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Our team

The DCYOP team includes a dedicated staff of eight full-time administrative members, ten board members, nine conductors, and more than twenty teaching artists, all dedicated to creating and sustaining empowering and life changing experiences through music.

We are currently recruiting individuals who are passionate about our mission to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested, please fill out this form and someone from our team will reach out to you to follow up.

This music world can be extremely competitive, punitive, and stuffy. DCYOP gives their students and families a supportive environment where the students can develop as a whole human and as an artist! It is exciting to see the growth throughout the years.

Jamie Robertsformer teaching artist & Assistant Principal Oboe of the National Symphony Orchestra

This is a phenomenal program that brings incredible meaning to the lives of kids in the community.

Jeff LeviBoard Member

It’s easy to tell when students are engaged or not engaged in a program. And these students are really engaged in the program. They’re dedicated—I can see it, just the way that they play, the way that they move when they play. They care about the program, they care about the value that this program brings, and they care about the music that they’re playing.

Adrian B. Simsguest composer & teaching artist

Our People

Staff
Board of Directors
Conductors
Teaching Artists
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    Rashida Coleman

    Director of Students and Family Engagement see bio

    Rashida Coleman

    Director of Students and Family Engagement

    Rashida Coleman joined DCYOP as a staff member in 2005. She is an alumna of DCYOP, where she studied and taught percussion. Rashida is a D.C. native and Ward 4 resident with over 25 years of experience providing administrative oversight supporting organizations in the not-for-profit and private sectors in Washington, D.C. She holds a B.S. in business administration from Strayer University and completed additional undergraduate studies in music performance and music business administration at the University of Miami, Florida.

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    Allison Giovanetti

    Administrative and Operations Assistant see bio

    Allison Giovanetti

    Administrative and Operations Assistant

    Allison Giovanetti is an ethnomusicologist, music educator, arts administrator, and French Hornist from New Jersey. Allison holds a master's degree in Traditional and World Music from the University of Sheffield, a bachelor's degree in music education, and a bachelor's degree in French Horn, both from Lebanon Valley College. She is also an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the National Association for Music Educators, and the International Horn Society. In her previous position as PYP General Music teacher for the Canadian International School of Hefei, China, Allison was responsible for teaching students' general music, chorus, modern band, composition, and bucket drums for students from a variety of unique cultures. Her latest research focused on the representation of Indigenous North American musicians at the GRAMMY Awards during the span of the twenty-first century.

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    Tim Provost

    Program Manager see bio

    Tim Provost

    Program Manager

    Tim Provost is a native of Hyattsville, Maryland and has been teaching music since the age of 16. He has been involved with DCYOP since his time as a student. Tim holds a degree in Music Education from UMBC and has worked with the Baltimore Symphony OrchKids Program, the Bridges Music Program, and Baltimore County Public Schools. As a performer, Tim plays bass throughout the Baltimore/DC area and performs with the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra.

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    Evan Ross Solomon

    Artistic Director see bio

    Evan Ross Solomon

    Artistic Director

    Evan Ross Solomon is a conductor, composer, arranger, educator, musical entrepreneur, and a nationally renowned musician. He joined DCYOP in 2014 and directs all artistic activities and initiatives for the organization. He has conducted Youth Orchestra performances at the Kennedy Center, at the Wolf Trap Center for the performing arts, and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and has participated in four international tours across South America and Europe. Evan studied clarinet at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and University of Maryland School of Music.

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    Terrence Teel

    Director of Operations see bio

    Terrence Teel

    Director of Operations

    With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the culturally diverse Washington, DC metropolitan area (DMV), Terrence has established himself as a seasoned professional renowned for expertise in logistics, strategic planning, and organizational governance. His leadership journey encompasses pivotal roles in esteemed institutions, including National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA Headquarters Operations), the Pentagon (Office Under the Secretary of Defense), Voice of America (West & South Asia Division), Department of Veterans Affairs (Electronic Health Records Modernization), Federal Aviation Administration (Policy & Operations), the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH Operations), and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States (Logistics/Special Events). Prior to joining DCYOP in 2024, Terrence served as the Director of Operations at Bishop Law Group, where he brought to the forefront a wealth of experience and a proven track record. His strategic leadership style, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of his career.

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    Loretta Thompson

    Executive Director see bio

    Loretta Thompson

    Executive Director

    Loretta Thompson has led and developed arts education for youth and young adults, with a focus on access and community-building and joined DCYOP in 2023 as executive director. At Sitar Arts Center, she created a parent engagement program, a teen leadership program, and a summer camp. She collaborated with architects and engineers to design a facility expansion for teens and young adults, with a focus on creative spaces and an arts career training program.

    Thompson has a master’s in arts management from George Mason University and a bachelor’s in fine arts in sculpture from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She volunteers as chair of the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee, volunteers with First Generation College Bound, and was a parent leader with PAVE, a parent education advocacy group in D.C.

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    Dr. Robert Blaine

    Board President see bio

    Dr. Robert Blaine

    Board President

    Dr. Robert Blaine is the senior executive and director for the National League of Cities’ Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Center, which is dedicated to building opportunities in communities through technical assistance, leadership development, and engagement. He is a nationally-recognized thought leader in the areas of public service, education and music, and is a proud DCYOP alumnus.

  • Andrea Erdmann

    Vice President see bio

    Andrea Erdmann

    Vice President

    Andrea Erdmann, has served on the Board since 2021. DCYOP initially appealed to her when she enrolled her daughter in music lessons. “I loved the positive energy created by kids from all over DC making music together in one space!” Ms. Erdmann has a career in international economic development, with degrees in Political Science and International Relations from Creighton University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She is a 28-year resident of DC.

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    Linda Cureton

    Secretary see bio

    Linda Cureton

    Secretary

    Dr. Linda Cureton is the founder and CEO of Muse Technologies, Incorporated. Linda’s 38 plus years of public service in IT includes experience as a federal cabinet-level executive, a former Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Department of Energy, Deputy CIO at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and CIO at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Linda holds degrees from Howard University and Johns Hopkins University and earned a PhD in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.

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    Michele Riley

    Treasurer see bio

    Michele Riley

    Treasurer

    Michele Riley is a CPA and has focused her practice on issues that arise at the intersection of finance and intellectual property, including valuation, damages, compliance and transactions. Michele is an avid supporter of instrumental and choral music in the Greater Washington DC area, and is proud to assist the DCYOP in helping young people make beautiful music.

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    Dr. Jeffrey Levi

    Co-Chair, Development Committee see bio

    Dr. Jeffrey Levi

    Co-Chair, Development Committee

    Dr. Jeffrey Levi teaches health policy at George Washington University’s School of Public Health.  An almost life-long violinist, his commitment to DCYOP comes from a desire to replicate for as many students as possible his experience growing up with public school-based community music making.

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    Dennis DeTray

    see bio

    Dennis DeTray

    Dennis deTray joined the DCYOP Board several years ago as a means of pursuing his passion for youth development. He and Mary, his wife of 56 years as of 2023, have two sons and two grandchildren. Dennis is an economist specializing in improving developing countries as a means of making the world a better and safer place. Dennis and Mary have lived in a number of countries, most recently Kazakhstan.

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    Seema Ledan

    see bio

    Seema Ledan

    Seema Ledan joined the DCYOP board in 2024 and is a proud mother of two current DCYOP violin students. She has always been amazed at the community built within the DCYOP family and the dedication of the teacher, staff and students. Seema is originally from California but moved to DC in 2006 to attend Howard University for pharmacy school and currently works at Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and exploring the musical events and experiences in the DMV area.

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    Kimberly Maucher-Lynch

    see bio

    Kimberly Maucher-Lynch

    Kimberly Maucher-Lynch is a leading voice at the intersection of talent, technology and social impact with more than 20 year’s experience in the Life Sciences and Technology sectors. For companies like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and SAP, she has made a career of spearheading transformative people-oriented strategies across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Born in Connecticut, her family’s ties to the performing arts and the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program inspired a life long passion for fostering talent in music. Kimberly serves on the Board of several organizations advancing Sustainability, Inclusion, the Future of Work and with the DCYOP is honoured to serve on the Strategic Planning and Governance committees.

  • Stanford Oliver

    see bio

    Stanford Oliver

    Stanford Oliver serves on the the Board’s Finance Committee. He is the Founder, President, and CEO of both DigiFlight and Camelot Secure. Stan is passionate about fostering opportunities for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the STEM fields, so he dedicates his time to serve as a board member of the Army Aviation Association of America Scholarship Foundation Inc (AAAASFI) and Advancing Minorities Interest in Engineering (AMIE). 

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    Kim Patterson

    see bio

    Kim Patterson

    Kim Patterson grew up in upper Northwest DC and played bassoon in DCYOP from age 10 through high school. A graduate of Marymount University and American University’s Washington College of Law, Kim currently works for the United Negro College Fund as Director, Corporate & Foundations Relations. She also serves as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (4A05 in Brightwood NW) and is Vice-President of the Brightwood Community Association. Kim says, “DCYOP taught me discipline - practice, practice, practice - and provided me with a respect for and knowledge of classical orchestral music. It was an invaluable education, for which I am forever grateful. I proudly serve as a member of the DCYOP board and look forward to welcoming as many talented students as possible into the encouraging and supportive arms of the DCYOP community.”

  • Chris Royal

    see bio

    Chris Royal

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  • Amylia Barnett

    Repertory Orchestra
  • Gerald Fowkes

    Young Artists Orchestra
  • Keith Kelsey

    Premiere Winds
  • Terrance Newman

    Wind Ensemble
  • Rachel Pereira

    Debut Orchestra & Sinfonia
  • Evan Ross Solomon

    Principal Conductor, Youth Orchestra
  • Josalyn Walker

    Concertino
  • Kenneth Whitley

    Principal Conductor, Youth Philharmonic
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  • Susan Agazzi

    Trombone
  • Anthony Asero

    Percussion
  • Amylia Barnett

    Bassoon
  • Erika Cuffy

    Bassoon, Saxophone
  • Fabio Dantas

    Violin, Viola
  • Asa Dawson

    Bass
  • Ken Giles

    Violin, Viola
  • Corey Hewitt

    Percussion
  • Keith Kelsey

    Flute
  • Brandon Lewis

    Violin, Viola
  • Jeanette Lewis

    Flute
  • Yuan-ju Liu

    Violin
  • Liya Ma

    Violin
  • Na'Vaughn Martin

    Bassoon
  • Kevin McKee

    Trumpet
  • Terrance Newman

    Trombone
  • Matthew Paiz

    Strings
  • Brookes Pennell

    Violin
  • Rachel Pereira

    Violin, Cello
  • Denna Purdie

    Cello
  • Joanna Ramirez

    Woodwinds
  • Heidi Remick

    Viola
  • Kristopher Ring

    Brass
  • Lauren Riley

    Oboe
  • YaShauna Swan

    Violin, Viola
  • Samuel Thompson

    Violin
  • Lauren Twombly

    Harp
  • Ian van Nuys

    Clarinet
  • Josalyn Walker

    Violin, Viola
  • Kaitlyn Winters

    French Horn
  • Kenneth Whitley

    Cello
  • Alyson Wyckoff

    Violin/Viola
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Volunteer your talents

Are you interested in volunteering your talents with our organization? DCYOP welcomes parents, alums, and community members who would like to contribute through volunteer projects throughout the year. Please contact [email protected] to express your interest.

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Careers

Work with us

We are a team of professionals dedicated to the nurturing musical, physical, emotional, and social growth of our students, in the region’s leading ensemble-based music education program.

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