Mark Saunders is a native of St. Louis who holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Lindenwood University. An established actor and singer, Mark was in the national tour for Something Rotten! and has performed in numerous regional theater productions. He has performed locally at The Muny, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater, STAGES St. Louis, and Stray Dog Theater. He also performed with the St. Louis Symphony for 10 years.

Caroline Joy Geringer was a competitive dancer from a young age, participated in Muny shows and the Muny Teen program, and took voice lessons since she was 8 years old with none other than Jamie Eros herself. 

Caroline moved to NYC right after she graduated and trained with many current broadway professionals including Derek Klena, Lizz Picini, Dee Tomasetta, and many more. Upon her return to STL she worked with the Muny Kids and Teens, helping with choreography and cleaning. She was soon given her first equity contract as a swing in Frozen at the Muny and has sang at NASCAR for the past two years.

“I am thrilled to be teaching at Sparger, sharing my love and knowledge of performing!”

Chris Kernan brings 20 years of experience working with regional and professional theaters, a theatre performance degree, and 18 years of teaching theatre through workshops, classes, and private lessons. 

Chris is excited to help students grow as performers and people. He’s passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where students can take risks, build confidence, and learn the power of teamwork along the way.

BRIAN is a lifelong performer and supporter of the arts. He has participated in plays, musicals, and choirs throughout high school and college. From 2009–2012, he assisted with O’Fallon Township High School show choirs, gaining hands-on production experience. A 2015 SIUE graduate with a B.S. in Accountancy and a first-generation college student, Brian is dedicated to creating opportunities for youth in the arts.

With over 30 years of HR leadership experience across multiple industries, Cindy is Vice President of Human Resources at Crown Packaging Corporation. Her career includes key roles at Booksource, Neocova, Aon, and Nature’s Variety, where she led major people initiatives, mergers, and community partnerships. A University of Missouri–Columbia graduate with a B.S. and a minor in Dance, Cindy has been a lifelong supporter of the arts since beginning dance at age three. She’s active in the St. Louis community, serving on nonprofit boards and co-founding Smiles of Hope. She lives in St. Louis with her husband, Doug, their golden retriever, Norm, and is the proud mother of Hutton and Katie.

With over 25 years of experience, DONNA specializes in creating engaging in-person and virtual learning experiences using educational theory and instructional technology. Known for her humor and inspiration, she empowers people from all backgrounds to grow and succeed. As an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University for more than 25 years, she has taught courses in HR, Communication, Diversity, and Leadership. In 2020, she founded her own DEI training company, Moody Edu-Tainment, LLC. Donna now enjoys spending time with her son in New York City and her grandson, Liam.

DR. FLEMING holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus in Music from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. With over 40 years of experience as a teacher, professor, and performer, she has directed choirs and musical theatre productions across the Metro-East and New York City. She has taught at the Professional Children’s School (NYC), SWIC, and UMSL, mentoring future music educators and leading international performance trips. An accomplished pianist, vocalist, and director, Dr. Fleming continues to inspire through music and education.

Jamie Lynn Eros is an accomplished singer, performer, and educator with nearly two decades of experience in the performing arts. She holds a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Eastern Illinois University.

Jamie has performed with several professional opera companies throughout the Midwest and appeared in productions by St. Louis Shakespeare Company, Stray Dog Theatre, and Metro Theatre Company. She also spent four years as a staff singer with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, including two acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall.

Her passion for the arts and commitment to creating opportunities for young performers inspired the vision for Sparger Performing Arts. Recognizing the lack of accessible, high-quality performing arts education in Metro East, Jamie envisioned Sparger as a space where aspiring artists can thrive without the need to travel out of the area.

In addition to launching Sparger, Jamie continues to teach in her private voice and piano studio in Belleville, Illinois, where she inspires students to explore their talents and reach their full artistic potential.

MICHELE is an entrepreneur and lawyer who owns and operates several ventures, including a medical practice, a yoga teacher training school, and a real estate investment company. She has also worked as a small business consultant and personal coach, guiding entrepreneurs toward sustainable growth. As Chair of the Stewardship Committee at St. Clare Catholic Church, she led two capital campaigns and multiple tithing drives. Her legal, financial, and community expertise helps advance the Center’s mission of strengthening the arts in the Metro East.