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. She has performed internationally in 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. She has also given multiple world-premiere performances of works by living composers, including Italian and American composers. Throughout her studies and professional career, Dr. Trinh An has been featured in numerous highlighted performances across the United States. These include solo piano performances for distinguished audiences and private engagements, including featured performances 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 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 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. Dr. Trinh An 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 piano career, Dr. Trinh An works in financial education, helping 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 articles on financial education have been featured in FORCE Magazine, Global Woman Magazine, Insights Success Magazine, and other international publications focused on leadership, global impact, and rising figures in entrepreneurship. Drawing on her background in higher education, leadership, and business, she is known for her ability to translate complex concepts across disciplines into clear, accessible language.
Aimee Garlitz
Voice
An accomplished soprano vocalist and dedicated music educator, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from BYU–Hawaii in July 2024, with an emphasis in vocal performance and music theory. She brings a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary styles.
With over two years of experience teaching private voice lessons, she is passionate about helping students build healthy technique, confidence, and musical understanding. Her extensive artistic training includes nine years of private vocal study, as well as piano, dance, and formal acting experience, allowing her to offer a well-rounded and expressive approach to vocal instruction. She is also a proud three-year alumna of the BYU Remix Vocal Academy.
Ian Roa
Guitar
Ian Roa is a session guitarist and educator from Puerto Rico. He has performed and recorded internationally with artists such as Matilda Gracia, Maria Moss, Lene Vergara, and Alesi Diaz, appearing in venues including the Adelphi Theatre (London, U.K.) and Casa Canals (Tarragona, Spain).
A 2014 WCOPA finalist, Ian holds a Master’s in Popular Music Practice from BIMM London and a Bachelor’s in Classical Guitar Performance from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory. His dedication to growth has led him to study with renowned mentors such as Tom Anello, Jean Marc Belkadi, Francisco Antonio, Luis Enrique Julia, and Roland Dyens.
His versatility as a recording artist shines through collaborations like “Serás El Aire” (Alesi Diaz), “Como Puedo” (Lene Vergara), and “Blood In The Water” and “Little Pieces” (Matilda Gracia). Ian recently debuted his first solo single “Solaris” and his follow-up “Autunno” in late November.
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.
Dr. Tian Wei
Piano
Dr. Tian Wei is a classically trained pianist and educator who began her musical journey at the
age of five. She has since cultivated a rich professional background through extensive
performance and teaching.
Dr. Wei holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from The Catholic University of
America. She previously earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the
University of Northern Colorado and her Bachelor of Music from the Sichuan Conservatory
of Music in China.
As both a teacher and performer, she has served as Associate Pianist with the National
Children’s Chorus. She has also performed at the Kennedy Center and been invited to give
performances at the Embassy of Bulgaria and at the Embassy of China in Washington, D.C.
She is also a featured artist of the Washington International Young Artists Music Series.
Aigerim Burakanova
Violin
Aigerim Burakanova is a violin teacher with a Master of Music in Violin Performance, trained in a strong classical violin tradition. She creates a warm, friendly, and supportive atmosphere in her lessons and believes in an individualized approach tailored to each student’s age, personality, and learning style.
She works with children and adults, focusing on building musical confidence, expressive playing, and a solid technical foundation. Her goal is to make learning both effective and enjoyable, helping each student feel comfortable, motivated, and inspired.
Mark Sawasky
General Music
Mark believes that music belongs to everyone. He lives this belief at the Fairfax County elementary school where he teaches General Music to grades K-6 and neurodivergent students. He is also active in the community, leading workshops and drum circles for children and adults. Previously, he was a Catholic school band director, teaching traditional concert instruments and helping middle school students discover a love of playing 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 and appeared on many others, and has toured nationally and internationally.
A Michigan native, Mark 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.
Alejandro Galdo
Piano
Alejandro Galdo enjoys a diverse career as a soloist and collaborator in the United States and abroad. Recent highlights include performing in masterclasses with Charles Richard-Hamelin and Grammy Award–winning pianist Garrick Ohlsson, as well as a public concert in Salzburg, Germany at the Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival.
He is also a passionate educator, having taught at several community music schools across the Greater Boston area as well as in Northern Virginia. This past year, Alejandro was also invited to serve on faculty at Sonata Piano Camps in Vermont – an adult piano intensive where he taught private lessons in addition to presenting a lecture to students and performing both a solo and piano-duo recital.
A native of Northern Virginia, Alejandro began his musical studies at the age of 6. By high school, he had distinguished himself in several competitions including the Lions Club Piano Competition and the Nancy Peery Marriott Competition before being admitted to the Summer Piano Institute at Ithaca College where he studied under Dr. Phiroze Mehta and Dr. Dmitri Novgorodsky. He would go on to earn his Bachelor’s degree with honors in Piano Performance at Ithaca College, where he was highly active as a collaborative pianist, performing with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles such as the Ithaca College Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble.
Following his time in New York, Alejandro attended Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, completing his Master’s degree under the guidance of Pavel Nersessian and Dr. Jihye Chang-Sung. While in Boston, he performed regularly with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra (BUSO), Boston University Chamber Orchestra (BUCO), and Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) in addition to serving as the pianist and organist for several local churches and maintaining an active private teaching schedule.
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.
Andrew Lee
Euphonium (Brass Instruments)
Andrew is a dedicated euphonium player with a strong foundation in musicianship and ensemble performance. He is known for his warm tone, musical sensitivity, and commitment to continual improvement. Through performances and ongoing study, Andrew strives to contribute thoughtfully to every ensemble he is part of while refining his technical skill and artistic expression on the euphonium and any given brass instrument.
Chris Adams
Piano
Chris Adams is one of the piano instructors at Music Love Academy. He is from Gaithersburg, Maryland and received his Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance in 2025 from the University of Maryland. Chris has previously taught at the Terrapin Community Music School in College Park and has worked at several churches as a pianist and music director. He teaches both group and private lessons to students of all ages
Bethlehem Hadgu
Violin
Bethlehem Hadgu is a performing violist, educator, and the founder of Exalt Chamber Music Society. Her journey reflects resilience, artistic excellence, and a deep dedication to classical music and culture.
Born in Eritrea, Bethlehem immigrated to the United States in 2007 with her family, carrying with her a steadfast determination to pursue musical and academic excellence. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2022 and her Master’s degree in 2024, both under the prestigious Kovner Fellowship.
Her artistry was further shaped through the Perlman Music Program, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with legendary musicians including Itzhak Perlman, Merry Peckham, and Donald Weilerstein. In recognition of her vision and leadership, Bethlehem is also an Emergent Ventures award recipient, selected by economist and author Tyler Cowen.
A sought-after performer, Bethlehem has toured throughout Europe and appeared on some of the world’s most renowned stages, including The Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, and Carnegie Hall. Her versatility and musical voice have also been showcased as a featured artist on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
Inspired by her love for Western classical music and its enduring legacy, Bethlehem founded Exalt Chamber Music Society in 2024. The organization brings together exceptional classical musicians with a shared mission to celebrate and revitalize the values of Western civilization—pursuing excellence, honoring tradition, and uplifting the human spirit through transcendent chamber music performances.
Outside of performing and teaching, Bethlehem enjoys hiking, cooking, cultivating a warm and intentional home life, and immersing herself in classic literature.
Asher Coda
Guitar
Asher Coda has been playing music since before his memories begin. His parents started him on piano and violin at age 4; by 8, he was performing Paganini in U.S. Embassies in Eastern Europe. By 12, he was playing in rock bands in the DC metro area. By 16, he was recording original material in studios in Jerusalem. By 20, he was touring the U.S., and by 25, he was touring Japan. He now lives in Virginia, where he creates original music as a solo artist, plays in a duo with his wife McKinley, and tours locally and nationally with other artists.
Mo Khalil
Guitar
Mo Khalil 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, he brings a broad and versatile musical background to his teaching.
Mo has 7 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages and skill levels, with a strong focus on guitar fundamentals, technique, and music theory in a supportive and structured learning environment.
Florentina Banaga
Voice
Florentina is a passionate music educator and vocal coach with more than a decade of teaching experience. Her academic background includes studies at the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts in the Republic of Moldova (2011) and Washington Adventist University’s School of Music (2020), where she majored in opera voice. Fluent in English, Romanian, and Russian, and conversational in Spanish, she creates a calm, encouraging environment focused on healthy technique, musical growth, and confidenceenvironment.
David Lee
Guitar
David Hyunsoo Lee is a guitar instructor for both private and group classes.
He began learning guitar at the age of 11 as a self-taught musician, with a strong focus on fingerstyle technique.
Over the years, he has developed a solid technical foundation and a deep appreciation for musical expression. David is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, and he is excited to guide students in developing their skills,confidence, and musicality as guitarists.
Joseph David
Woodwinds (Clarinet, Saxophone & Flute)
Doctor of Musical Arts and Veteran of US Navy Fleet Bands, Joseph David Howell was born in Porterville, California. After starting on the clarinet in elementary school, Joseph developed a strong interest in music while in junior high, and added the saxophones and flute to his studies in high school. Howell earned his Bachelor’s degree at CSU Northridge, where he began his formal study of both jazz and classical music performance. He then earned his Master’s degree at San Diego State University, and his Doctor of Musical Art’s degree at New England Conservatory in Boston.
After his schooling, Joseph worked as a music teacher and musician, first in San Diego and then in the Washington DC area. A few years later, he served a four-year enlistment in the US Navy, performing and deploying all over Asia with the Seventh Fleet Band. While abroad, he also performed as a solo artist and clinician in Japan, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and wrote audio review articles for the International Clarinet Association.
Musicians and writers unanimously use the words “virtuosic” or “virtuoso” when describing Howell’s woodwind performances. He has performed as a leader and soloist in many venues all over the US, as well as in India, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong! All three of his CD releases have received excellent reviews in notable publications.
As a teacher, Joseph Howell has taught music for over thirty years. In addition to having taught beginning band classes at both public and private schools, he has taught classes, masterclasses, ensembles, and private lessons at all levels, including college. Dr. Howell focuses on strengthening musical fundamentals, and uses humor and kindness to keep lessons as fun as possible! He loves getting to know students and watching the development of their musical awareness and abilities.
Daniel Batres
Piano
Daniel Batres’s love for music began at a young age when he started studying piano at nine years old. After graduating from high school, he pursued formal music studies at CENAR (National Arts Center), where he developed a deep appreciation for classical composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, Strauss, and his favorite, Johann Sebastian Bach.
Following his studies at the National Arts Center, Daniel continued his education at ESARTE, shifting his focus toward contemporary music, including rock and pop. It was during his time at ESARTE that he discovered his passion for teaching. There, he studied band ensemble performance and choral conducting, and further developed his skills as a music educator.
With extensive experience teaching both children and adults, Daniel is a motivated and enthusiastic instructor with a strong commitment to providing high-quality music education.
Outside of music, Daniel enjoys outdoor activities such as walking and running, as well as sports like football and soccer. He especially values spending his free time with his family, watching cartoons and anime together.
Duane A. Moody
Voice
Tenor, Duane A. Moody, former Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music (Voice), has expounded on a career of international proportions for almost four decades. From the international tours as Sportin’ Life in The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, the off-Broadway engagement with Three Mo’ Tenors, his sacred recording with the group INSPIRATA, to his self-produced recording project, ‘Sur Mon Voyage’, Mr. Moody has always maintained vocal beauty, through artistry, first.
From his humble beginnings in SE, Washington, DC, it was always about music. From listening to his Father’s old Philly Soul Records, as well as being groomed by the many talented educators who saw his talent early on, music and the arts were constant elements throughout his life.
After receiving degrees from The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and Boston University he has made debuts at The Royal Festival Hall (London), Tel Aviv Opera (Israel), Hamburg Staatsoper (Hamburg, Germany), Alte Oper (Frankfurt, Germany), Des Moines Opera, Maryland Lyric Opera, Dayton Opera, New York City Opera (touring company) and has been presented in recital at The Terrace Theatre of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, DC). Orchestral appearances have been with The Boston Pops, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, The Brockton Symphony, The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, The Indianapolis Symphony, The Spokane Symphony, The Reading Symphony, The Frederick Symphony and the world premiere of Lawrence Reis’ Cantata, “Sea Surface Full of Clouds” with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic.
I may be struggling, but I’m not tired – Duane A. Moody
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.
Steve Wright
Guitar
Mr.Steve Wright is originally from the Richmond, Virginia area. His early childhood
musical influences led him to choose the Guitar by age 11. His two Uncles played in bands
during the 1960s, which (heavily) influenced him to choose Guitar.
After graduating high school, Steve moved to Atlanta, Georgia—for a more diverse
musical experience. There— he formally studied Jazz, Rock, and Classical Guitar styles
with Sid Wolfe (Atlanta Institute of Music 1996-1997) and earned a Diploma in Guitar
Performance graduating with Honors. Steve continued Jazz Studies at the ‘next level’
getting accepted to attend The University of North Texas (1998-2000). After many years
of performing and recording professionally, Mr.Wright later traveled abroad to earn a
Masters of Music (MMUS) from The London College of Music, University of West
London (2016) given International Ambassador Scholar, and graduated with Honors.
Mr.Wright has over 25 years of experience as a Guitar Instructor, teaching private and
group music lessons and masterclasses to young children through adulthood; *Beginner
to Advanced skill levels.
*Notable events and appearances:
• Cee-Lo Green (lead Guitarist for National Tour)
• Dottie Peoples (lead Guitarist for National Tour)
• U.S. Embassy-Sponsored featured guest artist performance at Intwasa Arts Fest
(Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Africa)
• Capital Jazz Super-Cruise (featured performer as Days Ahead)
• D.C. Capital Jazz Festival
• (London’s 606 Club (featured performer as Days Ahead),
• Atlanta Jazz Festival (featured performer as Days Ahead)
• Mobile Jazz Festival
• Guitarist in “The Three Stooges” movie (20th Century Fox)
• BET Jazz (featured performer as Days Ahead), TBN “Listen up with Charles Barkley”
(lead Guitarist with weekly house band)
and WGN “Good Morning Chicago”
• Original music projects- www.daysaheadmusic.com
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 a Guatemalan violinist. He studied at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, the Universidad de Costa Rica, and the Escuela de Música Vida y Movimiento Ollin Yoliztli in Mexico City. He graduated with an Artist Diploma from The Catholic University of America, where he studied with Oleg Rylatko.
Edwin has performed throughout Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, and the United States, and has held leadership roles as Second Violin Principal of the Orquesta Juvenil Eduardo Mata and Concertmaster of the Orquesta Filarmónica Mexiquense and the Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a Fellow in the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Fellowship Program and is also active in historical performance, appearing with the Consorcio Barroco de Guatemala and the Academia de Música Antigua of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (AMAUNAM).
Annie Moreno
Voice
Ann “Annie” Moreno is a professional singer, performer, and music educator based in the DMV area. She teaches students of all ages in classical, musical theater, and contemporary or pop/rock styles, emphasizing healthy vocal technique, musicianship, and confident performance. Annie holds a minor in Classical Vocal Performance from Towson University, completed a postgraduate degree in Musical Theater at The Catholic University of America, and
studied for a year at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Her repertoire and performance credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Into the Woods, Mamma Mia!, LittleWomen, The Little Mermaid, Così fan tutte, and Chabrier’s L’étoile. She sings regularly in Handel’s Messiah each Christmas. She has performed at venues including 53 Above Broadway and The York Theatre Company in NYC, The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, the Victorian Lyric Opera Company in Rockville, MD, and Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD.
Annie has placed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition, advancing to regionals, and in the CS Music Competition. She has also produced, coordinated and directed her own Valentine’s Day-themed cabaret, collaborating with local
performers.
More information about Annie’s performance work can be found at:
