Music, Art & Theater Teachers at Potomac
As part of George Mason University, the Potomac Arts Academy has access to an outstanding music, art, and theater teachers from the acclaimed Mason arts community!
We have faculty dedicated to teaching high quality and enjoyable arts classes during the fall and spring semesters. We also have faculty who coordinate and direct our very successful summer programs, and some who do both! For private music lessons, the Academy connects students with recommended Graduate and Undergraduate Mason School of Music majors. Take a moment to find out a little more about our extraordinary cast.
Semester Faculty (see bios below) Ronnie Bell - Voice Class |
Summer Faculty (see bios in program) Orff Teacher Certification Program PMI Faculty* (senior faculty only) *Our complete list of Private Music Instructors evolves with each semester, and each instructor is only accepted based on the highest of recommendations from the University. |
Ronnie BellHi, I teach Voice Class for Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Tenor Ronnie Bell received his Masters degree from George Mason University in 2010. This is his second year teaching Voice class with Potomac. He also instructs Private Voice Lessons with us. Ronnie possesses the clear, vocal maturity of a well trained singer balanced with a youthful exuberance that lends well to teaching students of all ages. He is both technically powerful and extremely accessible, the perfect mix for instructing beginners to advanced vocalists.
Email Ronnie Bell
Email Ronnie Bell
Briton CamphouseHello, I teach Visual Art classes for Kids and Teens. Click here to read more about me!
Briton Camphouse lives in Washington DC and works at the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Briton earned her Bachelor's degree as a double major in Art and Art History, and she recently graduated with a Masters in Arts Management from George Mason University. She is Curator of the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Briton finds inspiration in nature and captures the beauty of the landscape through pencil drawings and paintings. Along with exploring the outdoors, she has a passion for studying the history of art and exploring techniques and creativity of past and present artists.
Email Briton Camphouse
Email Briton Camphouse
Jennifer DeckerHi, I teach Voice Classes for Kids, Teens & Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Soprano Jennifer Decker graduated from George Mason University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance). Singing at church since age three, she has had a passion for music all her life. Her experience includes numerous stage credits –solo, choral, operatic, and musical theater. She also plays piano and has accompanied and led church worship bands. She has taught private and group voice/piano lessons over the last 20 years. Jennifer teaches students of all ages, believing that solid, correct musical technique is a foundation for limitless possibilities in creating music.
Email Jennifer Decker
Email Jennifer Decker
Beth FrookHello, I teach Early Childhood Music & Movement. Click here to read more about me!
Beth Frook is the Director of "Little Hands", an award-winning program offering music and movement classes to children and families in the Greater Washington DC area. Beth taught the first Little Hands Kindermusik classes in 1993. In 2000, Beth was awarded "Maestro" status by Kindermusik International, signifying her as director of one of the top studio programs in the country. Beth has a BA from George Washington University along with vocal and piano training. She has Level I Orff Schulwerk certification and is a member of the NAEYC. She has been active on National and local Boards of several early childhood music associations, as well as presented at conventions and seminars for music educators and early childhood teachers nationally and in the EU. Ms. Frook has been instrumental in bringing to life Potomac's Early Childhood arts intensive programs. Beth loves making music with children and parents!
Email Beth Frook
Email Beth Frook
Clarita HerceHi, I teach Art Classes for Kids, Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Clarita Herce is an emerging artist from Woodbridge, VA who creates vivid and colorful works that urge viewers to surrender to joy and presence. Through her use of brilliant, complementary colors, she aims to overwhelm the viewers' senses and arrest their minds so they can experience the radiance of the work, of the world, and of themselves. This is Clarita's second year teaching Visual Art classes wtih Potomac. Clarita is also a drawing and painting instructor at George Mason University and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Painting 1. She has a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting from George Mason University (2009). Clarita has extensive experience teaching both children and adults, and her natural exuberance keeps classes fun and lively.
Email Clarita Herce
Email Clarita Herce
Natalie HigginsHi, I teach Private French Horn and Trumpet Lessons. Click here to read more about me!
Natalie Higgins is currently a graduate student at George Mason University specializing in French Horn Performance. Prior to attending George Mason University, Natalie completed her undergraduate study at the University of California Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of the Arts in French Horn Performance. While completing her undergraduate degree, Natalie was an active member of the UCLA Philharmonia, UCLA Wind Ensemble, UCLA Brass Ensemble, as well as a Gluck Scholarship Brass Quintet and Woodwind quintet. She was also an active free lancer and has performed with such groups as the Golden State Pops Orchestra and the Torrance Pit Orchestra. Natalie has also been an active participant of the Banff Centre of the Arts Summer music festival where she received an orchestral fellowship in 2008, and participated as a brass soloist in both 2010 and 2011. She is currently studying under the tutelage of Martin Hackleman, principal horn of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Email Natalie Higgins
Email Natalie Higgins
Hi, I teach Guitar Class for Kids, Teens, and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Christopher Jenkins is a performer and teacher in the Northern Virginia area. He completed his Master's Degree in Music at the University of South Carolina School of Music where he studied with Christopher Berg. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the George Mason University School of Music where he studied with Larry Snitzler. Christopher has performed in masterclasses for greats such as Pepe Romero, Martha Masters, Gilbert Biberian, Gallardo Del Rey, and Joaquin Clerch. He has studied in a series of classes and instruction by renowned guitarist and composer Roland Dyens. His performances have taken him abroad to Spain and Argentina, as well as locally in South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and Washington D.C. Since December 2009, Christopher and Brett Floyd have been performing together as The Coda Duo. Brett and Christopher recently released their first CD, Sonata Andaluz. Christopher is a member of the Guitar Foundation of America. Christopher also teaches Private Guitar Lessons at Potomac.
Email Christopher Jenkins
Email Christopher Jenkins
Peter KadeliHello, I teach Music Composition for Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Peter Kadeli is pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Composition and Choral Education at the George Mason University School of Music. He is the student music director and pianist at St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel. Peter has studied piano with Dr. Barbara Wing and Dr. John Healey and currently studies composition with Dr. Jesse Guessford.
Email Peter Kadeli
Email Peter Kadeli
Jeanne KellyHi, I direct the Encore Choir for Seniors. Click here to read more about me!
Currently, Ms. Kelly is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization, Encore Creativity for Older Adults, which is dedicated to providing an excellent, accessible, and sustainable artistic environment for older adults over 55 years of age, either beginning, intermediate or advanced levels, who seek arts education and performance opportunities under a professional artist. Encore Chorales are now located at Langston- Brown Senior Center in Arlington, VA., Goodwin House Alexandria, Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads, Myerberg Senior Center in Baltimore, Smithsonian Institution in D.C. and the Workhouse Center for the Arts in Lorton, VA and Potomac Arts Academy at George Mason University. Dance programs for older adults were introduced fall 2008 at Arlington Center for Dance and Workhouse Center for Arts in Lorton. Encore also offers Encore Chorale “Sleep Away” Camps at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the famed Chautauqua Institution in New York. Potomac and Encore have been happily partnering for over 2 years.
Email Jeanne Kelly
Email Jeanne Kelly
John KilkennyHello, I coordinate the Mason Honors Music Festival. Click here to read more about me!
John appears regularly with such prestigious ensembles as the National Symphony, Washington National Opera, Washington Ballet, and National Philharmonic. He has worked with some of the eminent conductors of our time, including James Levine, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Colin Davis, David Zinman, Gerald Schwarz and Marin Alsop. He currently serves on the music department faculty of George Mason University. Other appearances include the 2003, 2005, 2007 Bands of America National Percussion Festival, 2003 Virginia music Educators Conference, 2002 Virginia DC day of Percussion and the John Philip Sousa Foundation National High School Honor Band. He was also Coordinator and Co Chair of the University of Maryland Summer Percussion Workshop. John received his Bachelors degree from Juilliard School and his Masters from Temple University.
Email John Kilkenny
Email John Kilkenny
Kenneth LawHello, I teach Private Cello Lessons. Click here to read more about me!
Kenneth Law is Adjunct Professor of Violoncello at George Mason University. He has performed at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center Series, and Alice Tully Hall, and in England, Scotland, France, Panama, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, and the Bahamas. A recipient of the 2010 ASTA Studio Teacher of the Year award in South Carolina, Mr. Law's pre-college students have been accepted to the Oberlin and Peabody conservatories, Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, Florida State University, George Mason University, and other respected schools throughout the southeast. His degrees and diplomas are from the Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and The Juilliard School. During the summer, he serves on the faculty of the Gateways Music Festival, Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Email Kenneth Law
Email Kenneth Law
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Mary LechterHi, I teach Theater Classes for Kids, Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Mary has been working professionally as an actor in the Metropolitan Washington area, Los Angeles, and New York since 1985. A graduate of University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and Speech Communications, she has worked at Washington area theaters including Theater of the First Amendment, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Source Theatre. Television, radio and film credits include ABC’s All My Children, Barry Levinson’s Avalon, Diesel Films’ Dracula’s Mother, the recent MGM/Lionsgate thriller Hit and Run, and several spots for NPR’s Morning Edition. Mary is Founder, President and Director of A Class Act – Acting for Young People & Adults, Inc. (AFYP). Founded in 1997, the program provides professional-level acting training for students of all ages. She is also Artistic Director for AFYP’s new sister organization, AFYP Stages. The new company is dedicated to producing plays for young audiences and their families. She is also a proud member of George Mason University’s faculty, in the Department of Theater and School of Music. Applying acting skills in the business world, Mary’s corporate training clients include D.R. Horton Realtors, The D.C. Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, The D.C. Life Underwriters Foundation, and the Law Firm of Weiner, Rohrstaff & Spivey. Mary is a member of The Screen Actors Guild, The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actor’s Equity Association, The American Association for Theater Educators, Americans for the Arts, and the Educational Theatre Association.
Email Mary Lechter
Email Mary Lechter
Hi, I teach Beginning Strings for Kids. Click here to read more about me!
Rebecca Lewis received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Penn State University in 2010. Rebecca has worked in the West Shore School District at Newberry and Fishing Creek Elementary schools as a general music teacher and choral director. She is currently working on her Masters Degree at George Mason University studying Viola Pedagogy. While living in Maryland and Pennsylvania, Rebecca studied with viola teachers, Sally Grobani, Pamela DeWall, Dr. Robert Lau, Dr. Timothy Deighton, Penn State University, and currently with Professor Nancy Thomas, George Mason University. Rebecca is also trained in Suzuki books 1-3. She has participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association orchestra festivals, the Wednesday Club Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Shippensburg University-Community Orchestra. During Rebecca's years at Penn State, she played in the Philharmonic Orchestra and viola ensemble. Currently, Rebecca is principal violist of the George Mason Symphony Orchestra. Rebecca loves teaching children how to find joy in playing string instruments. Rebecca also teaching Private Viola Lessons for Potomac.
Email Rebecca Lewis
Email Rebecca Lewis
Jihae LimHello, I teach Piano Class for Kids, Teens, and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Jihae Lim, a student of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, is currently pursuing an artist certificate in piano performance and serving as an accompanist for the School of Music vocal department at George Mason University. She also graduated with her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music from George Mason University in 2007 and 2010. She has been teaching piano for twelve years. She was the winner of the 2007 GMU Concerto Competition and performed a Mozart concerto with the GMU Symphony Orchestra. Jihae was chosen to perform in the 2006 and 2010 Honors Recital, and she also performed in Old Town Hall in Fairfax as part of the 2005 and 2006 Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship Concert. In addition, she served as pianist for the theatre production of James Joyce's The Dead at GMU in 2006 as well as Scrooge and Gypsy at the Little Theatre of Alexandria in 2008-2009. Jihae has performed in master classes at GMU presented by Ruskin Cooper and Jeffrey Siegel. She serves as pianist for the Korean Blissf ul Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, VA and Springfield United Methodist Church in Springfield, VA. Jihae earned the Associate Applied Arts degree at Northern Virginia Community College, where she received prizes in both classical and jazz piano performance. Jihae also teaches Private Piano Lessons for Potomac.
Email Jihae Lim
Email Jihae Lim
Katie MartinoHi, I teach Beginning Strings Class for Kids. Click here to read more about me!
Katie Martino began playing violin at age seven. Since then she has had the opportunity to play with her four sisters as a quintet, as well as in numerous orchestras including the George Mason University Symphony Orchestra, Rappahannock POPS Orchestra, and the MasterWorks Philharmonic Orchestra. During the summer of 2004 Katie began her own private studio, and from 2006-2008 she conducted the Grace Center for the Arts string ensembles. Katie is currently finishing her degree in Music Education at George Mason University after which she plans on continuing to teach young musicians. Katie has been teaching her very successful string lessons to young children at Potomac for the past 2 years.
Email Katie Martino
Email Katie Martino
Ina MirtchevaHello, I teach Piano Class for Kids, Teens, and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Ina Radeva Mirtcheva started playing the piano when she was five years old. From 1st to 9th grade, she attended L. Pipkov Music School in Sofia, Bulgaria studying piano with K. Karadimchev. In 1998, she moved with her family to the United States and was part of the honors program at Levine School of Music in Washington DC. Ms. Mirtcheva earned her Bachelors and Masters of Music in Piano Performance from George Mason University, studying piano with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia. She earned a second Masters in Instrumental Collaborative Piano at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she had a full graduate scholarship and assistantship and studied piano and chamber music with James Tocco and Sandra Rivers. Currently she is back at George Mason where she is teaching and taking classes towards a Doctorate in Musical Arts, and is performing in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Ina also teaches Private Piano Lessons for Potomac.
Email Ina Mirtcheva
Email Ina Mirtcheva
Matt NolanHello, I teach Computer Game Design for Kids and Teens. Click here to read more about me!
Holding a Bachelor of Music in Music Synthesis from Berklee College of Music, Matt Nolan is the Technical Director for the Computer Game Design Program at George Mason University. Matt has a holistic vision for music, art, movement, and light. In 2007, his work using the Nintendo Wiiremote as a wireless controller for Audio-Visual instruments brought him recognition in the music and arts community as an inventive force. With roots as a classical singer, he is constantly working in the fields of Music Production, Composition, Painting, Programming, Sound Design, Installation Art, Video Design/Projections, and Computer Game Design. Matt specializes in interactive multimedia using Apple computers, the Mac Csound environment, and Max/MSP/Jitter. He is also a producer and composer of many genres of music and has been featured on numerous independently produced recordings since 1998. Matt established Potomac's Computer Game Design classes for young kids and teenagers in Fall 2009. Since then, the program has become so popular that there is often a waiting list to register!
Email Matt Nolen
Email Matt Nolen
Adam PhillipsHi, I teach Guitar Classes to Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Adam Phillips is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education degree at George Mason University. An admired pupil of Larry Snitzler (classical guitar) and Glenn Dewey (jazz electric bass), Mr. Phillips comes highly recommended as a competent and well-rounded guitarist and musician. He has a wide range of experience in both large jazz ensembles and small combos and orchestras, and he has played in bands of all musical styles including funk, rock, blues, pop and acoustic. Adam has also played percussion for wind ensembles at both the high school and college level. Adam has been teaching Guitar at Potomac for 2 years.
Email Adam Phillips
Email Adam Phillips
Kathy PreisingerHello, I teach Early Childhood Music & Movement. Click here to read more about me!
Kathy Preisinger has been teaching Little Hands classes since 1997, and teaches studio flute and recorder lessons. Kathy is Master Certified (Level 3) in Orff Schulwerk from the GMU Potomac Arts Academy and has been a valuable contributing member of the writing teams of several early-childhood programs of curricula for Kindermusik International and Little Hands. She received her Bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University, and a Master's degree from Southern Methodist University, both in Music Performance. She has maintained teaching studios in Texas, California, and Alabama.
Email Kathy Preisinger
Email Kathy Preisinger
Hello, I teach Percussion Classes for Teens & Adults. Click here to read more about me!
With appearances at Shanghai Concert Hall, the DC Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Umbria Jazz Festival, Pure Jazz Den Haag, and at major venues throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, Victor Provost has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with. Born and raised on the island of St. John, Provost's musical journey began with classical piano lessons at age 10. Later, he traveled with the Steel Unlimited II Youth Steel Orchestra to the U.S., France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Germany. In 1998, Provost became the first steel pan player to be featured as a solo artist at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. Since his move to the United States in 1999, Provost has had the fortune of performing and touring with several award-winning groups and has shared the stage with the likes of Jazz super stars Hugh Masakela, Nicholas Payton, Wycliffe Gordon, Ron Blake, Terrell Stafford, Bobby Thomas Jr., Tarus Mateen, Etienne Charles, Essiet Essiet, Rashawn Ross, Reuben Rogers, and Dion Parson. Provost also teaches at the Cultural Academy For Excellence and George Mason University, and teaches private lessons.
Email Victor Provost
Email Victor Provost
Karen ReedyHi, I teach Dance for Saturday School for the Arts. Click here to read more about me!
Karen Reedy is an Assistant Professor of Dance at George Mason University. Ms. Reedy grew up in the Washington, DC area where she performed with Eric Hampton Dance and DC Dance Theater, among others, as well as performing and staging her own choreography. In New York, she danced with Robert Battle, Sue Bernhard, Patricia Kenny, and Louis Johnson, and frequently performed with the Mark Morris Dance Group. Ms. Reedy has staged the work of Eric Hampton and has assisted such choreographers as Jirí Kylián, Hans van Manen, Robert Battle, and Nacho Duato while serving on the faculty of the Juilliard School. Her choreography has been seen throughout the country, in venues such as the Kennedy Center, Dance Place, and Joyce Soho. In 2008, she was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Local Dance Commissioning Project, for which she created Sleepwalking. Ms. Reedy holds an MFA in Dance from George Mason University and is the Artistic Director of Karen Reedy Dance, a non-profit professional contemporary dance company.
Email Karen Reedy
Email Karen Reedy
Hello, I teach Composition for Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Stefan Schuck is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Music Composition at George Mason University. He graduated from Syracuse University in 2010 with a B.M. in Music Composition. While at Syracuse, he received the Irene L. Crooker Award for excellence in music. He has written works ranging from middle school band to professional string quartet. Stefan is also a successful trumpet player and enjoys conducting as well.
Email Stefan Schuck
Email Stefan Schuck
Claire WalkerHello, I teach Percussion Class for Kids. Click here to read more about me!
Claire Walker has been playing percussion since 1997. She graduated with a BM in percussion performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 2009. She was a student of John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo and Anthony Cirone. Since then, she has been pursuing music certification classes at George Mason University as well as teaching and playing in the DC area. She is currently on the marching band staff at West Potomac High School and helps out at Bishop Ireton High School as well. She currently resides in Alexandria, VA where she works part time at Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit fair trade store in Old Town.This is Claire's 2nd year with Potomac.
Email Claire Walker
Email Claire Walker
Megan WoodHi, I teach Voice Class for Teens and Adults. Click here to read more about me!
Megan Wood completed her Masters degree in Vocal Performance at George Mason University, where she studied under distinguished University Professor Patricia Miller. During her time at George Mason University, she had many accomplishments including winning first and second place at Virginia State NATS in 2011, as well as second place at Mid-Atlantic Regional NATS 2011. She has participated in numerous opera productions and was selected to sing Ciesa in Gianni Schicchi, the Mother in Hansel and Gretel, Anna Maurannt in Street Scene, and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica. Ms. Wood has been featured three times on George Mason University Galas, and in 2009 she was invited to Ewaa University in Seoul, Korea to portray the role of Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica. Currently, she is working on her Artist Diploma at George Mason University. For the past two years, she has been the lead soprano and scholarship recipient at St. George's United Methodist Church in Fairfax, Virginia. Megan also teaches Private Voice Lessons for Potomac.
Email Megan Wood
Email Megan Wood
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