Meet the new artists to join the Arts Education Roster of the NH State Council on the Arts
- allisonhawkins
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
NHSCA has recently had four new artists and ensembles join the Arts Education Artist Roster. Teaching Artists on the roster work as both professional artists and experienced educators, bringing deep content knowledge and real world perspectives to facilitate hands-on project based learning. Often through residencies at schools and organizations, Teaching Artists supplement school curricular offerings and enrich learning opportunities in our communities, diversifying the artistic disciplines and forms that students experience. These artists share their expertise to facilitate creative and meaningful engagement in the arts. Artists apply to the roster on a rolling basis and application materials are reviewed by an independent panel.
Principal Winds
Portsmouth, NH and Statewide
Principal Winds, the chamber ensemble comprised of Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra wind musicians, was recently added to the NH State Council on the Arts, Arts Education Roster, a recognition of the group’s professional caliber and commitment to musical education. PSO Principal Winds is comprised of Aubrie Dionne, flute; Sarah Krebs, oboe; John Ferraro, clarinet; Orlando Pandolfi, horn; and Melissa Grady, bassoon. They also have two substitute players who play in the Portsmouth Symphony: Santiago Baena Florez, clarinet, and Angela DiBartolomeo, horn.
Formed in 2017, Principal Winds is led by New Hampshire flutist Aubrie Dionne. The group has performed in various community settings including Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club, the PSO’s Family Matinee Series at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH, and the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, NH.
“Every member of the Principal Winds is committed to continuing their own personal development both as a teacher and musician, and we are honored to be added to the Arts Education Roster,” said Aubrie Dionne, flutist. “Classical music is proven to improve brain function and reduce stress. Playing music together promotes teamwork, listening skills, leadership skills, and positive social interactions. One of our deep purposes is to ensure the survival of classical music and inspire those around us to participate in attending concerts and learning instruments.”
The group often tailors the themes of their programs to complement the performance venue and to engage the audience in new and exciting ways. Their concert experiences are often multi-sensory and involve an element of storytelling that ranges from mythological to pop culture, STEAM topics such as the history of space travel, facts about the planets, and creatures under the sea.
“By finding new and creative ways to bring music to places and communities where access is limited or not available, we are helping to ensure that classical music thrives in NH while also providing ourselves opportunities to grow and learn from the needs of our community,” said Dionne.
Founded in 1997, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra is comprised of over 65 local professionals, educators, dedicated amateurs and advanced students, including those that are part of the Principal Winds. The PSO recently announced its 2025-2026 season dates. A calendar of events and program details can be found at www.portsmouthsymphony.org.
Renda Brooks
Manchester, NH
From Renda:
I create art every moment. Constantly pondering the next painting, sculpture or drawing. My artwork has been exhibited in a variety of venues and galleries in cities such as Portland, ME; Boston, MA; New York City, NY; Culver City, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
I studied Studio Art, concentrating in Sculpture and hold a Bachelor's in Art from The University of Southern Maine as well as an Associate's in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA. I enjoy commissions from businesses, schools and private buyers for a variety of work.
Currently, I am an Art Teacher at The Founders Academy Public Charter School in Manchester, NH. Previously, I was the Art Teacher for Coastal Waters Chartered Public School in Exeter, NH. I was the Creative Arts Director of Autsin17House (A17H) in Brentwood while facilitating the art room at A17H. I taught for 6 years at Tri-City Consumers' Action Co-Operative, a peer support center in Rochester, NH. I have experience as a Direct Support Professional with Behavior and Developmental Health with an Art Focus at Community Partners in Dover, NH. During the school year, I facilitate the Arts and Crafts room at the Rochester Recreation Center's monthly Teen Night.
I also spend time instructing several types of Mental Health programs - AFSP: More Than Sad, Talk Saves Lives and Gizmo's Pawsome Guide to Mental Health, Youth Mental Health First Aid. I am also certified in Mental Health through the Arts.
“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” ~Cezanne
Kailie Larkin
Plainfield, NH
Kailie Larkin is a teacher and artist dedicated to cultivating process-based creative environments for individual and collective growth. She is a member of The Royal Frog Ballet, has trained with Double Edge Theatre, and is a former director of The Chelsea Funnery Shakespeare Program. She holds a Masters in Theater Education from The City College of New York and has worked as a full time theater teacher, teaching artist, school residency coordinator, summer program director, and curriculum designer. With student-led devising and technical ownership at the core of her work she has directed over 30 productions with students ages 12-18. Her teaching expertise includes improvisation, devising, Shakespeare, clowning, mask, shadow cinema, puppetry, and playwriting. She is interested in exploring the different mediums by which we tell stories, and in guiding students to discover new ways to express, create, refine, share, and reflect.
Beth Olshansky
Durham, NH
Beth Olshansky first began to explore the rich relationship between art and writing in 1990, supported by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. The results were too exciting to ignore. This project ended up launching her 35-year career creating, researching, and disseminating two evidence-based approaches to teaching writing proven effective for a wide range of learners.
Author of The Power of Pictures: Creating Pathways to Literacy Through Art, Beth has written numerous journal articles and teacher manuals as well as produced several instructional videos. She has trained over 14,000 teachers across the United States, the US Commonwealths and Territories, and Canadian Arctic. Because pictures serve as a universal language, her innovative methods for teaching writing have found a natural home among English Learners and others who struggle with written words.
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