American Prize winner Allan Laiño (“lah-EE-nyoh” or  / la ‘ʔi njo / ) is the fourth Artistic Director of the Congressional Chorus. As a second-generation Filipino-American with wide-ranging musical influences, he aims to reshape the landscape of American choral artistry by creating an environment in which all voices can flourish. 

Laiño has prepared choral ensembles for the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop, BSO Pops and Jack Everly, NSO Pops and Steven Reineke, Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, and the Josh Groban Live National Tour. He has conducted onstage at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Kennedy Center Opera House, and Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center. His performances have been televised on programs such as the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, CNN’s Live from the Capitol: January 6, One Year Later, and EWTN’s Annual Christmas Concert for Charity broadcast to over 140 countries worldwide.

As Co-Artistic Director of Bridge, Laiño produced, edited, directed, and sang in America, You’re Beautiful, a short film that merged spoken word and choral music to examine racism in America. The film won the Black Truth Film Festival, Queens Underground International Black and Brown Film Festival, and Shortie Film Festival. As Co-Conductor of the Sunday Night Singers in 2012, he earned First Prize at the World Choir Games in the Mixed Chamber Choir Champions Division. He is the 2018 winner of The American Prize—Community Chorus Division, and was a finalist in two categories for the 2020 The American Prize in Composition. In 2021, Laiño was the music awardee for The Outstanding Filipinos in America presented at Carnegie Hall.

Sean Burns is a Philadelphia-area native who relocated to Washington, DC in 2021. In addition to his work as Principal Pianist for Congressional Chorus, he currently serves as the organist at First Baptist Church of Washington, DC as well as Collaborative Pianist at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Sean completed formal organ study at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in 2016, where he studied with Alan Morrison and earned a Master of Music in Organ Performance. Before moving to DC, he served as the principal organist first at Corpus Christi Church and later at Abington Presbyterian Church, both in suburban Philadelphia.

Beyond the walls of the church, Sean has used his extensive love and knowledge of opera to serve as an accompanist for young singers who are either pursuing upper-level studies or who are at the forefront of a professional career. At the academic level, Sean has worked with voice students at Westminster as well as Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Professionally, he worked at Sarasota Opera House in Florida along with the summer programs CoOPERAtive in Princeton, NJ and Canto in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sean also holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and pursues occasional pro bono opportunities.

George Stewart is a widely sought after musician due in part to his versatility and love for music irrespective of genre. George joined the Congressional Chorus during the 2021-2022 season.  He has a been blessed to share his gift in Paris, France and in a number of venues in America ranging from churches, to recording studios, and concert halls on both coasts.  His former choir Perpetual Glory was the first African-American Gospel Choir to perform at the historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.

Among George’s greatest honors was being invited to perform at the White House for its annual Black History Month Celebration in February 2021, and to grace the altar as one of the musicians for the Junipero Serra Canonization Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.

George has served as choir director, accompanist, and minister of music for local churches, and has played on several recordings including the GIA-published “Catholic Classics, Volume VII,” and the Holy Comforter St Cyprian Church Choir’s “ We Offer Praise.”  He currently serves as director of music at Holy Comforter St Cyprian Church.

Deloris Agee has been a member of the NorthEast Senior Singers since 2003. Since assuming the role of teaching artist in Fall 2020, Deloris has helped prepare members to participate in an all virtual season. Under her direction the chorus produced its first virtual concert, This Little Light of Mine, and a full-length holiday concert, Proclaiming the Season: Peace, Love, and Joy. Deloris brings to this position over 30 years of experience as a choir director for all age groups. Her experience in the area of creative arts includes drama and play writing. For the past two years she has been the creator and program manager for the Puppets for Potential where she crafted over 25 hand puppets.

Charles M. Owens is a PreK–5th Grade General Music Teacher with Prince George’s County Public Schools, Artistic Director of the American Youth Chorus, and Associate Conductor with the National Children’s Chorus. He holds a Master of Arts in Conducting from Webster University.

Charles’s passion for music began when his mother enrolled him in an Orff Schulwerk–based summer program—an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to teaching and performance. He earned his undergraduate degree in Piano Pedagogy and the Art of Teaching, with a minor in German Language Studies, and taught private and studio lessons for several years before moving into classroom and ensemble work.

Since launching his choral career in 1996 at The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio, Charles has studied conducting with Dr. Amy Chivington, Dr. David Rayl, and the late Dr. Katherine Smith Bowers. During graduate school, he founded the Unity Gospel Choir in Berlin’s Pankow district, leading three concert seasons before passing the baton to a local conductor.

From 1999 to 2023, Charles conducted the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference Choir and recently served as Festival Administrator for HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, a program of the Zamir Choral Foundation. Before moving to the D.C. area, he auditioned for and was selected to sing bass for two seasons with the Dallas Symphony Chorus under Jaap van Zweden.

When not teaching or conducting, Charles enjoys spending time with his nephews and siblings in Cologne and Kiefersfelden, Germany.

LeighAnne Markaity holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. Originally from West Michigan, she now calls Washington, DC home. LeighAnne has been a proud member of Congressional Chorus for over eleven years, where she serves as the soprano section leader and performs with the Chamber Ensemble.

She played a key role in the 2022 relaunch of American Youth Chorus and currently serves as its Artistic Associate, while also managing operations as the Administrator for the entire Congressional Chorus organization. Her passion for music and education shines through both her performance and her work with young singers.

In addition to working with Congressional Chorus, LeighAnne also serves as the Operations Manager for the Thomas Circle Singers. When she’s not singing or teaching privately, you’ll find her immersed in a good book, out for a run, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring DC with friends.

Ashlei Peoples is a versatile, classically trained pianist and keyboardist whose gift for blending technical mastery with heartfelt expression has made her a sought-after musician in the gospel and Christian music community. With over 20 years of experience, she effortlessly moves between traditional hymns, contemporary gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical repertoire, playing both by ear and with exceptional sight-reading ability.

Ashlei has served as a music director, choir director, and accompanist for churches of all denominations, schools, and theatrical productions throughout the DMV area. She currently works as a pianist for Howard University’s Music Theatre Department, an accompanist for choral ensembles and musicals across Fairfax and Montgomery Counties, and as a dedicated church musician.

Her performances span from the sanctuary to the stage, having shared music with renowned artists such as James Hall, Mama Sue Roseberry, and gospel songwriter Nikea Marie. She has also played with ensembles like the DC Strings and performed for historic figures, including Dr. Gladys Mae West, the developer of GPS.

A graduate of Spelman College (B.A., Piano Performance, Cum Laude) and the University of North Carolina (M.A., Music Education), Ashlei brings not only skill but a deep passion for creating transformative worship experiences. Whether directing choirs, supporting vocalists, or delivering moving instrumental moments, she uses her gift to inspire and uplift every audience she encounters.

Sarah Larsen is an award-winning fiddler, educator, producer, and community organizer whose work is rooted in a simple belief: traditional music thrives when people have a place to gather, learn, listen, and belong.

A nationally recognized bluegrass musician, Sarah is the bandleader and fiddler for The Black-Eyed Suzies, an all-female ensemble dedicated to preserving the sound and spirit of traditional bluegrass. An award-winning violinist and fiddler, she holds many titles, including Grand Champion of Lyons, Delaware State Fiddle Champion, and most recently earning second place at the historic Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention. She has recorded for prestigious and varied artists such as Dr. Dog, Ben Arnold, Danny Paisley, Susan Wernick, and multiple soundtracks for screen.

Beyond the stage, Sarah has devoted her career to building opportunities for musicians and audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic. She co-founded Annapolis Bluegrass and the Chesapeake Winter Bluegrass Festival, and founded the Annapolis Opry, creating spaces where nationally touring artists, regional favorites, and emerging musicians can share the stage.

As an educator, Sarah operates Little Fiddle, her private teaching studio, and serves as an instructor and director for youth bluegrass academies and traditional music programs across the country. She believes that nurturing the next generation of musicians is essential to preserving the traditions she loves.

In 2026, Sarah was nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Momentum Award for Industry Involvement, recognizing her dedication to the broader bluegrass community.

Whether performing, teaching, or producing, Sarah's mission remains the same: to make traditional music accessible, celebrate the people who keep it alive, and ensure its future for generations to come.

“When you take care of the community, the music takes care of you.”

Rob Parks is a versatile bassist whose musical journey has taken him from the stages of U.S. Army bands to the jazz scene in Philadelphia and the bluegrass circuit of Western North Carolina. He began his professional career serving six years in the United States Army as a bass player with various Army bands before leaving active duty to pursue a degree in Jazz Performance at Temple University.

Following graduation, Rob relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, where he spent the next decade immersed in the region's vibrant bluegrass community. During that time, he performed and toured with a wide range of local, regional, and nationally recognized artists, including a two-year stint backing legendary fiddler Bobby Hicks.

Now residing in the Baltimore/Annapolis area, Rob remains active as a performer, educator, and recording musician, bringing his diverse musical background and experience to a wide variety of musical projects.