Experience the love of music and nurture your talent with our exceptional education. Taught with love and excellence.
Our Faculty
Our instructors are highly educated musicians and educators who believe music is taught with love and excellence. Through thoughtful instruction and genuine care, they nurture a lifelong love of music while supporting each student’s musical and personal growth.
Dr. Trinh An
Piano
Dr. Trinh An’s musical journey began in Hanoi, Vietnam, where she received eleven years of formal piano training at the Vietnam National Academy of Music before continuing her studies in the United States. Her early foundation shaped a disciplined, expressive, and refined artistic voice that continues to define her work today.
She has performed internationally across Europe and Asia, including appearances at the Alba Music Festival in Alba, Italy, as well as performances associated with the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Dr. Trinh An has also given multiple world-premiere performances of works by living composers, including Italian and American composers, demonstrating her commitment to both tradition and contemporary repertoire.
Throughout her studies and professional career, Dr. Trinh An has been featured in numerous distinguished performances across the United States. These include solo piano performances for private and distinguished audiences, including featured engagements for Sid Dewberry, as well as a special performance for the First Lady of Panama at Flint Hill High School. She has appeared as a soloist with the Mason Symphony Orchestra and performed at prestigious venues such as the Organization of American States and the German-American Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Trinh An previously served as a Graduate Lecturer at George Mason University, where she taught and performed extensively while completing her graduate studies. Her performance credits at Mason include solo appearances in Grand Piano Celebration concerts, Arts by George events, Honors Recitals, and Spotlight on the Arts performances. She was also a winner of the George Mason University School of Music Concerto Competition in 2018 and performed as a piano soloist with the Mason Symphony Orchestra.
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from George Mason University. Her doctoral research focused on contemporary piano repertoire, with an emphasis on musical portraits and modern compositional language. Her dissertation, Scott Wheeler’s Musical Portraits and Tributes, is available through ProQuest.
In addition to her distinguished piano career, Dr. Trinh An is also active in financial education, where she helps individuals and families navigate complex financial topics. She has extensive experience in advanced insurance planning for high-net-worth individuals and business owners nationwide, with clients across California, Texas, Guam, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and the greater DMV region.
Her work in financial education has been featured in publications such as FORCE Magazine, Global Woman Magazine, and Insights Success Magazine, among other international platforms focused on leadership, global impact, and entrepreneurship. Drawing on her background in higher education, leadership, and business, Dr. Trinh An is known for her exceptional ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible, and meaningful insights.
Patricia La Pietra
Flute
Patricia La Pietra is a Venezuelan-born flutist and music educator with a strong background in classical performance and music education. She received her formal musical training in Venezuela and has worked with children from early childhood through adolescence, including students with diverse learning needs.
Patricia brings a warm, sensitive, and developmentally informed approach to teaching, combining solid musical foundations with creativity, emotional awareness, and joy. Her teaching philosophy focuses on connection, curiosity, and fostering a lifelong love of music in each student.
Satarra Leona Johnson-Kidd
Music Therapist
Satarra Leona Johnson-Kidd
Satarra (also known as Starr) is an art therapist studying at Drexel University. She has previously owned and operated two art galleries in Washington, DC. Closing in 2024 to pursue her education as a Creative Art Therapist. Satarra's philosophy of art is to use art, dance, movement,music, puppet, and play therapy to connect with oneself and to heal.
Satarra specializes in working with people with developmental disabilities, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia of all ages. Satarra is patient, empathetic, and understanding to all her clients.
Aigerim Burakanova
Violin
Aigerim Burakanova is a dedicated violin teacher with a Master of Music in Violin Performance, trained in a strong classical violin tradition. With a deep passion for both music and education, she creates a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where students feel encouraged to grow and express themselves.
She believes that every student is unique, and she thoughtfully tailors each lesson to match the student’s age, personality, and individual learning style. Her teaching focuses on building a strong technical foundation while also nurturing musicality, confidence, and expressive playing.
Aigerim works with both children and adults, guiding each student at their own pace and helping them develop not only their skills, but also a genuine love for music. Her approach combines structure with creativity, making lessons both effective and enjoyable.
Her goal is to inspire, motivate, and support every student on their musical journey, helping them feel comfortable, confident, and excited about learning the violin.
Mark Sawasky
General Music
Mark believes that music belongs to everyone—and he lives this belief with love in every aspect of his teaching. At Music Love Academy, he teaches early education programs and drum classes, creating joyful, engaging experiences where students can explore rhythm, creativity, and self-expression from the very beginning.
He also teaches General Music to grades K–6 and works with neurodivergent students in Fairfax County Public Schools, bringing inclusivity, patience, and a deep sense of care into his classroom. Mark is active in the community as well, leading workshops and drum circles for both children and adults, where his passion for connection through music truly shines.
Previously, Mark served as a Catholic school band director, teaching traditional concert instruments and helping middle school students discover not only how to play, but how to love making music together.
As a musician, Mark specializes in the rhythms of Africa, Spain, South America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. He has published six world music albums, contributed to many others, and has toured both nationally and internationally.
A Michigan native, Mark now lives with his family in Burke. He has performed locally with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra and the 257th Army Band, and has taught at George Mason University, Fairfax County Parks, and several music camps.
Mark brings not only exceptional experience, but also heart, dedication, and a genuine love for every student he teaches. At Music Love Academy, he inspires students to feel confident, connected, and truly joyful through music.
Dr.Quan Cheng
Piano
Quan Cheng is a dedicated collaborative pianist and piano instructor who holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With a strong academic background and a passion for both performance and teaching, Quan brings a thoughtful and well-rounded approach to music education. Quan has extensive experience working with students of all ages and levels, from young beginners discovering the piano for the first time to more advanced pianists refining their artistry.
In lessons, Quan places a strong emphasis on building a solid technical foundation while ensuring that the learning process remains engaging, inspiring, and enjoyable. Students are guided step by step to develop proper technique, musical awareness, and confidence at the keyboard. At the same time, lessons go beyond notes and mechanics, encouraging students to explore musical expression, phrasing, and interpretation in a meaningful way.
Drawing from a rich background in collaborative performance, Quan brings a unique perspective to teaching. Students are encouraged to actively listen, respond, and communicate through music, helping them develop strong rhythmic skills, ensemble awareness, and a deeper connection to what they are playing. This approach not only strengthens their individual playing but also prepares them for making music with others.
Quan is passionate about creating a warm, positive, and supportive learning environment where every student feels comfortable, motivated, and valued. Each lesson is tailored to the individual needs and goals of the student, allowing them to progress at their own pace while building both skill and confidence.
Through a balanced combination of structure, encouragement, and creativity, Quan strives to inspire a lifelong love of music in every student, helping them grow not only as pianists but also as confident and expressive individuals.
Resie Epps
Voice
Resie is a voice teacher and performance coach with over five years of private teaching experience, working with students of all ages. She is a graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts (2013), where she studied classical voice, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from The University of the Arts (2017).
Trained in classical, jazz, R&B, and pop styles, Resie emphasizes healthy vocal technique, authentic musical expression, and confident performance.
Her students develop strong technical foundations while gaining the confidence and knowledge needed to protect and sustain their voices.
Chris Adams
Piano
Chris Adams is one of the piano instructors at Music Love Academy. Originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland, he earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance in 2025 from the University of Maryland.
Chris brings both strong academic training and valuable teaching experience to his work. He previously taught at the Terrapin Community Music School in College Park and has also served as a pianist and music director for several churches, where he developed a versatile and expressive approach to music.
He enjoys working with students of all ages and levels, teaching both private and group lessons.
Chris is passionate about helping each student build confidence, develop solid technique, and discover a genuine love for music in a supportive and engaging environment.
Mo Khalil
Guitar
Mo Khalil is a dedicated and inspiring guitar instructor at Music Love Academy. He holds a Level 4 Diploma in Classical Guitar Performance and a Music Theory Diploma from the London Royal School of Music.
With over 25 years of performing experience as a classical, electric, and bass guitarist, Mo brings a rich, versatile, and deeply expressive musical background to his teaching. His passion for music is evident in every lesson, where he shares not only his knowledge but also his genuine love for the art of music-making.
Mo has 7 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages and skill levels. He creates a supportive, structured, and encouraging environment where students feel confident to grow. His teaching focuses on building strong fundamentals, developing solid technique, and understanding music theory—all taught with patience, care, and a true love for each student’s musical journey.
At Music Love Academy, Mo is known for helping students feel inspired, motivated, and connected to music in a meaningful and lasting way.
David Lee
Guitar
David Hyunsoo Lee is a passionate and inspiring guitar instructor at Music Love Academy, teaching both private and group classes with energy, dedication, and love for music.
He began his musical journey at the age of 11 as a self-taught guitarist, developing a strong foundation in fingerstyle technique through curiosity, discipline, and a genuine love for the instrument.
This unique path has shaped his expressive playing style and his ability to connect with students in a relatable and encouraging way.
Over the years, David has built a solid technical foundation while cultivating a deep appreciation for musical expression and artistry. In his lessons, he creates a supportive and motivating environment where students feel confident to explore, grow, and truly enjoy the learning process.
David is deeply passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, guiding each student to develop not only strong skills, but also confidence, creativity, and a meaningful connection to music. His goal is to inspire every student to discover their own voice on the guitar and experience the joy of making music with love.
Hee Cheong Boo
Violin
An avid orchestral musician, she has served as a viola section member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and has performed as a substitute with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, and Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.
She is currently a Violin/Viola faculty member at the International School of Music and a Violin/Viola instructor at Holmes Middle School. She has completed Suzuki Association training and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America. She earned her Master of Music degree and Orchestral Studies Diploma from the Eastman School of Music, and her Bachelor of Music degree from the Korea National University of Arts.
She is a prizewinner of numerous competitions, including the Rockville Competition, American Protégé Competition, KBS Broadcast Competition, and First Prize at the Young Artist Chamber Music Competition. As a chamber musician, she has performed in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and at Cornell University. She has appeared as a soloist with the OLA Viola Ensemble and the Jungang University Orchestra.
Her festival appearances include the National Orchestral Institute and the Music Academy of the West, and she was a scholarship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival.
As an accomplished and dedicated educator, her violin and viola students have earned principal positions and outstanding results in American Youth Orchestras, state and regional orchestras, government school auditions, and competitions. Nearly all of her students are successfully accprocessesepted through competitive audition .
Davorin Cavar
Guitar
Davorin - Buco (sounds like Bootso, his childhood nickname) Cavar, a native of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, began playing guitar after a friend taught him the rock’n’roll riff on the instrument as a birthday gift at the age of 12. Because of the way he felt when he learned to play that, he knew that music was his future.
In 1989, his band Veliki Tata (Big Daddy) was awarded as the best new upcoming band by the local music TV station in Sarajevo. They continued playing music throughout the Bosnian war and the Sarajevo siege, playing concerts powered by gas generators while the audience used candles.
Life with music continued in Chicago when he moved there in 1995, first with his old Bosnian band mates, now named Globus. In 2000 he and two friends joined to form Snaklab and they entertained audiences all over Chicago playing the city's iconic dives and bars.
In 2004 he turned his attention to the acoustic guitar to focus on jazz and his lasting love of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz. He studied jazz guitar with Tony Do Rosario and Alfonso Ponticelli.
Upon moving to the DC area in 2016, he continued performing regularly with DC Ambiance, Hot Club of DC, Djangolaya and Better Times Swing Quartet. Around this time is when he started teaching as well. For several years now, he has been hosting and teaching workshops at the Django in June festival. He performed with the National Philharmonic Chamber Players at Walter Reed Warrior Cafe.
Currently, he holds the role of musical director at Friendship Preschool in Falls Church. In December of 2023 he was hired as a guitar performer for the Encanto show at CAMP. He has done studio session work at Crescendo Studios. Composing his own music is something he enjoys a lot. His friends would tell him that his patience would serve him well and that he should consider starting teaching. He would like to help his students find joy in practicing and playing their instrument the way he did. He wants to hear about what his students would like to be able to play and guide them to get there.
As well as being a teacher, he is very much a student himself and this constant desire to be a better musician is something he believes would benefit his students as well.
Jihad Khbeiz
Guitar
Jihad is a guitarist and music educator originally from Saida, a small city in South Lebanon. Growing up surrounded by artists and musicians sparked his love for music at an early age. During his college years, he began taking music more seriously and later honed his skills as a street performer in Istanbul, where he discovered how powerful music can be in bringing people together.
Along with guitar, Jihad also plays the oud and the Turkish saz, instruments that helped shape his unique musical voice. His style blends Arabic, Turkish, and jazz influences into an expressive and versatile sound often described as oriental jazz fusion.
Jihad believes music is deeply connected to history and culture, and he enjoys sharing these ideas with his students in an engaging and accessible way. Drawing from both Eastern and Western traditions, he focuses on helping students build confidence, develop strong musicianship, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of discovering their own musical voice.
Edwin Barreto
Violin
Edwin Alejandro Barreno Castillo is an accomplished Guatemalan violinist whose artistry, leadership, and passion for music bring a truly inspiring presence to Music Love Academy.
He received his musical training at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, the Universidad de Costa Rica, and the Escuela de Música Vida y Movimiento Ollin Yoliztli. He later earned an Artist Diploma from The Catholic University of America, where he studied under renowned violinist Oleg Rylatko.
Edwin has performed internationally across Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, and the United States, captivating audiences with his expressive playing and refined technique. He has held prestigious leadership roles, including Second Violin Principal of the Orquesta Juvenil Eduardo Mata and Concertmaster of both the Orquesta Filarmónica Mexiquense and the Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra.
Currently, Edwin is a Fellow in the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program, continuing to grow as a performer and artist. He is also deeply engaged in historical performance, appearing with the Consorcio Barroco de Guatemala and the Academia de Música Antigua of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (AMAUNAM), where he explores the rich traditions of early music.
With his extensive international experience, artistic excellence, and deep love for music, Edwin brings inspiration, professionalism, and a powerful musical voice to every lesson. At Music Love Academy, he is dedicated to helping students grow with confidence, discipline, and a true passion for the violin.
Annie Moreno
Voice
Ann “Annie” Moreno is a vibrant and inspiring voice instructor at Music Love Academy, bringing artistry, professionalism, and a true love for performance into every lesson. As a professional singer, performer, and music educator based in the DMV area, Annie works with students of all ages, guiding them in classical, musical theater, and contemporary styles including pop and rock.
At Music Love Academy, Annie creates a warm, encouraging, and empowering environment where students feel confident to express themselves and grow. Her teaching emphasizes healthy vocal technique, strong musicianship, and confident, expressive performance—helping each student develop not only their voice, but also their stage presence and self-confidence.
Annie’s extensive training includes a minor in Classical Vocal Performance from Towson University, a postgraduate degree in Musical Theater from The Catholic University of America, and additional study at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
Her performance career is equally impressive, with roles in productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, Into the Woods, Mamma Mia!, Little Women, The Little Mermaid, Così fan tutte, and Chabrier’s L’étoile. She also performs regularly as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah each Christmas. Annie has appeared at renowned venues including 53 Above Broadway and The York Theatre Company in New York City, The Weinberg Center for the Arts, the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, and Everyman Theatre.
In addition to performing, Annie is an accomplished and recognized artist, having placed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, advancing to regionals, as well as in the CS Music Competition. She is also a creative leader, having produced, coordinated, and directed her own Valentine’s Day–themed cabaret, collaborating with fellow local performers.
At Music Love Academy, Annie inspires students to find their voice, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing—with artistry, authenticity, and love.
Dr. Sue S. Yoon
Piano
Dr. Sue S. Yoon is a classically trained pianist and professor whose vocation bridges higher education, performance, and ministry. She has served as a college-level educator at Christian institutions, teaching interdisciplinary courses such as The Transformative Power of Music and Film Project: Art in Action. In these roles, she integrates academic rigor with artistic vision, guiding students to discover how music shapes identity, culture, and spiritual formation.
She holds a Doctor of Divinity from Cornerstone College and Seminary in Virginia; and is ABD (All But Dissertation) for a doctorate at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She also holds certifications in counseling and music therapy. Dr. Yoon’s work embodies the integration of classical artistry, professorial excellence, and transformative education.
Dr. Yoon carries a strong passion to raise and equip the second generation who love music, helping them discover and develop their musical gifts with purpose and excellence. Most recently, Dr. Yoon has guided young students from age 5 years to 18 years preparing for International Competitions and the Trinity College London Piano Certificate Program.
Beyond technical training, she views music as a powerful instrument for healing and restoration. Through thoughtfully designed music sessions, she supports students and families navigating critically challenging seasons, using music to bring emotional stability, hope, and renewal. Her students are trained not only in technique and musicality but also in character, cultural sensitivity, and inner resilience, becoming confident and compassionate musicians.
She is widely respected as a piano and voice instructor, mentoring students from early childhood through adulthood. She carefully selects repertoire, provides artistic direction, and cultivates disciplined practice habits grounded in servant leadership.
Her piano teacher and mentor was Professor SuJung Shin, widely recognized as the No.1 pianist in South Korea, who is also known as the teacher and mentor of the world-renowned concert pianists. This distinguished pedagogical lineage grounds Dr. Yoon in an elite classical tradition, which she faithfully preserves and creatively applies in her teaching and performances.