth, TX. She performed for over 100,000 audience members annually, in familiar popular productions like Disney's Aladdin, Schoolhouse Rock, and also in classics such as The Sword in the Stone, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Frosty the Snowman. She was Commissioned by this regional theater to write new musical "modernly-classic" version of age old tales, like Little Red Riding Hood, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Jungle Book, and Treasure Island, to be included in their season, as well as create completely new stories such as, The Princess and the Pirate, and Santa is Missing! Sarah has also been commissioned to write musicals in South Florida, and for an acting school in Washington state. She was voted "Young Artist of the Year" award by the Live Theater League in Dallas/ Fort Worth, and  won several best actress awards throughout her college career. With Casa Manana, Sarah was also producer, choreographer, musical director, and designer for the "Casa Kids," a group of the highest level of teenage performers in the metroplex, and touring north Texas as an Outreach Program. This summer,  you'll see her playing Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde at the Paramount Theater. She is overjoyed to have found APAC, and looks forward to APAC's "dramatic" future! Sarah teaches Theatre & Musical Theatre.

ANN HURST is a 2001 graduate of McMurry University where she majored in secondary education with teaching fields in theatre arts, English and ESL.  She taught theatre arts in both Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD before leaving the public school classroom to be a stay-at-home mom.  Ann has been at APAC for nine years; directing shows, teaching classes, stage managing and directing summer camps.  Her passion is working with young people to stretch their imagination muscle through the art of theatre. Some of her directing credits include Singin' in the Rain, Guys and Dolls Junior, Bye Bye Birdie!, Our Town and Alice in Wonderland Junior.  She is married to Luke, and has two daughters, Gracie (5) and Hannah (2). Ann Hurst heads the Theatre department.

ERIN KLUSEK is new to the APAC family this year. Erin is a 2009 graduate of Abilene Christian University with a Bachelors degree in Instrumental Music Education. During her time at ACU, she was principal clarinet of the Wind Ensemble for four years and the orchestra for two years.  She was also privileged to be a member of the ACU Big Purple Marching Band for four years and Drum Major for two years. During her college career, Erin was honored to be selected to perform at the 2009 College Band Directors National Association in Austin, Texas with a top ensemble called the Small Collegiate Honor Band. Erin is a clarinet instructor in the Abilene area, teaching in the middle schools and high schools. She is married to Brandon Kluzek, a third grade teacher at Clyde CISD. Members of their family include a dog, Ginger, and two cats, Penny and Bella. Having recalled her own experience with Kindermusik as a child, she hopes to pay forward the wonderful experience that she had to her students and to lay the musical foundation for the rest of their life. Erin teaches Kindermusik.

AMY KRAKE is currently in her eighth season with APAC. She is a 2003 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business. Amy has appeared in several HSU Musical Theatre, Abilene Collegiate Opera, and community productions including the Paramount Theatre's Summer Musicals "Smokey Joe's Café" and “Ragtime” were she was featured as Evelyn Nesbit. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional international music fraternity for women, Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society and the Kindermusik Educators Association. After noticing a void in the Abilene community of quality creative programming for young children, Amy became a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and brought Kindermusik International to APAC. Amy has worked in the Education Department of the Grace Museum, worked for Young Audiences of Abilene in both administration and performing as a contract artist, served as the Marketing & Special Events Director for Chorus Abilene, Inc., sat on the Board of Director’s for The Children’s Performing Arts Series and she taught music and drama at Kenley School for two years. Amy also previously served as the Preschool Director at Southwest Park Baptist Church, where her husband Jonathan is currently the Worship and Outreach Pastor. Jonathan and Amy praise God for their adundant life and their two precious boys, Conner (3 ½) and Camden (2). They are also the proud parents of their two adorable labs, Stanley and Ollie. Hallelujah, El Elyon, Emmanuel! Amy is the Assistant Director of APAC and she heads the Kindermusik Department.

ROB MARCELAIN is a 1991 graduate of Abilene Christian University receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre.  While there he appeared in productions of Noises Off, Othello, Midsummer's Night Dream, The Merchant Of Venice and The Man of La Mancha among others. From 1991 to 2001 he worked at the Paramount Theatre as the Technical Director. In addition to the technical duties there he also directed one years production of West Texas' Christmas Carol and A Grand Night for Singing. Rob has been married to Tammy for 13 years and they have three kids. Derek 11 and twins Jack and Sophie who are 9. Rob instructs Theatre.

BARB STOCKDALE hails from Council Bluffs, Iowa where she began her early dance training with Donna Wood. Later, while attending the University of Colorado, she trained with Leon de Isla, former principle of Ballet West, and also danced with the Rocky Mountain Ballet. Through her 33 years of teaching, she has studied with many outstanding instructors such as Bobby Burgess, Gus Giordano, Luigi, Roni Mahler, and Steven Mills. She has taught at studios and Air Force Bases in Iowa, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nebraska before sinking her roots in Abilene. During her time in Texas, Barb performed eleven years with a regional ballet company, and was a contract artist with Young Audiences of Abilene for six years. She currently teaches at Allie Ward Elementary during the day, and APAC in the evenings. Barb is married to Mark, and is the very proud mom of Chris, an APAC student, Steve, a senior music major at Texas Tech, and Drum Major of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland , and Meredith, a first grade teacher in Cedar Park, TX. This summer Barb will add “mother-in-law” to her list of titles as Meredith marries Adam Wooderson of Austin, TX. Barb teaches Ballet & Tap.

KRISTIN WARD joined the faculty of APAC in 2007 as a Kindermusik instructor. She and her husband Steven joined the music faculty of Abilene Christian University in 2006, where she serves as instructor of clarinet, and teaches courses in the areas of jazz voice, music education, and ear training. Kristin previously taught at Hope College and Alma College in Michigan as well as Eastern Oregon University. She holds a master's degree in clarinet performance from Michigan State University, and has a bachelor's degree in music education from Abilene Christian University. As a clarinetist, she performs with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and has also performed throughout Michigan and Oregon, including the Grand Rapids, Lansing, West Shore, Midland, and Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestras. She has appeared as soloist with the ACU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band as well as the Hope College Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, and Wind Symphony; Michigan State University Wind Symphony, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Concert Band; and the Grande Ronde Symphonic Band. Also an accomplished jazz vocalist, Kristin performed in the 1997 Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival and was a participant in the International Association of Jazz Educators pilot program "Sisters in Jazz." Kristin has been published in the Clarinet Journal and taught in the summers at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She taught in the Kindermusik of Holland, MI studio from 2001-2006. She is married to Steven Ward, Director of Bands and Orchestra at ACU, and they have two children Joshua and Karissa. Kristin teaches Kindermusik.

KAYLA WEINKAUF hails from Wichita Falls, Texas where she spent her youth participating in summer musicals at Backdoor Theater. A 2007 graduate of McMurry University, Kayla received her Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre Education after years of acting in dramas, comedies and musicals. Some of her favorites include The Wiz, The Heiress, Noises Off, Zombie Prom and Wait Until Dark. At McMurry she won numerous faculty, student and community acting awards. Kayla is also an accomplished writer. Her original one-act play was produced and performed at Ryan Little Theatre and her poetry is featured in the Galleon Literary Magazine. From 2004 to 2007 she was a member of Voices Unmasked, a group that performed skits for the Safe and Drug-Free school programs sponsored by Region 14 ESC. She has performed, presented workshops and lead drama residencies at area elementary schools through Young Audiences of Abilene for the past six years. Kayla is passionate about excellence in education, working with children and all forms of art. She feels the freedom we have to express ourselves through art is one of life's most cherished gifts. She is proud and excited to be co-teaching at APAC. She and her husband Derek are the proud parents of a fun-loving, high energy daughter, Ellis Cate (2). Kayla teaches Theatre.

LANIE WESTMAN is a 1993 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Lanie married in the summer of 1993 and began teaching Elementary Music in the fall with AISD.  In January, 2001 she was hired as the Executive Director of Abilene Performing Arts Company.  Along with directing and teaching at APAC Lanie continues to perform and has done so with the Abilene Opera Association, McMurry Summer Dinner Theatre, ACT Theatre, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Paramount Productions, and is a contracted artist with Young Audiences of Abilene as a member of The Paramount Players.  Lanie has appeared in the Paramount Theatre's Summer Musical Productions “Swing,” "Smokey Joe's Café," and was featured as Mother in "Ragtime.” Lanie is married to Rob Westman and they are proud parents of two boys; Joshua, an eighth-grade student at Craig Middle School and Jess, a fifth-grade McMurry Magnet student in AISD.  The remaining Westman’s have more than two legs, Muffy, Pixie, Sweden & Elsa.  Lanie is the Executive Director of APAC.