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 Dance and co-Directs Fusion Dance Company. 

JULEE GUNN has been dancing since she was 3 years old at Cindy’s School of Dance in Allen, Texas. Julee took all forms of dance including jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, pointe, lyrical and baton. When she was 7 she joined Cindy’s competition team, Encore Dance Company, and competed in competitions all over Texas as well as several nationals’ competitions in Las Vegas and got the opportunity to perform on a carnival cruise line ship. During her time on the team she was awarded a convention scholarship for tap at the “JUMP” convention. At the age of 15 she began teaching dance classes in all subjects until she graduated in 2009. Julee continued to dance on the Hardin Simmons Spurs Dance Team when she moved to Hardin Simmons University. She is now continuing to dance on the Spurs Dance Team as well as pursuing a degree in elementary education with a focus on special needs from Hardin Simmons University. Julee has loved the opportunity that God has placed in her life to glorify him through the expression of dance. She can not wait to get involved in APAC and allow God to use her to glorify him and his message. Julee instructs Dance.

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 (11) and Julia (9) provide a never ending education in life and love.  Miss Rosie instructs Ring Around with Rosie, Vocal Technique and Private Voice Lessons.

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 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 eleven 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.  In addition to teaching as APAC, Ann is also an English teacher at Wylie Junior High. She is married to Luke, and has two daughters, Gracie (6) and Hannah (3). Ann teaches Theatre.

AMY KRAKE is currently in her ninth 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 (5) and Camden (3). 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.

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.

RACHAEL MCCORMICK is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Theatre and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Family Psychology. Rachael has been an active member of the Theatre and Dance Community since the age of 3. She has studied dance at Etgen-Atkinson School of Ballet, Rowlett Dance Academy, London School of Dance and Tuzors Ballet School. Rachael began participating in Theatre Competitions in 2nd Grade. Since then she had performed in Hello Dolly, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sound of Music. She also choreographed and performed in the Oklahoma. Rachael had intended on majoring in Ballet in college, but felt God directing her to attend Hardin-Simmons, where she was awarded a scholarship from the Theatre Department. While attending Hardin-Simmons, Rachael continued dancing with the Spurs Dance team of which she was Captain both her Junior and Senior years. She also served as a choreographer for HSU’s SING! for three years. During her many years of dancing, Rachael began to develop a love for the health and fitness benefits that dance provides. She became certified to teach Body Jam, Body Step, Body Attack and Active Living. In addition to working at APAC, Rachael currently teaches at Hendrick Health Club and works as a Prevention Specialist with Serenity House. She and her husband, Joe, serve as the Dorm Directors for Behrens Freshman Women’s Dorm at Hardin-Simmons University. Rachael teaches Dance and Musical Theatre.

KIMBERELY MCMILLON has had the joy of dancing/performing for over 35 years.  A four year member and three year Captain of her high school Dance Team she attended Trinity Valley Community College where she was a member of the "Internationally Acclaimed" Cardette Dance Team.  As a Cardette, Kimberely served as a Freshmen Rep, two year member of the elite, nationally recognized Cardette Pom Squad, Sophomore Captain and FedEx Orange Bowl featured performer.  Her freshman year at TVCC found the Cardettes on their way to Russia- they are the first American Dance Team to ever perform in Russia.  After graduation from TVCC Kimberely headed to Hardin-Simmons University where she was a member of the Six White Horse Mounted Drill Team.  This team traveled to France and Monaco performing for thousands.  Dance had provided Kimberely with so many invaluable life lessons- one of which was the saving grace of Jesus Christ- that while a student at HSU, she founded the Spurs Dance Team- an organization unlike any other in the history of HSU.  It was her desire to reach young women for Christ through their talent of performing and encourage them to become women of integrity.  Graduating with a BBS in education and a M.Ed in counseling, Kimberely was the director and choreographer of the HSU Spurs for 15 years.  During those years the team received over 125 individual awards, 15 superior team awards, two "Top 5" National awards and they received academic National Champion in 2010.  More important than any award are the lessons learned and opportunities had to share life with so many amazing women- all through the gift of dance! Kimberely has also choreographed/instructed for Showtime International, taught several Master classes and has judged different dance events throughout the state and Southern US.  In May 2010 the Lord called Kimberely into full time ministry and she currently serves as the Minister of Childhood Education at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.  She is the proud wife of Jeff McMillon and joyful mother to Macy (11), Ellis (9) and Cullen (8). Kimberely teaches Dance.

ROBYN NELSON was born in Wichita, Kansas where she began her dancing career at the age of six. Her classical and Cecchetti ballet training started under the direction of Carol Iwasaki. By the age of eight Robyn had fallen in love with the Witchita Children's Theatre and Dance Center and began performing with the Children's Theatre Dance Company. At age fifteen, Robyn began dancing with Ballet Wichita where she performed in the yearly production fo The Nutcracker along with other annual spring concerts. Robyn studied under Marjorie Kelly, where she was trained in The Royal Academy of Dance. She was also taught by Nancy Harvey and Jill Landreth of Ballet Wichita and Katherine Esposito with whom she competed and placed in many competitions. Robyn has also attended numerous ballet and dance workshops through Wichita State University over the years. Along with dancing, Robyn enjoys keeping physically active by teaching aerobics classes and personal training. Even though Robyn's heart is always on stage performing, her real love is teaching and choreographing. Robyn will be finishing her bachelor's degree through Ashford University in Sports and Recreation Management in February of 2012. Robyn teaches Dance and Co-Directs Fusion. 

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, a 8th grader at Madison, Steve, who teaches band in Austin, and Meredith, a first grade teacher in Cedar Park, TX. Soon Barb will add “Grandma” to her list of titles as Meredith and her husband Adam are expecting a baby boy in December. Barb teaches Dance.

ANGELA TAYLOR is has been dancing for over ten years. She has been trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Clogging, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. In high school Angela was involved in Choir, Theater, and Cheerleading. She attended an award-winning studio in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Angela was also an assistant dance teacher for three years. She was a member of the company at her studio allowing her to compete and perform at many different venues such as New York Dance Alliance Nationals in New York City, Dallas Cowboy halftime performance, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and more. Shane Sparks awarded Angela a scholarship to Broadway Dance Center allowing her to take a summer of classes in New York. During high school Angela choreographed three musicals. She was nominated for a Betty Lynn Buckley Award for best student choreography. Angela is currently attending Hardin-Simmons University and majoring in Public Relations and Advertising. She was a member of the Spurs Dance Team and received 3 individual superior ribbons awarded by the Universal Dance Association. Angela attends Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene and is a member of the Pioneer College Leadership Team. She is so excited to be welcomed in the APAC family and is excited to further her learning in teaching. She is looking forward to a great year! Angela teaches Dance and co-Directs Fusion Dance Company.

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 (3). 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, a sophmore at Abilene High School and Jess, a seventh-grader at Craig Middle School.  The remaining Westman’s have more than two legs, Muffy, Pixie, Sweden & Elsa.  Lanie is the Executive Director of APAC.