Faculty & Staff Bios
Arts Department
Mr. David Olinger
Mr. David Olinger began teaching at O’Dea in 2002. He graduated from Xavier University, Cincinnati with a BA in English and Theology; he achieved National Board Certification in 2006. He teaches Freshman Honors English, Digital Photography, World Religions, and Seattle University’s Matteo Ricci College courses offered at O’Dea: Poverty in America and Composition: Language and Thought. He Facilitates the Social Justice team and is the Catholic Service Learning (CSL) Co-Ordinator.
Mr. Dan Ruiter
Mr. Dan Ruiter has been the Music Director at O’Dea High School since 2004 and a private instructor and freelance trombonist for over 15 years. Mr. Ruiter attended Dordt College, and graduated from Western Washington University in 1997, earning his BA in Music with an emphasis on Jazz Studies. Most recently, Mr. Ruiter graduated from the U.S. Army School of Music. Mr. Ruiter is currently a member of 133rd Washington Army National Guard Band, performing on the Trombone in the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, the “Jazz Patriots” Big Band, and on Trombone and Vocals in the “Geoduck Clambake” Dixieland Combo. Mr. Ruiter has studied with Vance Shoemaker, Gordon Cherry, David Ritt, Dr. Karen DeMol, Chuck Israels, Don Lanphere and Greg Cox. Mr. Ruiter and his wife, Reba, live in Seattle, WA with their children Gabriel (11) and Simone (1).
Mrs. Michelle Traverso
Mrs. Michelle Traverso joined the faculty at O’Dea in the 2011-2012 school year. She is an O’Dea Mom (Brian ’09), former Mother’s Club Co-President, and has directed the O’Dea drama productions from 2009 to the present. For the past 11 years, Mrs. Traverso was the Education Director for Seattle Shakespeare Company where she developed residency programs for schools, student performance programs, and teacher professional development programs. She has taught at Royal High School and Tumwater High School, and holds degrees from Central Washington University and the University of Washington.
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