OUR STAFF

ALLAN LAIÑO
Artistic Director, Congressional Chorus

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 Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, 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-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.

As the Principal Conductor & Advanced Studies Director for the National Children’s Chorus, Laiño conducts the Premier Ensemble and Scholars and directs the advanced musicianship program nationwide. As Co-Artistic Director of DC-based professional ensemble, Bridge, Laiño produced, edited, directed, and sang in America, You’re Beautiful, an award-winning short film that merged spoken word and choral music to examine racism in America. The film won the 2021 Black Truth Film Festival and 2021 Queens Underground International Black and Brown Film Festival, and was an official selection for numerous film festivals.

Laiño served on the choral conducting faculty for the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at The Catholic University of America from 2016–2021. He directed the University Singers, who performed annually with the CU Symphony Orchestra under his baton for The Annual Christmas Concert for Charity at the National Shrine. He is a former member of the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the resident professional chamber choir for which he has also guest-conducted in Masses. He has sung with groups such as Bridge, the Yale/Norfolk Music Festival Chamber Choir, Chantry, The Trinity Chamber Orchestra, the Sunday Night Singers, the Horizon Chamber Choir, and the Pacific Chorale. 

Dr. Laiño was a Diversity Fellowship recipient at the University of California, Irvine, earning his M.F.A in Choral Conducting (2009) and B.A. in Voice/Music (2006). He moved to the DMV in 2012 to pursue his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting (2015) at the University of Maryland, College Park. He lives in Bowie with his wife, Crossley Hawn, an accomplished vocalist in DC, their son, Ziven, and their cat, Kawai. They love the outdoors, gastronomy, and curling up on the couch to watch movies.

SEAN BURNS
Principal Pianist, Congressional Chorus

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 CoOOPERative 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
Music Director, NorthEast Senior Singers

George Stewart is a widely sought-after musician due, in part to his versatility and love for music regardless of denomination or genre. George joined the Congressional Chorus during the 2021-2022 season. He has been blessed to share his gift in various venues ranging from small Pentecostal storefront churches to television studios, in concert halls on both coasts, with his past choir, Pentecostal Glory, being the first African-American Catholic 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 served more than 35 years as choir director, accompanist and minister of music for several area churches and played on several recordings including the GIA-published “Catholic Classics, Volume VII,” and the Holy Comforter St Cyprian’s Church Choir’s “We Offer Praise.” He currently serves as the director of music for the Holy Comforter St Cyprian’s Church.

DELORIS AGEE
Program Director, NorthEast Senior Singers

Deloris is delighted to co-direct the NorthEast Senior Singers with fellow teaching artist Pedro Hart. She has been a member of this group of 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. A third concert is planned for Spring 2021.

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. 

Most important to Deloris is being able to provide compassion and effective leadership to help develop an improved level of music appreciation for our seniors.  She believes motivating them to participate will aid in a healthier level of mental health and wellness in addition to a sense of belonging.

Married for 50 years to Onizene, she has three sons and seven grandchildren.

CHARLES M. OWENS
Artistic Director, American Youth Chorus

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
Artistic Associate, American Youth Chorus
Artistic Administrator, Congressional Chorus

LeighAnne Markaity holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University. Originally from West Michigan, she has lived in DC and been part of Congressional Chorus for ten years. Ms. Markaity played a major role in the relaunch of American Youth Chorus and is their Rehearsal Assistant and Administrator for the entire Congressional Chorus organization. She is also the Congressional Chorus soprano section leader, is in their Chamber Ensemble, and a member of Board of Directors. She was previously a nanny and a flute and voice teacher. When not singing, she can be found lost in a book, on a run, cooking something new, and exploring the city with friends.

ASHLEI PEOPLES
Principal Pianist, American Youth Chorus

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.