Counselors

Vanessa Musso

Ext. 6202

School Counselor for 7th and 8th Grade.

Vanessa Musso joined the Orange County School of the Arts in 2003 as an Academic Counselor and Crisis Counselor and currently serves as the Middle School Counselor for seventh and eighth grade students.

Prior to joining OCSA, Vanessa was director of the Teacher Preparation Program and taught psychology at Cypress College. Vanessa’s career in counseling and education began with Orange County Social Services in 1992 as a child abuse counselor and advocate.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Chapman University and a master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Vanessa also serves on the Selective Service for the United States of America and has been a local board member for the past 14 years.

Ashley Talbert

Ext. 6602

Ashley.Talbert@ocsarts.net

High School Counselor for students with last names A-Co.

Ashley Talbert joined the Student Services Department at the Orange County School of the Arts in 2014. She currently serves as a High School Counselor to students with last names starting with A through Co.

Prior to joining OCSA, she worked in the Capistrano Unified School District counseling both middle and high school aged students.

As a professional school counselor, Ashley provides support to students in the areas of College/Career Guidance, Academic Advisement, and Personal/Social Counseling. Ashley is a Credentialed School Counselor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach and a Masters of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from New York University.

Kara McCann

Ext. 6130

Kara.McCann@ocsarts.net

High School Counselor for students with last names Cr - Ho.

Kara McCann joined the Student Services Department in 2011 and serves as a Professional School Counselor providing support to students in the areas of College/Career Guidance, Academic Advisement, and Personal/Social Counseling. She also served as the Director of the Special Services Department from 2014 to 2016. Prior to joining OCSA, Kara worked with special needs students in the Newport Mesa Unified School District (Middle School and High School) and with college students in the South Orange County Community College District.

Kara is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Credentialed School Counselor and an Associate Faculty Member/Instructor at Saddleback Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of British Columbia, Canada, a Master of Science degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a PPS Credential in Educational Counseling from National University.

Alyx Braun

Ext. 3233

alyx.braun@ocsarts.net

High School Counselor for students with last names Hr-Ma.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Alyx Braun received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and her master’s degree in school counseling from DePaul University.

In addition to school counseling, she is certified in community counseling and is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Illinois. Ms. Braun worked at a public school in the Chicago suburbs before moving to California in 2016. Since then, she has been working as a college counselor in Irvine.

In her free time, Ms. Braun enjoys exploring Orange County, cooking, and working on her own artistic talent – calligraphy! She is very excited to join the OSCA family.

Sarah Kause

Ext. 6129

sarah.kause@ocsarts.net

High School Counselor for students with last names Mc-R.

Mrs. Kause comes to OCSA with a wealth of experience. She has held positions as admissions coordinator at Chapman University within Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, high school counselor at a private school, and most recently as school counselor at Encore Jr./Sr. High School for the Arts in the High Desert and Inland Empire.

Ms. Kause received her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and her master’s degree in educational counseling from National University. Additionally, she holds a California Clear Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in school counseling. She is also part of a nonprofit that helps provide foster youth with post-secondary scholarships. Ms. Kause is excited to join the counseling team at OCSA and looks forward to working with students and parents.

Becky Vance-Freeland

Ext. 6601

Rebecca.Vance-Freeland@ocsarts.net

High School Counselor for students with last names S-Z.

Rebecca Vance-Freeland joined the Orange County School of the Arts in 2014 and currently serves as the High School Counselor for students with last names beginning with S through Z.

Prior to joining OCSA, she worked for the City of Long Beach serving as an Academy Specialist and Youth Opportunity Center Coordinator. During her time in Long Beach, Vance-Freeland played an active role on the Long Beach GRIP Advisory Board, CSULB's CalSOAP Governing Board as well as LA Harbor College's CalWORKS Advisory Board. Vance-Freeland also previously served as a counselor for the Westminster School District.

Vance-Freeland holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Group Relations and minored in Women’s Studies from California State University, Long Beach. She also earned her Master of Science degree in Education (Counseling Psychology) from the University of Southern California. Vance-Freeland holds her Pupil Personnel Services credential.

Registrar

Laura Ely

Registrar

Ext. 6174

Laura.Ely@ocsarts.net

Laura Ely manages grades, alumni transcripts, student enrollment, student withdrawals, student records, Aeries database, and School Loop. In addition, she handles Cal Grants for the senior class, and reviews/approves Entertainment Work permits and other student/school required documentation. She is the school's CALPADS Administrator.

Student Services Support

Leanne Beck

Administrative Assistant - Student Services

Ext. 6160

Leanne.Beck@ocsarts.net

Leanne works as an Administrative Assistant in the Student Services office. She is the Naviance Site Administrator and processes all transcript orders for current OCSA students. She works on the organization of the annual College Fair and Community College Panel, as well as Senior Awards Night and Graduation.

Anita Sanchez

Administrative Assistant - Student Services

Ext. 6162

Anita.Sanchez@ocsarts.net

Anita Sanchez helps coordinate "Art Attack", PSAT/PLAN tests, student and staff ID cards, Senior Awards Night, graduation, and scholarships.

Administration Support

Berene Lindbeck

Office Manager - Academic Office

Ext. 6140

Linda.DelaVara@ocsarts.net

Berene Lindbeck is the administrative assistant to the deans. She is in charge of the Academic Office.

Linda Foley

Assessment and Intervention Coordinator

Ext. 3221

linda.foley@ocsarts.net

Under the direction of the Administrative Team, Linda organizes and maintains support for Academic Probation students, Peer Tutors, and students assigned to Block 7. She coordinates the various state assessments administered to OCSA students, as well as the PSAT and PreACT exams.

Leslie Brooks

Administrative Assistant - Academics

Ext. 6606

Leslie.Brooks@ocsarts.net

Leslie Brooks is responsible for textbooks, behavioral input, Friday detention and student and staff ID cards. She also assists with all attendance, demerit and behavior reports.

Reception

Stori Chapman

Receptionist - Mornings

Ext. 0003 or 6171

Stori.Chapman@ocsarts.net

Stori Chapman handles student messages and deliveries, security and custodial requests, emergencies and lockers.

Becky Hall

Receptionist - Afternoon

Ext. 0003 or 6171

Becky.Hall@ocsarts.net

Becky Hall handles student messages and deliveries, security and custodial requests, emergencies and lockers.

Attendance

Sheri Chustz

Attendance Office

Ext. 6852

Sheri.Chustz@ocsarts.net

Sheri Chustz handles all attendance for the school. Any inquiries about absences, tardiness, and early release due to scheduled appointments should be directed to her.

Billie Sue Griffith

Attendance Office

Ext. 6170 | Fax: 714.564.3285

BillieSue.Griffith@ocsarts.net

Billie Sue Griffith handles all attendance for the school. Any inquiries about absences, tardiness, and early release due to scheduled appointments should be directed to her.

Health Office

Laura Lopez

Health Office

Ext. 4101

Dina.Terry@ocsarts.net

Laura Lopez oversees day-to-day health office tasks, tending to sick and injured students, handles medical records and elevator passes.