Leadership

Artistic Leadership

Dr. Mary Ann East, Co-Founder and Artistic Director

(DMA, Boston University; MM, George Mason University; BME, Indiana University)
Mary Ann has taught music to ages 3-93. She is a former Fairfax County Public School music teacher where she taught elementary general music through high school choir and former adjunct professor at George Mason University. Mary Ann is currently the Music Director at Community of Faith UMC in Herndon, owner of Monarch Music, offering private piano and voice instruction in northern Virginia, and the Program Director for Sentimental Journey Singers, a community chorus for singers with dementia and their care partners through Encore Creativity for Older Adults.

Mary Ann has also adjudicated and guest conducted throughout the state of Virginia. In 2013 she co-founded Capital Harmonia, a local women’s chorus whose mission is to bring music composed by women and for women’s voices to the DC area through partnerships with local women’s organizations.

Rachel Thompson, Pianist

Rachel is a Board-Certified Music Therapist who works primarily with adults with dementia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music & Psychology and a Master's degree in Music Therapy.

Dr. Ellen Goldman, Co-Founder and Past President

Ellen is a Professor of Human and Organizational Learning and Director of the Master Teacher Leadership Development Program in the Graduate School of Education & Human Development at George Washington University. Dr. Goldman holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Community Health from Tuft's University, and MBA from University of Pittsburgh, and EdD from George Washington University.