Staff Biographies

Education: DePauw University - Bachelor of Music Education, Temple University - Master of Music (String Pedagogy). 

Experience: ES/MS Orchestra Director with 13 years at FCPS, and a Private Cello Studio for 14 years. Previously served as Vienna Summer Strings Site Director for 3 years.

 Current Gig: VSS Executive Director; Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Dept. Chair at Carl Sandburg Middle School; Treasurer for the non-profit advocacy org, Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE). 

Four Fun Facts: 1. Mr. Meltzer resides in Old Town Alexandria with his fiancée, dog, and two cats. 2. He is a NYC/Long Island native and a lifelong Mets fan. 3. He and his fiancée are both vegan and enjoy cooking and recreating comfort foods. 4. He ran his first Marine Corps marathon in October 2025 with many more to follow.

Education: George Mason University, where I earned my Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Minor in Music String Pedagogy.  

Experience: I have three years of experience teaching orchestra as an Orchestra Director at Kilmer Middle School in FCPS, along with an additional three years of providing private lessons in violin and viola.  

Current Gig: I currently serve as the Orchestra Director at Kilmer Middle School, where I continue to foster a love for music education among my students.  Additionally, I am the Assistant Director of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (WMYO)

Four Fun Facts: Mr. Katz enjoys rock climbing, cooking, gaming, and spending quality time with his cat Mumu, and he has participated in the Vienna Summer Strings program.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. 

Experience: Seven years teaching elementary orchestra as an orchestra director with Fairfax County Public Schools, along with seven years of providing private lessons in violin, viola, and cello. I also spent three years working with Vienna Summer Strings. 

Current Gig: Elementary Orchestra Teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Four Fun Facts: 1. I also play clarinet and I was in marching band in college! 2. I have two cats at home named Echo and Lyra.

Education: Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University.

Experience: 8 years with FCPS, 7 years teaching private lessons.

Current Gig: I am an Elementary Strings Teacher at Fairfax County Public Schools, where I also serve as an orchestra director.

Four Fun Facts:

1. I took a trip to Italy this school year!

2. I have two pet cats and a bird.

3. I am the oldest sibling in my family.

4. I am a Canadian citizen, and I have also attended the Vienna Summer Strings program!

Education: Bachelor of Music Education from Lebanon Valley College. 

Experience: 19 years of teaching Elementary School Strings, along with over 20 years of experience providing private lessons in violin and piano. 

Current Gig: Serving as an Elementary Strings Teacher at Fairfax County Public Schools, where I also take on the role of an orchestra director. 

Four Fun Facts: 1. Just moved back to Northern Virginia after teaching in Oklahoma for the past 10 years. I have previously taught in Prince George's County, MD, and Prince William County. 2. Performed internationally in Japan, Austria, Czech Republic, Wales, and England. 3. Passionate about cooking Mediterranean food and reading historical mystery novels. 4. Proud and crazy Aunt to an amazing niece and nephew. 

Education: New England Conservatory of Music: Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance, San Diego State University: Master of Music in Viola Performance, Regent University: Career Switcher Teaching License. 

Experience: Private violin, viola, and piano teacher for 19 years, and Strings Teacher (FCPS) for 4 years. Current Gig: Elementary Strings Teacher at Westgate ES, Cunningham Park ES, and Louise Archer ES, as well as a private piano and violin teacher. Additionally, I am involved in music education and have aspirations to become an orchestra director. 

Four Fun Facts: I love cats, I lived in Japan for 4 years, I grew up in Reston, and I also play the piano. I am excited to participate in the Vienna Summer Strings program.

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Education: Bachelor of Music Performance, Shenyang Conservatory of Music; Master of Music Performance, Duquesne University; Artist Diploma in Violin Performance, Duquesne University.

 Experience: Private Violin & Viola Instructor with over 15 years in music education across China, Switzerland, and the U.S.; Former Violin Faculty at the City Music Center, Duquesne University; Itinerant Strings Teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools; Violin and Viola Faculty at Foxes Music Company. 

Current Gig: Itinerant Strings Teacher in FCPS and a faculty member at Foxes Music. Four 

Fun Facts: 1. I started playing the violin at age 4 and have never stopped! 2. My idea of a perfect day includes chamber music, mountain views, and a good cup of coffee. 3. I've lived in Beijing, Zurich, Pittsburgh, and now Virginia, with each place adding a new rhythm to my life. 4. I hike to unplug and recharge. Additionally, I have participated as an orchestra director at various events, including the Vienna Summer Strings program.

Education: Shenandoah University: BM Music Education, Certificate in Viola Performance, MS Performing Arts Leadership and Management. 

Experience: Orchestra Teacher at FCPS for 3 years, providing private lessons in violin and viola for 8 years. 

Current Gig: Elementary Orchestra Teacher at FCPS. 

Four Fun Facts: 1. In addition to playing and teaching music education, Ms. Starling loves to read, crochet, and ice skate. 2. They perform in a few local ensembles, including a Gamer Symphony Orchestra. 3. They studied in Malaysia and Greece and performed in Italy. 4. They were a student at Vienna Summer Strings many *cough* years ago.

Education: Shenandoah Conservatory, Bachelors in Music Education and Viola Performance Certificate.  

Experience: 10 years of teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools, alongside 12 years of private violin and viola instruction.  

Current Gig: Strings Teacher at Fairfax County Public Schools, where I also serve as an orchestra director.  

Four Fun Facts: I sing and produce my own music for fun, love to bake, paint, and enjoy visiting cute coffee shops. Additionally, I participate in programs like Vienna Summer Strings.

Education: Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University: BM/MM Guitar Performance; The University of Arizona: PhD Musicology; Shenandoah University: Teaching Licensure. 

Experience: 1 year teaching in FCPS and over 15 years in music education through private lessons. 

Current Gig: Elementary Orchestra Director for FCPS, where I also engage students in various musical activities including Vienna Summer Strings. 

Four Fun Facts: 1: My primary instrument is the classical guitar; 2: I was involved in band, chorus, and orchestra at different times while attending McLean High School; 3: I have a cat named Dr. William Katz; 4: I am part of a classical guitar-organ duo, and we just had a piece written for us.

Education: Peabody Conservatory of Music, Johns Hopkins University: BM, Violoncello Performance; George Mason University: Music Education Licensure. 

Experience: FCPS Orchestra Director for 15 years; Private Cello Studio for 25 years; Orchestral, Chamber, and Solo Performance for 25 years. 

Current Gig: VSS Advanced Cello Technique and Sectional Coach; Bonnie Brae ES, Orchestra Director; Oak View ES, Orchestra Director; FCPS High School Sectional Coach. 

Four Fun Facts: 1. Mr. Miller graduated from Robinson Secondary School and is proud to serve that same community as an Orchestra Director. 2. As a classically trained cellist, he has enjoyed performing with several orchestras in the Greater DMV, as well as collaborating with well-known rock and popular musicians on their east coast tours. 3. He has always had a passion for Early Music and specializes in Medieval and Renaissance music on various early instruments, such as Viola da Gamba, Tenor Rebec, Hackbrett, and Gittern. 

4. For 25 years, Mr. Miller has frequently served as a Tenor, performing polyphonic Renaissance music and Gregorian Chant, further enhancing his expertise in music education.

Education: I hold a Bachelor in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University. 

Experience: I’ve taught music for 19 years, grades 4th-12th.   From 2007 to 2024, I worked at Berkeley County Public Schools, and I am currently part of Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Current Role: I serve as the orchestra director at Freedom Hill ES, Shrevewood ES and Fairhill ES

Four Fun Facts: 1. I have two amazing kids who humor my Dad jokes. 

2. I enjoy bowling and practicing origami. 

3. I've played ice hockey for 12 years. 

4. I might be a bit obsessed with pizza, especially after my time at the Vienna Summer Strings program.