Administrative Staff

David Gross, Executive Director
David Gross has been Executive Director of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra since February 2007. Mr. Gross brings nearly 30 years of experience in the orchestral field to Lansing. He served as the Manager of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony from 1988 to 1991 and has been involved in many aspects of a symphony orchestra. Mr. Gross was sole-proprietor of his own business for 15 years. He served as head of the percussion department at Grand Valley State University. Mr. Gross was principal timpanist of the Grand Rapids Symphony from 1982 to 2007. Prior to coming to Grand Rapids, he was Principal Timpanist with the Kansas City Philharmonic. He appeared as timpanist with such orchestras as the Detroit Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony and the Columbus Symphony. Mr. Gross has also performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Opera Company, and the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia. Mr. Gross has worked with such conductors as, Claudio Abbado, Raymond Leppard, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Eugene Ormandy, Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Slatkin and Yuri Temirkanov. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music.

Catherine Guarino, Director of Communications & Ticket Sales
Catherine Guarino holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Grand Valley State University's Honors College, where she was active with the collegiate branch of the National Association for Music Education and GVSU Opera Theatre productions.  Catherine has participated in arts administration internships with Opera Grand Rapids and Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, NY.  A mezzo-soprano trained in classical and musical theatre repertoire, she is currently pursuing opportunities to teach and perform in the Lansing area.  Catherine is a native of the Detroit suburbs.

Leanne King, Director of Education & Operations
Leanne King holds a Master of Arts degree in musicology and a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from Michigan State University, where she studied for over four years with Richard Sherman, principal flute of the LSO. Leanne's teaching experience includes assisting in the instruction of undergraduate music history courses and giving private flute lessons to middle and high school students. 

Dru L. Mitchell, Director of Development
Dru L. Mitchell has enjoyed a variety of positions throughout her career in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. They range from tackling the challenges of a new professional golf tour event to the operations of a commercial bank, from instituting a county-wide business retention calling program to volunteering for numerous community organizations. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Lansing Community College.

Karen Cutshaw, Finance & Development Manager
Karen Cutshaw is a life-long resident of Lansing. She has held legislative, administrative and executive assistant positions with various political and lobby organizations. She attended Grand Valley State University where she studied Public Relations and Hospitality Business. Karen holds a General Associate Degree with a concentration in business from Lansing Community College and is currently pursuing an accounting certificate and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.