Chant Teacher - Ms. Rayya Abukhader

Ms. Rayya was born August 10th in Chandler, AZ, and raised in Arizona by her father and grandparents. She has lived in many states throughout her years, including New Mexico, Illinois, and, most recently, Washington state for the last 10 years. She just moved to the Portland area last month.

Ms. Rayya is "cradle" Orthodox and has been a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church since her baptism in 1997. She is a Chanter and member of the choir there. Getting to share Byzantine chant with young students at ASA is one of her greatest joys.

In 2015, just after graduating from St. Charles High School (in Illinois), Ms. Rayya decided to pursue her career choice of being a behavioral therapist for special needs children. Through out high school she was teacher aide for the social needs classroom at St. Charles. From this time, Ms. Rayya decided to pursue her passion in helping children and obtained her State Board License from the State of Washington as a Certified Behavioral Therapist. She also studied psychology and music at Mt. Hood community College. She has worked with children with special needs since 2016.

She is very excited to join the team here at Agia Sophia and share her experience of behavioral therapy, along with her vast knowledge of her Orthodox faith.