Reston Chorale Staff

David Brian Lang, Artistic Director

Since his 2000 arrival in the Washington, D.C., area, David Brian Lang has gained prominence as a leading professional accompanist, vocal coach, concert organist and choral conductor. He has prepared choruses for such venues as The Kennedy Center, George Mason Center for the Performing Arts and Wolf Trap. He has also worked with notable conductors, including Emil de Cou, Placido Domingo, Rodney Eichenberger, Marvin Hamlisch, Kurt Masur and Leonard Slatkin.

Now in his tenth season as the artistic director for The Reston Chorale, Maestro Lang also serves as director of music for Saint Dunstan's Episcopal Church in McLean and Theological College in Washington, DC. He is a conductor for Encore Creativity for Older Adults and keyboard artist for Washington Hebrew Congregation. Through R. A. Daffer Church Organs, Inc. of Jessup, MD, Lang is the DC and northern VA sales director for Rodgers, Johannus, and Makin organs.

Previously, Lang served as the director of music and master of the choristers for Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean, VA, as director of music for Saint Catherine of Siena in Great Falls, VA, and as principal organist for Saint John's Episcopal Church-Lafayette Square (Church of the Presidents), in Washington, DC.

Mr. Lang received his Bachelor of Music degree in choral education and sacred music from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He attained his Master of Music degree in organ performance from the University of Louisville.

Allan Laino, Principal Guest Conductor

Allan Laino joined The Reston Chorale as associate director in 2014, serving as director of Camerata, the Chorale's chamber ensemble. During the 2018-19 season, he will serve as principal guest conductor, conducting the October 14th performance of Out of the Shadows, Music by Female Composers. He also maintains an active career in the D.C. metro area as an educator, singer, conductor and composer. His new composition, The New Colossus for 8-part mixed choir dedicated to refugees and immigrants, was recently premiered by The Bridge Ensemble.

Dr. Laino was named the 2017-18 winner of The American Prize in the Community Chorus Division for his work with the University of Maryland Summer Chorus and Festival Orchestra. This national award recognizes excellence in the performing arts.

He currently serves as director of the University Singers at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America, and music director at Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He also serves as the College/University Resources & Repertoire Chair for ACDA's MD/DC Chapter. He has also prepared choral ensembles for Brittens War Requiem with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Marin Alsop; Broadway Standing Ovations! with the BSO Pops and Jack Everly; Holiday Pops concerts with National Symphony Orchestra Pops and Steve Reineke, and the Josh Groban National Tour.

Dr. Laino completed his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park (2015). He earned his M.F.A in Choral Conducting (2009), and B.A. in Voice (2006) at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Laino studied conducting with Edward Maclary, Joseph Huszti, James Ross, and Stephen Tucker, and voice with Darryl Taylor and Steven Kronauer.

Tordis Fahringer, Keyboard Artist

Tordis Fahringer began studying piano at the age of five. She received her Bachelor of Arts, with a major in music, from Douglass College (Rutgers University) in New Brunswick, N.J. Following graduation, she lived and worked in New York City, where she studied piano with Jascha Zayde.

Ms. Fahringer is the pianist and organist at Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling, VA. Prior to joining The Reston Chorale in 2004, she was the accompanist for the Master Singers of Virginia for nine years. She also accompanied The Reston Chorale for rehearsals and the performance of Carmina Burana for two pianos and percussion in 2003.

Ms. Fahringer has performed piano duet concerts on several occasions with David Lang as part of the Meet the Artists program under the auspices of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University.

Susan Meeks-Versteeg, Managing Director

Susan Meeks-Versteeg brings extensive marketing, communications and management experience in nonprofit, association and business arenas to her role with The Reston Chorale. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Ms. Meeks-Versteeg oversees the Chorale's annual concert performances and coordinates publicity and community outreach for the Chorale. Ms. Meeks-Versteeg is also the founder and principal of Cadenza, providing communications and event management services for the nonprofit sector and corporate social responsibility programs. Prior to founding Cadenza in 2000, Ms. Meeks-Versteeg held marketing, communications and event management positions with C.C. Pace Systems, Freddie Mac and United Way of America. Her work has earned accolades from clients and awards from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the International Association of Business Communicators, and PR Casebook. Ms. Meeks-Versteeg studied voice at Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She has served in volunteer leadership positions with local arts organizations, including Youth Orchestras of Prince William and the Asaph Ensemble. While at Freddie Mac, she also served as a corporate liaison and volunteer with the Arts Council of Fairfax County's International Children's Festival.