Kristen Brayson | kbrayson@pps.net
Kristen Brayson is the Program Administrator for Visual & Performing Arts for Portland Public Schools (PPS). Kristen works closely with 200+ dance, music, theatre, and visual arts educators in over 78 schools and oversees the mission and vision of Visual & Performing Arts in PPS. Prior to her current role, she served as Arts Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) in the PPS central office for four years. Before working at the district level, Kristen spent 22 years delivering dance education to students across PPS.
As a young child, Kristen discovered dance and embraced it as a soul-satisfying avenue to provoke internal and personal expression. After numerous years of classical, modern/contemporary, jazz, and tap dance study and performance, Kristen joined the dance staff at Jefferson High school in their noteworthy pre-professional training program. After her tenure at Jefferson, Kristen became a founding teacher of da Vinci Arts Middle School as the director of its dance department. Over the next 17 years, Kristen taught five comprehensive levels of dance, choreographed over 300 pieces of work, directed numerous productions, and oversaw the growth of the da Vinci dance program from 33 students to 350.
As a fervent equity-focused educator, Kristen believes that arts education provides unique tools to unlock a student’s personal voice, physical expressions, and abstract, critical and creative thinking — all crucial cornerstones to healthy human development. She is a tireless advocate for arts education as a vehicle that supports and drives student purpose and fosters deep learning around concepts of culture, identity, and place. Kristen believes that the artifacts of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts occupy space and time and cause engagement, pause, reflection and celebration, the fruits of which make students feel seen, heard, and valued for their unique contributions.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree with a dance focus from St. Mary’s College of California, a Master’s of Education degree from Marylhurst University, and a professional Administrator License degree from Portland State University.
Nicole Accuardi | naccaurdi@pps.net
Nicole Accuardi is the K-12 Theatre & Dance Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and Arts Partnership Liaison for Portland Public Schools. Before joining the VAPA team, Nicole taught at at da Vinci Arts Middle School. She is also a Production Coordinator and Musical Theatre Teacher at Young Musicians and Artists. As the daughter of a PPS theatre teacher, Nicole has grown up with educational theatre and professional theatre as an integral aspect of her development. She is passionate about each student having a right to a comprehensive arts education that provides them the chance to choose their art form, develop their skills, and engage in self expression to help us to see and hear their unique world views. Outside of theatre and education Nicole is mother to 3-year-old Milo, loves cooking Italian food and is a board game enthusiast. She is a graduate of Point Park University (BFA in Acting), The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and Concordia University (MAT in Theatre).
Laura Arthur | larthur@pps.net
Laura Arthur is the K-12 Music Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) for Portland Public Schools. Before becoming a part of the PPS Visual & Performing Arts team, she taught middle school band for 12 years, directing concert and jazz band ensembles along with teaching orchestra, guitar, percussion, and general music classes. Laura has previously served on EdSpec, Program Renewal, and schedule adoption committees and is on the board of the Oregon Music Education Association as the state-wide Advocacy Co-Chair. Laura performs extensively on bass clarinet and bari sax and has been a member of Portland Wind Symphony, Northwest Wind Symphony, and several local big bands. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon (B.Mus, Music Education) and Portland State University (M.Ed).
Laura is passionate about providing engaging instruction and high-quality music experiences to all students. Outside of music and education, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing softball, baking, comics, and trivia.
Carolyn Hazel Drake | cdrake@pps.net
Carolyn Hazel Drake is the K-12 Visual Arts Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) for Portland Public Schools. Carolyn studied Literature & Architecture at Portland State University’s Honors College and spent a term as a curatorial research & writing intern for the Smithsonian American Art Museum, with a particular focus on sculpture, before getting her M.Ed. in Arts Education. Carolyn taught visual art, art history, and language arts for over a decade in the Molalla, Silverton, and Centennial School Districts, followed by becoming a K-12 Instructional Coach for Centennial SD. Carolyn maintains an active studio practice and most recently exhibited her textiles at Guardino Gallery and the Sitka Invitational. Since 2018, she has been awarded a GLEAN residency, a Leland Ironworks residency, and a Suttle Lodge residency, and is a member of the Portland Art Museum's Teacher Advisory Council.