Sunday, March 26, 2023 | News

We accept new students year-round, subject to availability. 

As we look towards spring, we find ourselves with a mostly full schedule, without any "prime time" openings left. We do still have space most weekdays at/before 3:30, including morning slots on Tuesdays.

LONG-TERM PLANNING We do expect to have plenty of space for new students to join us over the 2023 Summer Session (starts June 19) and especially during the 2023-24 School Year (starts August 25). We begin accepting registrations from new students starting June 2, but we welcome your general questions and inquiries at any time of the year.

IN-PERSON LESSONS In most cases, we are teaching in-person teaching in our beautiful Falls Church studio! A few students may choose remote lessons or a mix of remote and in-person instruction. 

REMOTE LESSONS If you're interested in hybrid or remote lessons, you should give special consideration to our wonderful teachers Ziwei Zhou and Aphrodite Mitsopoulou. Both these fine teachers have plenty of space and flexible scheduling for mostly-remote lessons. Remote students have access to both in-person and Zoom workshop classes as well as in-person studio recitals, all of which are free and included within our regular tuition.

BRIGHT STARTS GROUP CLASS OPENINGS The next opportunity to join the Level 1 (new beginner) class for ages 5.5 to 8 will be in September 2023. We also expect openings for lightly to moderately experienced students ages 6.5 to 9 in the Level 2 class in September. Typically, we schedule Level 1 classes Saturdays at 9:30 and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and Level 2 classes Saturdays at 10:30 and Thursdays at 5:00 PM.  Details and confirmation on times/days will be available after May 1, with registrations accepted first come first served starting June 2.  

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BEGIN LESSONS... For your convenience, we try to summarize current openings here. But the best way to find out about openings is to just get in touch, now! Regardless of what today's openings are...we always want to hear from interested students/parents in the community. Sometimes, we have flexibility which goes beyond what we can post here. Contact us! We'd love to hear from you.  

AGES/LEVELS All our openings are available for all ages and levels.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | News

Our Studio Honors Recital will be Sunday April 16 at 1:30 PM at the Woman's Club of Arlington. We'll be joined by 22 faithful intermediate+ level students of all ages and our teacher Wendy Yun Chen will present selections by Scarlatti and Schumann as well. Guests are welcome! 

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | News

The Studio will be closed for Spring Break Monday April 3 through Sunday April 9. We will be OPEN as usual April 1 and 2, and from April 10 onward.

Monday, March 13, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

On March 10 and 11, 2023, many of our students participate in NFMC Festival, hosted locally by Springfield Music Club. In this nationally sponsored, locally run event, students play two pieces from memory for comments and a rating. The event is non-competitive and accessible to a wide range of students/levels. The following students earned the top rating of Superior:

Samiya Bhuvanagiri ♪ Graham Halvaksz ♪ Sarah Hellman ♪Noa Herzog ♪ Owen Horgan ♪ Liam Horgan ♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ Ryo Lee ♪ Caeli McIntosh ♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ Priya Perakam ♪ Ryan Qi ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Pelin Sarac ♪ Sakura Sasaki ♪ Lucia Severino ♪ Anne Severino ♪ Anastasia Vassilopolous ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Ethan Williams. In addition, Karthik Thyagarajan received the top rating of "Superior" on both his solo pieces and his concerto, the first movement of Mendelssohn's piano concerto in g minor. 

Monday, March 6, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Pelin Sarac who was awarded Super Bronze in this competitive video-entry event! 

Monday, February 27, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

On February 18 2023, Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association hosted the annual Bach-Baroque Festival. Students had the opportunity to present two works from the Baroque era (1600-1750) and also had the chance to try their music out on a harpsichord. The following students earned the top rating of Superior: Helena Horowitz ♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ Leah Weber ♪ James Yao. In addition, Helena and Leah were awarded Honors and performed in the Honors Recital on Saturday February 25.

Monday, February 27, 2023 | Student Awards and Honors

It's still early in the school year, but we have already had several students earn honors in this rigorous but non-competitive event! Unlike most festivals and contest, students need to do more than play one or two pieces, but also to demonstrate a broad base of skill at each level. Learn more about it via rcmusic.com

♪ Owen Horgan ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (February 2023)

♪ Noa Herzog ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 3 (January 2023)

♪ Alex Lin ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (December 2022)

♪ Ben Beloe ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (December 2022)

♪ Sarah Hellman ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 3 (December 2022)

♪ Sakura Sasaki ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (November 2022)

♪ Adrian Jeon ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (October 2022)

♪ Mateo Mulato  ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (September 2022)

♪ Jamison Cheng ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (September 2022)

♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ First Class Honors at Level 4 (October 2022)

♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 7 (September 2022)

Sunday, December 18, 2022 | News

We were joined by 92 performing students and hundreds of family and friends at our annual Winter Mini-Recital on Saturday December 17 2022 at Cherrydale United Methodist Church in Arlington. We enjoyed well-prepared and communicative performances from students aged six to adult. And we really enjoyed the return of our traditional cupcake reception! 

To those who joined us as either performing students or guests: thank you for your dedication, support, and for sharing your music! To those who did not join us: you are warmly welcome next time! We hope for a formal summer recital in early to mid June. 

Current students can see a list of what was performed under Online Resources inside the Student Portal. 

Saturday, December 17, 2022 | News

Compliments of the Season to you and your family! Here is our 2022 Winter Break schedule: 

OPEN through and including Friday December 16

CLOSED for regular lessons/classes on Saturday December 17. Come join us at our Mini-Recital! 

OPEN Sunday December 18

CLOSED Monday December 19 through and including Sunday January 1

OPEN AS USUAL Monday January 2 and thereafter. 

Friday, November 11, 2022 | News

The Studio will be closed for Thanksgiving break from Wednesday November 23 to Saturday November 26. We will be open on Monday/Tuesday November 21 & 22 as well as Sunday November 27. 

Monday, November 7, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On November 5, 2022, Virginia Music Teachers Association (VMTA) held their first in-person Fall Festival event since 2019. Participating students presented two pieces from memory. One piece in contemporary style; the other piece in historic style. The following students received the top rating of Superior in this non-competitive event:

Helena Horowitz ♪ Zachary Moeller ♪ Kaitlin Nguyen ♪ Priya Perakam ♪ Aruni Veluri ♪ Leah Weber ♪ James Yao

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 | News

The Studio will be closed all day and all evening on Monday, October 31 for Halloween. Lessons/classes resume on Tuesday November 1. 

Saturday, September 17, 2022 | News

The first portion of our fall Workshop schedule (now through 12/11) is OPEN FOR SIGN UP! Current students: find the sign-up from the Calendar view within the Student Portal. New students: contact us to register! Our unique workshop program is the heart of our studio and all classes are free and included within our regular tuition rates. 

Monday, September 12, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Aruni Veluri who recently participated in her RCM Piano (practical) Exam at Level 7 and was recognized with First Class Honors with Distinction. Learn more about this rigorous yet non-competitive evaluation program via: https://www.rcmusic.com.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 | News

The Studio will be closed for Labor Day break Saturday Sunday Monday September 3 through 5. We re-open on our new school-year schedule starting Tuesday September 6. 

Friday, August 26, 2022 | News

IN-PERSON LESSONS While the Studio remains open by appointment only, we are available to teach in-person lessons for all students. If you want to come in-person, yes you can! If you are a new or prospective student, just contact us to make an appointment. We can meet you in-person at the Studio for your FREE interview and/or for your lessons. 

REMOTE LESSONS While the Studio is open for in-person lessons and most students are choosing to attend in-person, we are able to switch your lesson to remote-status whenever it is necessary (48 hours notice, please). We also are continuing to teach remotely for those students who prefer or require that option.

MASKS We have transitioned to a more-flexible mask policy. As of this update [8/26/22] masks are optional. Individual teachers retain the right to request that any student wear a mask in the individual lesson. And of course, your teacher will wear a mask in the individual lesson if this is your preference. Our mask status may change in the future based on local conditions and public health guidance.

GUESTS/WAITING ROOM We have a large and comfortable waiting room and practice nook and it's open and available for your comfort! You may also choose to bring a reasonable number of guests (i.e. a friend or your siblings) with you.  

WORKSHOP CLASSES Workshop classes are meeting in-person. We also continue to offer a limited number of remote workshops.  

Monday, June 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

Congratulations to our high school senior Owen Rollins for earning Honors with Distinction on his Level 10 RCM Exam in December 2021. The Level 10 exam requires students to present five repertoire pieces in varied styles as well as two etudes and an assortment of foundational practical skills. Students who pass this exam have demonstrated a level of practical knowledge and performance skill similar to a third-year college undergraduate piano major. Owen performed Prelude & Fugue in A-flat Major, WTC 1 (J.S. Bach) ♪ Sonata in F Major Op. 10 No. 2, first and second movements (L. van Beethoven) ♪ Nocturne in b-flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1 (F. Chopin) ♪ Clair de Lune (C. Debussy) ♪ Graceful Ghost Rag (W. Bolcom) ♪ And, etudes by Chopin and Czerny. 

Throughout the Winter/Spring season, we have had many other students participating in this rigorous but non-competitive event! Learn more about it via rcmusic.com

♪ Abby Wang ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (February 2022)

♪ Noa Herzog ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (February 2022)

♪ Hannah Wang ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 5 (February 2022)

♪ Keshavan Nair ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (March 2022)

♪ Kavya Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (March 2022)

♪ Audrey Wang ♪ First Class Honors at Level 4 (April 2022)

♪ Helena Horowitz ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 4 (April 2022)

♪ Alex Xu ♪ First Class Honors at Level 9 (April 2022)

♪ Liam Horgan ♪ First Class Honors at Level 2 (May 2022)

♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 7 (May 2022)

♪ Ryan Qi ♪ First Class Honors at Level 3 (May 2022)

♪ Gizem Onerci ♪ First Class Honors at Level 1 (May 2022)

♪ Ethan Williams ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 1 (June 2022)

♪ James Yao ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (June 2022)

♪ Abby Wang ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction at Level 2 (June 2022)

♪ Eliana Rougle ♪ First Class Honors at Level 8 (June 2022)

♪ Alex Xu ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction Level 8 Theory (June 2022)

♪ Karthik Thyagarajan ♪ First Class Honors with Distinction Level 7 Theory (June 2022)

Thursday, June 16, 2022 | News

What a joy it was to be back in-person and indoors for our first "traditional" recital in over two years! On Saturday, June 11, we held five different recital groups at Cherrydale United Methodist Church. The day included 92 performing students from age 5 to 19 including three kindergarteners and three high school seniors. 

Friday, May 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On May 15, 2022, we were lucky to host the fabulous Dr. Paulo Steinberg of James Madison University for our second and final Guest Artist Masterclass of the 2022 school year. Congratulations to the students who stepped up to perform and learn with us!

Hannah Boesen (Invention in a minor, Bach) ♪ Ai-Lan Pho (Waltz in c-sharp minor, Chopin) ♪ Kavya Thyagarajan (Courante from French Suite No. 2, Bach) ♪ Aruni Veluri (Sonatina for the Young Op. 118 No. 1, Schumann) ♪ Owen Rollins (Liebestraum No. 3, Liszt)

Friday, May 27, 2022 | Student Awards and Honors

On May 14 2022 Springfield Music Club held a Sonata/Sonatina Festival. And on May 22 2022 Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association did the same! In these events, students performed two contrasting movements from a sonata or sonatina. The following students received the top rating: Alexa Garcia • Aruni Veluri • Varun Veluri • Hannah Wang.