Executive director
Courtney Essenmacher is a seasoned leader who brings combined experience in music, youth education, and business consulting to DMYS. Courtney began volunteering with DMYS in 2015, served on the Board of Directors for 3 years (2 years as Board President), and now serves as Executive Director. Courtney has leveraged her musical background, experience in business process improvement, strategy development, project management, and financial / systems technology to ensure the organization runs smoothly, implement substantial improvements at DMYS, and create a stable and sustainable organization.
Assistant Director
Heather Taylor Pires is a lifelong music supporter, and brings decades of experience as a professional educator to her role at DMYS. Prior to this role, Heather volunteered for four years as the assistant orchestra manager for the String Orchestra. She values her role in the music education community as one of service, seeking to help behind the scenes as a “Jill of all Trades.”
When she has free time, Heather delves into all things art-related — creative writing, watercolor painting, drawing, simple origami, sustainable art, playing piano, and attending local music performances. She also makes the best key lime pie this side of the Suwannee River.
Board of Directors
Board members ensure a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
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Ray Lyle (Arthur R. Lyle II) has been a dedicated Board volunteer for over five years, serving as the current Board President and previously as Banker. He is a Mechanical Engineer who has worked in the energy industry for 25+ years. Ray enjoys music as well as golf, games, and reading.
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Michael Ratze has served as the Treasurer for DMYS since Sep 2021. He is the Partnership Tax Director for BDO USA, LLP, a national professional services firm. Michael has a heart for helping non-profit organizations with their finances and administration. He previously served as Treasurer for the Michigan Classic Ballet Company and filled all officer roles (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary) for the Northwest Suburban Swim League. Michael also currently serves on the Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee at Highland Park Baptist Church.
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Jay Atwater has been involved with DYMS since 2012 and has filled many roles (including Orchestra Manager and Board President) during that time. Professionally, he is a Technical Operations Manager with the cloud computing company Opentext. In addition, he is heavily connected to the metro-Detroit music scene and lends insight to DMYS on music trends from this community. Jay is a percussionist and performs with the Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Community Orchestra.
Banker / Cashier: Erica Howell
Manager - Symphony Orchestra: Dawn Kennedy Manager - Concert Orchestra: Raven Harris
Manager - String: Annie Yamamoto
Manager - Sinfonia String: Michael Matola
Audition Manager: Sangeeth Sadayappan
Music Librarian, Treasurer in Training: Mariani Rahman
Fundraising / Outreach - Advisory: Esther Amunga Kemoli
Performance Venue Coordinator: unfilled
volunteers
We are a parent-run organization and depend on each family to help create this experience for our students. We have jobs that would work well for every level of time commitment, from Board Member, to one-time jobs that take just a couple of hours. Volunteer for the 2024-25 Season now!
Phoenix
This season DMYS students will be lucky to have a furry friend on site! Phoenix is a certified therapy dog at the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, and will occasionally visit DMYS, particularly Concert Orchestra. She is an English Black Lab, and is a very laid back and lovable dog!
