Meet Our Staff

Andrew M. Lee
Executive Director

B.A. Music & Political Science, Furman University; Further Graduate Studies: University of Maryland; Non-profit Management Certificate, Georgetown University.

Founder of DC Strings, has led performances in such prestigious venues as the Embassy of Spain and The Kennedy Center, among other DMV performing arts venues in our Nation’s Capital.  Other musical experiences include teaching music locally to underserved public school students, touring and performing with notable artists such as conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and a debut in Carnegie Hall, active in several local area orchestras and taught in local music and public schools.  Out of his own passion for music, he founded DC Strings, a non-profit music organization committed to music education, and serves more than 500 youth annually, providing instrument rental, workshops, concerto opportunities, music lessons and more to deserving young people throughout the region.  Panelist for several city, state, and national funding organizations, including the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the Maryland State Arts Commission, Trustee of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Historical Association.  Member Junior Board of Washington Performing Arts.  Has mentored, tutored and taught music, history and chess through Chess Challenge in DC and a host of other programs with the Boys & Girls Club and various DC Public camps, private and charter schools.

SHAWN CROSBY
Development Manager

M.Ed, MBA

Shawn Crosby is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and is a seasoned fundraising and advancement professional with over 15 years of experience driving success in the nonprofit and academic sectors.  Renowned for his strategic approach to relationship-building, operational excellence, and securing substantial funding, Shawn has consistently raised millions to fuel organizational growth and enhance student outcomes.

In his role as Director of Advancement, Shawn has spearheaded initiatives that secured over $1.5 million in investments, developed comprehensive compliance policies, and crafted strategic recruitment and marketing plans.

Shawn’s extensive experience includes managing major gift portfolios, leading community engagement efforts, and implementing innovative donor stewardship practices.  His leadership in school administration has been marked by the development of effective school culture and climate strategies and the successful execution of restorative justice initiatives.

A dedicated community advocate, Shawn actively volunteers with educational and community organizations, leveraging his expertise to foster growth and strengthen connections.

AMANDA HORNIG
Program Associate

M.M. Voice Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music

Amanda Hornig is a recent graduate from the Eastman School of Music where she earned her MM in Voice Performance and Literature and is now a Program Associate at the Washington Conservatory of Music.  While at Eastman, Amanda worked in the Voice and Opera Department where she assisted in the coordination of over 20 department wide recitals and almost 60 undergraduate auditions.  She has over 5 years of experience in customer service and over 10 years of performing experience as a classical musician.  Her career as a classical musician has been marked by a few significant performances, the most notable being the title role as Florencia in Eastman Opera Theater’s 2023 Spring Production of Florence en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán.  Other notable performances include her 2024 portrayal of La Contessa in Eastman Opera Theater’s Opera Scenes Program and her 2022 rendition of Cendrillon in Viardot’s Cendrillon at the University of Delaware.

ESTHER TONEA
Sr. Administration Coordinator

Praised for her “powerful, gleaming tone, effortless precision and expressive immediacy” Romanian-American soprano Esther Tonea is a recent San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow, National Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finals Winner, International Elizabeth Connell Prize for Dramatic Sopranos Finalist, International Tenor Viñas Competition Semi-Finalist, and Richard F. Gold Career Grant recipient.

Her repertoire includes Leonora in Verdi’s Il trovatore, Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Blanche de la Force in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte. Because of her passion for increasing accessibility to classical music and opera, Tonea appears as guest artist in elementary school outreach programs across the United States. She also has performed Roots of Peace, an organization that replaces land mines with vineyards in war-torn countries such as Ukraine and Croatia.

A frequent collaborator with Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer, Esther premiered Diana in If I Were You with Merola Opera Program, workshopped Callie van Lew in Intelligence with Houston Grand Opera, and performed Krystyna Zywulska in Another Sunrise with Atlanta Opera. She performed as soprano soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana with Richmond Ballet, Haydn’s The Creation with City Choir of Washington and Washington National Opera Orchestra, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 and the world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s Warum hast du gelitten? with Santa Rosa Symphony. Esther will also sing title roles in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta this season in Washington, D.C.

KENITA R. EARL
Webmaster & Marketing Consultant

Kenita is a pioneering digital marketing professional with a specially crafted interest for small and midsize minority-owned businesses. With an extensive career spanning over 25 years in the internet industry, Kenita has established herself as a seasoned subject matter expert, excelling in project management and fostering creative collaboration with her clients.

Kenita’s professional journey is marked by a deep-seated passion for problem-solving, propelling her to develop innovative solutions that significantly enhance the digital footprint of both companies and individuals. Beyond her professional endeavors, she exhibits a genuine heart for people, finding joy in sharing valuable information and contributing to the growth of others.

Kenita actively engages with her local community. She is deeply involved with her church family, where she not only contributes to the musical atmosphere as a singer in the choir and praise team but also demonstrates a strong sense of commitment and connection. Outside of her professional and community engagements, Kenita relishes the simple pleasures of life, spending quality time with her cherished family and friends. Through her multifaceted contributions, Kenita continues to make a positive impact both professionally and personally.