About Me
Bio
Keely Umstot is a certified teacher in both Illinois and Texas with dual certification in Theatre and Music, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work as a teaching artist. Keely is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, where she earned a degree in Music Education. She has directed, music directed, and choreographed over fifty shows, and counting, earning recognition as an award-winning director and choreographer.
As a teaching artist, Keely is dedicated to creating a love for the arts in her students, and she strongly believes in applying that love to all other aspects of learning. Her approach is focused on developing meaningful connections with her students to foster a passion for learning and self-expression. Based in Chicago, Keely has gained extensive experience as a teaching artist, bringing her abilities to a diverse range of students and communities. Her skills and dedication to musical theatre have been her lifelong goal and continue to be as she instills a love for the arts in her students.
Education & Training
Texas Tech University
Bachelor's in Music Education
Secondary Concentration in Theatre Arts
Hub Performing Arts School
9 years
Training in Musical Theatre, Theatre, & Dance
Theatre Training
17 years
Training in Musical Theatre, Theatre Performance, Devising, Theatre education, Shakespeare, Technical Theatre, and more
Voice Training
19 years
Training in Classical, Choral, Broadway, and vocal technique/health
Dance Training
22 years
Training in Musical Theatre, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Tap
College and Certification
Texas Tech University- BA Music Education
Texas Teaching Certifications:
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12
TExES EC-12 Music
TExES EC-12 Theatre
Illinois Teaching Certifications:
PEL Professional Educators License
Endorsement EC-12 Music
Endorsement EC-12 Theatre/Drama
Shows I've Worked On
Schoolhouse Rock JR- Director & Music Director Santiago Elementary Spring 2024
101 Dalmatians KIDS- Director & Choreographer BAM Theatre Spring 2024
Frozen KIDS- Director & Choreographer BAM Theatre Fall 2023
Seussical KIDS- Director & Music Director BAM Theatre Summer 2023
Willy Wonka KIDS- Director Ovation Academy Summer 2023
Lion King JR- Director BAM Theatre Summer 2023
Seussical KIDS- Director & Music Director Ovation Academy Spring 2023
15 Reasons Not to be in a Play GEMS World Academy Spring 2023
Matilda JR- Choreographer Ovation Academy April 2023
Dot & the Kangaroo (Pilot Production)- Choreographer Bravo Performing Arts February 2023
Raise Your Voice- Associate Choreographer & M.D. Bravo Performing Arts November 2022
Captain Louie JR- Choreographer Ovation Academy October 2022
Winnie the Pooh KIDS- Choreographer Ovation Academy August 2022
Peter Pan JR- Music Director Bravo Performing Arts July 2022
Fame JR- Music Director Bravo Performing Arts June 2022
Matilda JR- Director/M.D./Choreographer Hub Performing Arts May 2022
Junie B Jones JR- Director/Music Director Hub Performing Arts May 2022
School House Rock JR- Director/Choreographer Talkington SYWL May 2022
Double Double- Director Talkington SYWL April 2022
Antigone Now- Director Talkington SYWL Spring 2022
Seussical JR- Director/Choreographer Talkington SYWL December 2021
Ashgirl- Director Talkington SYWL November 2021
Into the Woods JR- Director/M.D./Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Summer 2021
Shrek JR- Director/M.D./Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Summer 2021
Lion King JR- Director/M.D./Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Summer 2021
Music Man JR- Music Director/Choreographer Sunnyside Theatre Summer 2021
Sister Act JR- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Spring 2021
Dear Edwina JR- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Spring 2021
Newsies- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Winter 2020
Frozen JR- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Winter 2020
Winnie the Pooh KIDS- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Winter 2020
Once on this Island JR- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Spring 2019
Alice in Wonderland JR- Music Director/Choreographer Hub Performing Arts Spring 2019
(this page is currently under construction...)
Teaching Experience
K-8 MUSIC TEACHER
Esmeralda Santiago Elementary School (Acero Charter Schools) - Chicago, IL
AUGUST 2023 - PRESENT
TEACHING ARTIST & PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTOR
BAM Theatre - Hinsdale, IL
AUGUST 2023 - PRESENT
TEACHING ARTIST & PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTOR
Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts - Oak Park, IL
JUNE 2022 - PRESENT
MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DIRECTOR
GEMS International Baccalaureate World Academy - Chicago, IL
FEBRUARY 2023 - JUNE 2023
PRODUCTION MANAGER & TEACHING ARTIST
Bravo Performing Arts Academy - Oak Park, IL
JUNE 2022 - FEBRUARY 2023
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & LEAD MUSICAL THEATRE DIRECTOR
Hub Performing Arts School - Lubbock, TX
AUGUST 2016 - MAY 2022
MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DIRECTOR
Talkington School for Young Women Leaders - Lubbock, TX
JUNE 2021 - MAY 2022
ASSISTANT THEATRE DIRECTOR & MUSICAL DIRECTOR
All Saints Episcopal School - Lubbock, TX
AUGUST 2017 - MAY 2020
Awards and Accomplishments
Junior Theatre Festival:
2022- Outstanding Performance by an Individual (student cast as Trunchbull)- Matilda JR (Director, Music Director & Choreographer)
2021- Excellence in Dance- Sister Act JR (Director, Music Director & Choreographer)
2021- Excellence in Ensemble- Dear Edwina JR (Director, Music Director & Choreographer)
2021 - Excellence in Ensemble- ELF JR (Music Director, Asst. Director & Choreographer)
2019 - Excellence in Ensemble- Once on this Island JR (Music Director, Asst. Director & Choreographer)
2014 - Excellence in Dance & Outstanding Student Choreography- Seussical JR (Performer, Soloist & Student Choreographer)
2012 - Excellence in Music- Dear Edwina JR (Performer, Soloist & Student Choreographer)
2011 - Excellence in Acting- Alice in Wonderland JR (Performer & Asst. Choreographer)
2009 - Outstanding Production- Godspell JR (Performer & Soloist)
National Performing Arts Festival- Disney World:
2020 - Excellence in Performance- Winnie the Pooh Kids (Asst. Director, Choreographer, Music Director)
2020- Excellence in Performance- Frozen JR (Asst. Director, Choreographer, Co-Music Director)
2020- Excellence in Performance- Newsies Showcase (Asst. Director, Choreographer, Music Director)
2019 - Excellence in Performance- Alice in Wonderland JR (Asst. Director, Choreographer, Co-Music Director)
Musical Theatre Competitions of America
2021 - 5 Solo Musical Theatre Placements- (Director, Music Director)
One Act Play
2022- 5th Place- UIL HS OAP- "Antigone Now" (Director)
2021- 4th Place- UIL MS OAP- "The Ash Girl" (Director)
2019 - 1st Place- Patriot Invitational- "ALiCE" (Director)
Young Performers of America
Skills
Proficient in teaching: Theatre, Musical Theatre, Private voice (all ages), Music- choral, Music- musical theatre, Musical theatre dance, Jazz dance, Ballet dance, Contemporary dance
Skills: Mezzo-Soprano Singer, Piano, Marketing via Social Media, Management Skills, Dance: Musical Theatre, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Acting: Stage and Film