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Andrew Horowitz, Pianist

Teacher, Accompanist, Performer

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM MR. HOROWITZ

I have been teaching students in Northern Virginia to love music and play the piano with confidence since 2000. A desire to increase the professionalism and quality of my teaching led me to open my own independent teaching Studio in 2008. I wanted a space where dedicated teachers and interested students could do serious work but also have fun. A space where young beginners, advancing teens, and adults could all feel comfortable and at home. And, a place where all students and all teachers have the opportunity gather together for group classes and recitals. 

My goal in short is to take interested and eager students of all ages and to give them the skills that will allow them to make music, and to listen critically and thoughtfully, long after their formal lessons have ended.

Education: Bachelor of Music in piano performance, George Mason University. Mr. Horowitz also holds the designation Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). Notable teachers: Joanne Haroutounian, Robert Wyatt, Andrew Degrado. 








Aphrodite Mitsopoulou, Pianist                        

Teacher, Accompanist, Performer

Aphrodite Mitsopoulou was born in Greece and started her musical studies at the National Conservatory of Athens, where she obtained her first degree in 2003. In 2006, she was awarded her Soloist’s Diploma from the Conservatory of Art and Technology. In 2009, she earned her Master’s Degree from the Boston Conservatory, where she studied on a partial scholarship. Ms. Mitsopoulou has received additional training at seminars worldwide, including the well-known seminar at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg. Notable teachers include Valery Sagaidatshny, Janice Weber, and Dimitris Toufexis.

Since 2003, she has been the recipient of several awards and honors, including first prize in the “Golden Muse” competition for her interpretation of Greek and Contemporary Music. Ms. Mitsopoulou’s performance experience includes recitals in Greece, Boston, and at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Highly trained as an educator, Ms. Mitsopoulou worked as a faculty-selected tutor while at The Boston Conservatory. Before she arrived in Boston, she taught students of all ages in Greece. Ms. Mitsopoulou currently maintains an active teaching schedule in Falls Church, Virginia. Studio Horowitz has been her home studio since 2010. In addition to her degrees, she also holds the designation Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). 

Languages: English, Greek



 Winton Tin Vi La, Pianist

bio photo 2.jpgTeacher, Accompanist, Performer

Originally from Vietnam, Dr. Winton Tin Vi La earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance from Pensacola Christian College. He is also a recent D.M.A. graduate of James Madison University, where he studied under Dr. Gabriel Dobner. Other principal teachers include the renowned Brazilian pianist and pedagogue Daisy Deluca Jaffe and Dr. Pitagoras Gonclaves. 

Dr. La has given solo and collaborative recitals in Florida, Virginia, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His doctoral research and performance focused on Maurice Ravel's landmark work Le Tombeau de Couperin; he also has an abiding interest in the jazz-influenced works of Nikolai Kapustin. 

As a teacher, Dr. La focuses on developing in his students a healthy piano technique that can help them solve technique issues as well as enhance their ability in expressing themselves through music. 

Languages: English, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin



Olga Roberts, Pianist


Teacher, Composer, Accompanist       

Olga Roberts began her life in music at the age of six in her native Russia when her mother discovered she had perfect pitch and signed her up for an audition with the local music school. Despite the fact that she was younger than the required age, she was admitted and for the next nine years was immersed in an intensive program of music education which included four to five hours a week of studying different musical subjects, daily piano practice at home, and a variety of tests, exams, and performances.

After this preparatory education, Ms. Roberts matriculated at the Music College of Archangelsk, Russia, where she earned both undergraduate and Masters degrees with Honors in piano performance and pedagogy.

Ms. Roberts has over 30 years experience teaching piano, theory, and composition. She has composed and designed many different piano and theory supplementary materials which she has successfully implemented in her teaching. Her students have performed in countless recitals and events. Her former students have grown up to be professionals in many fields, including music!

Her teaching method is based on approaching each student individually. She believes it is important to recognize each child’s potential and to challenge it—but in the context of a nurturing and fun environment. The ultimate goal is providing each student with a solid musical education and foundation.

Languages: English, Russian





Debby Azikiwe, Pianist

Teacher and Accompanist

Pianist and pedagogue Debby Azikiwe is a native of Hong Kong. She received her university training in the United States at Edgewood College and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Her teachers include Edward Walters and Charles Asche. 

For many years, Mrs. Azikiwe maintained a large private piano studio in Hong Kong. She has also given duo recitals at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She is a passionate teacher and is experienced working with a wide range of students. Her first goal as a teacher is to help students have fun and to enjoy their music study.  

In the United States, Mrs. Azikiwe has performed as an accompanist throughout Wisconsin, New York, and Virginia, and has served as guest faculty at the Bennington Chamber Music Conference in Vermont. She has also served as accompanist and teacher at the Mammoth Lakes Chamber Music Festival in California and has performed at the Carolina Chamber Music Festival in New Bern, North Carolina. 

When not practicing and making music, Mrs. Azikiwe enjoys making doll houses, leather goods, and knitting. 

Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin




Stella

                      

Assistant Director of Marketing, Emeritus

(c. 2007 - 2023)

Stella joined the Studio in 2009 and was responsible for all marketing and related activities. She loved music and was a superlative listener but did not have any formal musical training. 






Our Studios

Our beautiful, large studios and home-like environment set us apart from other lesson providers! A big entry/waiting room gives parents and siblings a place to wait and hang out. A separate practice nook is equipped with two (!) Yamaha hybrid digital pianos for warm-up and practice. Our huge Studio "A", which is used for individual lessons as well as group classes, is equipped with a Yamaha C3 (6’) grand piano and a 46” Weinbach (Petrof) vertical piano as well as four digital pianos. Studio "C" has one Yamaha C7 (7') grand piano and one Yamaha G5 (6'6") grand piano. Studio "D" is home to a lovely Steinway L grand piano (5'11"). Studio "B" has a partially rebuilt 5’9” Chickering grand piano. Our office/library space keeps our books and storage out of the teaching rooms. We also have pro-quality recording gear in-house for teacher and student use.