Rory L. Pullens
Head of School

Having joined Ellington in January of 2006, Mr. Pullens has brought extraordinary vision, a greater sense of community, and unwavering enthusiasm to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. A writer, producer, and script-editor before entering the world of education as a theater and journalism teacher and, later, administrator, Mr. Pullens’ career has taken him from Hollywood to the Los Angeles Arts Academy to Nashville Schools to an entertainment company and, most recently, the Denver School of the Arts (DSA). At DSA, Mr. Pullens served as Principal Director of the Arts, supervising ten art majors, the arts curriculum, recruitment, the audition/selection process, and the performance calendar, as well as fundraising and marketing.

Calvin Roberson
Dean of Arts

Calvin Roberson has over 20 years of professional experience in the arts, academics, the corporate world, and the non-profit sector. He has a broad background as an artist, Broad background as an artist and is a trained vocal musician who has directed and sung in internationally renowned choral groups. He is also a visual artist who has worked as a billboard artist and displayed works in galleries. Mr. Roberson is also a theatrical writer and producer who is currently co-writing a play to be produced in 2009. Outside of the arts, he has implemented mentoring and educational initiatives for YMCA in Metro DC Area; Charlottesville, VA; and Columbus, OH. He also has an extensive background in teaching public speaking and in mentoring children and youth of all ages. He has served as a Legislative Brain Trust member for a state Senator in Nashville, TN, and his corporate experience includes public speaking, consultation, and fund-raising.

Michael Clarke, PhD
Dean of School Operations

Dr. Michael Clarke is as focused on artistic excellence as he is on academic achievement. He has had considerable work experience in several educational systems and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to incorporate proven best practices and innovative strategies in supporting student achievement from a variety of educational models. He is a life-long learner, having earned (and continuing to earn) degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Math, Chemistry, Education, and Music from a variety of institutions, including The University of the West Indies, Trinity College London (UK), Howard University, Harvard, and Nova Southeastern University. He is constantly working on improving his skills in his art forms, piano and pipe organ performance,and acquiring new skills. An international concert artist, he has been featured several times as a pianist in Ellington’s faculty concert series.

John Francis Payne
Dean of Students

John Payne is an Augustinian Friar and native Washingtonian. He began his career as Associate Pastor of Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church, where he developed this historic community’s internationally known liturgical tradition, focusing on music, art, dance and spoken word. Father Payne was very involved in community issues, especially those affecting the lives of young African Americans in the District of Columbia.

In 1996, Father Payne became a project director in the Kellogg Foundation’s African-American Male Collaborative, which led him to the HE*ROSE Project at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where he built support systems and developed programs to mentor African American male students. In 2000, he was named Dean of Students.