Laura Readyoff

Laura has been a music educator for 30 years and earned her Bachelors degree at The Crane School of Music in NY. She then went on to earn two masters degrees in Music Education and K-12 Administration.  She has taught award winning orchestras in NY and Virginia. She is currently the owner of The Music Loft and co-owner of The Music Loft Academy (which is an online music school).

NoVa Youth Ensembles focuses on more than making music-we strive to build a supportive community where every member feels valued and inspired. Through collaboration, creativity, and shared experiences, we aim to foster personal growth, lifelong friendships, and a deep appreciation for the arts. By engaging with our audiences and giving back to our community, we hope to make a positive impact that resonates far beyond the notes we play.

​

Saira Sufi

Saira Sufi was born in Topeka, Kansas to Pakistani physicians who came to the United States in 1972. She attended the University of Kansas and has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minored in Women's Studies Saira also has an Event Management Certificate from The George Washington University and has worked on Capitol Hill, for the Civil War Preservation Trust, Booz Allen Hamilton and recently as the Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement at Cornerstones (https://www.cornerstonesva.org/). She left Cornerstones in September of 2017 when her son, Hadi, was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia and went through immunotherapy as well as two bone marrow transplants at the National Institutes of Health. Hadi passed away in October of 2018. Saira has devoted her time to increasing awareness of bone marrow failure diseases and the need for medical research through her own nonprofit: www.teamwatience.com

Saira is in her words: a child loss experiencer, a bone marrow failure awareness/medical research advocate, a Muslim, a Kansan, a mother of twins, the mother of an aplastic anemia warrior, an event manager, and an honest and unintentional writer.

Becky Leakway 

Rebecca Leakway is a development professional currently working at a nonprofit in Arlington, Virginia focused on civics and history education. She is also a passionate lifelong musician who began playing the violin at age 8. In 2022, she met NoVa Youth Ensembles Director Laura Readyoff and now enjoys making music weekly with a spirited group of adult instrumentalists.  Becky joined NoVa Youth Ensembles because she is committed to their vision to make the life changing gift of music accessible to all children, no matter their economic background or school district. Becky resides in Ashburn, Virginia, with her husband and two dogs.

Lara Rhoades

I am a Realtor® with eXp Realty and I have  extensive knowledge of the area, and schools, as I have lived here all my life  I have witnessed the changes to the area and infrastructure. My experience in education and training is especially beneficial to my real estate clients as I assist sellers, buyers, investors, and renters in today’s market. I am an agent, mentor, coach, agent attractor, and top producer licensed in Virginia. Prior to real estate, I worked in human resources as a recruiter and trainer and taught in public schools and as an adjunct professor for a community college and an online university. I am a graduate of George Mason University holding a bachelor’s degree in industrial/ organizational psychology, a master’s in education, and Ph.D. (ABD) in Educational Psychology. I have served on the board of directors for the local real estate association, member of several committees at the local and state real estate levels including chair, vice chair, and liaison to the board of directors. 

​

Dr. John Nye

John holds a Doctorate in Trumpet Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature from James Madison University, a MM in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, and a BM in Music Education from James Madison University.

Dr. Nye has maintained a varied career as both a performing artist and educator, which has taken him around the country and internationally. As an orchestral musician, John has performed with the Charlottesville and Waynesboro Symphonies, the Cincinnati Chamber Opera, and the Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival Orchestra. As an avid chamber musician, John has performed with the Richmond (VA) Symphony Brass Quintet, Virginia Consort, Virginia Choral Society, the Madison Brass, and Caravanserai. Additional duties have included performing as principal trumpet with the Valley Wind Ensemble in Harrisonburg, VA, and solo cornet with the Brass of the Potomac in Alexandria, VA.
As an educator, John has provided a variety of musical instruction with schools in the community. His many instructional opportunities have included brass quintet outreach concerts, instructor positions with summer music programs, instrument exhibitions, and adjudicator roles for local county and district honor band events.

John was a  Band Director at Trinity Christian School and is now the band director at Herndon Middle school. 

Abby Ghanta 

Abby Ghanta brings a unique blend of professional expertise and deep community insight to the board. As a dedicated realtor for over 15 years , Abby possesses an in-depth understanding of market trends, property values, and the critical role of stable, thriving communities. Her professional acumen is beautifully complemented by her perspective as a wife and mom of three musicians  which instills a strong commitment to long-term sustainability, family-centric initiatives, and the well-being of the broader community. Abby is passionate about leveraging her skills to contribute to strategic decision-making and uphold the organization's mission.

Shauni Culatta

Shaundra Culatta has performed as an invited soloist with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, as the winner of the Riverton Concerto Competition, for the Washington Festival of Lights, at the Temple Square Assembly Hall, and as a keynote performer for Learning 2017. Currently residing in Washington DC with her husband and four musically trained children, Shaundra performs regularly with the National Philharmonic, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony, the American Festival Pops Orchestra, is the concertmaster for the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, and regularly freelances with many other orchestras and chamber groups throughout the DMV Region. She has performed with acclaimed artists Amy Grant, Manhattan Transfer, The Jazz Band at Lincoln Center, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Indigo Girls, and Wynton Marsalis, among others.

Shaundra has recorded for several albums, including her Christmas solo album Joy, Joy, For Christ is Born, recorded with acclaimed pianist Melinda Baird and released on iTunes in 2014. In addition to running a private music studio in Fairfax, Virginia, she has been an adjunct faculty member and directed masterclasses, orchestras, and choirs in the US, Mexico, and Guatemala, and has been a featured speaker in teaching practical strategies and proven approaches for successful performance at the American Strings Teachers Association Conference. She is also a string instruments luthier and the owner of Encore Strings, which rents, sells, and repairs string instruments throughout Northern VA and DC.

​

Megan DuBois

Megan DuBois is an experienced Arts Manager with a history of working in government administration. Strong professional skilled in management, public art, performing arts, arts education, marketing and recreation programs.  Megan grew up in Northern Virginia. She attended Oakton High School where she played in the orchestra for all 4 years.  She went on to get her BA in history, with a minor in music performance in violin at Washington and Jefferson College.  She has her masters in arts management from the Heinz College for Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University.  Megan is currently the Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Fairfax.  She lives in Herndon with her husband, two girls under two and one cat!