Catherine Ashanky Named Interim Artistic Director of Luray’s Main Street Singers for 2025

Catherine Ashanky, a lifelong music educator and accomplished choral leader, has been named the Interim Artistic Director of the Main Street Singers for the 2025 season. This appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for Ashanky, who has been a vocalist with the group for several years and has deep ties to the Shenandoah Valley’s musical community.

Ashanky brings over 40 years of experience in music education and choral directing to her new role. A graduate of Madison College (now James Madison University) with a Bachelor of Music Education, she spent decades teaching in Page, Rappahannock, and Madison counties before retiring in 2016. Beyond the classroom, she has served as a choral adjudicator for All-State Choral Auditions and guest conductor for the Shenandoah County All-County Chorus.

Her leadership résumé includes directing the Massanutten Youth Chorale in Luray and serving as the Musical Director for Oh Shenandoah – Songs of the River and the Valley, a production celebrating the Shenandoah Valley’s rich heritage. Ashanky’s background also includes leadership roles with Morning Star Lutheran Church’s choir and, more recently, the Praise Team at Luray United Methodist Church.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Catherine Ashanky as our Interim Artistic Director for the 2025 season,” said Kenneth Hulse, a member of the Main Street Singers Performance Committee. “Her depth of experience, her passion for choral music, and her deep ties to the community make her the perfect person to lead our organization into the next chapter. We look forward to the beautiful music and fresh perspective she will bring to our singers and our audience.”

As a longtime participant in the Main Street Singers and the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, Ashanky is no stranger to the ensemble’s mission of enriching the cultural life of the Luray community. Her vision for 2025 focuses on collaboration, community engagement, and celebrating the region’s musical traditions.

Main Street Singers, a community-based choral group founded in Luray, has a long history of bringing together singers of all ages and backgrounds to perform an eclectic repertoire, including classical, contemporary, and regional works. Under Ashanky’s leadership, the group is preparing to present a slate of innovative performances designed to connect with audiences throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

With a commitment to fostering a love for choral music and strengthening community ties, the Main Street Singers are poised for a memorable 2025 season under Ashanky’s guidance.