Director Team

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

Experience:   

MS/HS Orchestra Director & Private Cello Studio since 1996 in  VA (FCPS/CCPS) & NC (CMS)

    VSS Director, 15 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:  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 MME

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: University of South Carolina: Ph.D and BM in Music Education; Eastman School of Music: MM in Music Education

Experience:   ES/MS/HS Orchestra Director 13 years in Fairfax County, VA & Chapin, SC  

Currently: Miami University: Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education and Area Coordinator 

Four Fun Facts:   1) I enjoy traveling all over Europe and the United States 2) I have a diva dog named Sophie who enjoys long walks and sniffing flowers in the garden 3) I enjoy teaching future music educators but in my spare time I enjoy cooking, gardening, reading, and finishing my NY Times puzzles 4) I can curl my tongue 

Universities:  Eastman School of Music (BM); Cleveland Institute of Music (MM); Peabody Conservatory (GPD); Juilliard School (Chamber Music Fellow) 

Experience:  Converse College Petrie School of Music, 15 years; Main Street Music Studios, 10 years 

Currently: Founding Instructor (cello), Main Street Music Studios in Fairfax, VA 

Four Fun Facts: Novice gardener (getting better!); Sci-Fi Nerd (and proud of it, thank you!); Bernedoodle Daddy (Presto is the best dog EVER-ask me for pictures!) 

University:  Syracuse University, Bachelor's in Music Education  

Experience:  6 years of teaching elementary orchestra and 6 years of teaching private violin, viola and cello lessons 

Currently:  VSS Teacher and Orchestra Teacher at Cherry Run Elementary School 

Four Fun Facts:   1. Katherine grew up nearby and graduated Lake Braddock Secondary School! 2. She has two cats named Echo and Lyra 3. She enjoys hiking and spends her free time exploring nearby trails 4. She also plays clarinet and was a section leader in her college marching band! 

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!