Inside the Life of a Student: Danielle Feinstein

Written by Emily Ladig – Print Opinions Editor

Thespian.  Singer.  Leader.  Senior Danielle Feinstein, who was recently elected to the International Thespian Society Student Board known as ITO, keeps busy bettering herself as a singer and actress as well as helping others better themselves.

“I’m in a high school program called ‘Artists in Training’ and I get weekly voice lessons,” said Feinstein. “It is composed of St. Louis and Illinois kids.  We have outings and see concerts and shows once a month, too.”

As a senior involved in this program, Feinstein has the opportunity to win $4,000 to put towards her education and future.  

Feinstein also is currently the Missouri State Thespian Officer and last June was elected to be an officer of the International Thespian Society.  

“It’s a five person board from all around the United States.  My job is to travel to different states and give workshops on leadership and art advocacy,” Feinstein said. 

Feinstein is also helping to plan the International Thespian Festival which is located in Lincoln, Nebraska this summer.

“The International Thespian Festival is a week-long gathering of thousands of thespians from around the world,” Feinstein said.  “There are a variety of workshops, shows from all over the country and individual events in which students do a variety of things from performing a monologue to showing set designs and then they are rated on a scale from Poor to Superior.” 

At the festival, Feinstein has the special task of being an event coordinator.

Additionally, she has been involved in Sparkplugs (a mixed jazz group) for three years and Powder Room since she was a freshman.

“Powder Room is an all-girls group where we sing acapella music and participate in competitions,” said Feinstein. 

Choir teacher Emily Matthews has had Feinstein in choir class and has seen her develop as a singer over the years.   

“Danielle has always had a talent that sets her apart from others,” said Matthews.  “She has grown through her work ethic and her characterization, which is her ability to portray what music is really about.”

Alongside Brian Reeves, Matthews leads the musical groups that Danielle is involved in. 

Feinstein recently made All-State Choir where she was one of four people selected out of 200 sopranos in the St. Louis area. 

After high school, Feinstein plans to attend college at either UMSL or Truman State to major in vocal performance.  

“In the future I hope to be a Metropolitan Opera National Counsel Audition Finalist, which will give me a jump start to my opera career,” Danielle said. “One day, I hope to travel the world and sing.”