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Alumni

You’ll find our alumni in many places – watch them on television programs, at the movies, see them on the stage, hear them streaming, read their published work, see their pieces in galleries and public spaces – nationally and across the globe! Over the years, SPCPA graduates have attended and been awarded scholarships to a number of top colleges. Some of these include: CALArts, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia College, Columbia University, Cornish College of the Arts, DePaul University, Evansville University, Grinnell College, The Juilliard School, New York University, Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sarah Lawrence College, St. Catherine University, Tisch School of the Arts, The University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (+ BFA Guthrie Training Program), The University of Iowa, The University of Minnesota-Duluth, The University of St. Thomas, Vassar College, and Yale University.

Our alumni say it best

generous collaboration

“SPCPA is where I learned what it means to maintain an artistic practice. It’s where I learned the importance of generous collaboration, to come from a place of curiosity and play, to organize and to be organized, to manage a chaotic schedule, to take the fear we artists feel and try my best to convert it to fuel, openness, humility, solidarity… Who would I be without SPCPA?”

- Eli Newell
Regional Theatre actor, director, writer

cultivate my adult self

“SPCPA supplied me with the space to cultivate my adult-self and the tools to dive deeper into creation. Being a thinker and mover is one of the most important things I bring to my work with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.”

- Shane Larsen
Dancer, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

i felt celebrated.

“SPCPA was the first time I felt at home with my peers. I felt celebrated, supported and I’m so grateful for the time we spent together sharing our love of acting. I still connect to this part of myself through the projects I love most, be that in improv or collaborating in films.”

- Alyssa DiVirgilio
Professional actor

Mom, I think I found my people.

“The day I met SPCPA students for the first time, I remember coming home, dropping my backpack to the floor, falling on the couch (very dramatically) and saying, “Mom, I think I found my people.”

- Rebecca Hurd
Regional Theatre Actor

Invest in Yourself.

“There is a freedom of exploration at SPCPA, whatever your interests may be, and a constant encouragement to invest in yourself. I didn’t know how much I needed that until I was there.”

- Ryan Colbert
Regional Theatre Actor, Guthrie Theater

learn how to adult​.

“SPCPA taught me a lot about independence, time management, and responsibility. An open campus is a great way to learn how to “adult”. It taught me that a career in arts/entertainment is legitimate and valuable!”

- Karina Strom​
Assistant to Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live

I Am a Professional.

“SPCPA taught me so many valuable lessons about art and life and also developed me as a multifaceted artist. Becoming educated on such a diverse range of dance forms has helped me become the dancer and choreographer I am today. I am a professional ballet dancer and choreographer that is currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan working with Grand Rapids Ballet.”

- Zach Manske
Professional Dancer, Joffrey Ballet

I Felt Inspired.

“I had an amazing experience at this arts school! From the moment I walked through the door, I felt inspired by the creativity and talent all around me. The faculty and staff were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, always pushing me to be my best and never giving up on me. Not only did I develop my artistic skills in ways I never imagined, but I also made lasting friendships with fellow students who share my passion for the arts. The resources and opportunities available at this school are unparalleled, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. I would highly recommend this arts school to anyone looking to grow their talents and discover their potential as an artist.”

- Tristan Price
Recording Artist

SPCPA IS THE REASON I'M A PLAYWRIGHT TODAY.

“Without a doubt, SPCPA is the reason I am a playwright today. I honestly hadn’t realized that writing scripts professionally could be an option for someone like me until I was part of a playwriting workshop for J-Term and fell in love with it. SPCPA helped me realize my voice was worth believing in and gave me the skills, resources, and support to make this my career.”

- Caity Shea Violette
Award Winning Playwright

SPCPA taught me to be unapologetically myself.

“SPCPA played a massive part in making me who I am today. Both artistically and personally. It taught me to unapologetically be who I am in all walks of life. I simply do what I want because I enjoy doing it and that is what SPCPA gave to me. Now I am in sales and doing film work when I can, YOU CAN DO BOTH AND LIVE IN BOTH WORLDS! I have multiple past and continuing film projects that have premiered in theaters across the US and can be seen on many streaming platforms, working with some of the worlds most amazing film talent. All of this while succeeding at the the best sales job someone could ask for. Thank you SPCPA for teaching me it’s ok to be who I am.”

- Cody Fleury, Film Actor

You Don't have to be perfect.

“You don’t have to be perfect or the best talented. Experience exploring the endless opportunities of finding who YOU are and what is going to make you unique. Remember this….. when at first you don’t succeed, try and TRY again!”

- Corbin Hunter
Professional Dancer, Toured with Beyonce

SPCPA encourages students to be themselves and find their voices.

“I have been able to apply some of the communication skills I mastered while training and performing at SPCPA to my career as a journalist. But it’s not just the skills: It’s the way SPCPA fostered an environment that encourages students to be themselves and find their voices….I really owe some of my strong sense of self and comfort communicating news to SPCPA.”

- Amudalat Ajasa
Journalist, Extreme Weather and Climate Reporter for the Washington Post
Dizzy Fae
Pop Rock Recording Artist
opened for Lizzo on yearl-long tour
Rachel Keller
Actor, Best known for the TV shows LEGION, FARGO, TOKYO VICE, and for her portrayal of Sonya in the Tom Hanks film, A MAN CALLED OTTO
Hippo Campus
American rock band signed to Grand Jury Records. Jake Luppen (lead vocals/guitar), Nathan Stocker (lead guitar/vocals), Zach Sutton (bass/keyboard), and Whistler Isaiah Allen (drums/vocals), and DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet)
Emily Scinto
Professional actor, dancer & singer
Eric Mayson
recording artist
Essence Renae
Film and TV actor including, Bosch: Legacy (Amazon Prime)
Kourtni Lind-Watson
Dancer, Choreographer
Dance Supervisor for the International Broadway Tour of HAMILTON
Dylan Wald
Principal Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet
WE NEED YOU.

SPCPA opened in 2005 with a mission to prepare students who wished to pursue the professional arts after high school. The purpose of this page is to celebrate those who did that. We have done our best to include as many of you as possible here, but we have missed many, many of you.

If you are a former SPCPA student and continue to pursue the professional arts (theatre, dance, music, visual art, creative writing) and are not listed here, please send your name, what you are doing, and a preferred photo to info@spcpa.org so we may include you on this page.

Jemar Michael
TV Actor, Dear White People
Davon Suttles
Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Producer
MILES TAGTMEYER
Primetime Emmy Nominated Actor
Sam Meryhew
Professional Dancer
Patrick Hyatte
Professional Violinist
Alex Eady
Professional Dancer, Ananya Dance Theatre
Alexander Hille
Principal Dancer, BJM - Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
Angela Steele
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Dana Diederich
Professional Talent Agent
Dylan Frederick
Broadway (The Inheritance) and TV Actor
Risa Dorken
Professional Actor, General Hospital, ABC
Jeff Rolfzen
Recording Artist (The Lark and the Loon)
ANNEKE DE JONG
Professional Ballet Dancer
New Black City
(Zhane Jackson, Lydia Jones, Destiny Anderson and Monique Roquemore)
Charmaine Douglas
(THE CULTURE)
Monty Hays
Professional Actor (The Prom, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)
Kade Strunk
Filmmaker
Ashton Schneider
Professional Theatre Administrator, History Theatre
Camille Hortmann
Professional Dancer
GRACE JANISZEWSKI
Professional Dancer
Sequoia Hauck
Artistic Leadership, Jungle Theater, Filmmaker and Theatre Artist
Will Couture
Professional Dancer
THE HAPPY CHILDREN
(Band - Caleb Hinz, Mitchell Seymour, and Judah McCoy)
Deja Stowers
Award-Winning Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Laren Chang
Professional Dancer, TU DANCE
Chesa Greene
Regional Theatre Actor
Celena Morgan
Professional Musical Theatre Actor
Will Kjeer,
Professional jazz pianist
Noah Coon
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Hope Nordquist
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Nathan Barlow
Professional Actor, Recording Artist
SUZETTE GILREATH
TU DANCE
Peter Campanelli
Recording Artist
Joe Kellen
Arts Administrator, Southern Theater
Lexie Modica
Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist
Megan Wind
Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Ava Harmon
Director of Operations, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Opera Singer
Maria Briggs
Broadway Dancer, Actor, Singer (Music Man, Cats, Frozen, and others)
Why Not
Indie Rock Band. Henry Breen (Bass, Singer, Songwriter), Josh MacGregor (Drums)
Rush Benson
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Jason Flowers
Professional classical pianist
Dr. Angel Andres
Professional Violinist
Joe Peterson
Professional Violist
Spencer Dickhaus
Professional Dancer, Netherlands Dans Theater
Kennadi HUrst
Professional Singer, ACtor,writer
alexandra nedved
professional actor, writer, producer
Connor Simone
Professional Dancer, James Sewell Ballet
Kendall Kent
Professional Actor, Guthrie Theater

Jaime Vincent Rosa-Chavez
Professional SInger/musician

Collin johnson
Professional musician

Ava mingo
Professional Actor
MORE TO COME!
MORE TO COME!
MORE TO COME!

alumni news

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Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
7 hours ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Get your tickets now to see SPCPA alum, ESSENCE RENAE (playing Lillie Campbell Jackson) and long-time former SPCPA teacher and J-term director, AIMEE K. BRYANT (playing Alpha Campbell Jackson) in THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at the Guthrie Theater. After graduating from SPCPA, Essence went to Carengie Mellon University where she received her BFA in Acting. Essence recently retuned to the Twin Cities after appearing on shows on HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and Showtime.

Congrats, Essence, and have a great run you two!

More info and tickets: www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2024-2025-season/the-nacirema-society/

(photo by Tom Wallace)
#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity … See MoreSee Less

Get your tickets now to see SPCPA alum, ESSENCE RENAE (playing Lillie Campbell Jackson) and long-time former SPCPA teacher and J-term director, AIMEE K. BRYANT (playing Alpha Campbell Jackson) in THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at the Guthrie Theater. After graduating from SPCPA, Essence went to Carengie Mellon University where she received her BFA in Acting. Essence recently retuned to the Twin Cities after appearing on shows on HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and Showtime. Congrats, Essence, and have a great run you two! More info and tickets: https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2024-2025-season/the-nacirema-society/ (photo by Tom Wallace) #spcpaalum #spcpacommunity
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THIS SHOW ROCKS! I attended the dress rehearsal on Friday and it was superb.

Love this!! Go Essence and Aimee!!

Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
2 weeks ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Get your tickets now to see Frozen at the Children's Theatre Company – it opens next week and runs through June 15. Frozen features 3 current SPCPA students (Amir Byrd, Jon Schumacher, Mason Yang) and 1 former student (Kyra Richardson). It was choreographed by SPCPA alum, Rush Benson. Denise Prosek, a former J-Term Music Director (for Violet), serves as the Music Director. Have a great run ya'll!

More info and tickets: childrenstheatre.org/shows-and-tickets/

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #childrenstheatrecompany … See MoreSee Less

Get your tickets now to see Frozen at the Childrens Theatre Company - it opens next week and runs through June 15. Frozen features 3 current SPCPA students (Amir Byrd, Jon Schumacher, Mason Yang) and 1 former student (Kyra Richardson). It was choreographed by SPCPA alum, Rush Benson. Denise Prosek, a former J-Term Music Director (for Violet), serves as the Music Director. Have a great run yall! More info and tickets: https://childrenstheatre.org/shows-and-tickets/ #spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #childrenstheatrecompanyImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
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They’re all amazing!!! 👏🏻👏🏻

Have a great run!

Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
3 weeks ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

It's always a great day at SPCPA when we have a guest artist in for a master class. Even better when that artist is an Alum! Shane Larson (2011), who has danced with the extraordinary Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company for many years was with 11th and 12th grade dance students this past Friday. Thank you, Shane – and congrats on all of your post SPCPA artistic adventures!

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #spcpadance #dance … See MoreSee Less

Its always a great day at SPCPA when we have a guest artist in for a master class. Even better when that artist is an Alum! Shane Larson (2011), who has danced with the extraordinary Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company for many years was with 11th and 12th grade dance students this past Friday. Thank you, Shane - and congrats on all of your post SPCPA artistic adventures! #spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #spcpadance #danceImage attachmentImage attachment
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Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
4 weeks ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

SPCPA alum, Aaron Davies (2011), has had quite a year! One year ago he danced with Metropolitan Ballet Minneapolis St. Paul. Since, he's danced with 4 more companies, landed principle roles, trained in NYC with Leslie Brown of American Ballet Theatre, Clifford Williams with Complexions Contemporary Ballet , Davis Robertson with The Joffrey Ballet and Roman Thielen of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Currently he is finishing up the season with New York Dance Project (NYDP), next month will be with Ajkun Ballet Theatre as Paris in Romeo and Juliet, and in June will be dancing for American Liberty Ballet. Phew. Congrats, Aaron!

#spcpaalum … See MoreSee Less

SPCPA alum, Aaron Davies (2011), has had quite a year! One year ago he danced with Metropolitan Ballet Minneapolis St. Paul. Since, hes danced with 4 more companies, landed principle roles, trained in NYC with Leslie Brown of American Ballet Theatre, Clifford Williams with Complexions Contemporary Ballet , Davis Robertson with The Joffrey Ballet and Roman Thielen of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Currently he is finishing up the season with New York Dance Project (NYDP), next month will be with Ajkun Ballet Theatre as Paris in Romeo and Juliet, and in June will be dancing for American Liberty Ballet. Phew. Congrats, Aaron! #spcpaalumImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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💪🏿💜

Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
1 month ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Get your tickets to see GREASE at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres – featuring current SPCPA musical theatre teacher, ANNA HASHIZUME (playing Betty Rizzo), and SPCPA alum RUSH BENSON (playing Kenickie) and ANGELA STEELE (playing Marty)!

The show has opened and plays through October 4. Have a great run you three!

Tickets and more info: chanhassendt.com/grease/

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #ChanhassenDinnerTheatres … See MoreSee Less

Get your tickets to see GREASE at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres - featuring current SPCPA musical theatre teacher, ANNA HASHIZUME (playing Betty Rizzo), and SPCPA alum RUSH BENSON (playing Kenickie) and ANGELA STEELE (playing Marty)! The show has opened and plays through October 4. Have a great run you three! Tickets and more info: https://chanhassendt.com/grease/ #spcpacommunity #spcpaalum #chanhassendinnertheatresImage attachmentImage attachment
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🌟🧡🌟🧡🌟🧡

Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
2 months ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

You can see SPCPA Alum, Tic Treitler, along with long-time former SPCPA teacher, Aimee Bryant, at the Guthrie Theater right now in A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's getting fabulous response. Have a great run Tic and Aimee!

Get your tickets here: www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2024-2025-season/a-midsummer-nights-dream/

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum … See MoreSee Less

You can see SPCPA Alum, Tic Treitler, along with long-time former SPCPA teacher, Aimee Bryant, at the Guthrie Theater right now in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Its getting fabulous response. Have a great run Tic and Aimee! Get your tickets here: https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2024-2025-season/a-midsummer-nights-dream/ #spcpacommunity #spcpaalumImage attachment
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Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
2 months ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Congratulations to SPCPA Alum Nicholas Clark and Dylan Frederick! Their documentary feature “American Theater” won the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles. Read about it here: www.indiewire.com/awards/results/slamdance-2025-award-winners-1235099477/

And follow them on Instagram to watch the trailer and get updates on our forthcoming tour: instagram.com/americantheaterdoc

Congrats, you two!

#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity … See MoreSee Less

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Slamdance Film Festival Announces Award Winners from Inaugural Los Angeles Edition

www.indiewire.com

Slamdance has announced the award winners from its 2025 film festival.
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Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
5 months ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Huge congrats to SPCPA Theatre alum, LUCY DURBEN (2020), a senior screenwriting major and theatre minor at Loyola Marymount University, who was selected by the Television Academy Foundation to be their Development (Scripted) intern at host company FX (THE BEAR, SHŌGUN, FARGO) – a highly competative position. Fantastic news, Lucy – congratulations!

Read about it: patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/st-paul-conservatory-alumna-selected-internship-hollywood

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St. Paul Conservatory Alumna Selected for Internship in Hollywood

patch.com

One of your neighbors posted in Arts & Entertainment. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)
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wow! totally deserved!

Congrats!!!

Well deserved!

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Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)
5 months ago
Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA)

Congrats to recent SPCPA graduate (2024) JUNIE EDWARDS, whose play, “A Pick For The Hair Of Black Kids Who Don’t Wanna Be Gangstaz” has been published and is now available on Amazon! The play received its world premiere production at Pillsbury House Theatre this past summer. Pick up a copy now!

#spcpaalum … See MoreSee Less

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A PICK FOR THE HAIR OF BLACK KIDS WHO DON'T WANNA BE GANGSTAZ: (A Black Teenage Choreopoem)

www.amazon.com

A PICK FOR THE HAIR OF BLACK KIDS WHO DON’T WANNA BE GANGSTAZ: (A Black Teenage Choreopoem)
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