Learn with Us

           Percussion, Orchestra & Band

 Mrs. Lorianne Alegria hails from Morrow, Georgia, where she started in band as a percussionist. She graduated from Morrow High School and then went on to Middle Tennessee State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education, and a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting. She has conducted many ensembles, including the MTSU Wind Ensemble, and the MTSU Percussion Ensemble, and she has worked with many ensembles including The MTSU Band of Blue, Mt. Juliet Marching Band and the Mt. Juliet Indoor Drumline. She has performed with artists such as Lalo Davila, J.B. Smith, Matt Savage, Greg Bissonnette, Arthur Lipner, Richie Garcia, Heratio Hernandez, David Amram, and has played under conducting/composing greats such as W. Francis McBeth, Alfred Reed, Johan DeMeij, Jerry Junkin, Colonel Arnald Gabriel, and Colonel Lowell Graham. She is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society, MENC, FMEA, FBA, MEA, and NEA. Mrs. Alegria has performed with the Sarasota Pops as Principal Percussionist, and is the former Percussion Caption Head of the Sun Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. She is currently the Director of the North Port High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and Director of Percussion, Band, and Orchestras at North Port High School.  Mrs. Alegria has several pieces published through Row-Loff Productions and Sheet Music Plus, and she is proud to be an Innovative Percussion Education Artist. 

                          Band Director  

Dr. Owen Bradley has been the director of bands ant North Port High School in North Port FL since it opened in 2001 and has been a music educator at the high school and middle school levels for 30 years. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education in instrumental music from the Florida State University, a Master of Science in educational technology from Walden University, and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from Argosy University/Sarasota. Dr. Bradley maintains an active schedule as clinician, adjudicator and speaker on the subject of music education and technology both in the state of Florida and nationally. Dr. Bradley has published several articles and a blog on the subject of music education technology with worldwide readership. The North Port High School Jazz One Band began in 2002 with just 8 members. Since then the jazz program at North Port High School has grown to support two jazz band periods during the school day with the top (Jazz One) by audition only. NPHS Jazz One has consistently earned superior ratings at the Florida Bandmaster’s Association District and State Music Performance Assessments. Jazz One has participated in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition for several years and has enjoyed tremendous musical growth as a result. 

              Drawing & Painting Instructor

  Marilyn was born in and raised in Rhode Island under the strong influence of her father, who introduced her to art through his extradentary talent and love for museums. Marilyn began teaching in RI at North Scituate Middle and High School, the school which she attended. She has been an educator for the past 23 years, Marilyn has spent the last 19 years in SCSD at North Port High, mainly teaching Drawing & Painting classes. Marilyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in art education, as well as a Master’s degree and an Education Specialist degree. As a visual arts teacher, Marilyn has always focused on teaching students to not only create art which is personally meaningful, but art that is also meaningful within the context of society.

                  Ceramics Instructor

 Chloe DuBois teaches Ceramics (levels I, II, III) and Pre-AICE Art. She has a bachelor’s degree in Art Education from UCF. She has taught at the high school level for the last seven years in Sarasota County. She is currently NPHS’ National Art Honor Society sponsor and president of the Sarasota Art Education Association. Chloe fell in love with art at a young age through school, which inspired her to become an art teacher. She also practices her own art of drawing and painting in her free time. 

                  Theatre Instructor

Dena Henderson was born and raised in Wauchula, Florida. Having performed her whole life from dance and piano lessons, and even as a baton twirler, it is no surprise life eventually led her to the world of theatre.   She attended Flagler College in St. Augustine Florida where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and English.  She later attended the University of Maine at Orono where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Theatre. She has worked professionally as a stage manager. Her teaching career began at South Florida State College where she taught as well as working as a technician with the performing arts center.  She also has worked with various organizations in the summer and as a middle school English teacher before coming to North Port.  She directs a fall play or musical, the Thespian District one act, and the spring musical each year.  Her one acts have consistently been awarded Superior ratings.  She also is the costumer for all the productions in a year.  When not at the PAC, you will most likely find her at Disney World. 

      VPA Coordinator, Department Chair, 

             AP Art & Digital Art Instructor

Dr. Jennings received her B.S. Art Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, her M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction at National Louis University in Tampa, Florida and earned her Doctor of Education at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Jennings has worked as a graphic artist in Philadelphia, PA and owned her own sign business in North Port FL. Dr. Jennings has done freelance artwork for close to 30 years throughout her career. Additionally, Dr. Jennings has juried art shows, served as an AP reader through the College Board and has led student tours in Europe with art & art history students since 2007. Dr. Jennings published her research titled “How Participation in the Arts Impacts Learning Comprehension for High School Students During Stem Coursework,” demonstrating the importance of arts education. Furthermore, she has successfully written several grants for art students and equipment, conducted professional development on arts education for art and non-arts teachers. and has been a presenter at the Florida Arts Education Association annual conference. Many of Dr. Jennings’ students earn college scholarships in the arts and go onto have successful careers in the visual art fields across the country.

                       Dance Instructor

Heather began her ballet training at the age of eight. In 2002 she was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet, with an emphasis on Instruction and Performance from the University of Utah. She performed professionally for eight years. She danced for four seasons as a member of the San Diego Ballet, where she was privileged to be cast in numerous created and repertoire soloist roles, and another four years as a Featured Dancer and Principal Swing in Don Arden’s Jubilee!at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. 

Mrs. Nelson is a Florida Department of Education Certified teacher, an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, and a RAD Registered Teacher, a Certified Teacher of Progressing Ballet Technique, and a Member of the Florida Dance Education Organization. Heather Nelson is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. 

Mrs. Nelson aspires to be a lifelong learner and to pass on the love and joy of ballet that has been so generously shared with her. She has had the opportunity to instruct at numerous public and private institutions, conservatories, and studios for the past 20 years and is currently continuing her studies with the Royal Academy of Dance and University of Bath as a part of the 2020 cohort for the Master of Arts Education (Dance Teaching). She is proud to be a part of the North Port High School faculty, Sarasota county’s newest Visual and Performing Arts Magnet and 2020 Florida Arts Model School award recipient from Florida Alliance for Arts Education.

 Teacher/PAC Manager/Technical Director

Mr. Oliver received his AA in technical theatre from Valencia State College before transferring to the University of Central Florida to continue his theatre studies  and BA degree.  He has since received his MA in Educational Technologies. He directs two shows a year as a part of the VPA Acting program and is the technical director for all shows.  He teaches the Technical Theatre classes and is the facility manager for the North Port Performing Arts Center.

                    Dance Instructor

Michelle Slay is a Native Floridian who began dancing with BJ’s School of Dance at the age of nine, under the direction of Barbara Jean Hodges, where she received a well-rounded training background in Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. She later added Modern dance in college. Her love of dance and the performing arts continued through school and later lead her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education K-12 from The University of South Florida, Tampa. After graduation, she was hired in 2004 to teach and direct the dance program at North Port High where she currently serves as an Instructor. 

Michelle has performed as a dancer/singer for Sesame Street Live with Bob McGrath, character dancer for Kings Island Production Tours, and Company Dancer for Sundancers Performing Arts Company. She has worked as a dance adjudicator for the Florida Federation of Colorguard Circuits, and as Master Choreographer for The Historical Roseville Theatre in Roseville, California. As a Freelance choreographer, she has set work on several show choirs, pageants, colorguards and theatrical/musical performances.  Her teaching career has provided experience in both studio and public-school settings, in both Florida and California where she has taught for Roseville School of Dance, Center High School, BJ’s School of Dance, and North Port High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet.  

Michelle is a 2010 recipient of the Teacher Fellowship Award from The Bates Dance Festival. She has served on the course writing team for the Florida Sunshine State Standards, and the research/writing team for The Florida State Dance Assessment. She has also been an active member since 2002 of the National Dance Educators Association and the Florida Dance Educators Association. She currently serves on the Sarasota County C/SPA Committee, and North Port High’s Instructional Leadership Team. Michelle’s continuing educational plans are to complete her master’s degree in arts administration. Her teaching mission has been to develop a strong supportive training program for the teens in our community, regardless of economical challenges, and to teach students to become confident, independent learners, while helping to guide and prepare students who want to become professional artists.  

   Choir, Vocal Ensemble & Keyboarding                    

David Sommer completed his Bachelor’s degree at Florida International University. He is in his fourth year at North Port High School as the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, where his choruses have earned Superior and Superior with Distinction performance ratings at both district and state levels. With over 25 years of teaching experience in Miami- Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Sarasota Counties, he serves as a choral clinician and music educator. He is also a certified vocal adjudicator throughout the state of Florida.

Mr. Sommer had brought ensembles to perform in Carnegie Hall, New York; Edinburgh, Scotland, and various venues throughout the state of Florida and the country. In March of 2011, Mr. Sommer was invited to Rome, Italy as a guest Director for the I Festival Internationale di Arte per Giovani Musicisti.

Mr. Sommer’s current active memberships include the Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educator’s Association, and the American Choral Director’s Association; his future plans include earning a Master’s Degree in choral conducting to further his knowledge and career success.