Director/Producer: Ms Victoria Portsmore
Ms Portsmore, or "Ms P" is the resident drama teacher at the Kennedy Middle School. She has her BA in Theater and Psychology from Connecticut College, and her MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and has taught drama in some form since 2011 in various schools around MA, at tons of after school programs, and at drama camps for elementary level kids over the summer. No stranger to the stage herself, Ms P has experience acting on stage with local theater and improv ensembles. She is a member of a local independent film production team that has made several internationally recognized short films. She loves dogs, and is somewhat allergic to cats.
Music Director: Mr. Joseph Valadez
Mr. Valadez or “Mr. V” is the chorus teacher at Kennedy Middle School. He is a graduate of Gordon College with a BM in Music Education, and is pursuing his Master's degree over the summers at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He was a member of Gordon College’s symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, and multiple chamber music groups. Mr. V continues to make music in a variety of venues throughout the Greater Boston Area, especially as a member of the Boston Gay Men's Choir. He is passionate about creating, performing, and responding to tuneful, beatful, artful music with his students!
Ms Portsmore, or "Ms P" is the resident drama teacher at the Kennedy Middle School. She has her BA in Theater and Psychology from Connecticut College, and her MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and has taught drama in some form since 2011 in various schools around MA, at tons of after school programs, and at drama camps for elementary level kids over the summer. No stranger to the stage herself, Ms P has experience acting on stage with local theater and improv ensembles. She is a member of a local independent film production team that has made several internationally recognized short films. She loves dogs, and is somewhat allergic to cats.
Music Director: Mr. Joseph Valadez
Mr. Valadez or “Mr. V” is the chorus teacher at Kennedy Middle School. He is a graduate of Gordon College with a BM in Music Education, and is pursuing his Master's degree over the summers at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He was a member of Gordon College’s symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, and multiple chamber music groups. Mr. V continues to make music in a variety of venues throughout the Greater Boston Area, especially as a member of the Boston Gay Men's Choir. He is passionate about creating, performing, and responding to tuneful, beatful, artful music with his students!
Choreographer: Grace Geherenbeck-Shim
Grace Gehrenbeck-Shim is Kennedy's own resident choreographer. Grace is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelors in Psychology. She also graduated from Waltham High School in 2010 and has lived in Waltham all her life. She currently works for Boston Public Schools. Grace has been dancing since before she can remember, and is currently a member and teacher at the Creative Movement Dance Company. She also works in many Greater Boston communities as both a choreographer and dance teacher. Grace loves to work with kids of all ages, and loves to spread the joy of dance! She is super excited about this production and can't wait to get to know everyone better!
Grace Gehrenbeck-Shim is Kennedy's own resident choreographer. Grace is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelors in Psychology. She also graduated from Waltham High School in 2010 and has lived in Waltham all her life. She currently works for Boston Public Schools. Grace has been dancing since before she can remember, and is currently a member and teacher at the Creative Movement Dance Company. She also works in many Greater Boston communities as both a choreographer and dance teacher. Grace loves to work with kids of all ages, and loves to spread the joy of dance! She is super excited about this production and can't wait to get to know everyone better!