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Justina Ouellette
This is Justina's second year as West Catholic's Theatre Program Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College in Theatre and Communication. When not leading 30 teenagers to stardom, she can be found on the other end of the phoneline in the West Catholic Main Office, or visiting her family in her hometown of Harbor Springs. "Thanks to Mom and Dad, for being supportive of me in my studies (even if they maybe weren’t totally convinced I’d use my theatre degree) and especially to Doré Furstenberg. Thank you for giving me my first role, I wish you could have seen where I have ended up. I hope I’ve made you proud."
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Darren LaPrise
Darren LaPrise has been the Director of Bands at West Catholic since 1996 and serves as the Associate Director of the West Catholic Concert Choir. He has been nominated twice for the Grammy of National Music Educator of the year. He has conducted the Marching Bands, the Concert Bands, the Jazz Bands, and most of the West Catholic Musicals. He is happily married to Lisa and has two sons, Preston & Carson. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Michigan State University and his Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. His Grand Rapids West Catholic bands have performed in New York, Los Angeles, Germany, Ireland, Montreal, Canada and in Italy twice. Mr. LaPrise is also a regular member of the Cathedral Brass at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral in Grand Rapids as a trombone player. He dabbles in arranging and composition and enjoys: spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, watching sports and of course, music.
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Chris Jensen
Chris Jensen is elated to be joining West Catholic again, this production marking nine years since Godspell, his first. While he played drums for Godspell and My Favorite Year, when an accompanist could not be found he played piano for Annie his senior year. He returned to play for Seussical, Hello Dolly! and now, The Quarantine Cabaret. Chris received his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Aquinas College, and is now the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Jude Parish. He is also the proud brother of Jonathan. Break a leg out there bro!
