Webster Music Students, Faculty, and Alumni Participate in Summer Performances Across St. Louis

Department of Music students, faculty and alumni could be found performing and working over the summer at organizations throughout the St. Louis area.

The Muny

Junior Carter Haney (BM Musical Direction for Musical Theatre, ’27) represented Webster University in The Muny's internship program.

Webster faculty and alumni were also involved in The Muny's 107th season. Collaborative pianists Zach Neumann and Steven Eros (BM Organ Performance, ’13, MA, ’15), and alumnus Ryan Carpenter (BM Piano Performance, ’10) played rehearsal and performance keyboard. Alumni Aaron Brown (BM Jazz Studies, ’17) and Steve Schenkel (Emeritus Professor of Jazz Studies) performed in the orchestra. Adjunct professor Leann Scheuring was a cast member in the ensembles of Evita and Disney's Frozen. Collaborative pianist Charlie Mueller is the Education Programs Manager at The Muny.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

During the 2025 Festival Season at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, collaborative pianist Jonathan Heaney served as a repetiteur. Jennifer Johnson Cano (BM Vocal Performance, ’06) sang Hermia and Matisse Carmack (BFA Acting, ’25) played Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is located on the Webster Groves campus.

Union Avenue Opera

As part of Union Avenue Opera's 31st festival season, senior Anna Edwards (BM Vocal Performance, ’26) performed in the chorus in Pagliacci, senior Audrey Sondag (BM Vocal Performance, ’26) was a Supernumerary/Dancer in Salome, and junior Emma Wittenauer (BM Vocal Performance, ’27) was in the chorus in Pagliacci and a Supernumerary/Dancer in Salome.

Department of Music alumni and faculty also took the stage at Union Avenue Opera. Alumni Madeleine Buckley (BM Vocal Performance, ’19), Riley Cameron (BME Choral Music, ’25), and Sophie Shugart-Fischer (BM Vocal Performance, ’19) performed in the chorus in Pagliacci. Jimmy Stevens (BM Vocal Performance, ’15) appeared in the role of Fourth Jew in Salome. Jacob Lassetter, Director of Vocal Studies and Opera Studio, performed as the First Nazarene in Salome and collaborative pianist Nancy Mayo served as collaborative pianist for My Fair Lady. Scott Schoonover is the Artistic Director of Union Avenue Opera and conducts the January performances of Webster University Opera Studio.

Stray Dog Theatre

Sophomore Ava Hettenhausen (BM Vocal Performance, ’26) appeared in the chorus of The Second Hurricane at Stray Dog Theatre.

New Line Theatre

Senior Randon Lane (BM Musical Direction for Musical Theatre, ’26) was the music director for Rent at New Line Theatre.

Webster's strong relationships with local arts organizations provide valuable opportunities for students. In addition to partnerships with these St. Louis theatres, the Department of Music also partners with Jazz St. Louis and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Outside of the St. Louis area, Chelsea Zak (BM Musical Direction for Musical Theatre, ’25) served on the faculty of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights, New York.