Choir Director

Tracey Edson has been a music educator of all ages (well, not infants!) for over 30 years, especially in choir, voice, and piano.  He holds a BA in Music Education and an MA in Conducting and Vocal Technique.  Tracey has taught or currently teaches at Columbia Christian Schools, Community Music Center, Multnomah Arts Center, Portland Community College, Warner Pacific College and the University of Portland, as well as in after-school enrichment programs for PP&R at various schools.  He maintains a private voice studio and directs music at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.  He is founder and director of the semi-professional ensemble KLIROS.  He has been active in music theater, including mainstage and children's productions at the Broadway Rose Theater Company, Mock's Crest Productions (UP), Cleveland and Central Catholic High Schools, Northwest Children's Theater Company, and  Northwest Senior Theater.  He's taught classes in music education, conducting, and the fine arts.  He enjoys reading history and religion, keeps up on political news, and clears his head with Star Trek (most series).  He loves to hold  and pet his adopted cat, Juicy J. Appleton.

Band Director, Piano Instructor (Home Ec & Yearbook)

Valerie Johnson is a Homeschooling mom with one high schooler left.   She has been teaching at ACA for 8 years and is currently working toward her Masters Degree in Music Education for Band.

Mrs. Johnson taught high school English, Music, and History for a number of years (as well as coaching cheerleading and dance) before beginning the adventure of homeschooling her four boys.  At that time, she also began offering private piano, flute and beginning lessons for wind instruments at her home studio.  She has had numerous years of involvement with various concert, jazz, and marching bands playing flute, piano, percussion and directing, as well as choir.  She enjoys playing instruments at church, has directed the children's ministry, and children's choir.

For fun, and when she finds the time, Mrs. Johnson likes to cook, craft, sew, read, and garden.  Most Fridays, she escapes with her family to nature for hiking, biking, surfing, or skiing... unless  preempted by Emet's soccer schedule.

Guitar & Rock Band Instructor

Mr. Lute has been teaching in Oregon for 14+ years. Love of music has kept him playing guitar, singing, and working as an avocation sound technician for over 20 years. Playing live music for years has created a desire for excellence in performance while also highlighting the fundamental importance of creativity and fun in promoting a lifelong love of musical exploration.

When not teaching Mr. Lute enjoys spending time with his family watching the Timbers, camping in the great outdoors and coaching soccer.

K-2 Music & Movement and Ukulele Junior Instructor

Katie McNeil is in her fourth year at ACA, and her ninth year of teaching. She grew up in Portland playing piano and trumpet at church and school. After high school, she performed with music groups at California Baptist University while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in English. She returned to Portland for her Master of Arts in Teaching from Concordia University and was certified to teach Language Arts and Music.

Katie then spent the next five years living in a remote Alaskan village and teaching Language Arts, band, and elementary music. She had the opportunity to build a band program from the ground up, as well as introduce elementary students to music education. 

In her free time, Katie enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, reading, and watching movies with her dog.

Orchestra Teacher

Christiana is excited to join the ACA team this year as the new Orchestra Teacher. This is her fourth year teaching in the public school system.

She earned her Bachelor's of Music from Willamette University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Oregon University.

Having grown up playing in a family band at community festivals and participating in orchestras and choirs throughout the Willamette Valley, Christiana is passionate about using the arts for personal self-expression and community connection. She also performs as a singer-songwriter.

When she's not teaching, Christiana enjoys spending time with her family, writing and producing her own music, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.