Staff Announcements – New Executive Director and Farewell to Erin Zanders

Announcement – New Executive Director

It is with great pleasure that the Community Music School of Raleigh announces Dennis de Jong as its next Executive Director, beginning August 20, 2018. Dennis has a long career in music education and music performance and has demonstrated a strong commitment to bringing music education to students to change their lives. Dennis served as the Program Director and Instructor, Arts Sciences and Learning Resources at Johnston Community College (JCC) from 2007 to 2014, where he built a strong music program.

More recently, Dennis worked for two technology companies who provide innovative learning solutions to schools and colleges. He has performed locally with the Carolina Brass, as well as with many other artists and ensembles nationally. Dennis earned a Bachelors in Music from Rice University, Houston, Texas, and a Masters in Music from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is married to Stephanie and has three sons. You will learn more about Dennis in the coming weeks.

Farewell to Erin Zanders

We extend our best wishes and deep gratitude to Erin Zanders, who has served as CMS’s Operations Manager since 2014. Erin is leaving CMS on August 24 to join NC State’s Music Department as a Marketing Coordinator. She has been the backbone of CMS these past years, and she will be missed – that said, we are happy for her and this wonderful opportunity that is before her. We all know that we could not have done it at CMS without her, especially these last two years.

Until Erin’s role is filled, Stephanie de Jong will serve as Interim Operations Manager on a part time, temporary basis. Stephanie is currently the Minister of Music and Worship at Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, where she has served since 2007. Stephanie has also had a long career in music education and comes to us with a Doctor of Musical Arts, Vocal Performance, from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.