Meet Our Staff

At Oakland Fine Arts Summer School, we are proud to introduce our exceptional staff of talented artists and passionate mentors who are committed to nurturing the creative potential of our students.

OFASS 2023 Sharing Assembly

Meet Our Dedicated Staff:
Passionate Artists, Inspiring Mentors

Maureen Hartney

PRINCIPAL

Ms. Maureen Hartney was raised in San Francisco and began her teaching career with the San Francisco Unified School District. She has had a long career with the Oakland Unified School District and has worked as a teacher and/or administrator from the preschool level to high school. As a member of the OFASS community, she is proud to be on a team that develops positive and creative experiences for the students. Although she doesn’t sing, Ms. Hartney loves to dance!

Jessie McGee

ADMINISTRATOR

Ms. Jessie McGee, born and raised in Oakland, is a proud product of the Oakland Unified School District. She pursued higher education at CSUEB, securing a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master's in Educational Psychology, and an Administrative Services Credential. With over 47 years in the district, Jessie's roles have spanned from teacher to principal. Her passion for the performing arts led her to embrace the role of principal at OFASS in 2021, invited by Ms. Deitra Atkins. Ms. McGee's dedication and expertise make her a valuable member of the OFASS community.

Deitra Atkins

DIRECTOR

Ms. Deitra Atkins, an esteemed Oakland schools alumna, has devoted over fifty years to education, inspired by her transformative early schooling at Bella Vista Elementary School. After graduating in 3 years from UC Davis, she returned to enrich her community. Her tenure as Glenview Elementary's principal highlighted her commitment to integrating the arts with academics. Currently leading the Oakland Fine Arts Summer School since 2003, Ms. Atkins continues to advocate for the arts' power to uplift and inspire, proving that a single teacher can indeed make a lifetime of difference.

Kevan Peobody

CHOIR

Kevan Peabody delivers a unique and welcomed experience! His musical training is a rich blend of traditional and contemporary music which has universal appeal, reaching both church and concert audiences. Kevan has traveled the America’s and Europe as a performer, and he is able to communicate both spiritual and cultural expressions that are welcomed by his diverse audience.

Derrick Hall

3rd-5th
GRADE CHOIR

Derrick Hall, a gifted musician, artist, songwriter, and producer, is known for his versatility in the music industry. He has worked with gospel artists like Ricky Dillard, Kim Burrell, Tramaine Hawkins, and Daryl Coley. Founder of Derrick Hall & Company, he aims to empower and spread the gospel through music that transcends demographics. Currently, he is the Minister of Music at Allen Temple Baptist Church and a Music Instructor at the University of San Francisco.

Traivon Johnson

TRACK

Coach Traivon Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from L.A. High School where he played football and ran track. While attending West L.A. College he also played football and ran track. After receiving his AA in Liberal Arts, Coach earned a football scholarship to Arizona State University. His senior year, the team went undefeated, earning the Pac-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl against Ohio State University. After football, he earned his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Justice Studies and Sociology and decided to work with youth.

Tarika Lewis

ART/SET DESIGN

Joan Tarika Lewis, a multifaceted talent, excels as a musician, artist, and writer. Educated at Cal State East Bay and the Academy of Art, she teaches visual arts and violin, performing with various ensembles. Her art, spanning from portraiture to mural painting, graces galleries like Omi and Joyce Gordon. A historical icon, Lewis co-founded the pioneering Free Breakfast for Children Program and has been featured in documentaries, showcasing her profound impact on culture and community.

Kelly Jonick

PUPPETRY/SEWING

Kelly Jonick, or Ms. Kelly to her students, is a proud Skyline High School alumna with a BFA from the Academy of Art University. Her diverse career spans roles as a Graphic Designer, Toy Designer, Art Director, and her favorite, a Teacher. Currently, she teaches computer skills and eagerly anticipates inspiring OFASS students with her unique puppet designs and infectious joy for creative arts.

Maria Fatima Urbi

ART

Maria Fatima Urbi is an illustrator, community artist, muralist, and an exhibiting artist based in Oakland CA. This is her 4th year with OUSD as the current STIP teacher at La Escuelita Elementary. Outside of her school role, she also juggles being a mom to two girls. She loves to bike and roller skate.

Brenda Berumen

K PERF ARTS

She is a native of Los Angeles, California. She attended Los Angeles and San Bernardino public schools and graduated from UC Berkeley. As an educator, she has mentored, supported, and helped plan arts and crafts activities and performances for students to display at and participate in different events, such as the oratorical, winter and end of the year celebrations for after school programs.

Kasondra Walsh

DANCE

Kasondra Walsh, a skilled dance instructor, has been teaching in OUSD and at schools throughout the Bay Area since 2015. Her classes blend structure with a variety of dance styles, fostering creativity and self-expression in her students. She aims to boost their confidence and pride through performances, helping them connect with their preferred dance style. She has a burning passion and is dedicated to supporting her students' growth and love for dance.

Edwina Smith

DRAMA

Edwina Smith is a native of the Bay Area, specifically Oakland, California. She attended Oakland Public Schools and graduated from California State University, Hayward. After college, she decided to become a teacher. She has loved teaching in the Oakland Unified School District for 30 years.

Baba Wain

DRUMMING

E.W. Wainwright, known as Baba Wain, is a renowned jazz drummer, arts consultant, and producer with a global reputation. His career highlights include a U.S. State Department command performance and touring with Nelson Mandela in 1990. Through African Roots of Jazz, he narrates jazz's evolution, blending music, and movement. A multifaceted artist, EW has collaborated with icons like McCoy Tyner and holds degrees in Theater Arts, Performing Arts Administration, and Music.

Anese Henesley

CIRCUS ARTS

Anese Henesley is an OFASS alumni and Bay Area (Oakland) native. She explores her creativity through acrylic paint, pencil, tattooing, song, dance, and theater. She has a passion for using creativity to educate and expand the minds of the children she works with. She has worked in the childcare/education field for the past 3 years and strives to advance further with her artistic and life endeavors.

Corey Crutcher

CHESS/BASKETBALL

Corey Crutcher hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, has embraced diverse experiences across Michigan, New Jersey, NYC, Tampa, and Oakland for eight years. His passions range from basketball and chess to hip-hop and hiking. A highlight was working for the NBA during the 2020 All-Star Weekend in Chicago, blending his love for sports and unique adventures.

Angela Mcconnell

DANCE

Angela known as “ Ms. Mac,” became a professional dancer while balancing academics, sports, and her passion to learn all dance forms. Turning her dreams into reality, she continued to evolve as she trained at and with various studios and master programs throughout New York, Northern and Southern California, where she learned various dance styles such as; ballet, jazz, hip- hop, contemporary, and various cultural genres.

Ciearra Mathis

DANCE

Cieara Mathis, or Ms. Cee, is a Glenview Elementary and OFASS summer program alumna, who served as a teaching assistant from 2020-2021. She's also a dedicated paraeducator, passionate about her students' growth. As the eldest sibling, she's a natural role model, especially to her sister. Cieara's commitment to education and her students' success defines her journey, as she eagerly anticipates a future of educational impact.

Martin Price

MARTIAL ARTS

Martin Price is currently a Spanish teacher at Montera Middle School. He also hold a second-degree Black Belt in American Karate.
He earned his Black Belt in 2012 from Frohm’s Martial Arts under the tutelage of Master Ernest Leon Frohm III. The style of American Karate that he practices is a blend of Taekwondo (Korea/Japan), and American Boxing.

Corissa Johnson

DANCE

Corissa “Reese” Johnson is a 2008 graduate from California State University East Bay where she obtained a B.A in Theatre Arts-Dance. She has been teaching and studying dance for over 20 years and currently teaches in the Bay Area in Danville for Lori Buffalow’s The Next Step Dance Studio and for the City of Oakland at Studio One Arts Center as a recreation specialist.

Michael Turner

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Michael Turner, Sr. is a multitalented musician and vocalist. Michael Turner, Sr. is also a certified instrumental and vocal instructor. He teaches for Oakland Public Schools in Oakland CA., and for EPACENTERARTS in East Palo Alto CA. Michael Turner, Sr. plays and sings Gospel & Jazz music.

Angela Mcconnell

DANCE

Ciearra Mathis

DANCE

Quinese Atkins

MODELING

Quinese/Ms.Q is creative, a singer, song writer, teacher who has come a long way from singing on the landing of her parents’ kitchen stairs at the age of two and her father's church at the age of five. She began by singing in the church choir. Quinese says, “I love people and I get energized when I’m on stage, whether I’m singing or acting.

Myrtha Muse

DANCE

Myrtha Muse, or Ms. Myrtha, is a distinguished dancer, choreographer, and teacher with 39 years of experience across various dance forms. She has enriched young talent and been a vital part of OFASS for nineteen years, Ms. Muse champions performing arts education through her organization, Dance With Reason. She's also certified in Katherine Dunham Technique and as an ICF Life Coach, dedicated to nurturing growth

Laura Camacho

K DANCE/CRAFT

She is an Elementary Music teacher for the Oakland Unified School District working at Greenleaf Elementary for the 2023/2024 school year. Previously employed as a private music instructor, ECE assistant teacher, and currently transitioning from substitute teacher for the district, she have honed age-appropriate instruction and forged strong relationships between administration and families along the way. A performer of different styles, she also collaborate with producers and composers to create musical compositions and commissioned music for TV series and short films.