Sarah McDonner | Executive Director
Sarah McDonner is the Executive Director and Founder of ECHO: The Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra, a flute player, and an entrepreneur. In 2008 she received a B.A. in flute performance from Denison University in Granville, OH and in 2010 Sarah graduated with an M.M. in Flute performance from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. Sarah moved back to Houston in 2010 and started a flute studio and freelanced. She has also worked in many other fields including restaurant management, bartending, community engagement, product development and manufacturing, and music education before founding ECHO Orchestra in 2014. Most recently Sarah and her husband Ryan launched their DJ and event services company, Outerloop Collective. Outerloop is your suburban DJ for private events, parties, and small weddings. She is also very active in her community by serving on local committees, panels, PTOs, and the co-local leader of the Memorial Chapter of the Women's Council of Entrepreneurs. Currently she and her husband, Ryan, live in the Energy Corridor just down the street from where she grew up with their 3 year old daughter, 5 year old son, two cats, and a fish.
Michael Fahey |
Musical Director/ Conductor
Michael Fahey has been performing teaching and conducting in the Houston area since 1991. He has performed with the Theatre Under The Stars Orchestra, Houston Latin Philharmonic and many other orchestras and has conducted high school groups at Symphony Hall in Chicago as well Carnegie and Lincoln Center in New York. Mr. Fahey was the 2012 recipient of the Houston Symphony educator of the year award. Fahey is the founding conductor and music director of ECHOrchestra. Recently retired from Stratford High School after 30 years as a music educator, Mr. Fahey is a member of the Artist Faculty at the Paganini School of Music in Katy, TX and has recently been appointed Interim Conductor for the Houston Youth String Orchestra for the Fall 2023 Semester. He resides in the Energy Corridor with his wife Melanie and their 3 rambunctious canines!
Charles Tittsworth / Associate Conductor
A graduate of the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University, Charles Tittsworth has been a musician and music educator for 48 years. In addition to teaching all levels from elementary age to college, Mr.Tittsworth has conducted three community orchestras as well as several church choirs. He has also served as President of Texas Orchestra Directors Association and Orchestra Vice President of Texas Music Educators Association. His orchestras were twice selected All-State Honor Orchestra, and he was awarded Teacher of the Year for Lanier Middle School. This summer he was awarded Orchestra Director of the year by Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
John Loving | Personnel Manager
John Loving is a professional double bass player, teacher, and luthier based in his hometown of Houston, TX. John started playing double bass at the age of eleven, and has since performed with ensembles spanning multiple genres: from Classical to Balalaika, Funk, Bluegrass, Flamenco, and Klezmer. He attended the Moores School of Music, studying under Dennis Whittaker. While attending the University of Houston, John performed with the Moores Symphony, Opera, and Chamber Orchestras. He is now in his third season with the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra.
He enjoys his day-jobs: working on double basses at Lisle Violin Shop, and teaching private bass lessons all over the city. At home he is happiest spending time with his partner, Sam, and his three cats Carl, Luanne, and Prince Noodle. Most of all, he’s just so grateful that he gets to do this for a living, and work with amazing and passionate musicians of all ages from all around the world.
personnel@ECHOrchestra.org
Sarah Garcia | Librarian
Sarah Garcia has been a violinist with ECHO since 2021. She also serves as the ECHO librarian, assists with other ECHO fundraising efforts such as silent auctions and most recently, the first ECHO merchandise sale. Sarah earned her Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and works as an accountant in Houston’s energy sector. Sarah is a great fan of the Houston Astros baseball team. She enjoys bird watching, fishing, and hunting. Sarah also loves to dote on her two cats and a dog.
Board of Directors
Dr. Laura Plunkett Chairman and Treasurer
Ray Patton, Vice Chairman
Er’Ron Robinson, Treasurer
Brian Krueger, Secretary
John Askounis
Brianna Muhlenkamp
Bruce Robinson
Monica White
Beau York
Advisory Committee
Jarrett Bastow
Jennifer Dennison Daniels
Jonathan Griffin Jr
Michele Higgins
Michael Madrid
Ray Patton
Angelina Villerreal
Eric Whittaker
Fundraising Committee
Judann Luening
Laura Plunkett
Tammy Stadelman
Beau York