When you walk into Amelia Roberts’ theater room at Trevista at Horace Mann, you feel the energy, laughter and genuine joy of students discovering their voices and passion. For the past six years, Amelia has been more than a music and theater teacher. She’s a source of inspiration, showing students what it means to love something deeply and work hard to bring it to life.
Amelia’s own love for music began at an early age. “I was always singing as a kid,” Amelia said. “From the moment I had a chance in fourth grade, I started playing the flute, and then just took every opportunity I could, musicals, jazz band, choir, all of it. It was always my favorite part of school.”
That early joy became the foundation for her teaching philosophy, helping students find that same spark she felt as a young performer. Her students see that passion every day.
“Ms. Roberts makes the plays really fun and magical,” fourth grader Keira Coover said.
Another student, Wren Hueber, said, “I think she just really likes to teach kids about acting, and ever since I did my first play, I really found a passion for it. Ms. Roberts is just a great teacher.”
For Amelia, passion is about commitment.
“My passion comes through in the process,” she said. “It starts with a vision for an end product, and then I’ll do whatever it takes to get there, whether it’s pulling kids for ten extra minutes of practice, hunting for the perfect costume or coming in on weekends to finish a set. It’s about believing in what we’re creating together.”
That belief has transformed Trevista’s theater program. What began as a small group of 28 students has grown into a vibrant, schoolwide experience that now includes multiple casts of fourth and fifth graders, and even younger students eager to join.
“I have preschool and kindergarten students asking, ‘When can I be in the musical?’” Amelia said. “It’s just taken on a life of its own.”
Students feel that sense of belonging and support.
“When we’re nervous, she reminds us it's okay to take a deep breath,” one student said.
Wren said that performing has shaped her confidence.
“Once I started performing, it really made me feel confident, like this is where I belong and I have a place here. No one cared if I messed up. Theater is where you can really express yourself and tell a story with your body and hands,” she said.
Other students echoed how deeply Amelia impacts them.
“Ms. Roberts helps me grow and never gives up on us,” said Abraham Casias.
Will Swanton added, “Ms. Roberts encourages us and makes us feel welcome at the play,” later explaining, “She’s not only passionate, but she’s kind and loving and she’s just a really good music teacher. I’m really glad to have her.”
Amelia hopes her students carry the lessons of performing beyond the stage.
“I hope they learn that feeling of payoff after hard work, that when you keep practicing and don’t give up, it leads to something beautiful,” she said. “That’s why I want them to carry.”
Through her passion and dedication, Amelia Roberts has done more than build a strong performing arts program, she has built a community where students feel empowered to create, believe in themselves and find joy in the process.