Director Team

University: University of North Carolina-Greensboro: Bachelor of Music Ed / Cello Performance 

Experience:   

MS/HS Orchestra Director, 13 years: Fairfax, VA & NC

    Private Cello Studio, 26 years

    Vienna Summer Strings Director, 12 years

Currently:  Clover Hill HS & Cello Coach with the Richmond Youth Symphony

Four Fun Facts: 1) I have been both a student and a teacher at Oakton HS 2) I am a mom of three boys. 3) Aside from teaching & music, I enjoy reading, cooking, & kayaking.   4) I "roadschooled" three boys while traveling for nine months in an RV during COVID.

Universities:   Southern Methodist University Bachelors in Music / Yale School of Music / Masters in Music 

Experience: 10 Years as a General Music Teacher / 6 Years as an orchestra director with FCPS. 12 years as a private Bass Instructor 

Currently: Orchestra Director at Westbriar E.S. and Flint Hill E.S. (FCPS) 

Four Fun Facts: I like to garden and Bar-B-Que. I am a member of the Fairfax Symphony. I have 3 sons who play the Cello, Viola and Piano along with baseball and soccer. Go Nationals! 

Universities:  DePauw University- Bachelor of Music Ed, Temple University-Master of Music (String Pedagogy)  

Experience:   ES/MS Director 7 years: FCPS, Private Cello Studio 13 years VSS Teacher: 6 years 

Currently: Orchestra & Guitar Director at Whitman Middle School [FCPS] 

Four Fun Facts:  1) I am an avid runner & cyclist 2) I love camping, spending time outdoors and traveling 2) I'm vegan and love to cook 3) My life-long goal is to play cello on a mountain (with a carbon fiber cello :)) 

  University:  Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University: Bachelor of Music, Violoncello Performance; George Mason University: Music Ed Licensure  

Experience: ES Orchestra Director, FCPS, 12 years; Vienna Summer Strings, 4 years; Private Cello Studio and Professional Orchestral, Chamber, and Solo Performance, 23 years 

Currently: FCPS, Orchestra Director, Robinson Secondary School Pyramid; VSS Technique and Sectional Instructor; FCPS Orchestral Sectional Coach; Private Cello Studio; Performance throughout the Baltimore/Washington corridor 

Four Fun Facts: 1) Mr. Miller grew up attending Robinson and loves that he can give back to that community through music. 2) If it has strings on it, he loves to play and explore it: from Violins to Guitars, Hammered Dulcimers, Mandolins, and even an eastern Esraj. 3) He performs regularly as a Tenor, specializing in Gregorian Chant and polyphonic Renaissance music. 4) He especially loves escaping into the wild with his shepherd dog Oliver, hiking mountains, and kayaking down rivers.  

  University: West Virginia University (BM in music ed), University of Delaware (MM in viola performance), Peabody Conservatory (DMA in viola performance, MM in music theory pedagogy) 

Experience:  20 years of private teaching, 8 years of K-12 and university teaching, including Friends University and Bethany College in Kansas 

Currently:   Freedom High School, LCPS 

Four Fun Facts:  1) I love to read! 2) I started on violin when I was two years old. Imagine the squeaks. 3) I also play jazz viola. 4) I've hiked two "14ers" (Colorado mountains). 

  University:  George Mason University: Bachelor of Music Ed

Experience:  ES strings teacher 1 year in FCPS 

Currently:  Mosaic Elementary School lead teacher, Greenbriar West Elemenrary School and Mantua Elementary School assistant teacher 

Four Fun Facts:  1) I graduated from FCPS and now work for the county 2) I played both the viola and the classical guitar in college 3) I participated in Vienna Summer Strings for 3 years 4) I spent 3 weeks traveling over the summer after COVID travel restrictions were lifted 

Universities: Wittenberg University School of Music, Bachelor of Music Ed; Cincinnati Conservatory BME

Experience:  All ages in Ohio, Oklahoma, Colorado, and 33 years with FCPS! 

Currently:  Retired from public schools, but have an active private studio and quartet. 

Four Fun Facts:  I'm teaching children of adult children whom I taught in the '90's at Spring Hill Elementary; I'm addicted to Pickleball although I'm the worst player on any team (ask anybody)!;  retirement keeps me busier than when I taught full-time, and I'm happy to be back at VSS! 

University:  James Madison University, B.M. in Music Ed

Experience:  Taught elementary strings and band in Fairfax and Arlington Counties and Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools

Currently:  Elementary Strings Teacher, FCPS

Four Fun Facts:  1) I am a graduate of FCPS schools (Chantilly HS), 2) I have performed at Wolf Trap and at the Washington National Cathedral, 3) I am the director of the handbell ensemble at my church, 4) When I am home, I like to cook and read, I like to be outside and I like to listen to all kinds of music. 

Universities:  University of Mary Washington, B.A. in Music, George Mason University, M.Ed in School Counseling

Experience:  Private Violin & Viola Teacher, 20 years

Currently:  Private Studio violin and viola teacher, & Violinist with the Cherry Blossom String Quartet

Four Fun Facts:  1) Ms. Ryan has witnessed and played music for over 1200 weddings with her string quartet. 2) She has a 95 lb. greyhound who likes to sing (howl) along with the violin. 3)  She enjoys running in local 5k and 10k races. 4) Some of her favorite memories as a kid are of attending super-fun summer music camps. 

Universities:  College of Wooster: Bachelor of Music Ed, Kent State University: Master of Music Ed

Experience:  MS/ES Orchestra Director, 11 years: Fairfax, VA, Washington, DC, and Louisville, KY, College of Wooster Music Camp, 7 years

Currently:  Glasgow Middle School orchestra director

Four Fun Facts:  I spend my time making crafts and learning languages. I speak German fluently. I used to do Scottish Highland and Irish Stepdancing. I taught English in Hungary for a year.  

Universities:  Rutgers University: Bachelor of Music; Peabody Conservatory: Master of Music

Experience:  HS Orchestra Director, 15 years: Columbia, MD    Private Violin & Viola Studio, 22 years; Elementary String Teacher, 1 year: Fairfax, VA

Currently:  Churchill Road Elementary School Strings

Four Fun Facts:  1.) In addition to playing classical violin, Mr. Fyhr is also enjoys playing electric violin and guitar in bands throughout the DMV as well as producing and DJ'ing electronic music. 2.) He is father to 3 elementary aged musicians. 3.) In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and working on computers.  4.) He is the former 3rd place LEGO champion of the world!  

Universities:  James Madison University, BM in Music Ed, concentration in violin &viola, endorsed in Instrumental and Vocal/Choral areas

Experience:  FCPS since 2016 and private violin & viola lessons since 2012

Currently:  I run a private lesson studio of violin & viola students and will return to the classroom this fall in Fairfax County

Four Fun Facts:  1. I have two cats, Packard and Sasha 2. I am married to a tuba player 3. I am currently learning to swim 4. I am a foster parent