Courtney Millbrook, Executive Director
Courtney (Cooley) Millbrook brings several years of non-profit management and development experience to her role as Executive Director of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. She has served on the staff of Michigan State University's Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Fredrik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and American Cancer Society. Courtney has a BA in Sociology from The George Washington University (Washington, DC) and immediately upon graduating, spent two years in Japan teaching English as a part of the JET program. She currently resides in her hometown of Grand Ledge with her husband, Travis, son, Grady, daughter, Vivian and dog, Sammy.
Karen Dichoza, Director of Finance & Operations
Karen (Cutshaw) Dichoza has extensive knowledge and experience in arts administration and a passion for arts integration in the community. She is a graduate of the League of American Orchestra’s Essentials of Orchestra Management, a ten-day seminar that is an immersion into the many aspects, roles, opportunities and challenges facing the leaders and staffs of orchestras. Mrs. Dichoza currently has over 10 years of experience producing large orchestra concerts and working with vendors on all aspects of the production. She has also held legislative, executive and administrative assistant positions with various political and lobby organizations, and has worked in various positions at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel. She attended Lansing Community College earning an Associate Degree in Business Management, as well as, Grand Valley State University where she holds a degree in Hospitality Tourism Management.
David Solorio, Development Manager
David Solorio brings several years of experience in the non-profit field to Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Growing up in Nashville, TN, he has held positions for both Nashville Symphony and Nashville Ballet, ranging from box-office sales to development. Since relocating to the Lansing area, he worked as a fundraiser for Greater Lansing Food Bank, most recently as Development Officer. A music enthusiast, David holds a BA in Musical Arts with a focus on Oboe Performance from Vanderbilt University and has an appreciation for orchestral music of all types. He enjoys traveling around Michigan, exploring all that it has to offer and lives in the Eastside Neighborhood of Lansing with his wife, Michelle, dog, and two cats.
Olivia Beebe, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Olivia Beebe is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in Advertising Management with a minor in media photography. Her outstanding academic performance, reflected in her 4.0 GPA, earned her the prestigious Board of Trustees Award. During her senior year, Olivia gained valuable experience as the marketing intern for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Building on her passion for the arts and her expertise in advertising, she now serves as the symphony's Marketing and Communications Coordinator. With her creative mindset and strategic approach, Olivia is dedicated to expanding the symphony's presence and engaging audiences through effective marketing strategies.
Ashleigh Lore, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Ashleigh Lore received her M.M. in Music Education from The University of Michigan and her B.M.E. from Central Michigan University, where she double majored in Music & English Education. Ashleigh is a national presenter on music education, is a successful grant writer, and is author of both "The Music Educator's Guide to Grant Writing" and "Recorder Boot Camp". She is the current Vice President of the Mid-Michigan Orff-Schulwerk Association (MMOSA) and Treasurer of the Michigan Music Education Association (MMEA). Ashleigh is an Orff-Schulwerk certified instructor, is First Steps In Music (FAME) certified, and currently teaches full-time elementary music in Grand Ledge Public Schools.
Nicholas Buonanni, Librarian/Box-Office & Operations Assistant
Nicholas Buonanni, DMA, is an active performer, teacher, and librarian in Mid-Michigan. He is the orchestral librarian for both Lansing Symphony and Jackson Symphony Orchestras. His previous library positions include Head Librarian for the Michigan State University Band Department and librarian for Music School Festival Orchestra at the Chautauqua Institute. He serves as Second Flute with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and serves on the faculty at Concordia University Ann Arbor and Lansing Community College. Nicholas earned his DMA and MM at Michigan State University, where he studied with flutist Richard Sherman. Nicholas is originally from Orlando, FL, where he did his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida. He also serves as Social Media Director for the Southeast Michigan Flute Association and on the Low Flute Committee with the National Flute Association.
