Mairead Alexander, is a passionate Elementary/Middle School Instrumental Music Teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. She is also a Freelance Violinist, and thrives on playing fiddle in an Irish rock band, thrifting, making alterations to vintage clothing, and teaching yoga. Her favorite piece of music is Dvořák’s American String Quartet. Her successful first year as an orchestra and band director amid a global pandemic is her greatest accomplishment
Robin Atkins, an Organizational Psychology and Executive Coach, balances her love for music with hobbies like golf and martial arts. She loves how all three use the same mental strength, patience, and mastery. Married to her wonderful husband, Harold, and a proud mother of three amazing adult children, she finds joy in exploring Korean food, a delightful mix of her heritage.
A Teacher in the Howard County Public School System, Morgan Dice finds fulfillment in a variety of hobbies including running, hiking, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She’s accompanied by a faithful black lab mix named Rebel on many of these adventures. Morgan’s favorite foods are tacos, pizza, and pasta (Who doesn’t love those three?)
After a prolific 32-year career as an Orchestra Director for Howard County Public Schools, Valerie Lawrence now spends her time reading, strolling around Columbia’s lakes, and enriching young musicians through her private violin studio. Together with her husband Tom, a professional guitarist, they share a passion for travel (especially Aruba) and the performing arts. She and her husband have even performed together as a guitar and violin duo.
Amity Monroe, a Licensed Behavior Analyst/BCBA, enjoys cooking, traveling, and relishing the joy of her pets – Daisy, the Dog-Toy Miniature Schnauzer, and Mittens, the Tabby/Calico cat. Her most cherished roles include being a loving mom to her children Spencer and Hallie and advancing in her career to become the Clinical Director and Director of Assessments at her ABA company. Her favorite cuisines are Mexican and seafood, which she enjoys with her husband, Art Monroe, former principal cellist of Columbia Orchestra!
Natalia Vladimirova, a violin teacher, cultivates her green thumb through gardening and tends to a lively menagerie including two dogs, two cats, quails, and goldfish. Her favorite food is dark chocolate! Her love for teaching and music drives her each day, and her pets provide companionship and solace.
Jackie DeBella is a dedicated Elementary Orchestra Teacher at Deep Run Elementary. When she’s not shaping young musicians, she enjoys family time with her husband, who is also a violinist, and their two children, one in middle school and the other in elementary. A remarkable achievement close to her heart is raising over $12,000 for breast cancer in memory of her younger sister and mother. Besides her passion for teaching and music, Jackie dreams of experiencing the magic of Disney World.
Christine Doney, a Freelance Violinist/Violist and Retired Executive Assistant, brings her love for travel, photography, and sketching & watercolors to her music. She met her husband, Christopher, a music teacher (who played trumpet) during an orchestra rehearsal. Their first date was after a concert and we were married the following year. They were very happily married for 42 years before he passed away. They did not have children but adore their many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews as well. Christine enjoys travel, tennis, gardening, and the simple pleasure of reading a good book.
Esther Wagner-Yuan, a Reading Teacher and dedicated Violinist, deftly balances her time between her profession and interests like crocheting, sewing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She shares her home with Willow, a black lab, and treasures the moments spent with her husband and two daughters.
Martin Chandler is currently savoring the joys of retirement, allowing him ample time to indulge in his lifelong passions: music and reading. A connoisseur of classical compositions, Martin’s favorite piece is R. V. Williams’ Tallis Fantasia. He shares his life with his wife of 39 years, Mary Rampolla, two sons, and two daughters-in-law. With a notable career spanning 21 years in the public drinking water supply sector, his greatest accomplishment lies in his commitment to ensuring access to clean water for communities.
Sara Richman Sanders is the Membership Director at a nonprofit association, where she focuses on recruiting and retaining members to support the organization’s mission. In her free time, Sara is an avid sports fan who roots for the Houston Astros and New York Giants. She also enjoys frequent visits to museums and art galleries to take in the culture and history on display. Civic engagement is important to Sara – she volunteers as an election judge to support the democratic process. An adventurous spirit, Sara loves to travel and has already been to 40 of the 50 states with a goal of visiting them all. She also has a bit of a nerdy side, building legos and playing Dungeons and Dragons when she needs a creative break. During the pandemic, Sara picked up her viola again after nearly twenty years without playing. Reconnecting with music has been a rewarding creative outlet. Most of all, Sara loves spending time with her family, including husband Brandon and daughter Keira. She also enjoys connecting with her extended family and friends whenever possible. Sara makes time for those she cares about, whether it’s a beach vacation or a cozy night in. Her varied interests and commitment to community continue to be driving forces in her life.
Elizabeth Robbins is a dedicated Music Teacher at Prince George’s County Public Schools. She not only imparts knowledge to her students but also finds exhilaration in roller coasters and haunted houses. Sharing her space with two feline companions named Chidi and Tahani, Elizabeth is clearly a fan of the tv show The Good Place. Her greatest accomplishment is getting her PHD in music education.
For Annemarie Scimonelli, a Human Resources Consultant, Dvorak Symphony #8 is more than music – it’s an inspiration. With her husband and son, as well as two lab mixes named Zeus and Winter, Annemarie relishes time with family.
Penny Zahn, a retired Family Counselor, relishes sailing her Bermuda 40 on the Chesapeake Bay and birdwatching. Her achievements include running Yacht Clubs and volunteering for numerous nonprofits. Penny’s dream is to be stranded on an idyllic spot by the water.
Elizabeth Skola Davis, a talented cellist and rental associate at Potter Violins, shares her passion for music through teaching at Pritchard Music Academy. Her heart finds solace in the breathtaking melodies of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. At home, Elizabeth’s two feline companions, Patches (an 11-year-old dilute calico) and Shi No Hana (a 3-year-old tuxedo with a unique name), add an element of playfulness to her life. Elizabeth treasures the memories of performing at the White House Executive Office in the Indian Treaty Room, a testament to her remarkable musical journey.
Christina Hernandez is a devoted mother to two wonderful kids, and a loving wife. Between her and her husband, their kids keep them busy. Her kids also share their mother’s love of music. Her favorite saying is “When words fail, music speaks”, and she has a special fondness for Mexican cuisine, especially chiles rellenos.
Sophia Jang is a statistical programmer with a passion for the cello. She began playing as an adult and continues to enjoy performing Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. When she’s not programming or playing music, Sophia stays active skiing and making flower bouquets and baskets. She also spends time painting, a hobby that allows her creative side to flourish. Sophia loves to travel and explore new destinations with her husband and two sons when time allows. Her family traditions are important to her, including enjoying Korean food together. Sophia starts each morning with a healthy smoothie to energize her day. Her varied interests from programming to music, art, and travel shape Sophia into a well-rounded person. She balances her technical career with creative pursuits and family time. Sophia’s mornings with her smoothie and Bach cello suites bring joy and set the tone for the rest of her day. Her appreciation for beauty, love of music, and analytical skills make Sophia a versatile and caring person.
Jen Retterer, a Middle School Orchestra Teacher in HCPSS, finds solace in making pottery. Her favorite piece of music is Elgar’s Nimrod from Enigma Variations, saying she is deeply moved by this particular movement. When asked where she would most like to be stranded, she said Prague, what an amazing city!
Bridget Donchatz, a passionate Music Teacher, finds delight in ice hockey, reading, and coaching. Her favorite pieces of music are a tie between Throne Room from Star Wars & Raiders March from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, two pieces from iconic films composed by John Williams. Bridget’s favorite food is sushi!
Devona Schiller, a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, joined the Columbia Orchestra piccoloist in 2006. She also currently serves as Principal Flutist of the U. S. Naval Academy Band. She was formerly Principal Flutist of the U. S. ATLANTIC Fleet Band and has held positions with the Virginia Beach and Annapolis Wind Symphonies.
Devona received Bachelor of Music degrees in education and performance in 1998 from James Madison University, where she studied with Carol Kniebusch Noe. Under the tutelage of Anthony Maiello, she received a Master of Music in conducting from George Mason University in 2003.
An experienced soloist, Mrs. Schiller has been the first prize winner of the James Madison University Concerto Competition, Virginia Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition, and the Sigma Alpha Iota Scholarship Competition. She can be heard on the James Madison University Flute Choir’s CD Sounds and Colors.
A dedicated educator and advocate of the arts, Devona frequently teaches and serves as a clinician and adjudicator in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County schools. Mrs. Schiller currently resides in Annapolis, MD and enjoys spending time with her husband, John and family. Other interests include serving in church ministries, women’s lacrosse, weight training, cooking, biking, and interior design.
Stacia Pratt, an Instrumental Music Teacher, loves road trips with her husband, exploring Maryland trails, and bonding over strong coffee. Her dream place to be stranded is on Harstine Island off the coast of Washington state. As a native Idahoan, her favorite food is true to form – potatoes! (Any type of potato, cooked any way) Stacia lives by the saying “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
Mary Haaser, a Nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital Intrastaff, brings her musical talents to pit orchestras, infusing her medical career with creative harmonies. Her favorite food, grapefruit, echoes her zest for life.
Ann Quinn is a talented poet and teacher, known for her ability to inspire through her words. When she’s not crafting beautiful verses, Ann finds solace in rowing, hiking, and reading. She is happily married to Steve, a retired woodwind repairman whose expertise comes in handy for Ann’s poetic endeavors. Their children, Paul and Rose, are both embarking on their own academic journeys, with Paul pursuing his education in Japan and Rose studying at Drexel University. Ann firmly believes that the world needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds, a sentiment expressed by the Dalai Lama. It is this belief that drives her passion for teaching and creating meaningful connections through her poetry.
Paul Lindenmann, a devoted Police Officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, says he lives for the thrill of big, classic 90-piece orchestra finales like Pines of Rome, Firebird Suite, 1812 Overture, and Mahler’s Symphonies and says that is why he joined the orchestra. With his three daughters and loving wife of 31 years, he finds solace in playing taps for ceremonial events for the Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit.
Anne Ward, a retired instrumental music teacher, keeps an active lifestyle through various endeavors. Yoga, walking, fitness, and even golf contribute to her well-being. As a French horn player, she enjoys any repertoire currently being rehearsed by the orchestra. Anne shares her life with her husband Duke, and their dog Isabella, a loyal and beloved 13-year-old black lab mix. If stranded somewhere, Anne would hope to be in a place with modern amenities like indoor plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Each morning, it is the piercing sound of the alarm clock that prompts her to start the day. Her favorite saying, “It is what it is,” reflects a pragmatic outlook on life, embracing the concept of acceptance. Smucker’s creamy natural peanut butter is her favorite culinary delight, and Anne’s best kept secret is still a secret to us!
Sarah Dorrance, a devoted pastor, has been a member of the orchestra for 34 years and enjoys the variety that playing in the orchestra brings to her life. Her eldest daughter was born just after her first season with the orchestra, and her girls grew up coming to concerts. Then, years later, she has had the pleasure of having her daughters bring their children to the concerts and see “Gigi” play in the orchestra! Sarah starts every day with the thought “Who can I help have a smile on their face today?”
