CHARIS Staff
Michaela Cruse (she/they)
Artistic Director
Michaela Cruse is a St. Louis based certified K–12 teacher, houseplant enthusiast, and proud dog mom. After graduating from Webster University in 2020, she began her adventures as a music teacher. She currently teaches middle school music at North Side Community School, works with CHARIS, the St. Louis Women’s Chorus as Artistic Director (and enthusiastic Alto 1), and collaborates 1:1 with private students in her music studio to learn skills in voice and piano, and likely a bit of emotional regulation.
Evee Spiker (she/her)
Accompanist
Evee Spiker is an enthusiastic pianist from Nashville, TN. She is new to both St. Louis and to CHARIS, and is excited to get to be part of such an affirming orginization.
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Some of Evee's musical backgound includes playing for the Nashville Ballet in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, working alongside the Mark Morrison Dance Masterclass, and playing with her jazz combo for Nashville Pride's Jazz and Martinis Fundraiser.
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Evee also enjoys hosting or playing jam sessions with other musciians around the city, reading poetry, engaging in comunity activism, and gardening with her wife.
Sarah Maguigad (she/her)
Music Assistant
Sarah is elated to be part of the CHARIS team! This will be her third season as Music Assistant for CHARIS. Her job includes sending many emails, scheduling meetings, booking instrumentalists, assisting the music librarian, and acting as stage manager during tech week and concert days.
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Sarah is a middle school music teacher in Saint Louis and is completing her fifth year of teaching in the SLPS School District. She attended Webster University for her undergraduate degree in Music Education, and she is currently enrolled in a graduate program through The University of Missouri for Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
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In her free time, you can find Sarah running through the beautiful parks in South City, attending yoga classes, walking her two dogs Wilmer and Honey, reading a new fantasy series, or testing out new recipies in her kitchen.