There is no doubt that the Ladue’s unique student body is talented. Whether it’s in academics, athletics or in any of the arts, Ladue students always stands out. Four such students shine through in the prestigious greater St. Louis acapella ensemble, TeamSTAGES.
Senior Kelsey Bearman and juniors Dylan Hafer, Courtney Jonas and Hanna Zenger represent Ladue in the highly selective ensemble, TeamSTAGES, which boasts only 19 members. Part of the regional theatre company, STAGES ST. LOUIS, the group is considered to be the premiere high school a cappella ensemble in St. Louis, being both locally and nationally renowned. Hafer, Jonas and Zenger, each of whom had to beat out over 40 other teens in order to get one of seven available spots, recently joined Bearman, who is in her second year with the group. Bearman sings 2nd Soprano, while Hafer, Jonas and Zenger sing the Bass/Baritone, Alto and 1st Soprano parts, respectively. As an a cappella group, the music is solely vocal without any sort of accompaniment or backtracking.
“It’s all about blending. If you have a singer that is singing out and they don’t know how to blend with other people on stage, then it ruins the entire sound,” Bearman said. “It’s completely about teamwork and about being one.”
In comparison to Ladue Choirs, TeamSTAGES features a relatively larger repertoire, with 35 songs in comparison to Ladue Choirs’ average of 25 songs a year. TeamSTAGES also tends to feature more pop songs and showtunes, while Ladue tends to include more classical and gospel pieces in their concerts. In addition, Ladue Choirs practice for roughly four hours a week, while TeamSTAGES practices six hours a week, excluding additional independent rehearsal time. The music for TeamSTAGES is also specifically rearranged by music director, Lisa Campbell Albert, to fit the group’s unique dynamic of six parts and six harmonies. Members of TeamSTAGES also have the opportunity of performing among Broadway professionals in STAGES productions. Over the summer, Bearman was cast in STAGES production of “101 Dalmatians,” and was paid for her role in the ensemble cast.
“Ladue has a pretty significant presence in this group,” Hafer said. “I think it’s a really neat thing for our school to have so many students involved in the musical theatre community outside of Ladue.”
While the group puts on multiple concerts throughout the year, they also perform at community events such as the Clayton Art Fair and in prestigious local theatres such as the Fox Theatre and The Sheldon. Recently, the group performed in Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and opened for Broadway actress, Kristin Chenoweth, when she performed at a Barnes Jewish Hospital Gala.
“These opportunities are so exciting for us, especially because we want to pursue music as a career,” Jonas said. “I don’t think I’ve realized yet what an experience this really is.”
In October, the group plans to travel to New York and perform at the soon-to-be opened 9/11 Memorial at the former World Trade Center complex. TeamSTAGES will be singing a custom arranged rendition of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful
“Singing at the memorial will be a really good opportunity for us to show our respect and care to the families of 9/11 who have lost their loved ones,” Zenger said.
While in New York, they plan on attending three Broadway musicals and will have exclusive access to the backstage. In addition, the group also plans to attend a series of master class workshops led by Broadway professionals such as Sutton Foster and Shoshana Bean.
“Even when you’re in TeamSTAGES you start to wonder what’s going on? Is this really happening?” Bearman said. “It just feels so surreal, it really does.”
