"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
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Click on the pictures below to learn more.
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"This was an unforgettable experience! As the sun set over the Salish Sea, we were treated to the breathtaking sight of orcas all while connecting with our friends, family, and community. It was a perfect evening of natural beauty, shared wonder, and a deep sense of commitment to supporting educational programs that make these experiences possible."
A Cruise with Purpose
Step aboard for an unforgettable evening on the Salish Sea. OrcaStra is a one-of-a-kind fundraising cruise blending live music, storytelling, ecology, and community in support of The Salish Sea School.
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With whales as our inspiration and the sea as our theater, experience what happens when music and nature collaborate. As we cruise through local waters, artists and ecologists will take turns in the spotlight, sharing stories of marine life, interspecies connection, and the fragile beauty of the ecosystems we call home.
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Throughout the evening, Natural Resonance — composers, pianists, singers, and electronic musicians — will weave together sonic landscapes inspired by the sea, cinematic solo piano, and beloved classical works shaped by ocean spirit (including Chopin’s powerful “Ocean Étude”). Expect immersive soundscapes that feel like “the sea as sound” itself.
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This special event also includes a heartfelt paddle raise and auction in support of our marine science and conservation programs — because protecting this place requires all of us.
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Come for the music. Come for the wildlife. Come for the sunset.
Leave as part of something bigger.
Featuring Natural Resonance
Natural Resonance exists to further our connection with nature and ourselves. They use the power of the arts to reconnect humans with the more-than-human world through immersive events, community, and rich, evidence-based storytelling.
Jillian Ballas
Jillian Ballas is a Washington-based mixed-media environmental artist working primarily in charcoal and oil paint. Her work explores the complex relationship between Western culture and the more-than-human world, drawing inspiration from her experiences in the wild landscapes of the West Coast. Through her art, she reflects on our connection to nearby ecosystems and challenges traditional notions of wilderness. Jillian is also a co-founder of Natural Resonance and Director of the Alki Art Fair in West Seattle.
Alise Kirtley
A composer and singer-songwriter whose music has been performed across Europe. With degrees in Astrophysics and Music Composition from Arizona State University, she now works in Action Research and Culture Change Consultancy, specializing in sustainable food systems and socioecological wellbeing. Her doctoral research at the Institute for Development Studies explores how alternative food networks strengthen community cohesion and nature-connectedness. Raised among the Austrian Alps, she co-founded Natural Resonance to respond creatively to environmental degradation — and feels most alive in the wilderness.
Duncan Neilson
A Portland-based composer and pianist whose work spans orchestra, solo piano, analog synthesis, and experimental rock. In response to the climate crisis, he founded Planetudes, an avant-pop ensemble dedicated to raising ecological awareness through music and film. He holds a doctorate in composition from Columbia University, has taught at Columbia, William & Mary, and Lewis & Clark, and has seen his music performed from Carnegie Hall to the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam. He is also a founding member and film festival editor of Natural Resonance.
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March 2026