Abby Jeschke will enter her third year as Head Competitive Dance Coach in 2024-25 after being announced as the successor of Claire Ward in May of 2022.
Jeschke graduated from Southeast Missouri State University obtaining her BFA in Dance with a minor in Entrepreneurship. At SEMO, Jeschke trained in the genres of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop, and Aerial, while studying choreography, dance history, principles of teaching, and partnering. Other advanced training includes dance intensives with The Big Muddy Company in St. Louis and the American College Dance Association.
The St. Louisan has compiled a robust resume of teaching and choreography during her time at Southeast Missouri State and Day Spring Arts & Education serving as a Conservatory Academy ballet instructor, STEAM camps instructor and Pilates instructor. Her choreography has been featured in several main stage and second stage performances at SEMO.
During her undergraduate coursework, Jeschke interned with the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center and was a member of a dance student organization, University Dancers United.
Jeschke takes over for Claire Ward, a former dance instructor of hers who played a significant role in her dance career. Ward directed the Spartans' competitive dance team from 2019-2021 which included five NAIA Competitive Dance All-American awards.
Abby plans to join Matthias’ Lot Church in St. Charles with her return to St. Louis. During her time as an undergraduate in Cape Girardeau, Jeschke attended La Croix United Methodist Church.
