“TECHNOLOGY IS VENTURING INTO A NEW FRONTIER: IT IS UPENDING AND DEMOCRATIZING THE WORLD OF MUSIC LESSONS.”
With a repertoire spanning over 40 roles, Johnathan has sung at opera houses and concert halls world wide including Opera Philadelphia, Opéra de Lausanne, Komische Oper Berlin, English National Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Wolf Trap Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, David Geffen Hall, Carnegie Hall, Harris Hall and many more. John teaches the fundamentals of technique which can be used for every style of singing, promoting a healthy way of singing. www.mcculloughbaritone.com
Learn MoreBass-baritone William Socolof from White Plains, New York began training at the Interlochen Arts Academy. In 2019, William participated in the Marlboro Music Festival, and will return in 2021. As a vocal fellow at Tanglewood Music Festival William appeared in Sondheim on Sondheim with the Boston Pops, Bach Cantatas conducted by John Harbison, and premiered works by Michael Gandolfi and Nico Muhly. In the 2020 season, William debuted with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Andris Nelsons, and with The Juilliard Chamber Orchestra in Alice Tully Hall.
Learn MoreHailing from Perth, Western Australia, Elena has performed with internationally acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra, English National Opera, West Australian Opera, Opera Philadelphia in iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Apollo theater, Mann Center, Kimmel Center and Supreme Court Gardens. Equally as passionate off stage for teaching, Elena encourages students to find their inner voice and promotes techniques to build confidence so they can find security to express their natural artistic talent in all genres of music.
Learn MoreTenor Vincent Festa holds degrees in Vocal Performance from The Juilliard School, Bard College, and Indiana University. While at Indiana University Vincent was an Assistant Instructor, teaching undergraduate private voice lessons to non-degree majors. It was this experience as well as a growing private studio that has developed his teaching range of repertoire from art song, opera, musical theater, and contemporary styles. Every voice has something unique to share but it is with a solid foundation and clear goal that a student’s development unfolds.
Learn MoreSoprano, Samantha DiCapio, has been praised for her “seamless technique” and “uniquely warm vocal color.” As a teacher, Samantha is comfortable teaching students of all ages and levels. She specializes in the Bel Canto Technique and specializes in opera, art songs and musical theatre songs. Samantha made her opera debut as the 2nd Nymph in Rusalka with Opera Slavica. Abroad, Samantha is a regular performer in both France and Italy.Samantha is a graduate of the Mannes School of Music.
Learn MorePraised for his “dark, rolling baritone“(Münchener Merkur) and “soft and compact timber“(Corriere del Ticino), Italian baritone Nicola Ziccardi is a sought-after performer throughout Europe. Under the baton of Maestro Gustav Kuhn, Ziccardi had become a regular member of the Tiroler Festspiele Erl. In February 2018 He made his debut in Teatro La Fenice of Venice in Die Lustige Witwe directed by Damiano Michieletto and conducted by Montanari...
Learn MoreAleksandar Reupert, bass, has been recognized for his diverse abilities in opera, recital, and choruses both in the Midwest and abroad. Recent performances include Mahler’s Symphony no. 2 with Chicago Sinfonietta and the role of Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro at Stavovské divadlo in Prague. Aleksandar’s passion for song can be seen in his recitals which span diverse genres, languages, and time periods; including collaborations with notable living composers.
Learn MorePraised by Opera News as a "gleaming soprano," soprano Leela Subramaniam has been teaching students to great success for 7 years and sings on the world's most prestigious stages. The success of all of her students is grounded in her belief that singing with complete freedom and ease is possible for everyone, no matter what age, level, or genre. Trained classically, she received her M.M. and Professional Studies Certificate in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and her B.A. from the UCLA in Vocal Performance.
Learn MoreViolist/Violinist Serena Hsu is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at The Juilliard School. She has studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Paris Conservatoire, and the International Musicians Seminar in Prussia Cove, England. Her main mentors include Hsin-Yun Huang, Misha Amory, Jean Sulem, Lynne Ramsey, and Jeffrey Irvine. She is a prizewinner of various competitions, including YoungArts, the Ohio Viola Society Competition, Saint Paul String Quartet Competition, and the OSTA Chamber Music Competition.
Learn MoreSalam has studied with professors of Russia's Tchaikovsky Conservatory, France's Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon, and is a graduate of Oberlin College & Conservatory with degrees in viola performance and international relations. His effective violin & viola teaching methodologies are tailored to each students’ technical and musical goals. He relies heavily on establishing a powerful technique foundation for his students that makes playing any piece easy and effortless.
Learn MoreCorey has performed with ensembles such as Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and Ensemble Proton. He has participated in many prestigious music academies including the Lucerne Festival Academy, Conservatoire Américain de Fontainebleau, and NAC Young Artist Program. Corey graduated from Oberlin College & Conservatory with degrees in psychology and viola performance. Recently, he earned his master’s at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.
Learn MoreViolinist Tom Yaron has performed in various constellations in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia as concertmaster of the Moritzburg Festival Orchestra in Germany, Pacific Music Festival in Japan, and the Sarasota Festival Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he has performed around the world. Mr. Yaron holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s degree from the Juilliard School and an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies from the University of Colorado.
Learn MoreKimberly Bill is a recent graduate of University of Colorado Boulder where she served as a Masters Teaching Assistant for Takács String Quartet violinist, Harumi Rhodes. Kimberly received her B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory where she had the privilege of studying Suzuki method pedagogy under the instruction of Mary Price at the Oberlin Community Music School. Kimberly has participated in festivals such as The New York String Orchestra Seminar and National Orchestra Institute, and is a substitute violinist for symphony orchestras in Colorado.
Learn MoreAriel Seung Hyun Lee, 23, a native of Seoul, South Korea, is currently pursuing an Master of Music degree in Violin Performance at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Li Lin. She has received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Juilliard School and she is a former prize winner of the WDAV’s Young Chamber Musician’s Competition as well as the New York Concerti Sinfonietta Concerto Competition.
Learn MoreViolinist Stephen Tavani is currently Assistant Concertmaster at The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world's great orchestras. He has studied at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country, including the Curtis Institute of Music, Colburn Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and he is excited to share what he has learned with his students!
Learn MoreAfter learning violin off of YouTube at the age of 11, beginning formal studies in 10th grade at the Mannes Preparatory Division, and graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy at 16 with their highest honor, the Young Artist Award, first-generation Filipino-American and multi-instrumentalist Jay Julio has been heard alongside Grammy-nominated Vijay Iyer, on Broadway Records, and in music videos with Major Lazer, Marcus Mumford, and Gaelynn Lea.
Learn MoreSolomon Liang is a member of ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, and regularly performs with major orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and Großes Festspielhaus in Salzburg, Austria. As a teacher, Solomon has served as violin faculty at Interlochen Summer Arts Academy and believes his job is to inspire and bring joy to the process of music-making for each student. He focuses on developing sound quality and practice techniques. Solomon graduated from Yale School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music.
Learn MorePraised for her “enchanting musical personality” ~ de Volkskrant violinist Tosca Opdam is among the most prominent artists to have emerged from the Netherland in recent years . Dividing her time between the US and Europe, she embraces the idiosyncratic qualities of both cultural worlds to enrich a personal expressiveness in music. Tosca received her Masters of Music at the Juilliard School of Music, studying with Catherine Cho and Sylvia Rosenberg. She received her Bachelors of Music at the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Patinka Kopec.
Learn MoreYaegy Park was born in Houston, Texas, and has been recognized as a rising young violinist when she joined the Houston Young Artists at age 4, the foundation’s youngest member. Under the mentorship of Kyung Sun Lee, Yaegy was named a Jack Kent Cooke Artist, performing on NPR radio show, “From the Top” and won the Louis Spohr International Competition, the International Russian Rotary Children’s Music Competition, and the American Protégé International Competition. Yaegy is currently a first year MM student at Juilliard.
Learn MoreIcelandic-Slovenian violinist, Rannveig Marta Sarc, is a recent graduate from The Juilliard School, where whe studied with Catherine Cho and Donald Weilerstein. She has performed throughout Europe, North America and Asia and has performed as soloist with orchestras such as Iceland Symphony and Slovenian Philharmonic among others. As a chamber musician, she has appeared at festivals including Ravinia, Prussia Cove and Taos. Rannveig’s teaching experience ranges from beginners to advanced levels of all ages.
Learn MoreNatalia Badziak is a graduate of the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, where she completed Bachelor’s degrees in viola performance and comparative literature, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she completed her Master’s degree. Natalia has taught both violin and viola for seven years in music schools, privately, and through conservatory preparatory departments to students of all ages. She specializes in contemporary music and has commissioned several new works for the viola that involve experimental techniques.
Learn MoreIsraeli violist Yehezkel Layoun (1991) earned his bachelor of music (2014) from Temple University as a student of Che-Hung Chen of the Philadelphia Orchestra and a master of music (2016) on full scholarship from Wichita State University, where he was a student of Boris Vayner of the St. Petersburg String Quartet. Most recently, he studied three years in an artist diploma program (2017- 2020) from Rutgers University on full scholarship, under the tutelage of Daniel Panner of the NYC Opera.
Learn MoreRachel Halvorson is the principal violist of the Sarasota Orchestra and plays in the Sarasota String Quartet. She holds her Bachelors of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, and recently completed her Masters of Music at Rice University. She formerly held a contract with the Akron Symphony, and has performed with orchestras such as the Cincinnati, Houston, San Antonio, Syracuse and New World Symphonies. Rachel has joined Tanglewood, Spoleto Festival and National Repertory Orchestra on summer fellowships, and now performs at Music in the Mountains.
Learn MoreUnrestrained curiosity and a devotion to fundamentals fuel Dan Pappalardo's relationship with music. Performing on both upright bass and bass guitar, Pappalardo has served artists from Billy Hart, Wallace Roney, and Sullivan Fortner to Cautious Clay and John Mayer. Dan has taught across different mediums for more than 15 years. His approach is simple: joy is infectious. He hopes to empower students to break perceived impossibilities into manageable pieces, with and without the bass.
Learn MoreBased in Los Angeles, Luke Storm is Principal Tuba of the Santa Barbara Symphony and has recorded for numerous film and television soundtracks, including Batman vs. Superman and portions of the Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Fast and the Furious franchises. Winner of the 2015 Atwater Kent Concerto Competition, he holds a doctorate from UCLA and is on faculty at the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts.
Learn MoreWyeth Aleksei, from the Washington DC/Baltimore MD area, went to the Oberlin Conservatory and the Juilliard School. He has played at some of the worlds finest venues including, the Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, The Metropolitan Opera House, and The Kennedy Center. He has also had the opportunity to play with some of the worlds top orchestra’s including the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. He is also a dedicated teacher. Aleksei has had students of all ages, and all playing abilities. His students have made all county and all-state.
Learn MoreTrumpet player Olivia Pidi is an active chamber and orchestral musician in the Tri-State area. She has performed in concerts at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, and Chicago's Symphony Center. She currently plays in the trumpet section of The Montclair Orchestra, is a member of subtle cheetah brass, and serves as trumpet faculty at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music. Olivia holds a master’s degree in performance from Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor’s degree in performance and musicology from Oberlin Conservatory.
Learn MoreDr. Luke Spence enjoys a freelance career teaching and performing as an orchestral, chamber, solo, and theatre musician in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. Luke is second trumpet of the Washington Chamber Orchestra, was a featured soloist with the Washington Sinfonietta, has performed at the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center, and toured throughout the U.S., Europe, and China. Dr. Spence has over a decade of private teaching experience and is in demand as a clinician at universities across the country.
Learn MoreAlex Pinto is a 2019 graduate from Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Roy Poper to earn a degree in Trumpet Performance. He loves making music, whether it is with his trumpet, voice, whistling, or in any other way. With a background in orchestras, jazz bands, chamber groups, acapella groups, church choirs, and other ensembles, Alex has a variety of musical skills that he would love to pass on to anyone with an eagerness to learn. Can teach by ear or with sheet music!
Learn MoreAndrew is a Trombone and Euphonium performer and instructor residing in New York City. With performance degrees from Interlochen Arts Academy, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Mannes School of Music, he has studied extensively with industry leaders from the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic, among others. He has performed at notable venues across the country and was appointed as the trombonist of the NYC new music collective Resonant Refractions.
Learn MorePerformer and composer Caleb A. Smith is a multi-faceted artist who hopes to use his art to present relevant, relatable, and thought-provoking narratives to his audience. Caleb received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he attended on a full-tuition scholarship. Currently, Caleb is pursuing his Master’s Degree from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. He has studied with musicians such as trombonist Robin Eubanks, as well as with performer composers like Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, and Gary Bartz.
Learn MoreBen is currently the Principal Trombone of Symphoria (Syracuse, NY) and The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (Ithaca, NY). Ben has also been fortunate to perform with the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras as well as the Clinton Symphony, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, and American Institute of Musical Study in Graz, Austria. Ben holds a B.M. from the Eastman School of Music and is currently pursuing a M.M. at Yale University where he is also a Teaching Artist in The Yale New Haven Music In Schools Initiative.
Learn MoreGeorge is a versatile teacher and performer. A recent graduate with a Masters of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory, he has experience teaching and playing across the country. He has been involved in his communities wherever he has landed. He has taught private individual lessons as well as at several high schools, middle schools and elementary schools in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA.
Learn MoreSince playing Carnegie Hall at 15 years old, New Orleans trombonist and singer Jeffery Miller has come into his own as a teacher and an artist. Jeffery has earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School (BM ‘18, MM ‘20 Jazz Studies). Jeffery has toured around the world from NYC to Abu Dhabi, with artists ranging from Wynton Marsalis to Solange. Jeffery has earned 3 GRAMMY® nominations from his work with artists including John Legend and Jon Batiste. He is as passionate about learning as he is teaching.
Learn MoreStephen Whimple, hailing from Clifton Park, New York, is currently a 1st year DMA student in Trombone Performance at the University of Alabama, where he studies with Dr. Jonathan Whitaker. Prior to his studies at UA, Stephen attended The Juilliard School as an Irene Diamond Graduate Fellow, Morse Teaching Artist Fellow, Music Advancement Program Teaching Fellow and Teaching Assistant for the Tenor Trombone studio. During this time, he was student of Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic.
Learn MoreBirsa Chatterjee is currently getting a Masters degree from the Juilliard School and has received a BA from Oberlin Conservatory both in Jazz Performance. He has studied under Jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Gary Bartz, and Billy Hart. As a teacher Chatterjee has a lot of experience working with students at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s weekly youth programs, Jazz House Kids, Juilliard youth programs and an extensive private studio.
Learn MoreMax Bessesen is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Chicago. His work as a sideman has received accolades from Downbeat, Jazziz and NextBop and his debut album as a bandleader will be released on September 4th 2020 via Ropeadope Records. In 2016 Max was the first jazz musician awarded a fellowship from the Frank Huntington Beebe Fund, which allowed him to travel for a year across India, Ghana, and Cuba. He has performed and recorded with musicians like Ron Miles, Greg Ward, and Russ Johnson and holds a BM from Oberlin Conservatory.
Learn MoreZoe Obadia is a saxophonist, composer, and teacher. She began her studies at the Juilliard School in 2014 and has since performed in New York City at venues such as Smalls, the Blue Note, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. She has performed with notable musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Bill Charlap. She has worked as a teaching assistant at the Jazz House Kids Summer Workshop and the Middle School Jazz Academy at Jazz at Lincoln Center. She recently graduated from Juilliard with a masters degree in Jazz Saxophone.
Learn MoreAlfonso Hernández is a Doctorate in Musical Arts candidate at the University of Maryland working with Russian pianist Larissa Dedova. Alfonso holds degrees from the University of Houston, Eastman School of Music, and Lynn University; he has participated in many renowned music festivals including the Chautauqua, Aspen, and Zeister Muziekdage in the Netherlands. A passionate educator, Alfonso is Co-founder of the International Chamber Music Festival of Guatemala and has served as visiting faculty at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala.
Learn MoreAlison received her Doctorate in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music in May 2020. She made her Carnegie Hall debut recently with works by Schubert, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev. Alison has taught college students and beginner to advanced levels of all ages. She approaches each student as unique and caters the lessons to their individual learning style. Her teaching philosophy aims to develop the imaginative mind, sensitive ears, and technical facility so that students become self-directed learners with a fierce love of music.
Learn MoreComposer-pianist Ryan Bridge, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, is a creative force in today's world of classical music. Ryan Bridge has a teaching style that can be best characterized as a fine balance between rigor and warmth, making lessons fun for any level of student while helping them to achieve a high level of playing. All students have access to a weekly studio class, where we learn together and are motivated by a strong sense of community. I include a lesson summary and list of clear assignments for the week after each lesson.
Learn MoreBased in Toronto, Filipino-American pianist Tristan Savella has been an active soloist and chamber musician in the United States, Canada, and Europe. His career has taken him to performances across New York, Austria, and Canada. Tristan holds a Bachelor of Music in Applied Music from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, a Master of Arts (Klavier Solistenausbildung) with highest distinction from the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and an Artist Diploma from The Glenn Gould School in Toronto.
Learn MoreNew-York-based pianist Shuhui (Sophia) Zhou has been performing as a soloist and chamber musician internationally in Albany Symphony Concert Series, Mannes Sound Festival, Beethoven Institute in New York, Barcelona Piano Academy Concert Series, Clasclas Young Artist Festivals in Spain, Shanghai Concert Hall Series, Ferrara International Piano Festival Concert Series, Siletz Bay Music Festival in Oregon, Piano Texas Festival, Holland Music Sessions, to name a few. As the winner of the V BPA International Piano Award of Barcelona, Ms. Zhou was engaged for solo recitals tours across Spain.
Learn MoreEllen Hindson is an oboist and teacher experienced in remote instruction, and is a co-founder and artist with Trade Winds Ensemble, a collective of professional musicians who teach creative workshops to students around the world. Ellen performs with a wide range of ensembles including the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and The Experiential Orchestra, and performed with the legendary rock band The Who as a part of their "Moving On!" Tour in 2019.
Learn MoreHornist Liana Hoffman is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music where she studies with William VerMeulen. She previously attended the Manhattan School of Music and has participated in music festivals all over the country. She is a substitute musician with the New World Symphony and has performed as an extra hornist with the London Symphony Orchestra. Liana has several years of teaching experience in both group and private settings and with horn players of all levels.
Learn MoreHorn player Jaimee Reynolds has performed in several locations around the world including New York, Washington D.C., and London. She has performed in renowned locations such as Carnegie Hall, Severance Hall and the BBC Proms Royal Albert Hall. Ms. Reynolds attended and graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School and she will earn a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music in 2022.
Learn MoreLauren Anker is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and studying under William VerMeulen. She recently graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory with degrees in Horn Performance and History. She has performed with the Houston Symphony and Akron Symphony Orchestra. She was the horn instructor for college students at Oberlin, and for the past year has been teaching private lessons and masterclasses at high schools in the Houston Independent School District.
Learn MoreAntonia Chandler lives in London, where she performs with the chamber orchestra Southbank Sinfonia. She earned a Master of Music degree and a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory. Antonia is a substitute horn player in the New World Symphony, the New Haven Symphony, and the Princeton Symphony, and has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Opera House, and Chicago Symphony Center.
Learn MoreA French native, I combine the teaching I received from Paris Conservatoire and the Juilliard School. After each lesson I send detailed practicing guidelines. When teaching, I love creative analogies and I won’t stop until I see the a-ha moment on your face and fingers! Outside of Virtu.Academy I perform at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Concertgebouw, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Kennedy Center.
Learn MorePraised for her “powerful command and nuanced facility”, Violetta Maria Norrie is a harpist of diverse range and ability. She began playing the harp at the age of 6, after falling in love with the instrument at a Renaissance Faire. Since then she has performed orchestral, solo, and chamber music at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Recital Hall and Symphony Space. Violetta earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Susan Jolles. She spent her junior year studying abroad at the Conservatoir
Learn MoreOver the years Roni Eytan has developed a unique way of playing the harmonica, by drawing on influences from a wide range of music, transcending the traditional sonorities associated with the instrument, and achieving a singular musical voice. Still only in his twenties, Roni has already performed with a galaxy of world-renowned musicians, such as bassists John Patitucci and Eddie Gomez, drummer Brian Blade, pianist-vocalist Kevin Hays and pianist John Beasley.
Learn MoreAs a guitarist and instrument doubler part of my job is being fluent in every genre of music! During my time at NYU and now gigging in the New York music scene I learned the different nuances of how to authentically play everything from Rock, Funk, and R&B to Blue Grass style mandolin.
Learn MoreAustralian flutist Catherine Gregory, winner of the Pro Musicis International Award, has performed at Alice Tully Hall, London’s Milton Court, Hamburg’s new Elbphilharmonie, and the Sydney Opera House. As a recitalist and chamber musician, she has been a guest of CMS Lincoln Center, Philadelphia CMS, Caramoor and the Southern Cross Soloists, as well as on tour with the Australian and Orpheus Chamber Orchestras. She made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in the Fall of 2019. An active teacher, she has given masterclasses from Curtis to Guildhall.
Learn MoreColombian Flutist Laura del Sol Jiménez performed with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra and Colombia National Symphony Orchestra before moving to New York in 2016. Laura has also appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and with orchestras in China, Japan, Israel, Italy, Argentina, Chile, and throughout the United States. In 2015, Laura founded the Linos trio, which toured South America and produced an album premiering music of contemporary Latin American composers. Laura serves as flute faculty at the Portland Conservatory of Music and Director of the Conservatory’s Preparatory Program.
Learn MoreFlutist Emily Duncan is an electrifying, theatrical performer and teacher redefining what it means to be an artist in today’s musical landscape. Emily is passionate about teaching students of all ages. During her master’s degree at Juilliard, she served as the flute fellow for Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program (MAP) and as a flute teacher with their Morse fellowship. She has taught privately for ten years, and has had the privilege of teaching students from as young as three years’ to retirement age.
Learn MoreFlutist Alejandro Lombo, from Miramar, Florida, is a recipient of a Jerome L. Greene Fellowship at The Juilliard School. He recently graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of Jeffrey Khaner and was the recipient of the Walter-Goldberg Fellowship. Mr. Lombo has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Symphony in C, New World Symphony, and the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. He has also toured Europe and the USA with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Osmo Vänskä.
Learn MoreMy name is Kelsey and I'm currently finishing up my masters at Juilliard. I'm very passionate about flute, teaching, animals, languages, and pop culture. I teach a variety of different types of music, so sign up, let me know what music you like, and let's get started :)
Learn MoreCarson Fratus is a versatile percussionist/drummer and recent Fulbright Scholar. His unique skill set as a hand percussionist, drum set player, and classical European percussionist form a framework that allows him to be a strong collaborator and educator in many different settings. His work in orchestral, jazz, and contemporary ensembles creates a depth of musical understanding that is accessible to any student interested in the vast world of percussion.
Learn MoreJosh Roberts, a drummer currently in NYC, was nominated as the #3 Up & Coming drummer in the world by Modern Drummer (#1 drumming publication). Josh graduated from the IU Jacobs School of Music with the highest award given - the presidents award and then attended NYU on their highest scholarship award. Josh currently plays and records with some of Broadway's biggest stars including the official Harry Potter Broadway cast.
Learn MoreChase Kuesel is a drummer and composer whose debut album, “Space Between,” was released in July 2020. He has performed in Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Netherlands, Switzerland, and across the United States. He holds a BA in English and a BM in Music from Oberlin Conservatory, an MM from Berklee College of Music, and an Artist Diploma from Musik Akademie Basel. As a teacher, he has worked with students of all levels and abilities for over 10 years, and has had his virtual teaching featured in Drum! Magazine.
Learn MoreJustin is a Chicago-based Composer and Conductor with degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, Royal Academy of Music (London), and is currently a PhD Fellow at the University of Chicago. His music has been performed by groups such as the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Vertixe Sonora, the CHROMA Ensemble, the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble and has received awards and recognitions from ASCAP, YoungArts, Tribeca New Music, and Encore Wind Ensemble. Justin has taught at John Tyler Community College (Virginia) and The Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra's Young Composer Mentor Program.
Learn MoreKarl Ronneburg is a composer, percussionist, and multimedia artist based in New York City and Seattle. Winner of the University of Michigan’s Brehm Prize for Composition and the Mannes College of Music’s Dean’s Award, Karl has worked with artists including Radiolab, Meredith Monk, and the Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors’ Lab. He is a teaching artist with the nonprofit Musicambia, Seattle’s Vivace! Chamber Players, and additionally works in Carnegie Hall’s Education Wing, facilitating events and performing with their LinkUp Orchestra.
Learn MoreAnnie Beliveau (she/her) believes in cultivating curiosity and openness to different ways of listening. Currently active in the early and new music scenes in New York City, she trained as a composer, conductor, musicologist, and singer at Middlebury College in Vermont and Oxford University in England. Annie’s compositions have been performed across the Eastern U.S. and internationally. An attentive and adaptable teacher, she employs a range of strategies to meet students' needs.
Learn MoreComposer Adam Billings is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied with revered composer and teacher Dr. Robert Beaser on scholarship. As an instructor, Adam enriches his students’ perspectives on contemporary music, philosophy and aesthetic style. In addition, he believes that it is crucial for young composers and musicians to understand the working world that they are headed into. Adam hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the world of music education for composers and musicians alike.
Learn MoreComposer Soomin Kim is a passionate educator and collaborator. Soomin received the 2019 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award with her chamber ensemble piece titled “conjunctions.” She was also the composer-in-residence with the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra during their 2017-18 concert season, for whom she wrote a 9-minute orchestra piece titled “The Blue Marble.” Soomin is a graphic designer and musical theater singer/songwriter as well.
Learn MoreLuis Herrera holds a master’s degree and a Graduate Diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music. As a bilingual educator, Luis has previously taught at festivals in Panama and Costa Rica, where he is originally from, and has worked as the assistant director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Days in the Arts at Tanglewood. He is currently on faculty at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School as a Percussion and Hand Drumming Instructor, and his most recent engagement places him as a percussionist in The Orchestra Now.
Learn MoreBorn in Macon, GA, clarinetist Barret Ham served as 2nd/bass clarinetist of the San Francisco Ballet for its 2019-2020 season. He has appeared as guest artist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Borromeo String Quartet. Summer festival appearances include Yellow Barn and International Summer Academy MDW in Vienna. An enthusiastic performer of new music, Barret has worked with such composers as Jörg Widmann and Brett Dean. Barret graduated from NEC as a student of Michael Wayne and continues to study under Yehuda Gilad at USC.
Learn MoreCellist Maya Enstad holds a B.M. in cello performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She has appeared as a recitalist at the Bellingham Festival of Music’s “Welcome Home” concert series and has held fellowship positions at the Marrowstone Music Festival and at Bamfield’s Music by the Sea. With a background in both performance and education, Maya studied string pedagogy and elementary education at Oberlin. She believes in student-centered learning and designs individualized lessons based on her students’ goals and interests.
Learn MoreEthan Cobb is a senior at Harvard University majoring in Applied Mathematics with a focus in music. He is currently principal cello of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra and has attended the Aspen, Sarasota, Orford, PyeongChang, and Interlochen music festivals. He currently studies privately with Richard Aaron and is an intern at NASA Langley Research Center. Ethan enjoys an interdisciplinary approach to the instrument, leveraging his mathematical and physical background to draw analogies when appropriate.
Learn MoreAaron Wolff is a New York City-based musician. Having completed bachelor's degrees in comparative literature and music at Oberlin and a master’s in cello at Juilliard, he is establishing himself as a performer in solo, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary capacities. He has also found creative outlets in acting – most notably in a lead role in the Coen brothers’ film A Serious Man – and in writing about music – he has covered New York’s new music scene for the online journal I Care If You Listen.
Learn MoreAxel Vallejos was born in Chile and started playing the cello at age 11. Axel has a rich and varied career as a chamber musician, orchestral musician, and teacher. Axel has performed chamber music and solos with orchestras throughout North, Central and South America, Europe and East Asia. Axel has made frequent national and international appearances as a chamber musician, and he has enthusiastically explored both traditional and contemporary repertoires.
Learn MoreParis based, Juilliard trained cellist Andrew Briggs has enjoyed a diverse career as a performer and teacher. Professional performances include those as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player on the international scale. Teaching experience includes fellowships at Juilliard and as a university faculty member.
Learn MoreA native of Saint Louis, Missouri, American cellist Henry Myers is currently a doctoral candidate and graduate teaching assistant at the Eastman School. Henry has taught collegiately at both SUNY Fredonia and the University of Rochester. Students of his have gone on to study at SUNY Purchase, Ithaca College, and University of Missouri Saint Louis. He has also authored several well-received publications such as “The Case For Active Practicing” on StringVisions, which was cited by The Bulletproof Musician.
Learn MoreJohn Belk is an award-winning cellist currently teaching and performing in the Houston area. He holds degrees in both Music Performance and Computer Science from Bard College, as well as a Master’s in Music from Rice University. He has performed across the world with renowned musicians such as David Shifrin and Peter Serkin and recently performed the Walton Cello Concerto as a soloist with Leon Botstein and The Orchestra Now. John believes that teaching a student how and why to practice is the teacher’s most important role.
Learn MoreDr. Zachary Preucil serves as principal cellist of the La Crosse Symphony, teaches privately in Madison, WI, and is active as a performer and guest clinician throughout the midwest. He holds degrees in Cello Performance from the New England Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and previously served on the faculties of the Music Institute of Chicago, Music for Youth, and the Kanack School of Musical Artistry. Dr. Preucil has registered training in the Suzuki Cello Method.
Learn MoreAn artist with a unique musical voice, Ine-Wilme Coetzee began her love of the cello at age five. A giver of the gift of music, Ine is relatable enthusiastic, creative and empathetic to musicians of all ages. From young beginners to adult students and everything in between, she is able to keep their attention and develop an intrinsic joy that comes from learning an instrument. Ine guides students through an individualized approach based on their personality and learning style, guiding and encouraging students at their own pace.
Learn MoreJoshua Elmore, Bassoon, is earning his Master of Music degree at The Colburn School studying with Richard Beene. Joshua is a graduate of The Juilliard School where he studied under the tutelage of Judith LeClair as a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship. Joshua has performed with numerous orchestras including The New York Philharmonic, Oregon Symphony, The Charleston Symphony, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra among others. Joshua was part of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA (NYO-USA) for 2 summers where he toured China and Europe.
Learn MoreTony has been on the NYC World Beat, Rock, R&B, Jazz and contemporary Jazz scene for over 30 years, playing with world renowned musicians including; the Brazilian Power Samba band Pe De Bois, Babatunde Olatunji and Drums of Passion, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Terry Reid, Michal Urbaniak, Walter Bishop Jr., Randy Brecker, Michael Wolff, Badal Roy, Jeremy Wall (Spyro Gyra), Brian Kean, Frank Colon, Vic Juris, Jimmy Ponder and Carmen Lundy. He has toured Japan, Europe, Russia and the US with various artists and his own world- beat/contemporary j
Learn MoreEthan Philion is an award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader based in Chicago. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and DePaul University, Philion was the winner of the 2019 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition. In 2020, Philion was selected to Chicago's prestigious Luminarts Jazz Fellowship. Philion was a 2015 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Artist in Residence at the Kennedy Center and holds two Downbeat Student Music Awards for Outstanding Soloist and Outstanding Small Ensemble.
Learn MoreDouble Bassist Logan May recently graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree where he studied with Timothy Cobb, Principal Bassist of the New York Philharmonic. This fall, Logan will be continuing his studies with Mr. Cobb at The Juilliard School where he will pursue his Master of Music degree. Logan has performed with the New World Symphony, Montclair Orchestra, Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra as well as various other ensembles in New York City.
Learn MoreAmy is currently a diversity fellow with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She received her Bachelor’s from Lynn University, and a Master’s from Yale University. She enjoys being a teaching artist with the Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. As well as with the Volta Music Foundation in Havana, Cuba.
Learn MoreEli Heath is an emerging American bassist, composer, and musical director. He has appeared on recordings and at major festivals and venues across North America, Europe, and Brazil with artists including Kenny Werner, Luciana Souza, Charles Neville, Dominick Farinacci, and Jamey Haddad. Eli holds a BM/BA from Oberlin College and Conservatory in Africana Studies and Jazz Performance and is currently completing a master’s degree in Contemporary Performance at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston.
Learn MoreAll our teachers are from top music conservatories, such as Juilliard or Oberlin. They also must have extensive teaching experience and be recommended by conservatory professors.
We never expect you to pay for a lesson that you aren’t satisfied with. After your trial lesson, if you are not satisfied, please contact hello@virtu.academy, so we can set you up with a new teacher.
That’s great to hear! Our teachers always appreciate if you mention their name in a positive review on Google of Facebook.
If you would like to contact your teacher, you can add a message to the “new student information” form you received in your confirmation email. You may also email hello@virtu.academy and we can pass along the message.
Some of our teachers limit the number of students they can work with to ensure they have enough time to dedicate to each student. If you cannot find another teacher that looks like a good fit, please email hello@virtu.academy and we can reach out to your desired teacher.
We do have teachers that specialize in most common teaching methods. If you would like to request one of these teachers, please email hello@virtu.academy.
If it is fewer than 24 hours before your lesson, you will need to contact us at hello@virtu.academy or call/text us at 202-919-8082 to reschedule.
You can reschedule or cancel your lesson anytime online by clicking the “change/cancel” button in your confirmation email or logging in to your account.
In certain cases, we are able to waive the late cancellation fees for emergencies. Please text or call 202-919-8082 as soon as possible to let us know.
If you need to reschedule or cancel a lesson, we require at least 24 hours notice to avoid late cancellation fees. You can reschedule or cancel your lesson anytime online by clicking the “change/cancel” button in your confirmation email or logging in to your account.
After choosing a teacher and purchasing a lesson, all you need is a computer with a built in microphone and webcam. After booking you will be sent a link that connects you with your teacher at the scheduled time with two clicks.
Although there are some differences, multiple studies on distance learning, including a study from UNC, have shown that students are 36% more focused and perform 22% better when compared to in-person lesson. UNC Study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08923641003666854
You can also use the “reserve without paying” button to reserve lessons without being charged. 1 day before each lesson, any credits on your account will automatically be applied to those lessons. If you do not have any credits on your account from a package/subscription, you will be billed for that lesson individually.
If you and your teacher agree that 45 minute lessons would be best for you, please email hello@virtu.academy and we can provide you with a link to get those scheduled.
Each student should have their own lesson time booked in the calendar to ensure the teacher can create lesson plans for each student. If you have multiple children working with us, a package or subscription can be shared by both students for a larger discount. You can view those pricing options at https://virtu.as.me.
In general, you can schedule lessons up to 1 year in advance.
Our teachers generally require that you schedule a lesson with at least a 24 hours notice. That means that you should be able to have a lesson as soon as tomorrow!
Generally, each student is allowed to take one trial lesson per instrument. If you were not satisfied with your first trial lesson or would like to try out another teacher before making your decision, you ARE allowed to book an additional trial lesson with another teacher at the 50% off rate.
The easiest way to book lessons is to log into your account to redeem any lesson credits you have and book additional lessons. You can also schedule a lesson at https://virtu.as.me.
You can view our teachers and purchase a 50% off trial lesson at https://virtu.academy/trial. From there, you can filter by instrument, experience level, genre, and age to find the perfect fit.
You can pause or cancel a subscription at anytime by clicking the “change/cancel” button in your purchase confirmation emails or by logging into your account. If you have any trouble, you can email hello@virtu.academy 24 hours before the next billing date, and we can ensure it gets cancelled for you.
Lesson credits never expire and rollover each month.
You can redeem your package or subscription by logging into your account and selecting the package or subscription you’d like to redeem. You can also click the “schedule” button in your purchase confirmation email.
You will be able to redeem your package or subscription at checkout instead of entering your payment information. At checkout, you should see a “redeem” button where you can enter your code or email address to redeem any credits on your account. You can also use the “reserve without paying” button to reserve lessons without being charged. 1 day before each lesson, any credits on your account will automatically be applied to those lessons.
Purchasing a package or subscription will add lesson credits to your account but NOT schedule any lessons for you. You will need to log in to redeem those credits or click the “schedule” button in your payment confirmation email.
A package is a one time purchase of a set number of lessons. Weekly and monthly subscriptions are billed every week or month for a set number of lessons.
If you are unsatisfied with your trial lesson, we can provide a refund. We cannot provide refunds, however, for any packages, subscriptions, or lessons, unless the teacher cancels the lesson.
We are unable to refund unused packages or subscriptions. If you accidentally schedule a lesson, please email hello@virtu.academy, and we can get it credited back to your account.
If a teacher cancels a lesson, you can either reschedule that lesson free of charge or request a refund.
If you cancel a lesson at least 24 hours prior to the lesson, you will be receive a credit back to your account to use anytime.
If a lesson wasn’t paid for at checkout, any package/subscription credits will be applied automatically 1 day before the lesson. If you do not have any credits on your account, you will be charged automatically 1 day before the lesson.
After you log in to your account, you will see all of your upcoming lessons as well as any packages or subscriptions on your account.
If you forgot your password, you can reset it by clicking the log in button then “reset my password”
You can log in to your account by clicking the log in button at https://virtu.academy
You can create an account by clicking “log in” on our homepage then clicking “Sign up here”. Please be sure to use the same email address you used when booking lessons.
We recently added our new dashboard feature, and you’ll need to register for a new account to view that, even if you have already registered or taken lessons with us. You can click the “log in” button on our home page then click “sign up here” to register for an account.