Instructors & Staff
Ms. Elizabeth Bridgeman
Elizabeth Bridgeman is the founder and owner of Bridgeman Academy of Performing Arts. Throughout her career, she performed with prestigious companies such as The Muny, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Broadway Kids, The Canadian Ballet (Les Grands), and Circus Harmony. Elizabeth also founded a non-profit theatre organization prior to starting Bridgeman Academy. She is passionate about equipping students in the arts to serve God and others and has over 15 years of teaching experience.
Ms. Robyn Hartley
Robyn Hartley trained and performed with many prestigious companies such as The School of American Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and Alabama Ballet. Robyn brings with her over 20 years of teaching experience and a passion for equipping the next generation.
Ms. Kayla Neeper
Kayla Neeper received her Associate’s degree in Dance from Florida School of the Arts and also performed professionally in the company Three Hearts. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy and her Doctorate in Chiropractic. She is Acrobatic Arts certified and has over 10 years of teaching experience.
Mr. Will Brighton
Will Brighton is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in St Louis, MO. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Will holds a BFA in Dance and BA in English from Western Michigan University. While at WMU, Will performed in concerts alongside Taylor 2 and Peridance Contemporary Dance Co. and had the honor of performing both in historical works by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, and Antony Tudor, as well as original works by contemporary artists Christian Denice, Yin Yue, BAIRA, and others. Upon graduating, Will joined The Big Muddy Dance Company where he is currently a company dancer. Will also performed as a guest artist with Saint Louis Ballet in their 2021 production of Alice in Wonderland by Brian Enos.
Mr. Marcus Benson
Marcus Benson has been dancing continuously for over 14 years. Marcus began teaching at Bridgeman in 2021 and has six years of prior teaching experience. His strengths are step, hip-hop, and mime. With immense competition experience across the United States, he has performed both as a team member & coach. Along with Bridgeman Academy, he currently teaches at Dance Plus & Pointe of Surrender Dance Studio where he also serves on the coaching staff for their competition team.
Ms. Dorothy Davis
Dorothy Davis began teaching at Bridgeman Academy in 2021. She graduated from AMDA (Los Angeles) with her BFA in Dance Theater and has been dancing for 20 years. She currently works with the COCA Hip Hop Company dancers, as well as, other St. Louis dance studios, and also performed in a Prince show directed by Stephanie Landwehr.
Ms. Sophia Hylla
Sophia Hylla is a graduate student from Bridgeman Academy; studying under Elizabeth Bridgeman. She has 10 years of dance experience and won various awards including Scholarships and Specialty Awards. Sophia danced on a nationally ranked high school dance team and has experience teaching recreation and competition students.
Ms. Teresa Wilmes
Teresa Wilmes trained at Virginia James Dance Academy beginning at the age of three. She continued taking classes into her adult years and trained with renowned companies such as Steps on Broadway in New York City. Teresa brings over 20 years of teaching experience and has trained in the subjects of tap, jazz, ballet, baton, pointe, lyrical, and gymnastics. Teresa truly enjoys dance and loves to pass on her passion for the arts to future generations. Her daughters carry on the dancing tradition and are also students at the Academy.
Ms. Tracy Weber
Tracy is our new Baton instructor for the 2023 Fall season. Bio coming soon!
Ms. Angie Thompson
Angie Thompson is an educator with 35 years of classroom and administrative experience. She has worked in a myriad of venues with a variety of students from kindergarten through high school. For 20 years she was the Head-of-School for a performing arts school for preschool through high school. Currently, she has started her own micro-school where she personally teaches elementary students.