The Incarnate Word Academy Arts Department strives to provide an excellent education to students in the disciplines of art,music, dance and theatre and strives to instill self-confidence; provide opportunities for self-expression;. Our goal is to nurture creativity and appreciation both in the classroom and performance. We seek to foster opportunities for self-expression, personal and artistic growth, the building of self-confidence and the excitement and fulfillment that comes when works are displayed or performed.
Mr. Aubuchon began studying music at an early age, taking up piano at age five and percussion at ten. His musical horizons broadened beyond classical music into jazz, rock, and musical theater while attending CBCHigh School. He holds a B.A. in Music Business from FontbonneUniversity. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education.
Upon graduation, he became involved with the Department of Defense Professional Entertainment Organization, through which artists tour U.S Armed Forces bases and embassies overseas and perform for personnel stationed far away from home. Mr. Aubuchon has been fortunate to travel to 35 different countries multiple times over the course of ten years and bring a "taste of home” to those serving abroad.
Mr. Aubuchon is also an experienced sound and lighting technician, running many concert series throughout the year, including the Whitaker Music Festival at the MissouriBotanical Garden, the Whitaker Urban Evening Series, and Blues on the Mississippi.
Kathleen Grupe holds undergraduate degrees in Dance and Arts Management from Lindenwood University. She attended Webster University for her masters in Arts Management and Leadership. She has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. Mrs. Grupe performed with MADCO (Modern American Dance Company) for 6 years, where she served as a dancer and choreographer. From 2003-2006 she directed the St. Louis ArtWorks summer dance education program, providing artist job training for young people between the ages of 14-18. She has taught dance for ten years at various studios in the St. Louis area including DuFrenne Dance Academy, Midwest Dance Academy, Arts In Motion and Midwest Dance Explosion. Mrs. Grupe coaches the Junior Varsity Knightline dance team and serves as choreographer for the spring musicals.
Amy Herbert received her Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theater from The University of Tulsa in 2004. She has extensive training in acting, dance, and vocal music. She lived in New York City for two years following graduation and attended workshops and classes at Steps and Broadway Dance Center. Amy has worked professionally at The Muny in St. Louis, and is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. She completed her teacher certification in May of 2009, after student teaching at Christian Brother’s College High School with her long time mentor, Tom Murray. Mrs. Herbert teaches Drama Tech, Drama Performance, Speech Communications, and also directs the IWA theater productions.
Michele Stokes is in her second year teaching two-dimensional art at IWA. A proud alum of the class of 1980, Mrs. Stokes spent the seven years as the learning consultant at IWA before she joined the Visual Arts Department. She has a bachelor’s degree in Clothing and Textiles/Fashion Merchandising from the University of Missouri-Columbia (Summa Cum Laude) and a second bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (Summa Cum Laude). She recently received her certification to teach art (grades K-12). Mrs. Stokes has always had a love of art; she took 10 art classes while a student at IWA and went on to take art classes in college. She has also taken continuing education classes in ceramics, watercolors, quilting, and weaving.
One of Mrs. Stokes’ biggest loves is theater and costume design. For the past seven years, she has been the costume designer for most of the plays and musicals at IWA. She is also co-founder, president, and costumer for Shooting Star Productions, a theater company producing plays and musicals featuring youth ages 5 to 19. Mrs. Stokes also facilitates the IWA Fashion Club and serves on the AdvancEd steering committee. She is married and has three sons.
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Paul Aubuchon
Michele Stokes '80