Early Childhood Music

Children Program

Summer Camps

Adult Program

The International School of Music's faculty is made up of highly qualified and talented performers and teachers with worldwide concert and pedagogical experience. Faculty members go through an extensive interview and audition process before being accepted to teach at the ISM. Many hold masters and doctorate degrees from the most acclaimed and respected music conservatories and are dedicated and passionate about their art and teaching. They bring warmth, energy, enthusiasm and patience in working with children as well as adults. Our teachers are also members of numerous local and national music guilds and associations such as Music Teachers National Association, Maryland Music Teacher Association, American String Teacher association, National Federation of Musicians, and the National Guild of Piano teachers/American College of Musicians, among others.

Percussion/Drums

Eric Plewinski: While studying under former Florida Orchestra Principal Percussionist Robert McCormick, Eric Plewinski received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Florida where he was awarded the Outstanding Merit Award in Percussion. During his Tampa, FL residency, he performed in various theatre productions such as "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Man Of La Mancha" and as an orchestral percussionist with The Florida Orchestra and the Southwest Florida Symphony. Eric was also a member of the national touring ensembles backing operatic tenor Michael Amante and Grammy award-winning Broadway singer Bernadette Peters and can be heard as a member of the McCormick Percussion Group on Music For Keyboard Percussions and The Music of Gui Sook Lee, both of which are distributed through NAXOS. Currently, he is pursuing his Master of Music degree at the University of Maryland, College Park and is honored to be studying with F. Anthony Ames and Jauvon Gilliam, both members of the esteemed National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C.) and Dr. Lee Hinkle.

Joanna Dabrowska earned her Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. Ms. Dabrowska is the Principal Timpanist of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic (WMP). In addition to performing with groups such as the McLean Orchestra, Capital City Symphony, Friday Morning Music Club, and the Brass of the Potomac, she has performed as a soloist with the WMP, and the Peabody Wind Ensemble, and premiered many new works. Many of her students have successfully auditioned for numerous advanced programs in Maryland, including the Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland All State Band, Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Howard County GT Bands, and various music festivals.

Marc Dinitz MM Rice University, BM Northwestern University. Currently principal percussionist with the US Air Force Band, and on faculty at the Montgomery College and Percussion Director at Robert Lee High School. Performed with Houston Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival US Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Also performed for productions with Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Signature Theater ect.
 

Woodwinds

Dr. Andrei Pidkivka earned the Doctrate of Musical Arts (DMA) in flute performance at Michigan State University. Most recent performances as a soloist and a guest musician include the Columbus Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. As a concert classical flutist, teacher and performer, and maker of variety of folk flutes of his native Ukraine, Andrei Pidkivka has been critically acclaimed in the United States and Europe as the preeminent performer on his instruments. In 2005 The Washington Post wrote “Andrei Pidkivka breezed through fast passages on a number of ethnic flutes, but he was most winning playing plaintive melodies on the naj, or pan flute, and the tylynka, a long, slender shepherd’s flute with no finger holes”. The Seattle Symphony performed the Lord of The Rings Symphony on July 17, 2004, and the Seattle Times wrote, “Andrei Pidkivka owned the spotlight…Close your eyes and you’re in The Shire”. Dr. Pidkivka presented numerous lectures-workshops on folk flutes of Eastern Europe in many universities and colleges across the United States. He performs extensively in concerts and festivals. Performances include: the Kennedy Center for the Arts, Metropolitan Museum of the Art, The Andy Warhol Museum, Severance Hall, the National Folk Alliance Conference, National Flute Association in Washington, DC. and more. He was interviewed by the Voices of America Network for broadcast in Ukraine and appeared on National Public Radio and the Cleveland TV affiliate of PBS. Dr. Andrei Pidkivka has several recordings to his credit released on the Traditional Crossroads Record Label.

Mindy Heinsohn graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with world-renowned flutist Marina Piccinini. In addition to her solo appearance with the Chesapeake Symphony, Ms. Heinsohn has appeared with the Sewanee Festival Orchestra and the American Youth Philharmonic. She made her Carnegie Hall debut this year under the baton of Kryzstof Penderecki, and has worked with other notable conductors such as Marin Alsop, Reinbert de Leeuw, and Peter Oundjian. Ms. Heinsohn is former principal flutist of the American Youth Philharmonic, as well as principal second flute in the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. She has participated in master classes with Maxence Larrieu, Jacques Zoon, Michel Debost, Julius Baker, Doriot Dwyer, Gary Schocker, and Thomas Robertello. She has attended festivals such as the Moritzburg Festival Academy, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Sewanee Music Festival, and Brevard Music Center. Ms. Heinsohn is a former member of After Now and Sonar, two organizations focused on promoting new chamber music in the Baltimore-Washington area. She was a featured Young Artist in the Amadeus Concerts, Inc. in February 2007, and she has appeared in the Peabody Conservatory’s Thursday Noon Recital Series. Ms. Heinsohn also performed Qi, a work by former Peabody faculty member Chen Yi, in a ceremony launching the collaboration between the Peabody Conservatory and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Singapore. She also performed at the Dean’s Honors Convocation at Peabody in May 2008, and was recipient of the Richard Franko Goldman Prize in Performance. Ms. Heinsohn is an active member of Opus Nine, an innovative chamber ensemble based in New York City. In December 2009, she performed J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 with Ani Kafavian and Ransom Wilson. Having just completed her graduate flute studies at Yale University School of Music under the tutelage of Ransom Wilson, Ms. Heinsohn lived in Germany for a year, where she performed as both a solo recitalist and as a chamber musician.

Elena Yakovleva studied at the Rachmaninov Music College, the Hochschule für Musik Detmold and at the Folkwanghochschule in Essen, Germany, under Prof. Hans-Jörg Wegner and Prof. Gunhild Ott. Later studies brought her to the US at the Carnegie Mellon University with Jeanne Baxtresser and Alberto Almarza. Since 2006 she has been pursuing graduate studies at Peabody Institute with Marina Piccinini. Currently, Elena holds the Piccolo/3rd flute position with the Maryland Symphony and with the Delaware Symphony. She has also played piccolo with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, performed in the Peabody “Side by Side” project with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marin Alsop, participated in the Summer Opera Theatre of Washington, D.C. and the Blossom Festival. A scholarship recipient from the Russian Ministry of Culture, she was selected for the artist roster of Yehudi Menuhin's foundation "Live Music Now", has been a winner of the "New Names" Festival in Moscow , the "Villa Musica" Award, and in 2006 won 2nd prize in the New York Flute Club Competition.

Dr. John Thomas-- DMA University of Colorado, MM East Carolina University, BM Univeristy of North Carolina. Taught at Casper College, Colorado Christian University, performed with Elevation Jazz orchestra, Intersection Saxophone Quartet, UNC Jass Band, Colorado Jazz orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, and many others.

Jeremiah Baker MM, BM- Winner of numerous prizes and scholarships, and winner of the Sound of America Solo Competition in Orlando, the Young Soloist Competition at Shenandoah University, and finalist in the 2008 Pro Musicis International Solo Competition. Active as a soloist with orchestra and as a recitalist, Jeremiah is also an active chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Après Duo and the AM/PM saxophone quartet. He has commissioned works from several composers including Kathleen Bader, Miguel Bolivar, Charles Halka, Ying-Chen Kao and Christopher Pierce. Using the saxophone as a bridge between the popular and classical world, Mr. Baker is currently working to expand the possibilities of the saxophone.

Michael Chamberlin is a graduate of the prestigious Jazz Studies Program at the University of North Texas. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has given private lessons and master classes at several highs schools and middle schools in both Texas and Ohio, and has recently been publish in MENC Collegiate News. Mr. Chamberlin is a member of MENC, the North American Saxophone Alliance and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Elsbeth Fager-- MM, BA. Ms. Fager studied at L’Accademia Internazionale Della Musica and Antonio Vivaldi Conservatory of Music in Alessandria, Italy. Elsbeth’s teaching experience includes music festivals and master classes sponsored by the University of Georgia in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Some of her performances include appearances with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra as well as the Bucknell University Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Fager currently serves as program and production assistant for the Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Dimitri Kostaras MM, BM. Mr. Kostaras has maintained an active career as both a performer and educator. His honors and awards include being named the winner of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, a finalist in the Chamber Music Division of the Chesapeake Competition, and serving on the Artist Roster with VIM Saxophone Quartet at Strathmore Music Center. During his undergraduate studies at Eastman School of Music, he performed with several outreach ensembles and given a number of master classes and recitals in the Rochester area.

Sarah McKittrick Sethi currently holds the position of Second Bassoon in the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Maryland Public Television, the Astoria Music Society, the Summer Opera Theatre Company, the Frederick Symphony Orchestra, and has volunteered in both the Musicians of Mercy (MOM) Orchestra as well as the NIH Philharmonia. She also participated in the Singapore Sun Festival 2008 as a representative of the Peabody Institute and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music of the National University of Singapore, where she performed in the Festival Orchestras with singer Kiri Te Kanawa and actor Geoffrey Rush. Sarah is an active freelance and chamber musician, and her Ensemble Àventure was featured by Baltimore’s performance venue An die Musik LIVE! in March 2011. Inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, Epsilon Omicron Chapter in 2009, Sarah’s other recent honors include the Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Orchestral Scholarship and the 2008 American Bassoon Company Prize in Woodwind Performance. Currently a Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Conservatory of theJohnsHopkinsUniversity, Sarah has studied with teachers Phillip Kolker, Julie Green Gregorian, John Hunt, and Barrick Stees.

Dr. Steven M. Leffue - DMA, DEM, MM, BM. In addition to studies at Bowling Green State University, the University of Florida, and the University of Maryland, Steven earned a Premiere Prix ala unanimite at the Conservatoire Nationale de Region Boulogne-Billancourt (Paris France). Specializing in classical, contemporary, chamber, and improvisational music, Steven’s prizes include the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, the Premiere Concours de Musique Populaire, and the Concours des Jeune Musiciens ville de Lempdes. Steven has performed in venues across the United States, Canada, France, and Belgium. His recent appearances include with Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the Great Noise Ensemble, and his own IntProv Collective. Dr. Leffue has received dedications from numerous composers including Robert Morris, Thomas DeLio, and Andrew Mead.

Voice

Alexandra Christoforakis is a versatile young American mezzo-soprano who is equally at home in operatic, concert, and cabaret venues. Praised for her “sensitive and sparkling” (The Washington Post) and “stunningly effective” performances, Ms. Christoforakis is regarded as an up-and-coming performer in the classical music world. Ms. Christoforakis’ recent operatic engagements include Fidalma – her most notable role to date - in Il Matrimonio Segreto with Aurora Opera Theatre, creating the role of Malacorpa in a workshop reading of John Musto’s new opera, An Inspector from Rome with the Wolf Trap Opera Company, the role of Filippyevna in Eugene Onegin with the Maryland Opera Studio. In the summer of 2009, she returned to the Pine Mountain Music Festival as Fidalma in Il Matrimonio Segreto. Recent concert engagements include being the alto soloist with The City Choir of Washington (Haydn's Mass in Time of War). Other notable performances include Brigitta in Die Tote Stadt and Alma March in Little Women (Summer Opera Theatre Company), Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro (Bel Cantanti), Fidalma in Il Matrimonio Segreto, and creating the role of Mrs. Malaprop in Kirke Mechem’s opera, The Newport Rivals (Maryland Opera Studio.) On the concert stage, Ms. Christoforakis has performed notable masses and oratorios, such as Bach’s Mass in b minor and St. John Passion, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Handel’s Messiah. Ms. Christoforakis has been a Young Artist with The City Choir of Washington, the Pine Mountain Music Festival, the Opera and Music Theatre Festival of Lucca, and the Bay View Music Festival. She holds her Master of Music from the University of Maryland (Maryland Opera Studio) and received her Bachelor of Music cum laude from New York University. In addition to her performance career, Ms. Christoforakis was on faculty at Shepherd University, teaching private voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and Italian & English diction.

Soprano Rebecca Skaar most recently performed Annina in La Traviata with San Diego Opera. With San Diego Opera she has also performed Garcias in Massenet’s Don Quichotte, after spending two years with the San Diego Opera Ensemble. Other roles include Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Intermezzo Opera, Norina in Don Pasquale with Pine Mountain Music Festival, 2nd Lady with the publicly televised Chicago Cultural Center, and Rosine in Offenbach’s Le mari a la porte with the Anchorage Opera Studio. Rebecca attended Luther College and Northwestern University, where she performed the roles of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Beth in Little Women, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte and Papagena in Die Zauberflöte. She has attended summer programs in Italy, Norway, Belgium and Florida. Rebecca has been a two time Regional Metropolitan Opera Finalist, once receiving Honorable Mention. She was also given the Bravo Award from the Bel Canto competition in Chicago three years in a row.

Tenor Patrick Cook (St. Chavez and St. Stephen, Four Saints in Three Acts) is at home in a wide variety of repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary. In 2007, Cook was a studio artist with the Wolf Trap Opera Company, where he will return in 2008. Performances there included ensemble roles in Volpone, Carmen, and Die Zauberflöte, as well as Patacha in L’Etoile. Other recent operatic performances include John Adams in The Mother of Us All and Zweiter Priester in Die Zauberflöte with the Juilliard Opera Workshop. An avid performer of new music, Cook made his professional operatic debut in 2006 as Father Tree in Michael Webster’s opera Hell in a premiere production at PS 122 in New York City. Cook appears regularly as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concert soloist. A native of Baltimore and a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, he holds a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School.

Lindsey Paradise (Mezzo-Soprano) received her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance and her Master of Music degree as an apprentice artist at the Knoxville Opera at the University of Tennessee. Ms. Paradise has performed as a soloist with numerous choral and opera companies, including Knoxville Opera, the University of Tennessee Opera Theatre, and Bel Cantanti Opera, among others. Her favorite roles include Miles in The Turn of the Screw and Maddalena in Rigoletto. Ms. Paradise was the winner of the Mabry Music Award in voice three years in a row and was a semi-finalist in both the National Orpheus vocal competition and the Long Leaf Opera vocal competition. In 2009, Ms. Paradise was chosen as a semi-finalist in the annual Meistersinger competition in Graz, Austria. She is also interested in community outreach, and is currently performing concerts for under-served audiences in the area. As a teacher, Ms. Paradise has taught undergraduate music theory and voice classes at the University of Tennessee and conducted for the New England Conservatory Youth Chorale. She currently conducts a choir performing world music at the Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. in addition to teaching and performing locally.

Kara Morgan received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She subsequently spent two years in France studying voice at the Conservatoire de Nancy where she was awarded the Médaille d’Or in 2004. With the orchestra of Nancy’s conservatory, Kara toured several cities of the Lorraine region, including Nancy, Fraize and Pont-à-Mousson. In 2004, Kara was the featured soloist with The Young Jazzianics and performed Thomas Gabriel’s Gregorianik and Jazz in Nuremberg and Weissenberg, Germany. Returning to the United States to pursue her singing career, Kara appeared in Sacchini’s Oedipe à Colone with Opera Lafayette of Washington D.C. and can be heard on the Naxos recording of the work. In 2005, Kara was selected to join the Maryland Opera Studio in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. As a member of this prestigious opera program, Kara appeared as Sophie in their production of Massenet's Werther and later as the dramatic lead role of Anne Sexton in Conrad Susa's Transformations. In November of 2007, Kara created the role of Rose in the World Premiere of John Musto’s Later the Same Evening with the Maryland Opera Studio. In January of 2008, Kara joined Bel Cantanti as the Dew Fairy and Sandman in their production of Hansel and Gretel. In January of 2010, Kara appeared in Amahl and the Night Visitors, singing the role of the Mother. Kara’s solo concert performances in the Washington D.C. area include Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, Hadyn’s Paukenmesse, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mozart’s Vespers. As a part of the celebrated Aspen Music Festival 2006, Kara was chosen to perform the U. S. Premiere of Arvo Pärt's L'abbé Agathon, a concert work for soprano, four violas and four cellos. Her love of both early music and new music has lead her to frequently collaborate with Washington D.C.’s Great Noise Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to the performance of new works, and with Chantry, one of Washington's leading Renaissance vocal ensembles. Beyond the concert hall, Kara is also a singer/songwriter and comedic performer.

Alexandra Phillips, Soprano, has been lauded for her vocal and theatrical versatility both on the operatic stage as well as in concert. As a featured soloist, Alexandra has had the honor of performing at the White House, the KennedyCenter, Folger Theatre, and at the Piccolo Spoleto, among other venues. Graduate of the Eastman School of Music, she attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she earned a Master’s degree in vocal performance. Recently Alexandra soloed at the Terrace Theatre of the Kennedy Center with the Congressional Chorus and the Great Noise Ensemble in a concert of "Songs for the New Millenium." Earlier this year she performed the role of “Thais” in Massenet’s Thais with Amici Opera. She was the soloist in Poulenc’s Gloria with the Orlando Chorale, and sang ‘Mabel’ in Orlando Ballet’s production of Pirates of Penzance. Alexandra has performed the roles of ‘Despina’ in Loudoun Lyric Opera’s inaugural production of Cosi Fan Tutte, ‘Amy March’ in Mark Adamo’s Little Women with Knoxville Opera, ‘Jenny Slade’ in Knoxville Opera’s production of Roman Fever during the 2005 Rossini Festival, ‘Olympia’ in Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Shaker Mountain Opera, ‘Monica’ in Menotti’s The Medium, and ‘Laetitia’ in The Old Maid and the Thief ‘Gretel’ in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck. In the DC area, Alexandra has appeared with the Washington Arts Club, the Great Noise Ensemble, Interact Theatre, Washington Savoyards, Washington Choral Ensemble, and the Master Chorale of Washington. Other highlights include Bach’s St. John’s Passion, Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Haydn’s Creation, and Mozart’s Coronation Mass.

Dr. Angela Marchese DMA, MM, BM --Dr. Angela Marchese is an accomplished performer in the United States and abroad. She is noted for her "rich, burnished tone" and has been called "inspiring" among colleagues. A native of New Orleans Louisiana, Ms. Marchese recently received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Masters degrees from the University of Maryland where she also was a member of the Maryland Opera Studio. Angela has participated in Masterclasses given by Luciano Pavaroti, Giuseppi Taddei. Most recent successes include performing as Soprano Soloist in Mozart's Requiem with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and 2nd Place Winner at the Regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Ms. Marchese also was a national semi-finalist in the McAllister Awards Competition of Indiana Opera Theater and won 1st Place in the I Malatesta Centro di Lingua e Cultura Competition in Rimini, Italy. Roles performed include, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Fiorgiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Serpina in La Serva Padrona, The Governess in The Turn of the Screw, Mimi in La Boheme, Clara Schumann in the world premier of the opera Clara, based on the life of composer Robert Schumann and his wife Clara, La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, and the title role in Gluck's Armide. Ms. Marchese is an avid recital performer as well. She specializes in bel canto technique and presented a lecture recital as part of her doctoral dissertation demonstrating and explaining the art of bel canto singing and interpretation.

Meghan McCall has earned her BA in Music Literature from Northeastern University and her MM from The University of Maryland Opera Studio. Recent roles include Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Musetta in La Bohème, Adina in L'Elisir d'Amore, Gilda in Rigoletto, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Marie in La Fille du Régiment, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro. Miss McCall is currently a performing artist with Opera Lafayette Young Artist Program, and her 2010 engagements include debuts at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and also a recording with NAXOS.

Matthew Osifchin’s students have received partial and full scholarships to outstanding colleges and conservatoires including, Cincinnati Conservatory School of Music, Westminster Choir College, and New England Conservatory. Mr. Osifchin holds a BM degree from the Indiana University School of Music and an MM from the University of Maryland. . He recently debuted with the Washington Opera as Guccio in the critically acclaimed production of Gianni Schicchi. Mr. Osifchin appeared on Japanese television in a concert of Broadway Duets and Arias in Tsukuba, Japan. He has also been successful in numerous competitions including, finalist in the NSO Young Soloists competition, 3rd place in the Marie E. Crump vocal competition and 1st place in the Gretchen Hood competition.

Sarah L. Powell. MM, BA- Sarah Powell received her Master’s in Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of North Carolina. Ms. Powell has led various groups ranging from conducting a cappella voice ensembles at UNC to directing scenes programs for New England Conservatory Light Opera Company. Her performance career includes appearing in numerous operas and shows such as Don Giovanni (Zerlina) with the Boston Opera Collaborative, The Gondoliers (Tessa) with Savoyard Light Opera Company, Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown) with the Turtle Lane Theater, and Grease (Rizzo) with the Grapevine Runway Theater.

Violin, Viola 

Solomia Gorokhivska earned her Master of Music in violin performance at the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Ms. Gorokhivska has extensive experience as a soloist, frequently performing throughout Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. She is a laureate of Ukrainian and international competitions in classical and folk music performance, and currently performs as both violinist and vocalist with many US and Ukranian bands - luckily including jazz, latin and Ukranian music with Rock Creek Jazz.

Kathryn Kilian, recipient of the Jules C. Reiner Violin Prize from Tanglewood Music Center, is an artist with fresh zest and enthusiasm for the violin and chamber music repertoire. She has performed as a soloist with the New England String Ensemble, I Giovani Solisti, the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Connecticut Youth Symphony, and has played in concert venues such as Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory, Miriam Friedberg Hall at Peabody Institute and Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood.

Kathryn was named “Best Classical Soloist, High School Division” by Downbeat Magazine in their June 2006 Student Music Awards, and has also received first prizes from the Musical Club of Hartford’s High School Competition, the Connecticut Youth Symphony’s Concerto Competition and New England String Ensemble’s Concerto Competition. Most recently, Kathryn won the 2007 Marbury Competition for Violin Undergraduates at Peabody Institute, and as part of her prize performed a solo recital featuring the works of Beethoven, Bach, and Janáček.

During the summer of 2008 Kathryn was a Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center and was selected to work closely with composer Kay Rhie on her violin concerto To Undo This Knot Of The Night, which she premiered in one of the Festival’s Sunday Morning concerts. The previous summer she participated in Yellow Barn’s Young Artists Program, studying works by Brahms, Beethoven, and Preben Antonsen. Her quartet was selected to perform in the Honors Chamber Music Concert in Ozawa Hall during her second summer at Boston University Tanglewood Institute, which she attended in 2004 and 2005. New England String Ensemble invited her to participate in their Fellowship program in 2004, where young aspiring professionals play amongst the members of the ensemble. Kathryn is currently a member of the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, and has held other principal and concertmaster positions with the Peabody Concert Orchestra, Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artists Orchestra, I Giovani Solisti, and the Connecticut Youth Symphony.

Rachelle Sills recently received a Masters Degree in Violin Performance from The Boston Conservatory where she studied with Lynn Chang. She received her Bachelors degree at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) studying with Dr. Airi Yoshioka. Additionally, Rachele studied at many prestigious institutions including the Peabody Institute and the Meadowmount School of Music. She has played in numerous ensembles including the National Repertory Orchestra (where she was a featured soloist) Neponset Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, and the UMBC Symphony Orchestra where she was Concertmistress. Last Spring, Rachele had the opportunity to perform with Yo-Yo Ma as a member of the Boston Conservatory Hemmingway Strings honors ensemble. Currently, Rachele is on the violin faculty at the Nathan Carter School of Music, the International School of Music and the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra Bridges Program.

Tara Planeta. BM, MM. Tara Planeta earned her Masters Degree in Violin Performance from Arizona State University in 2003, and has since been teaching and performing nationwide. Before her recent relocation to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Ms. Planeta was teaching at the college level while working on a doctorate in Educational Leadership in Tennessee. When Ms.Planeta is not immersed in musical activities, she enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd dog and is an avid equestrian.

Phyllis Fleming, a veteran educator and performer, Phyllis earned a B.S. Degree in Music Education from Wayne State University and did graduate study at the University of Michigan School of Music. Her experience includes instruction in public and private Michigan schools, chamber music and individual lessons at the Center for Creative Studies (Detroit), arts management with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and performances with the Michigan Chamber Orchestra, Windsor (Ontario) Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Symphony, Harlem Festival Orchestra and the Baltimore Opera Orchestra. She relocated from Detroit to the Nation’s Capital in 1988. An active freelancer on violin, viola and piano, she performed In-School Concerts for the National Symphony Orchestra’s Education Program for 12 years and has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians since 1975.

Tommy Atkinson. BM Shenandoah University, and MM University of MD. Tommy has taught for Blue Mountain Chamber Music Festival, The Menuhin Foundation, Baltimore String Orchestra Camp, Shenandoah University Performing Arts Camp. Mr. Atkinson performed with Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, Loundoun Symphony Orchestra among others.

Irina Garkavi. MA- Ms.Garkavi has been a concertmaster of the Arlington Symphony Orchestra, Mount Vernon Orchestra, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and Azerbaijan State Symphony. She has performed also with Fairfax Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Washington Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Garkavi recorded for Melodia Records Company, and she was consistently selected for National television broadcast in Moscow where she received advanced musical training at the Moscow Conservatory. Currently she is a member of the American Federation of Musicians and the International Teacher Association. Ms. Garkavi’s pedagogical experience includes Azerbijan State Music Conservatory, European Academy of Music and Art, Gaithersburg Violin Studio, Mt. Vernon Music Festival and ISM.

Rebecca Steele has received degrees in both music performance and music education. She is an active freelance performer in the Washington, D. C. area, and has performed with groups such as the Season of Ascension Trio, The Great Noise Ensemble, Inscape, the University of Maryland Symphony, Contemporary Chamber Players, The Alton Symphony Orchestra, and the Jewish Community Center Symphony Orchestra. She has received numerous honors and has participated in music festivals in Europe and across the United States. She is currently an instructor of strings at DeMatha Catholic High School and ISM. Her recordings include “Todd Agna”, “Grace Like Rain”, and “Reflection of Something”.

Jessica Kuo. MM, BM- Jessica earned her degrees from the Eastman School of Music where she began a private studio and invested in the school’s Music Outreach Program within area public schools. Her performance experience includes a number of recitals, chamber music and orchestral performances with groups such The Landon Symphonette and The National Festival Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Kuo also studied orchestral conducting at Eastman under Maestro Neil Varon. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, American String Teachers Association and the Maryland State Music Teachers Association.

Martha Morrison is an active teacher and musician in the Washington, DC area. She has performed with the Maryland Philharmonic, Peabody Symphony, Ohio Opera Orchestra, Baylor Symphony Orchestra, The National Orchestral Institute, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and the Waco Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Morrison maintains studios at the Maryland Academy of Music and assists pedagogy class at Peabody Conservatory, in addition to her studio at ISM. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Peabody Conservatory.

Greg Pinney received his undergraduate from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Zui Zeith and Oleg Krysa, and from 1995-98 Mr. Pinney was a teaching assistant to Emmanuel Borok. His extensive performance experience includes concerts with Covington String Quartet, the United States Air Force Strings, Delaware and Irving Symphonies, Quapaw Quartet, and the Fort Worth Orchestra. Mr. Pinney has taught at Gettysburg College, Frederick Community College, Montgomery Community College, Delaware School of Music, University of Conway, and the University of Arkansas.

Chris Sanchez has earned performance degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Georgia. His major teachers have included Sally Thomas, David Salness, Charles Castleman, Levon Ambartsumian, Arnold Steinhardt, and John Dalley. A native of the Washington D.C. region, Mr. Sanchez began his musical instruction at an early age with the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras and has held numerous leadership positions throughout his orchestral career. He has made numerous appearances with both orchestra and chamber at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Lyseum, and Constitution Hall, in addition to cutting several important recordings with the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. An active performer in the chamber music scene as well as school outreach programs, Mr. Sanchez is currently a member of the Tesori Chamber Players. He has made important collaborations with such celebrated ensembles as the Cypress, Kronos, and Ying String Quartets.

Double Bass

Jonathan Steele. BM & MM University of Tennessee. Faculty on Roane Stare Community College, Walter State Community College, Hiawassee College, Pellissippi State College. Currently performs with the Great Noise Ensemble & VLA trio groups, Clarence Brown Theatre, The Lees McRae theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre; toured Southeast US, Northeast US, Southern California, recorded with numerous studios, performed with national artists and international groups such as Aqualung, Louise Mandrell, Johnny Lang, and opening performances for Charlie Daniels, Jerry Garcia Band, etc.

Dr. Julie Wagner attended the University of Maryland, where she earned a Doctor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance while serving as a Graduate Assistant. She also earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Before coming to the International School of Music, Dr. Wagner held principal positions with the Fairfax and Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestras. She was also a member of the bass section of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra.

Cello
 

Amy Huzjak. BM Arizona State University, MM University of Maryland. Has taught at Linton Milanos Music in Mesa Arizona, and participated in Aspen Music Festival, Colorado, and Killington Music Festival. Winner of numerous awards such as Moure Award, Sun Devil Scholarship, 3rd place young artist solo competition, Orchestra award. Her orchestra experience include University of Maryland, Prince Williams Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

Soo You. DMA candidate at the Catholic University. MM Ithaca College, and studied in Paris at Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, and Conservatoire National de Region de Boulogne-Billancourt. Taught at McLean School, Johnson City Suzuki Academy of Music, and at the Suzuki Music Academy of Univeristy of Southern Mississippi, and Ithaca College.

Dr. Diana Flesner DMA, MM- Diana has completed studies at the San Francisco Conservatory, Middlebury College, and the University of Illinois. Equally active as a performer and teacher, Ms. Flesner has taught at Millikin College, Illinois-Wesleyan Prep, the Conservatory of Central Illinois and the Young Artists’ Studio of Terrine Gomez. She presently performs with the Alexandria and Fairfax Symphonies, and the Chesapeake Piano Trio. Ms. Flesner’s teachers include Brandon Vamos, Bonnie Hampton, Jean-Michel Fonteneau, and Dieuwke Davydov. Her professional affiliations include the College Music Society and Chamber Music America.

Elizabeth Meszaros MM, BM- Elizabeth Meszaros is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland. She has earned a Master of Music in Cello Performance from LSU, studying with Dennis Parker, and attended Ithaca College in New York where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance and Music Education, studying with Elizabeth Simkin. She has participated in the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Internation Festival at Round Top, the Adriatic Chamber Music Festival, and the Heber Springs Music Festival. Ms. Meszaros is a prizewinner in the LSU Concerto Competition. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony, and Louisiana Sinfonietta. An avid chamber musician, Ms. Meszaros and her quartet were recently selected by the University of Maryland to receive a String Quartet Fellowship where they will be studying with the Guarneri String Quartet and the Left Bank Quartet. Ms. Meszaros has performed on concert stages around the country, including Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, as well as numerous other performances across the U.S. As an educator, Ms. Meszaros is comfortable teaching all ages and ability levels. She joined the faculty at the International School of Music in August of 2008.

Devree Lewis. BM University of North Carolina, and now MM University of MD. Taught at Separk Music, UNC school of the Arts, Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra. Performed with Winston Salem Symphony, Carolina Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Transverse Trio, Stern Quartet, LYSO Quartet, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Alicia Ward received her Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory and her Master’s of Music from the New England Conservatory. Her performances have taken place in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Davies Symphony Hall, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Jordan Hall in Boston. Ms. Ward has served as principal cellist of the New England Conservatory Philharmonia, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Concert Orchestra and the American Youth Philharmonic. Ms. Ward holds an artist residency in the Emerging Artists Series at Strathmore Mansion for the 2010-2011 season.

Piano

Amy Hunter holds a B.M. and a M.M. in Piano Performance from Temple University’s Esther Boyer School of Music in Philadelphia, PA, where she studied with Dr. Charles Abramovic. She participated in master classes with Arnaldo Cohen, Alexander Fiorilo, Laura Kargual, Oleg Koshelev and Wu Han. In addition to teaching privately for over ten years, Ms. Hunter was Associate Staff Piano Instructor at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia for five years, taught class piano at Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown, PA and individual secondary piano lessons at Temple University. During summer 2009, Ms. Hunter was a music instructor at Macsedan Private School in Yerevan, Armenia and worked with Maestro Tigran Hekekyan, the Musical Director of the Little Singer’s of Armenia. Ms. Hunter has accompanied many choirs throughout Pennsylvania including Temple University’s Women’s Choir, Rosemont College Choir, Gwynedd-Mercy College Choir and the Villanova Voices from 1999-2005 during which time they concertized throughout Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rome and Vienna. She has won solo and concerto competitions, in addition to being an experienced church organist and a member of the American Guild of Organists.

Sayora Akhrarova graduated from the National Musical School Gliera and the Tashkent State Conservatory, Usbekistan. Ms. Akhrarova performed as the Concertmaster for ballet classes to the Uzbek State Musical Theater, and was a moderator of music programs to the Tashkent City TV Channel IV , and the Uzbek Radio Channel “Toshkent”. She has taught piano at the Gliera National Musical Academic Lyceum, and has given lessons to the diplomatic families while in Uzbekistan.

Chloe Canton graduated with Bachelors and Masters of Music in Philippines, and now is pursuing her Doctoral studies at the Catholic University of America. Ms. Canton has participated in various workshops and master classes given by world-renowned artists and has performed in several music festivals around the world. She continues to perform solo recitals and chamber music collaborations. In July 2003, she was invited to perform in Brittany, France, for the benefit of the White Cross Foundation. As a Suzuki piano teacher, she attended the 2nd Asian Suzuki Conference held in Taipei, Taiwan in 2004, and the 14th Suzuki World Convention held in Turin, Italy in 2006. She has taught piano at Bell Multicultural High School, Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, Greenhills Music Studio, Reyco Music Studio.

Yi-Ling Shih (Evelyn) completed degrees from National Taipei Education University and Indiana University, Jacob School of Music. She has won many prizes in piano competitions and made numerous public appearances throughout Asia. Ms. Shih has performed as soloist with Taipei symphony Orchestra, the Taiwan Youth Symphony Orchestra and school’s orchestra. She participated in master classes with Joseph Kalichstein , Menahem Pressler, Dmitri Novgorodsky, and Leon Fleisher. Ms. Shih has broadcast over live radio with chamber group, and participation in international projects has included Aspen and Banff music Festivals. In addition to being a pedagogue, Ms. Shih is an active chamber musician and accompanist now.

Dr. Woobin Park. As a prominent solo and chamber musician, Ms. Park has performed at numerous cities throughout the nation including New York, Boston, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, St.Paul, Indianapolis, Washington D.C, Houston, Phoenix, and Baltimore etc. Recently, she performed at Steinway Hall in New York for Duo concert, and Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, Korea for solo recital. As a soloist, she was invited to Minnesota Landmark center, Schubert Club Concert Series, American Composer Forum (Zeitgeist salon series), Steinway Hall in New York, and the American Swedish Institute (Schuessler Piano Recital Series). She has also appeared as soloist with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Linden Hills Chamber Orchestra, Seoul Symphony Orchestra, and Korean philharmonic orchestra. She was the winner of First Grand Prize in the 2004 Los Angeles Liszt International piano Competition, the first prize winner of an Elinor Watson Bell Competition,and a winner of a prize in Buono & Bradshaw International Piano Competition, among many others. She was awarded Deans’ scholarships to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, and she completed her Master’s degree in Piano Performance as well as a Performer’s Diploma. She completed her Doctoral degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Dr. Jin Kyung Park. DMA, GPD, MM, BM Dr. Park holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland after receving a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and a Master's Degree from the Ewha Womans University in Korea. In addition to her fifteen years of teaching experience as a piano teacher, Jin Kyung has appeared as an active recitalist in Korea, Italy and U.S. She has received prizes in many competitions such as the Piano Society of Korea Competition and performed by invitation at concerts including Young Artists Concert Series at Seoul Arts Center in South Korea and Badia di cava Music Festival in Italy. She has also participated in many master classes and music festivals such as International Keyboard Institute & Festival, New York. She is a member of Maryland State Music Teachers Association and National Music Teachers Association.

Irina Koulikova. An Honored Artist of Russia, pianist Irina Koulikova has performed throughout Russia, Europe and USA giving recitals at the most prestigious venues and concert halls including the Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory in Moscow, Russia, the Russian Embassy and the Russian Cultural Center in the Washington DC, USA among others. She has been teaching piano at the Moscow State Conservatory since 1977 and served as the Head of the International Department of the Conservatory from 1996 to 2008. Dr. Koulikova has taught and performed at the various summer music schools and festivals in Europe and USA including the "Earino Festival" in Edessa, Greece, "The International Summer Piano School" in Ohrid, Macedonia and the Piano Forum at the Rowan University in NJ, USA. She has also judged the 2nd International Competition "Danube" in Novi Sad, Serbia. Dr. Koulikova has received her DMA and Masters in Music from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Russia; her Doctoral dissertation Thesis was on "Piano Works by Igor Stravinsky". Dr. Koulikova was also a Fulbright Scholar at the Catholic University of America in 2000-2001. She has released 3 classical CDs, most recent of which: "Two Centuries of Russian Romance" was released in March 2010 by the "Russian Music Society" label in the USA.

Nicolás Pellón. MM Indiana University, BM University of Maryland. Mr. Pellón has given solo recitals in Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C., and has taught piano for the Indiana University Pre-College and Secondary Piano programs.

Kara Morgan received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She subsequently spent two years in France studying voice at the Conservatoire de Nancy where she was awarded the Médaille d’Or in 2004. With the orchestra of Nancy’s conservatory, Kara toured several cities of the Lorraine region, including Nancy, Fraize and Pont-à-Mousson. In 2004, Kara was the featured soloist with The Young Jazzianics and performed Thomas Gabriel’s Gregorianik and Jazz in Nuremberg and Weissenberg, Germany. Returning to the United States to pursue her singing career, Kara appeared in Sacchini’s Oedipe à Colone with Opera Lafayette of Washington D.C. and can be heard on the Naxos recording of the work. In 2005, Kara was selected to join the Maryland Opera Studio in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. As a member of this prestigious opera program, Kara appeared as Sophie in their production of Massenet's Werther and later as the dramatic lead role of Anne Sexton in Conrad Susa's Transformations. In November of 2007, Kara created the role of Rose in the World Premiere of John Musto’s Later the Same Evening with the Maryland Opera Studio. In January of 2008, Kara joined Bel Cantanti as the Dew Fairy and Sandman in their production of Hansel and Gretel. In January of 2010, Kara appeared in Amahl and the Night Visitors, singing the role of the Mother. Kara’s solo concert performances in the Washington D.C. area include Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, Hadyn’s Paukenmesse, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mozart’s Vespers. As a part of the celebrated Aspen Music Festival 2006, Kara was chosen to perform the U. S. Premiere of Arvo Pärt's L'abbé Agathon, a concert work for soprano, four violas and four cellos. Her love of both early music and new music has lead her to frequently collaborate with Washington D.C.’s Great Noise Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to the performance of new works, and with Chantry, one of Washington's leading Renaissance vocal ensembles. Beyond the concert hall, Kara is also a singer/songwriter and comedic performer.

Michael Angelucci MM, BM- Michael is the winner of numerous state, regional, and international awards such as the California International Young Artist Competition and the Le Gesse Foundation. He is an active recitalist with performances in Europe and across the continental U.S. He is a former teaching assistant at Santa Clara University, and graduate teaching assistant at The Peabody Conservatory. Currently on faculty at ISM and The McDonogh School (Baltimore), Mr. Angelucci is also Director of Music at St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish. Mr. Angelucci is a National Piano Guild Member.

Danielle Drobny graduated Magna Cum Laude from Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Danielle is the piano accompanist at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, MD and director of the children’s choir. She also serves as the musical director and vocal coach for youth ages 12-25 in the Gilbert & Sullivan’s Youth Players productions at the Capital Fringe Festival as well as Imagination Stage, and has been accompanying theatre groups, instrumentalists, choirs, and singers since 2001.

Jacob Frasch. MM, BM- Mr. Frasch earned his degrees from the Oberlin and Peabody conservatories and was a recipient of the Louis and Annette Kaufman Prize in chamber music. His performances include recitals across the United States, and he has given concerts at the Music Academy of the West, Bowdoin International Summer Music Festival, and the Kent/Blossom Music Festival. He has extensive teaching experience throughout the Midwest and the DC metro area. In addition to teaching at ISM, he is an accompanist for the Peabody Preparatory School and member of the National Piano Guild.

Margarita Glebov. MM, BM- Margarita Glebov is a candidate for a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland. Ms. Glebov received her Master of Music from the University of Maryland and her Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. Margarita has taught privately since 2003. She has also achieved high honors and accolades such as First Place in the Homer Ulrich Competition, First Place in the Grossmont Scholarship Competition, First Place in the La Jolla Symphony Young Artist’s Competition, and recipient of the Senatorial Scholarship of Maryland.

Dr. Kayme Henkel. DMA, MM, BM- Dr. Henkel earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She holds her Master of Music degree in piano performance from Kent State University and her Bachelor of Music in piano performance and pedagogy from Central Missouri State University. Before joining the ISM faculty, Dr. Henkel was a full-time piano faculty member at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, teaching both private lessons and group classes. She has also held teaching positions at Alverno College, Wisconsin Lutheran College, UW-Madison, and Kent State University. She has performed in numerous concerts, festivals and competitions in the United States and in Europe.

Alice Ji holds degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder and The Dungduk Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. In addition to her years of experience as a private instructor, she also lectured regularly on Piano Adventures methodologies at university pedagogy classes in South Korea. She has participated in numerous festivals and workshops, including the MTNA Colorado State Divisional, The Concerto Marathon at Brevard Music Festival and the Fifth Piano Celebration at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Jeanette Kim. BM- Ms. Kim is a winner of numerous competitions such as the Korean National Competition, MTNA, Elizabeth Davis Competition, Miriam Shield Gottlieb Competition, and the Friday Morning Music Club. Along with her radio broadcast debut in Chicago (WFMT), she has performed on national TV and in Spain, England and South Korea. Ms. Kim has been teaching piano and vocal coaching for over 10 years. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory and is an accompanist at Korean Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Cecile Khill is a graduate of the doctoral program in piano pedagogy at The Catholic University of America. While attending Catholic University, she published several research papers and lectures on elementary and intermediate teaching methods. Dr. Khill participated in the Israeli-Arab Scholarship program as a Fulbright Scholar for nearly 4 years, and has received other prestigious awards for academics such as the America-Israel Educational Fund Scholarship and the Ruben Academy of Music Scholarship. In addition to teaching posts at Montgomery College, ISM, and Catholic University, Dr. Khill most recently sered as Founder, Director and Instructor at Pianoforte Conservatory in Nazareth, Israel. She has published piano method books for the beginning piano student and is a member of the College Music Society and the National Piano Guild/American College of Musicians. Dr. Khill is the ISM Piano Department Chair.

Rebecca Steele has received degrees in both music performance and music education. She is an active freelance performer in the Washington, D. C. area, and has performed with groups such as the Season of Ascension Trio, The Great Noise Ensemble, Inscape, the University of Maryland Symphony, Contemporary Chamber Players, The Alton Symphony Orchestra, and the Jewish Community Center Symphony Orchestra. She has received numerous honors and has participated in music festivals in Europe and across the United States. She is currently an instructor of strings at DeMatha Catholic High School and ISM. Her recordings include “Todd Agna”, “Grace Like Rain”, and “Reflection of Something”.

Grace Luo. MM, BM- Ms. Luo holds degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland, where she served as Coordinator of the Chamber Music Program, and the University of Michigan. She has served as a counselor for the Interlochen Arts Camp and currently maintains a studio consisting of students of all ages and ability levels. She has worked extensively as a collaborative pianist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and choirs.

Karine Muradyan. MA BA- Ms. Muradyan has been on the faculty at ISM and North Potomac School of Music, and a music director and choir conductor at Francis Asbury UMC, Rockville. While in Armenia, she served as director of the Piano Program as well as piano professor and accompanist at The International Sanna Quality School. She is an active member of the Friday Morning Music Club, Royal School of Music, and the Piano Guild/American College of Musicians, where her students have accomplished high merit scores in juries/exams, competitions, and auditions. Ms. Muradyan has performed at the Ellipse Arts Center, US Yerevan, Etchmiadzin (Armenia) and Tamilino (Moscow), the Sumner Museum, Strathmore Mansion, and the Armenian Embassy.

Victoria Naneyshvili. MM- Mrs. Naneyshivili’s teaching experience includes music schools in the Republic of Georgia, the Tblisi College of Music and Art, and the European Academy in Silver Spring. As pianist she has worked with the School of Classic Ballet and Painting, Interdance School of Ballet, and the Metropolitan Ballet Theater and Academy. She is a member of MTNA, the National Piano Guild, & the American College of Musicians.

Dr. Dimitar Nikolov. DMA, MA, MM, BM- Dr. Dimitar Nikolov holds a Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa, and both a Master and Bachelor of Music from the State Academy of Music. A recipient of the Aspen Conducting Fellowship, First Place at the Svetoslav Obretenov National Competition, and the Pantcho Bladigerov Award for composition, Dr. Nikolov is an extremely accomplished student of music. Dimitar has taught at various colleges and public schools such as serving as a visiting lecturer at the State Academy of Music, Assistant Professor of Music from Simpson College, and Adjunct Instructor at the Catholic University of America. Dr. Nikolov’s performance career is equally as impressive having performed at Bulgarian National Radio Concert Hall as a Soloist and Conductor with the Schoumen Philharmonic, and guest conducting the Burgas Philharmonic, Vrata Philharmonic, and Vidin Philharmonic.

Stefan Petrov holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and a Master’s Degree in Theory Pedagogy from The Peabody Institute, and he is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree from the same institution. Mr. Petrov has held a faculty position at the University of Central Arkansas Community School of Music as well as positions as pianist for the Peabody Singers, Peabody Chorus and Peabody Syphony and Concert Orchestras. He is the winner of Ckara Ascherfield Award, the Eckhardt-Gramatte Competition, and the Liberace Scholarship.

Sarah L. Powell. MM, BA- Sarah Powell received her Master’s in Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of North Carolina. Ms. Powell has led various groups ranging from conducting a cappella voice ensembles at UNC to directing scenes programs for New England Conservatory Light Opera Company. Her performance career includes appearing in numerous operas and shows such as Don Giovanni (Zerlina) with the Boston Opera Collaborative, The Gondoliers (Tessa) with Savoyard Light Opera Company, Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown) with the Turtle Lane Theater, and Grease (Rizzo) with the Grapevine Runway Theater.

Yelena Rodovskaya. MM, BM- Ms. Rodovskaya’s teaching experience includes the Norilsk College of Music and Jelgava College in Russia, and the European Academy of Music in the United States. Ms. Rodovskaya was an accompanist at American University and the Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts. She is a member of the Music Teacher National Association and an adjudicator for MTAI.

Sofya Vulfson. MA- Ms. Vulfson completed studies in piano performance, accompaniment and chamber music at the Moscow Academy of Music. She has served on the faculty of the Irkutsk Central School, and the Novosibirsk Academy of Music, Riga Conservatory of Music in Latvia. Currently, she teaches at the ISM in addition to being an accompanist at the School of Classical Ballet in Potomac. Ms. Vulfson is a member of MTNA and National Piano Guild sponsored by the American College of Musicians.

Katerina Zaitseva. MM, BM- Katerina Zaitseva has performed in the United States, Germany, Luxemburg, France, South Korea, Japan, and Russia including appearances in the Moscow State Conservatory Hall (Moscow, Russia), John F. Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), and Steinway Hall (Dallas, Texas). She was also privileged to play for the King of Spain, Juan Carlos, at the opening of the Meadows Museum of Arts in Dallas. Ms. Zaitseva has been featured as soloist with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Corvallis Symphony, Lewisville Lake Symphony, Northeast Arkansas Symphony, and Rapides Symphony Orchestra. Katerina has recorded two albums on the Classical Records label, and frequently in multiple chamber capacities. She is a winner of several competitions including the MTNA Competition, SMU Concerto Competition, and the Von Mickwitz Prize in Piano. Ms. Zaitseva served on the faculty of Louisiana College and is member of MTNA.
 

Guitar

Andy Mitchell holds a Master's and Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He has performed with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, with an Annapolis Orchestra, for the Arizona and Baltimore Classical Guitar Societies, on public radio, and has toured with vocal artist Steve Green, in addition to playing numerous regular concerts in the Mid-Eastern U.S.through Artists Representation International. He is also on the guitar faculty at the Levine School of Music. Andy was listed as an Honored Professional in the 2002 Edition of National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. In 1999, Andy produced his first solo guitar CD, "Chimaera," featuring seven of his own compositions. Andy is an active composer for the solo guitar, and has recorded and published his compositions through Desert Shadows Publishing. Today,Andy continues developing his music career as a classical guitarist, composer, and teacher.

Jonathan Steele. BM & MM University of Tennessee. Faculty on Roane Stare Community College, Walter State Community College, Hiawassee College, Pellissippi State College. Currently performs with the Great Noise Ensemble & VLA trio groups, Clarence Brown Theatre, The Lees McRae theatre, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre; toured Southeast US, Northeast US, Southern California, recorded with numerous studios, performed with national artists and international groups such as Aqualung, Louise Mandrell, Johnny Lang, and opening performances for Charlie Daniels, Jerry Garcia Band, etc.

Robert Michael Adkins. BM Marshall University, MM Peabody Conservatory. Member of Guitar Foundation of America. Recipient of various awards, scholarships, and honors including Stewart Smith Scholarship, Judi Memorial Scholarship. Performed for Paramount Arts Center, Smith Recital Hall, Goodwin Recital Hall, and participated in master classes of Andrew Zohn, William Kanengiser, Eliot Fisk.

John F. Armato. MM, BM- Mr. Armato is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University with both a Master in Music Performance and Bachelor of Music Performance from the conservatory. John has performed with such groups as the Peabody Consort, Peabody Renaissance Ensemble, Baltimore Baroque Band, and various duos and solos. A recipient of a number of awards such as First Place in the Pasadena City College Guitar Competition, John has also participated in the master classes of Manuel Barrueco and has been coached by such greats as Julian Gray, Ray Chester, Richard Field, and Richard Stone. Mr. Armato also serves on the faculty of Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Richard Barry holds a Master’s Degree in Guitar Performance and a Bachelor of Guitar Music Performance both from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Barry’s educational training and experience is extensive. Richard has taught at numerous colleges, high schools, middle, and elementary schools and is Suzuki certified. Having performed at such venues as the Cohen Davidson Hall at Peabody, Wieler Hall at the University of Redlands, and the Hippodrome in Baltimore, Mr. Barry’s performance career is as accomplished as his instructional one.

Serge Khrichenko (Bass Guitar/Electric/Acoustic Guitar) BM- Serge completed his early musical studies at the Pedagogical Institute of Pyatigorsk, Russia. He has since become the winner of numerous accolades including the Guitarmageddon competition. He has performed with numerous musicians in addition to his solo performances in Russia, Europe, and the US (New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.). Some of his performances include concerts for Baltimore Klezmer Orchestra, Russian Embassy, French Embassy, Strathmore Hall, and local and international jazz festivals. Mr. Khrichenko taught at the Kislovodsk Music School in Russia, Creative Art Studio, and is currently on the faculty at ISM. In 2007 two of his songs were given awards at the International “Song of the Year” contest. His music listed on the “Top 10” of the Earth Charts for all of 2007 in the jazz-fusion category.

James R. Lowe is a graduate of the Universtiy of Nebraska at Omaha, where he attained a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s Degree at the Peabody Institute. In addition to years of experience as a private guitar and theory instructor, Mr. Lowe currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of the Liegetisplit Ensemble and has performed as a soloist with the Peabody Chamber Opera, the Omaha Symphony and Opera Omaha.

Mia Pomerantz BM, and Graduate Performance Degree at the Peabody Conservatory with Manuel Barrueco. Mia has been the recipient of numerous awards such as Keren Sharett award, winner of Appalachian Guitar Fest Competition, Peabody Merit Award, President’s Education Award, etc. In 2007 she won “Best Interpretation of a Piece by Sor” at the Fernando Sor Competition in Rome. Her performances include solo, duo, and guitar quartet concerts in Israel, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and the U.S.

Jarrod Smerk. MA, BM- Mr. Smerk’s teaching experience includes Radford University, Bridge-Kaloro Music, the Pulawy International Guitar Festival. He has conducted research on and specializes in the music of Maximo Diego Pujol (upon which he presented research at the College Music Society Regional Conference) and has written on sensory motor retraining for focal dystonia. He has performed in Switzerland, Poland, and the US.

Casey Fox Smith. MM Peabody Conservatory.While attending the University of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree, Mr. Smith has served on the faculties of Columbia Arts Academy, Columbia Guitar Orchestra and Columbia Rock Academy.

Daniel R. Walshaw. BM, MM. Daniel has served as a classical guitar and theory instructor at Oakland University and the International Academy in Michigan, as well as Teaching Assistant with the University of Maryland Repertoire Orchestra where he oversaw all directorial duties including programming, organizing auditions, rehearsing, and conducting concerts. Mr. Walshaw has performed with such groups as the Inscape Music Project and the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble.

Brass

Kevin McKee is an active freelance trumpeter, composer, and educator in the Washington DC area. A graduate of CSU, Sacramento (BM) and the University of Maryland (MM) he is second trumpet in the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, OR, a member of the Wammie-award winning Great Noise Ensemble, and of the Brass of the Potomac, a british-style brass band. He has performed with the Virginia and Richmond Symphonies, at various regional theaters in the D.C. area, and has also appeared with the legendary soul group, The O’Jays. Kevin has attended the Aspen Music Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, and the Music Masters Course in Kazusa, Japan. As a composer, Kevin has published three pieces through Balquhidder Publishing (Escape (Brass Quintet), Vuelta del Fuego (BQ), and Dürrenhorn Passage (trumpet sextet)) that have been performed extensively throughout North America as well as in Europe, Asia, and Australia by groups such as the National Symphony Brass Quintet, the Philadelphia Orchestra Brass Quintet, the Dallas Symphony Brass Quintet, the Tucson Symphony Brass Quintet, the Arkansas Symphony Brass Quintet, the Navy Brass Quintet, U.S. Army Trumpet Ensemble, and performers such as Jens Lindemann, Wycliff Gordon, and Patrick Sheridan. As an educator Kevin teaches brass at DeMatha High School and the International School of Music.

Heidi Littman. BM University of Wisconsin, MM University of MD. Has taught at Chevy Chase High School, DC Youth Orchestra, and participated in Festivals: National Orchestral Institute, Madeline Island Music Camp, Aspen Music Festival. Her performances include Brass Quintet concerts, Great Noise Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble, Annapolis Chamber Players, New World Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Kyle Anderson graduated with MM from Peabody Institute, and BM from Arizona State University, where he studied with David Hickman. Kyle has performed with many outstanding groups including the Peabody Symphony Orchestra & Concert Orchestra, Salt River Brass Band, the Lyrus Brass Quintet and Summit Brass.

 

Harp

Barbara Seidman. MM Northwestern University, BM The Cleveland Institute of Music. Her performance positions include ones with the Calgary (Canada) Philharmonic Orchestra, the North Carolina Artist-In-Residence Program and the orchestra for the National Ballet of Washington, DC. She is currently freelancing in the Washington area, where she performs with a variety of operas, ballets, musicals and local and visiting orchestras, as well as in a wide range of chamber music programs. She has performed for many years in the orchestra of the National Theatre, the American Camerata for New Music and in the Flute and Harp Duo in the concerts in Schools Program under the auspices of The Friday Morning Music Club and the Washington Performing Arts Society. Prof. Seidman has also substituted with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the Baltimore and National Symphony Orchestras. She has recorded for both radio and television. In addition to teaching at The George Washington University, and Howard University.

Early Childhood Music

Cara Stuart is certified in Kindermusik teaching methodologies. She is a member of the American College of Musicians and The Music Teachers National Association. Cara has directed church choirs, festivals, and musicals. Her teaching experience includes Kindermusik in Boyds, ELF preschools, and many others. Cara has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Beta Music Award, the Knott Music Award and the Fletcher & Brown Scholarship.

Heidi Littman. BM University of Wisconsin, MM University of MD, and Kindermusik licensed. Has taught at Chevy Chase High School, DC Youth Orchestra, and participated in Festivals: National Orchestral Institute, Madeline Island Music Camp, Aspen Music Festival. Her performances include Brass Quintet concerts, Great Noise Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble, Annapolis Chamber Players, New World Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Administration

Inja Stanic, President & CEO Ms. Stanic is the founder and Executive Director of the International School of Music. Her philanthropic performances include fundraisers sponsored by the Balkan Express, Women for Women, and the Latin American Cultural Heritage Foundation. In addition to recordings “Memories of Yugoslavia” and “Tempo Nostalgia De Ti” and performing for NPR and Voice of America Broadcasts, her writings have been published in “Perspectives of New Music” and “The International Journal of Musicology”. She is a member of MTNA and Chair of the Bethesda National Piano Guild Auditions/American College of Musicians.

Dr. Steven M. Leffue, Director of Music Programs. DMA, DEM, MM, BM In addition to studies at Bowling Green State University, the University of Florida, and the University of Maryland, Steven earned a Premiere Prix ala unanimite at the Conservatoire Nationale de Region Boulogne-Billancourt (Paris France). Specializing in classical, contemporary, chamber, and improvisational music, Steven’s prizes include the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, the Premiere Concours de Musique Populaire, and the Concours des Jeune Musiciens ville de Lempdes. Steven has performed in venues across the United States, Canada, France, and Belgium. His recent appearances include with Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the Great Noise Ensemble, and his own IntProv Collective. Dr. Leffue has received dedications from numerous composers including Robert Morris, Thomas DeLio, and Andrew Mead.

Calvin Robinson Program Manager, ISM South. B.A - Mr. Robinson received his degree from the nationally ranked Mississippi University for Women, performing in various musical theatre productions including Beehive, All Night Strut, Once Upon A Mattress, and Jet Set '67, as well as 3 undergraduate recitals featuring the works of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, and various 20th century composers. He also has been well received as guest soloist for productions of Handel's Messiah, Dubois's Seven Last Words of Christ, Schubert’s Mass in G, Faure’s Requiem, Duruflé's Requiem, Monteverdi's Madrigals of Love and War, and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Mr. Robinson joined the music faculty at Salisbury University in 2005 as Adjunct Professor of Voice as well as serving as Administrative Assistant to the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Janan Guzey, Community Relations. A native of Washington, DC, Ms. Guzey received an Artist’s Diploma from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and her Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Vocal Performance from the Catholic University of America. She has spent two summers concertizing and coaching in Northern Italy and she has performed at various embassies and private concerts throughout the Washington area. She has also been a featured guest artist on two albums from the Afro-Cuban singer Ricardo Lemvo and was recently honored to perform with Lemvo and his band, Makina Loca, for three African Presidents at the Washington Convention Center. In another vein, she has been involved in running highly successful benefits for GALA Hispanic Theatre and One World Education, both local non-profits.

Cara Stuart Early Childhood Music and Summer Camp Director. Ms. Sturat earned a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Greensboro College in NC. She has been teaching Early Childhood Music since 1995. Her training include Kindermusik, Musikinesis and Dalcrose methods. In addition to teaching piano, Cara also directed numerous children’s choirs festivals and musicals. Cara was the recipient of numerous music awards including the Beta Music Award, the Knott music award and the Fletcher & Brown Fletcher Scholarship. She is a member of the American College of Musicians and The Music Teachers National Association.

Kyle Johnson, Accounts Manager. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Composition. From 2003 until 2005, Mr. Johnson was Assistant Stage Manager at La Jolla Music Society where he worked with various musicians and managed performance venues and media. Most recently Kyle was Creative Director at the Exceptionally Decent Media Group where his responsibilities included heading a team of 11 production assistants, developing custom media management and control software, and recruiting dozens of artist, musicians, and technicians. Mr. Johnson’s other talents include designing websites, editing videos and building effective databases.

Rachel Anderson, Program Manager, ISM North. Ms. Anderson studied Music Education at Transylvania University (Lexington, KY) before joining the original cast of the Tony Award-wining show “Blast!” appearing on Broadway and in cities across the United States and Europe. Since 1992, she has toured and performed with numerous instrumental ensembles. In addition to performing and teaching music, Rachel spent many years as a project manager and marketing coordinator at publishing firms in Manhattan and Philadelphia prior to joining ISM administration.

Dr. Julie Wagner, Program Coordinator. Dr. Wagner attended the University of Maryland, where she earned a Doctor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance while serving as a Graduate Assistant. She also earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Before coming to the International School of Music, Dr. Wagner held principal positions with the Fairfax and Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestras. She was also a member of the bass section of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra.

 

Click on the underlined categories below to find out more:

• Keyboard: piano

• Strings: cello, guitar (acoustic/electric/bass), harp, viola, violin, cello, banjo

• Voice: classical, Broadway, jazz, pop/rock

• Woodwinds: clarinet, saxophone, flute, piccolo, recorder, oboe, bassoon

• Brass: cornet, trumpet, flugel horn, french horn, euphonium-baritone, trombone, tuba

• Percussion: drumset, afro-Caribbean drums, mallet instruments, symphonic percussion

• Theory: music theory, ABRSM theory, composition, improvisation, song-writing, jazz improvisation

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