Our Team

graham@whitebird.org

Graham Cole (He/Him) hails from Portland, OR, the beautiful, weird city where he was born and spent most of his childhood. He began training in dance at an early age, taking classes in ballet at Oregon Ballet Theatre and Irish step dancing at An Daire Academy. Graham worked extensively as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and dance administrator in New York City and across North Carolina before returning to Portland in 2019. Graham holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Graham first joined White Bird as Boutique Manager, then became Chief Operating Officer, then, in 2021, was appointed White Bird's first Executive Director. As Executive Director, Graham oversees White Bird's fundraising efforts and financial management, and leads programming for White Bird's annual season of dance. He is honored and constantly inspired by the opportunity to continue White Bird's legacy of bringing world-class dance to his hometown.

Graham is a lifelong cycling lover, always exploring new bike paths and destinations. He and his fiancée are shameless foodies and enjoy trying out the many restaurants Portland has to offer. Their two cats, Mishka and Paquita, are loveable handfuls.

deanna@whitebird.org

Deanna (She/Her) is originally from the vibrant city of Los Angeles and relocated to Portland with her husband in 2019, seeking greenery, bikeability, and standout food. Raised by two professional opera singers and a full schedule of extracurricular arts activities, she carries her passion for the arts into her work in marketing and art direction.

Deanna joined White Bird as the Communication Manager and now serves as our Director of Marketing & Communication. Prior to her work at White Bird, she danced her way from NY to LA in a professional dance career, both in film and on stage. Notable highlights include performing as a guest artist with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, dancing in Taylor Swift music videos, and working with Smashing Pumpkins. Deanna is also the proud owner of a private classical Pilates studio located in SE Portland, where she focuses on empowering individuals to enhance their physical well-being and embrace a holistic approach to wellness. www.pilateswithdeanna.com

When Deanna isn’t working on White Bird marketing or teaching Pilates, you can find her dancing, reading, gardening, and enjoying time with her husband and two feline companions, Monty and Bomba.

ac@whitebird.org

AC Campbell (they/them) is a Portland based actor, production manager, and non-profit administrator with roots in both the SF Bay Area and New England. They grew up dancing at Miss Elizabeth’s School of Modern Dance in Connecticut and training in musical theatre with Korsa Musical Theatre in Berkeley, CA.

AC holds a BA in Theatre and Psychology with a Distinction in Performance from Lewis & Clark College. Most recently, AC held the role of Associate Producer at 21ten Theatre where they worked as a production manager, lead theatre operations, and launched the Summer Residency program, facilitating eight new works by local artists over two consecutive years. As a theatre artist, AC has worked professionally with companies such as Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Corrib Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and the Historic Alberta House.

They’re so happy to be a part of the wonderful community at White Bird and to be nurturing their love of dance. AC is a dedicated volunteer with the ACLU Oregon and Repair PDX. They are also a part-time vintage reseller with a booth at Memory Den in SE Portland. In their free time, they enjoy riding their bike, practicing yoga, and watching as much live performance as possible.

emily@whitebird.org

Emily (she/her) is a Filipino-American dance artist from Las Vegas, NV. Growing up in an entertainment-rich city, her passion for movement was nurtured by training at her local dance studio and attending Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Emily’s work, both inside and outside the studio, focuses on welcoming folks of all backgrounds to experience the world of dance.

Emily holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Oregon, where she received awards such as the Georgianne Teller-Singer Dean’s Fellowship in Dance for her leading artistic contributions to the UO Dance Department. While in school, she served as President for Dance Oregon, a student organization that aims to connect the greater university to dance opportunities on campus. Emily has performed and presented choreography on various stages such as the American College Dance Association. Though she enjoys the stage, she’s found working behind the scenes as an Usher, Stagehand, and Arts Administrator just as fulfilling. She has worked for Rose Children’s Theatre, Revolution Hall, and the Oregon Bach Festival.

Emily is honored to work with White Bird’s dazzling community! If she isn’t enamored by something dance-related, you might find Emily at a movie theater, grabbing a bite to eat, or basking in the PNW’s beauty.