LANIE BEVILL WESTMAN attended Hardin-Simmons University where she studied and trained receiving a B.M. in Music Education and Vocal Performance. She has served as the Executive Director of APAC since January 2001. In addition, Lanie directs APAC’s summer camp jr. musicals, as well as music for the Paramount’s jr. musicals. Featured stage experiences include performances with the Abilene Opera Association, McMurry Summer Dinner Theatre, ACT Theatre, Pioneer Drive Easter Pageant, Young Audiences of Abilene, Paramount Productions, Cabaret Under the Stars, and Heather Sorenson’s Requiem..Her favorite roles include Rosalinda in “Die Fledermaus” , Maria in “West Side Story””, Mother in “Ragtime”, and Momma Duck in “Honk”. Lanie loves Jesus, her husband Rob of thirty plus years, grown sons Josh and Jess, and the Westman fur babies Olive, and Georgie.
Executive Director of APAC
MADI MELBOURNE is a graduate of McMurry University, where she received a BFA in Theatre. She’s been involved in theatre since she was 8, performing in shows at the Paramount Theater, as well as teaching multiple acting classes for Abilene’s homeschool community. She’s also been a part of APAC for several years, and is thrilled to be giving back to the company that has given so much to her.
6th-12th Dance & Musical Theatre
BRIDGET GROGAN a Business Management graduate of Abilene Christian University. Bridget grew up at APAC, attending for nine years, and took Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Ballet, and Irish. A graduate of Wylie High School, she served as a lieutenant on the Belles Drill Team and choreographed for the Wylie fall musical, Grease the Musical. Bridget is delighted to be teaching at her home studio surrounded by the lovely people of APAC. She is excited to have helped begin two new classes at APAC: 6th-12th Drill Team/POM and K-2nd POM.
K-12th Dance
KACYN HILEY is a nursing major at Abilene Christian University. Kacyn began dancing at age 3 at the American Ballet Academy in Salem, Oregon where she trained in ballet for 15 years and modern for 6. Her passion is creating a safe, loving space for dancers to express themselves and feel the joy of dancing! She is so excited to be a part of the APAC family! 6th-12th Dance
MCKINLEY ALVARADO has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a Minor in Psychology, from Texas Tech University. She began dancing at APAC as a child and enjoyed the Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Ballet classes. In Junior High, she was a member of the Junior Belles Drill Team, serving as Captain her second year. McKinley graduated from Wylie High School and was a member of the Wylie Varsity Belles where she served as a Lieutenant during her senior year. McKinley has choreographed dozens of competition solos, and team routines. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her passion for dance with others! Along with teaching dance, she has taught fifth grade math at Lubbock Cooper East Elementary, where she found a passion to help students find confidence from within.
K-12th Dance
ALEXA MENDOZA is a current student at Hardin-Simmons University majoring in Theater education. She graduated Wylie high school and took dance classes with Apac. Her favorites are hip hop, lyrical, and tap! Alexa works as a preschool teacher at beltway and has been working with children since 5th grade! She is excited to continue her journey with APAC. K-2 Dance
KATIE MOORE has grown up at APAC! She has been in the APAC family for thirteen years enrolled in dance and musical theatre and has assisted classes and summer camps as well. Katie has performed in many Paramount Productions and taught and directed drama classes for homeschool students. Currently, she teaches private piano, is a recent Elementary Education with a Minor in Speech graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and a Kindergarten Teacher at Wylie ISD K-12th Musical Theatre.
ASHLEY BORGES is a Hawaii native and current Social Work student at Hardin-Simmons University! Dance has always had her heart! Her husband's military career allows their family of four children to travel, but dancing Tahitian keeps her rooted in her Polynesian culture and self care.. She began dancing Tahitian in high school with a group called Hei Tiare.. Upon moving to Abilene several years ago, she started dancing Tahitian under Instructor Kiana Suliven and participated in various performances for events in the Abilene community. Ashley recently taught a workshop with Shy Smith incorporating Tahitian and Hula. Together they are the founders, creators, and directors of I Ka Mana Mau, a Polynesian Dance Group that performs throughout the Abilene community. Ashley is honored to teach Tahitian Dance and Hula along with Shy Smith at APAC sharing the culture and dance that fuels her soul.
Tahitian Dance and Hula for ladies of all ages
KARISSA WARD is currently a student at Abilene Christian University as an Instrumental Music Education Major, and has served as the ACU Drum Major. She graduated from Abilene High School and participated in the Eagle Band, choir, and theatre. She began dancing at age 3 and has been training at APAC for 15 years. She trained in various styles such as ballet and pointe, tap, hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. She is always excited to share what she has learned and spread her love of dance with her students.
6th-12th Dance
ELLA PERRY is a theatre major at Abilene Christian University. She began her dance training at age 3 at Denton Dance Conservatory in Denton, TX, where she danced for 15 years. During her time at DDC, Ella had the opportunity to assistant teach several classes. Ella has also had the opportunity to train with Joffrey Ballet School and Steps on Broadway. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with the APAC community!
3rd-12th Dance
SHAWNA RILEY has a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing in Christian Ministries, Interfaith Studies, and Theater from McMurry University. She had been involved in theater since her freshman year of High School and loved it so much she decided to include theater into her college studies. Shawna was heavily involved in the theater department at McMurry, not only acting but also in set building, directing, and playwriting. Shawna loves seeing the students have fun, express themselves through theater, and build freindships with their fellow students. Shawna moved to Abilene from Artesia, NM staying after college to be a youth pastor at Wylie Methodist Church. Shawna has a Corgi, an Australian Sheppard, and a Rag doll cat. Shawna is married to Cody Riley.
6th-12th Improv
LILI HEFLIN is a senior Marketing and Management double major with an Entrepreneurship concentration at Abilene Christian University. She began her performance journey through gymnastics and transitioned into dance in high school, where she was a member of the Chisholm Trail Charmers drill team in Fort Worth, TX. Lili served as an officer for two years, co-choreographing football season and competition routines, leading classes, and organizing and teaching dances for winter and spring showcases and junior dances. She has trained in pom, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, field, hip hop, open, and military styles. At ACU, she continued to pursue her love for dance as a member of the ACU Pom Squad. Lili finds joy in watching a vision come to life, seeing dancers grow in skill and confidence, and helping girls create something they can truly be proud of. She’s thrilled to share her passion with the APAC family!
6th-12th Dance
GRACI MELBOURNE Graci Melbourne is a McMurry theatre alumni (‘23) and Abilene native. She has a significant amount of theatrical experience (favorite roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anne in The Miracle Worker, and Maggie in Jake’s Women), and has been recognized for her theatrical and prose writing at state and National levels. Graci has been part of the APAC family for eleven years. In her free-time, she can be found earning her public school teaching certification, painting odd pictures, writing odd stories, reading odd books, and laying in the sun like a cat. Graci works full-time at First Financial Bank as a Marketing Content Specialist, and sits on the Young Audiences of Abilene Board.
6th-12th Theatre, Dance, & Musical Theatre
MARY BUTLER is a liberal arts graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has been a part of the APAC family since early childhood. Mary spent her youth involved in the classes, camps, shows, and other opportuni-ties that APAC has to offer young artists. She has been a teacher of the arts for years and greatly enjoys sharing her passion with others. She is thrilled to continue being a part of the Abilene arts community by teaching at APAC!
Mary’s Music Time (Preschool Dance) & K-2 Musical Theatre
AYMIE JORDAN is a Wylie High School graduate. She works full time at Lee Orthodontist as a Records Tech. She began dancing at the age of 4 at Patty Harper Dance Studio and her love for dance just grew from there. Aymie studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop as a student and was a student teacher in Jazz and Hip Hop. While a student at Wylie schools she danced as a Wylie Junior Belle and a Wylie Belle for a total of 5 years, serving as lieutenant during her senior year. Aymie loves sharing the world of dance with her students and enjoys watching them learn and grow as young artists.
3rd-12th Dance
JASMINE CONWAY is a Texas transplant from NYC. She is an Army Veteran and mom of 2. Jasmine runs a small farm of animals and has a BSN from McMurry University. Her background in fashion design and sewing started like most young girls with fashion design PC games, but it turned into sketches, attending classes, and a sewing machine for Christmas. Jasmine taught herself how to sew and later took a job at a popular bridal store where she learned more about alterations and garments. Today, she enjoys sewing leisurely and professionally while enjoying her class at APAC.
6th-12th Costume Design
KENDALL WEST is a Musical Theatre and Math double major at Abilene Christian University. She began dance and theatre at 8-years-old at multiple studios around Houston, TX. She has assisted and taught multiple styles of dance and assistant choreographed musicals. She loves leading others to find story and joy through dance and is excited to continue that with the APAC family!
3rd-12th Dance
HANNAH WILLIAMS is currently a nursing major and honors student at Hardin Simmons University. She grew up at APAC, attending for thirteen years, and has studied various styles including ballet, pointe, lyrical, and jazz. She has assisted as a student in ballet, tap, and hip-hop for three years. She also currently teaches private piano lessons alongside her schooling. Hannah loves her APAC family and is excited to share her passion of dance with the next generation!
K-2 Dance
ROSEMARY HOLLINGSWORTH has a B.M. in Vocal Performance from DePauw University and a M.M. in Vocal Performance and Opera from Binghamton University. She performed extensively in lead roles at Tri-Cities Opera and performed nationally in roles such as Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte and Adele in Die Fledermaus with The Soo Opera Theater in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Rosie also has a M.A. in Family Ministry and Family Psychology. She is the Director of Counseling and Training at The Ben Richey Boys Ranch & Family Program and also maintains a small private practice serving children, families, and adults. She feels blessed to live her passion every day with her family. Rosie's family includes her husband, Chris and children, Colin his wife Lizzie and baby Libby, Julia her husband Cody, and Ryan.
Behavior Consultant