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Meet Our Teaching Artists
Katherine Petersma is a Kansas City native artist and performer. Katherine graduated from Manhattan Christian College with a B.S. in Social Justice. She has also had the privilege to learn and grow under many tremendous teachers and performers in the areas of acting, voice and dance. Katherine has performed with many theatre companies in the KC area, but when she's not on stage or teaching, Katherine works as a professional Party Princess. Katherine is a lover of creativity and is passionate about creating an environment where students can come be their truest selves and explore their own personal artistry.
Steve Uffman's background in music started with karaoke, back then music for him was just a hobby, over time however it has grown to be his sole focus. He sang with Men's Glee Choir at K State while in college. When I moved to Kansas City I joined Central Standard, a barbershop chorus. With C.S. they won a third place medal in the world at the international competition. After that he joined a garage band called Everybody's Sister. He has worked at various music schools in the Kansas City area. He started out as a vocal substitute teacher at the Music House, worked at the School of Rock teaching lessons as well as group classes. Steve was also the director responsible for various different themed Rock Camps. Because of his vocal background I believe that if you can sing it you can play it. Music is obtainable for people of all ages and skill levels. Steve am committed to guiding students toward their goals, and helping them thrive in the world of music.
Dawson Utt is a 2023 graduate from Bishop Miege High School. He has been in 28 different stage productions, 13 of which were at Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. He has been involved in both Middle and Highschool productions as well as with The Barn Players and The Culture House.
Rachael Berg is a musician and teacher in the Kansas City area. She received her degree in music education from the University of Georgia in 2011 and has since taught music in many different capacities. Currently, she is a Teaching Artist with Harmony Project KC and the music teacher at Mount Olive Lutheran School. She is also an active violinist with the Saint Joseph Symphony and other ensembles throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Cody Kreutzer is excited to begin his first year as a teaching artist at JCPRD! He is originally from Hays, KS and has a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre, Master's Degree in Music from Fort Hays State University and is pursuing a Master's Degree in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management from Colorado State University. Cody has been very active in theatre around the area since moving to the KC area in August of 2021.
Adelaide Fisher joins JCPRD for her second year of teaching, and she is excited to be back! Along with her knowledge of acting and technical theater, she is a published playwright through the Enough! Project and has had her work performed in their nationwide reading. Currently a student at Florida Gulf Coast University, Adelaide is also an active member of their improv club and performs with their competitive team.
Alexa Morgan is a rising senior at Texas Christian University, pursuing a BFA in Acting. Growing up, she spent her summers performing at Theatre in the Park and other venues around KC. She loves to sing, play guitar, and bake! At school she is involved in many on campus organizations and is a resident assistant and teaching assistant for a class welcoming first year students. She’s excited to spend another summer filled with the next generation of artists!
Kaycee Speiser loves traveling and spending time with family. She have been in ten musicals, one play and have taken countless jazz, singing, and musical theater classes. Kaycee has helped with tech, props, costumes and backstage. In 2017, Kaycee began swing dancing and has enjoyed it ever since-whether teaching or doing it herself. Kaycee was also able to assist and cameo in the movie Accidental Family as an Associate Producer, Production Assistant, Script Supervisor and Extra.
Isabelle Simmonds is a recent graduate high school from Shawnee Mission East. She has participated in theatre camps since the 3rd grade and is excited to finally be working at them. Isabelle can be found at the Arts and Heritage Center this summer assisting with the Broadway Belters camp, a personal favorite of hers.
Lucas Lowry is a Kansas City based actor, singer, dancer, and dreamer. He recently obtained a double major in Vocal Music Education and Musical Theatre from Wichita State University. Proud to come from a Hispanic and African American background, Lucas has had the joyous opportunity to explore a significant number of characters in musical theatre and his goal is to continue his journey to spread the love of entertainment to crowds around the world. He leaves his footprint in Lenexa, KS where he attended Shawnee Mission West HS and has previously been in Professional/Community/School productions including: The Kansas City premiere of Newsies! where he portrayed the role of “Crutchie”, “Charlie Brown” (A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Coterie), “Graffiti Pete” (In the Heights, Music Theatre Heritage) “Scarecrow” (The Wiz, Roxy’s Downtown), and “Chad” in All Shook Up where he won the Blue Star for “Best Lead Actor” and was a nominee for the 2016 Jimmy Awards. When he’s not on the stage, Lucas teaches piano/voice lessons and musical theatre camps here at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.
Mckenna Lewis is a rising Senior at Wichita State University pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She has taught and choreographed for Music Theatre Kansas City, StageworX, Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice, and Music Theatre Wichita. She is thrilled to work with the next generation of artists this summer and help them find their most confident selves!
Erin Simon is thrilled to be joining the team at JCPRD as a Teaching Artist in the performing arts program. With a background as a youth coach, Erin is all about celebrating what makes each child extraordinary and nurturing their personal growth. Her goal is to create an inclusive, fun, and interactive environment where every child feels like a star. She is looking forward to igniting a love for performing arts in our young students!