Leadership

Sharon Wong

PRESIDENT

Sharon is a retired technology executive, formerly with Cisco Systems, Microsoft and multiple startups, where she brought many new and emerging technologies to market. She received her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She loves to sight read chamber music. She is a cellist with the Ensign Symphony and Chorus, and can often be found at the piano performing with members of the Music Performance Group.

Melet Whinston

VICE PRESIDENT

Melet is a family practitioner and masters level therapist in Seattle. She received her BA in Biochemistry from Princeton University, her MD from University of Cincinnati, MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and MS in Psychology from Seattle University. She is a cellist, and performs regularly at St Andrew Presbyterian Church, the Music Performance Group and as a performing member of Ladies Musical Club. She enjoys playing chamber music and jazz with area musicians.

Pam McDonald, MD

SECRETARY

Pam is a physician, recently retired from The Polyclinic. Following her BA in anthropology from Stanford University and MA in physical anthropology from Harvard University, she received her MD from the University of Washington and completed her residency in Family Practice at Providence Medical Center in Seattle. Pam played violin and recorder in college, built a harpsichord in medical school, then returned to the violin. She enjoys playing with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, exploring the viola, and delving deeply into chamber music.

Jean Cole

BOOKKEEPER

Music is her passion; playing piano, viola and violin. Jean currently operates a music studio while her career focus has been project and financial management. After a BA in Spanish & Marketing from Ashland University (OH), she became the youngest new hire by the IRS. Later earning an MA in International Political Science from Monterey Institute of International Studies (CA), she has enjoyed 30 years working in a variety of industries: Project Administrator for LMN’s Benaroya Hall, Administrative Director for Consejo, and Finance Manager for FPI.

Daniela Grabs

Daniela is co-founder and VP Operations of Arzeda Corp., the industry-leading Protein Design Company™, a firm that creates and manufactures proteins that enhance our lives and protect our planet. Daniela was a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Washington. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Zürich and a Diploma from ETH Zürich. She is a violist with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra and an avid chamber music player, hiker and skier.

Alexa Woodard

Lexi has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, including work for multiple orchestras and a youth symphony. She received her BA in viola performance and BS in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. You can find her playing most frequently with the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra. She continues to teach private lessons in addition to gigging across Cascadia, and also enjoys hiking, reading, and spending quality time with her dog, Willow.

Virginia Wright

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Virginia Wright has a Bachelor’s degree in oboe performance. She has worked for a number of local arts nonprofit organizations, as well as serving on the board of directors of several more. Her professional experience includes online and print design, IT/systems administration, arts/nonprofit management and administration, nonprofit fundraising and development, and website design and development. She has contributed articles and essays for publication, both online and in print on a number of topics, including arts, culture, and heritage. She has been Managing Director for Chamber Music Guild since 2015.