The Arts at Nerinx Hall
The Sisters of Loretto are strong supporters of the arts in education, and the history of the Fine Arts program at Nerinx Hall is a testament to this legacy. The purpose of Nerinx Hall’s Fine Arts curriculum is to develop the skills of young artists and performers, as well as offer all students an opportunity to participate in diverse art experiences to develop their abilities to interpret and think critically. Multiple research studies indicate that an arts education rewires the brain in positive ways, and that the integration of the arts improves student achievement. Fine Arts courses enhance self-expression, develop a personal aesthetic, and encourage greater appreciation and understanding of the arts in our culture.
MEET THE FINE ARTS FACULTY
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Lori Hunt, M.A.
Lori Hunt is currently the Fine Arts Department Chair, Aesthetic Education coordinator, Co-moderator of the House of Studies Honors program, and moderator of the National Art Honor Society at Nerinx Hall High School. She has been a member of the faculty at Nerinx Hall since 2006. She has taught AP Art History, Humanities, Printmaking, Basic Design, and Intro to Fiber Arts. In her Aesthetic Education role she partners with faculty, connecting the arts across the curriculum through special presentations, guest speakers, and field trips. In November 2014 she was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award. Prior to her work at Nerinx, Lori coordinated programs at Saint Louis University's Reinert Center for Teaching Excellence, working closely with faculty and teaching assistants in creating an effective learning environment based on best practices, reflection, and evidence-based pedagogy. Lori received her B.A. in Studio Art and her M.A. in American Studies (with an emphasis in American art and culture) from Saint Louis University.
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Tom Hunt, M.F.A., M.A.T.
Tom was born and raised in Cincinnati, where a wide range of experiences and occupations—from mechanic and farmer to teacher and artist—shaped his artistic perspective. He studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, later returning to teach there, and earned his BFA in Painting from the University of Cincinnati. Tom continued his graduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, where he worked closely with James McGarrell and earned his MFA in Painting. After several years teaching at Nerinx Hall High School, he completed his Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Webster University. Tom considers teaching an extension of his artistic practice and finds great joy in sharing his passion for creating and lifelong learning with his students.
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Pat Klick, M.Ed.
Pat Klick Pat has been teaching music for over 20 years in the St. Louis area. He holds a Masters in Education from Missouri Baptist University, emphasis in music education, and a B.S. in Communication, minor in Music, from Missouri State University. He holds a Career CPC Teaching Certificate through the state of Missouri and is a member of Missouri Music Educator’s Association, Missouri Choral Directors Association and the American Choral Directors Association. He has been a performer, music director and lighting designer for several community theater productions throughout the St. Louis Area. He has been performing at the St. Charles Christmas Traditions festival for 16 years, and as a member of the Recipes for Ice Improv Troupe, through Kirkwood Theater Guild, for over 11 years. When not teaching or performing, he his “Dad Taxi” and biggest fan, to many of his two daughters' events including shows, concerts and sporting events.
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Julie Lanier, M.A.
Julie Lanier has been teaching, directing, and choreographing for over 20 years. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and holds a Master of Theatre Education; certified 5 - 12, from Fontbonne University. Her love of performing began at a young age through dance. She began as a competition dancer and fell in love with musical theatre. In her teens, she spent her summers at The Muny as part of the Muny Teens performance troupe before going on to study acting and directing for her undergrad at Fontbonne. Before discovering her love of teaching theatre, she spent her time performing with various theatre companies in St. Louis, along with being the lead singer in the now defunct band - From Left To Right. Her most cherished theatre memory was when she traveled to Prague to perform for two weeks in the Fringe Festival. In 2022, she experienced the great honor of being awarded Outstanding Direction from the Ken Page Awards (formally SLHSMTA). When not directing at Nerinx, she spends her time as “Dance Mom” to two wonderful daughters, who share her love of singing, dancing, and acting.
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Ashley O'Shaughnessy '06, M.A.E.
Ashley O’Shaughnessy has a Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Truman State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and a Truman Leadership Scholar. She has taught Visual Arts courses at Nerinx since 2012 spanning a wide variety of media including photography, ceramics, fiber arts, drawing, painting and design. She curates Nerinx’s Ruth Burgett Gallery of current student work, and loves to take students to her favorite place: The St. Louis Art Museum. Her own works have been in galleries and bookstores regionally. You can view more of her drawings & paintings at ashleyoillustration.com.
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Kristen Teeter
Kristen Teeter is proud to have been teaching dance for over 30 years now. Her early exposure began in Southern California as an extension to her training as a competitive gymnast. This led to her pursuit of a dance degree from California State University, Fullerton where she graduated with Honors and then went on to continued dance education at professional studios and companies throughout New York City. She has since choreographed, taught and performed at all levels throughout Southern California, Chicago, NYC, St. Louis and beyond. An avid mentor to youth seeking careers in dance and theatre, she continues to guest teach and consult nationwide for multiple summer intensives and professional workshops and loves to inspire the next generation of performance artists as they pursue their careers in the arts.
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Kyle Yorg
Kyle Yorg has worked in theatre since 2015 as a carpenter, rigger, welder, painter, lighting electrician, props artisan, floor manager, and technical director. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre from the University of Central Missouri. Kyle has worked in a variety of theatres, most recently serving as Lead Carpenter and Academy Technical Director at Stages St. Louis. Some of his favorite shows to build include Noises Off at STLCC Meramec and Clue at Stages St. Louis. At Nerinx, his favorite projects have been the revolving stage and elevator for Hadestown. Kyle loves theatre because directors and scenic designers create exciting ideas that challenge him to problem-solve and bring those concepts to life. He teaches design, stagecraft, and practical arts, and enjoys helping students learn to work confidently with tools, machines, and materials while building a toolbox of skills they can carry into future projects both in theatre and beyond.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program has a wide variety of offerings across media and focus. Art Fundamentals is an all-freshman survey of artmaking, and Independent Portfolio is a fully choice-based program for juniors and seniors serious about the arts as part of their future. All other courses are mixed-level electives. Our program is robust in its curriculum with a through-line of trusting the eye, building craftsmanship, and developing personal aesthetic grounded in exposure to renowned works in art history and the contemporary art world. Every art class takes at least one field trip, most often to the St. Louis Art Museum, but also to such places as Laumeier Sculpture Park, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, the Botanical Garden, and the Kemper Museum to name a few. Annually, our students participate with accolades in several off-campus exhibitions, contests, and gallery shows.
Many students participate in our program outside of course enrollment as well. The studios are open to all students throughout the day and we host multiple dynamic and beloved clubs: Clay Club, Art Club, and Photo Club. Students apply for leadership positions such as Studio Assistant, Gallery Assistant, and Darkroom Assistant. In 2024, Nerinx established a chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) to offer even more opportunities for our most active students.
Visual Arts Course Offerings:
- Art Fundamentals
- Drawing I
- Advanced Drawing
- Senior Drawing
- Painting I
- Painting II
- Ceramics I
- Advanced Ceramics: Wheel-Throwing
- Advanced Ceramics: Sculpture
- Intro to the Art of Photography
- Photography II
- Intro to Fiber Arts
- Fiber Arts II
- Visual Storytelling
- Digital Art Studio
- Basic Design
- Printmaking
- AP Art History Honors
- Independent Portfolio (which can also be taken for AP credit)
Summer offerings:
- Drawing at the Zoo
- Summer Oil Painting
- Summer Wheel-Throwing I & II
Visual Arts Photo Gallery
Music
The Nerinx Hall music program offers vocal and instrumental (wind ensemble, orchestra) students options for study and performance, focusing on technique, theory, and teamwork in classes and in the larger community. Vocalists and instrumentalists may participate in district and state solo and ensemble contests. Students perform in the Fall, Christmas and Spring Concerts. Joining the Nerinx Hall music program is a great way for a student to express herself in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Music Photo Gallery
Dance
The dance program at Nerinx offers Levels I-V, welcoming students from complete beginners to highly experienced dancers. Coursework includes a wide range of styles - jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre - along with studies in dance history, kinesiology, injury prevention, and careers in dance. Students also engage in collaborations with professional dance companies and local universities. Dancers in Levels III, IV, and V have the opportunity to choreograph and perform in the annual Nerinx Festival of the Arts, and Dance V Honors students qualify for induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). Students seeking leadership or teaching experience may also enroll as dance teaching assistants during their junior and senior years.
Dance Photo Gallery
Theatre
Nerinx Hall's theatre program offers comprehensive opportunities in performance in acting, musical theatre, directing, and all areas of Technical Theatre. In theatre courses, students explore various genres, build confidence, and learn all aspects of production, from self-written scenes in introductory classes to major productions, fostering skills applicable beyond the stage. Students take part in producing musicals and plays for all grades with a strong emphasis on hands-on experience, creativity, and community, preparing them for real-world skills in a wide variety of roles: Stage Managers, Audio Technicians, Electricians, Board Operators, Spotlight Operators, Run Crew, Fly Crew, Props Artisans, Carpenters, Riggers, Wardrobe Crew, Automators, and many more positions. Students can also act as Scenic, Lighting, Sound, and Costume Designers for the student-directed Froshmore (Freshman-Sophomore) one acts play festival.
Theatre Course Offerings:
- Introduction to Theatre
- Acting I
- Acting II
- Acting III/IV (may be taken for UMSL college credit)
- Stagecraft
- Introduction to Stage Make-Up and Costume Design
- Stage Make-Up and Costume Design
- Scenic Lighting & Sound Design
- Page to Stage Playwriting
- Practical Arts Applications
- Theatre or Technical Theatre Applied Arts Practicum.
Theatre Photo Gallery
Upcoming Events
Calendar
#2 Summit Avenue, Webster Goves, MO 63119
Collaboration between Webster High School and Nerinx Hall. Runs through April 17.
Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall
Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall
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Nerinx Hall Campus
Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall
Nerinx students will perform at this concert.
Read more about the STLDT Trainee Program HERE.