Discover new ways of expressing yourself

Cheri Soule is the Director of the Dance Program at Walker’s. She teaches modern, jazz, ballet, composition, and improvisation in both the Upper and Middle School programs. In addition to running the dance program she is the advisor to several student-run dance clubs on campus as well as the 10th Grade Class Dean. She received an MFA in Dance from Smith College, a B.S. in Dance from SUNY Brockport, and a B.A. in Fine Arts from Eastern Connecticut State University. Cheri has danced professionally with The New England Dance Theatre and The Judy Dworin Performance Project. She has also served on the faculty at Springfield College and as visiting artist at Trinity College. Her favorite part about being at Walker’s is the chance to teach, rehearse, and collaborate with such enthusiastic young dancers.

Travis Daly is a theatre director, educator, and leader whose work centers on creating an inclusive and creative learning environment that celebrates the transformative power of the arts. His teaching philosophy focuses on cultivating ensemble through creativity, imagination, and collaboration. In every classroom and rehearsal space, he encourages students to explore their own artistic voices while building confidence, empathy, and trust in themselves and one another.

Travis designs his classes as an exploratory laboratory for the arts, where students learn through active participation and creative discovery. His approach invites learners of all styles to find connection through movement, storytelling, and play. By guiding students to make bold artistic choices and collaborate with others, he helps them develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills that extend beyond the stage.

Before joining Walker’s, Travis served as the artistic head of an education program at a professional theatre company for nearly two decades, where he developed and directed large-scale productions, educational residencies, and original works for students across the community. His background includes years of teaching and directing for schools and community programs, helping young artists grow in their confidence and creativity while strengthening their connection to the larger arts community.

In addition to his work in professional theatre, Travis also served as the Artistic Director for a public school district, where he created and oversaw the artistic vision for all theatre productions across the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He produced multiple shows each year, managed production budgets, and collaborated with students, staff, and community members to produce high-quality performances that brought the entire district together. During his time there, he built a successful program that emphasized creativity, teamwork, and inclusion both on and off the stage.

Travis is an MFA candidate in theatre at the University of Idaho, currently completing his final semester. He also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Theatre, Storytelling, and the Arts from Adelphi University, where he received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Marissa, a Simsbury native, joined the Walker’s community in the winter of 2011 after beginning her teaching career in the local public school system. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art with a focus on Illustration from Jacksonville University, and her master’s degree in education from the University of Hartford. She holds certifications in both art education and elementary education. Marissa teaches multiple visual arts classes, including Middle School Art, Drawing and Painting, Studio Art, Ceramics, and AP Art. Marissa is passionate about engaging girls in art by encouraging her students to explore how artistic creations are born through the solving of problems.

Laurie MacAlpine came to Walker’s in 1998 and has expanded the music program to address the needs of a growing student body. She earned her bachelor’s degree in science with a minor in vocal music from Ladycliff College and went on to receive her master’s in music composition from The Hartt School, University of Hartford. An accomplished musician, she studied composition and theory with Arnold Franchetti, classical guitar with Janet Marlowe, and piano with Bridget de Moura Castro. Before coming to Walker’s, Laurie owned her own piano and classical guitar studio for 10 years and started four independent music programs for home school associations in Connecticut. She has conducted several children’s choirs in churches throughout Hartford and is currently the cantor at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. At Walker’s, she has expanded the music program to include a gospel choir and a chamber choir (Voce Felice), Upper and Middle School orchestra, a handbell choir, and chamber ensembles. In October 2006, she was awarded The Natalie Galbraith Mitchell Chair in the Humanities for her work at the school. She is currently a member of Simsbury Town Band in the clarinet section.