Alyssa Bigbee – SHS Graduate 2007 – Rising Star

Alyssa Bigbee is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and community activist. Based in Philadelphia, Alyssa has devoted over 12 years of her life and expertise to empowering youth through the performing arts. Alyssa’s journey began as a street dancer, focusing on hip hop and studying modern and jazz at the Philadelphia High School for Girls. In 10^th grade, she relocated to Springfield, where she was exposed to more forms of the performing arts. Her time at SHS inspired Alyssa as she was able to engage in cheerleading and theatre. At the end of her sophomore year, Alyssa founded the dance team known as “Cougar Flava” at SHS, leading them to compete in national competitions in Virginia. Her time at Springfield helped her build acting, choreographing, gymnastics, and acrobatics skills, laying a strong foundation for her future in circus arts. 

Alyssa continued at Kutztown University, majoring in electronic media with a minor in dance. Alyssa then apprenticed with Vissi Dance Theater in New York City under Courtney Ffrench and trained at the Alvin Ailey Extension Program.

Returning to Philadelphia in 2013, Alyssa expanded her artistic repertoire with experience in aerial silks, sling, and lyra, showcasing her unique blend of dance and circus skills. Knowing how much of an impact the exposure to performing arts had on her, she began after-school clubs in the Philadelphia School District. From 2013 to 2019, Alyssa visited schools teaching dance, cheerleading, acrobatics, and theater. She created a West Philadelphia High School performing arts program where students developed annual productions and competitions. She partnered with the University of Pennsylvania Netter Center to develop internships for students to teach dance at elementary schools, providing them with work experience to pursue careers in the performing arts. 

In 2020, while pursuing graduate education at Drexel University for Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling, Alyssa founded “Rebel Arts Movement” in the Kensington area to provide healing & community engagement through circus arts and tumbling. She established a “pay what you can” model to allow youth impacted by substance abuse and gun violence to find a safe space and engage with the performing arts. Alyssa continues to partner with schools and youth organizations to expand her reach, hoping to bring circus arts as a physical education requirement for public schools.

Christopher Burkhart – SHS Graduate 2005 – Rising Star

Chris Burkhart graduated from Springfield High School in 2005, where he was a member of the wind bands, jazz band, orchestra, and choral groups. He represented Springfield in district, region, all-state, and all-eastern honor ensembles. Chris holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education and a master’s degree in music technology. 

Chris has been the director of bands at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, DE, since 2013. He conducts the Cape Wind bands, jazz ensembles, and athletic bands. He also teaches music technology and music theory. In Chris’s time at Cape, the instrumental music program has grown from forty to over 150 students. It has added a second wind band, a second jazz band, a percussion ensemble, a chamber music program, and an AP Music Theory course. Cape music ensembles regularly perform at concerts and festivals throughout Delaware and the wider Mid-Atlantic region. In 2023, Cape Henlopen Jazz One was selected to perform for the NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Rochester, New York.

Chris previously held positions on the faculty at New England Music Camp, leading the Jazz Band and teaching in the jazz studies program. He also served as Concert Band conductor and on the trumpet faculty. From 2010-2016, he served in the 78th US Army Band, where he was the musical director of the jazz band and brass band and performed in the brass quintet. 

Chris lives in Milton, Delaware, with his wife, Jenna (Werley) Burkhart, a 2005 graduate of Springfield High School.