Administration

Director of Concert & Marching Bands

lorianne.alegria@sarasotacountyschools.net

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. 

Mrs. Alegria 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. 

Mrs. Alegria is currently the Director of the North Port High Schools Alliance Marching Band, Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and teaches all orchestra and percussion courses. 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. 

Visual Arts Instructor   

felecia.desiano@sarasotacountyschools.net

Felecia DeSiano first joined our staff last year as an adjunct instructor. We are happy to have her join us as a full-time instructor this school year. All though she is new our NPHS staff she has been teaching art classes for over 10 years. She is excited for the opportunity to share her love of art with her students and hopes to inspire them the same way her high school art teacher inspired her. Since she was a child, Felecia has always had a love for art and a passion for helping others. Felecia believes that the artistic process should be fun and stress-free, and that artistic creation can help provide an escape from the stressors of everyday life.

Felecia enjoys spending time at the beach with her 9-year-old daughter. She enjoys cooking and travelling as often as possible. Her favorite museums are the MOMA in NYC and the Dali Museum in St Petersburg. Her favorite holiday is Halloween. Felecia is very excited to be here at NPHS and looks forward to creating lots of art and memories!  

Visual Arts Instructor

chloe.dubois@sarasotacountyschools.net

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 eight 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

Musical Theatre Director

dena.henderson@sarasotacountyschools.net

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.

Ms. Henderson 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. At NPHS she directs the fall play,  musical, Thespian district one act, and the spring musical each year. Her one acts have consistently been awarded Superior ratings. 

When not at the PAC, you will most likely find her at Disney World. 

Orchestra Director

laura.hill@sarasotacountyschools.net

 Dr. Laura Hill is the new Orchestra Director for North Port High School. Dr. Hill began studying piano at age five with her grandfather, added ‘cello at age 11, and finally joined her public school band program in the fifth grade on alto saxophone. In high school Dr. Hill was honored to serve as the Drum Major for two consecutive years. Dr. Hill studied all three instruments privately throughout her childhood, attended Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana), and continued the ‘cello and saxophone as a rare double principal and piano secondary music student. Her studio teachers were Dr. William Grubb, Dr. Jack Eaton, and Dr. WIlliam Hockkeppel. During her undergraduate years, Dr. Hill performed in every large instrumental ensemble including Marching Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and various small ensembles. After Dr. Hill earned her Bachelors in Music Education with Honors Degree from Butler University she began her public school teaching career at the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township (Indianapolis). Simultaneously, she was performing ‘cello with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and teaching jazz saxophone as an Adjunct Professor at Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN). While at Pike HS Dr. Hill’s ensembles consistently earned Superior Ratings at every Indiana State School Music Association’s large and small ensemble contest. In 2000, Dr. Hill accepted the Education Coordinator position at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) - one of only 18 full-time professional symphonies in the United States. Her work at the ISO centered around the School Partnership Program which placed members of the ISO in classrooms across the city to teach the Indiana State Standards of Education through music. Within that program she worked with Dr. Robert Horowitz of Columbia University and co-author of Champions of Change 2000.  In 2003, her husband, Dr. John Hill earned the Director of Percussion at Murray State University, and the family moved to Kentucky. 

In Kentucky Dr. Hill taught orchestra for the Graves County Schools where she took a program of only 30 students and increased enrollment to just over 300 in three years. In 2009, six years after Dr. Hill started in Graves County, the high school Chamber Orchestra was selected as the only high school orchestra to perform for the KMEA State Conference. Other notable performances of the Graves County High School Orchestra include two invited performances at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and one audition-based performance at Washington DC, Chicago Symphony Hall, Butler University, and Disney World. Her orchestra was also frequently requested to perform for many Kentucky state conferences including the Kentucky School Board Association, Kentucky Superintendents Association, and Family Resource Centers of Kentucky to name a few. Dr. Hill served the KY Music Educators Association as the District 1 Orchestra Chair from 2004-2011, State Orchestra Chair-Elect from 2005-2007, and State Chair from 2008-2010. She was also the Kentucky American String Teachers Association State President from 2009-2011. Dr. Hill earned her Masters in Secondary Education with Music Emphasis from Murray State University in 2007 and studied ‘cello with Mr. Xiao-Fan Zhang of the Nashville Symphony. She attended The Ohio State University and was Dr. Robert Gillespie’s (co-author of Essential Elements for Strings) Teaching Assistant from 2011-2014. During her time at OSU she was the co-founder of the OSU School of Medicine Orchestra, she led the OSU First Year Orchestra, The OSU Community Orchestra, and was co-director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Strings Ensemble. Dr. Hill graduated from OSU with a PhD in Music Education, Specializing in String Pedagogy, Orchestral Conducting, and Violoncello in 2017. 

As a frequent clinician Dr. Hill has presented at American String Teachers Association national conferences in Louisville (KY) and Providence (RI), the National Association for Music Education national conference in Nashville (TN), and state music conferences in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.  She has led honor orchestras in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Dr. Hill is an active adjudicator on the district and state levels in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio. Dr. Hill has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Teachers in Kentucky sponsored by Ashland Oil. Dr. Hill is a Grammy Award Quarterfinalist for Music Education, and the recipient of many awards including the Coach John Wooden Award for Excellence in Education, the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and several Marquis’s Who’s Who awards including Who’s Who in American High Schools, Who’s Who Among American Women, Who’s Who Among Emerging Leaders, and Who’s Who in America.  

Ballet Instructor

Visual & Performing Arts Department Chair

heather.nelson@saraostacountyschools.net

Heather Nelson 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 Donn 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 7 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 22 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 as the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, Sarasota county’s newest Visual and Performing Arts Magnet and 2020 Florida Arts Model School award recipient from Florida Alliance for Arts Education.

Visual Arts Instructor

phu.nguyen@sarasotacountyschools.net

Phu Nguyen was born in Sydney Australia.

He attended college at Culver-Stockton College in Missouri graduating in 2001 Earning his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education with a focus on sculpture and ceramics.

Mr. Phu has been teaching art at North Port High School since 2003 where he teaches 2-D Art and Ceramics. He is a talented practicing artist, occasionally making art in a variety of media. He has created amazing designs on our football field for special events such as graduation and cross county meets. He also serves as our Cross-Country Coach so you may see him running after school up and down Price Blvd.

Theatre instructor

PAC Manager/Technical Director

ryan.oliver@sarasotacountyschools.net

Ryan Oliver received his A.A. Degree in Technical Theatre from Valencia State College. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Central Florida. Later receiving his Master of Arts Degree in Educational Technologies. 

Mr. Oliver has taught at North Port High School since its opening in 2001. As a full time, instructor, he directs two shows a year working with students in our VPA Acting program. He also teaches the Technical Theatre classes.

Mr. Oliver also serves as the North Port Theatre Manager, working with several community and visiting groups.  He oversees all theatre bookings and technical theatre services for the North Port Performing Arts Center. 

Visual Arts Instructor

marianne.robertson@sarasotacountyschools.net

 Marianne Robertson received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University with a Minor in Watercolors and Art History. Originally from Chicago, she has traveled extensively, living in eight different US states and is very excited to call Florida her home. Marianne is a multidisciplinary artist working in painting, drawing, and fiber and textile design. She has experience instructing adults and children in art studio settings and public schools. Professional work experience includes graphic design, muralist and illustration. 

Ms. Robertson began working at North Port High School in March 2023 and is honored to be part of the Art Department. Marianne creates open-ended, process-driving projects that allow the students to develop their ideas and personal communication skills as well as their art skills.   

Dance Instructor 

Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator

michelle.slay@sarasotacountyschools.net

Michelle Slay is a Native Floridian who began dancing at the age of nine. She has trained over the years in many different forms of dance but mainly in ballet, classical jazz, tap, and modern dance. She is a certified level 1 mUvmethod trainer. In 2004 she was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance Education K-12 from The University of South Florida. After graduation, she was hired in 2004 to teach and direct the dance program at North Port High where she currently teaches the VPA Dance Technique courses and is the VPA Musical Dance Director. She also serves as the North Port High Visual & Preforming Arts Coordinator.

Mrs. Slay's performance experience includes 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 for over 30 years, in both Florida and Northern California.

Mrs. Slay is a 2010 recipient of the Bates Dance Festival Teacher Fellowship Award and The 2023 Barancik TIME Fellowship. She has served on the course writing team for the Florida Sunshine State Standards, The Sarasota County Schools Standards writing team and the research/writing team for The Florida State Dance Assessment. She is an active member of the National Dance Educators association, and Florida Dance Educators Association since 2002. She currently serves on the Sarasota County C/SPA Committee, and North Port High’s Guiding Coalition Team. Her current goals are to complete her Master’s Degree in Arts Administration. 

Mrs. Slays mission has been to develop a strong, supportive dance training program at NPHS regardless of personal challenges that students might face. She wishes for every student to become confident, independent learners, who are prepared to follow their dreams.  

Director of Choral and Vocal Studies

david.sommer@saraostacountyschools.net

David Sommer completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Florida International University. His experience began in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties as a Choral Director, adjudicator, and clinician. He is currently the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at North Port High School where his ensembles have earned superior ratings at solo and ensemble and the choral Music Performance Assessment. He is a Florida State certified adjudicator for the Florida Vocal Association. 

With over twenty years of teaching experience, he and his ensembles have earned Superior ratings at district, state, and national levels. Mr. Sommer has brought ensembles to Carnegie Hall, New York, Edinburgh, Scotland, and various venues throughout the United States. In March of 2011, he was invited to Rome, Italy as a guest director for the I Festival Internacionale di Arte per Giovanni Musicisti.

Mr. Sommer’s current active memberships and affiliations include the Florida Vocal Association, Florida Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American Choral Director’s Association. He is currently attending Mississippi State University earning his Master’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis on choral conducting. His future goal is to obtain his Doctorate Degree in Musical Arts with a focus on Choral Conducting.