Staff BioGrapHIES

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

Experience: ES/MS Orchestra Director, 13 years: FCPS
    Private Cello Studio, 14 years
    Vienna Summer Strings Director, 3 years

Current Gig: VSS Executive Director; Orchestra Director & Performing Arts Chair at Carl Sandburg Middle School; Treasurer for Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE)

Four Fun Facts: 

1) Mr. Meltzer resides in Old Town Alexandria with his fiancee, dog & two cats 

2) He is a NYC/Long Island native and a life long Mets fan 

3) He and his fiance are both vegan and enjoy cooking and re-creating comfort foods 4) He ran his first Marine Corp marathon in October 2025 with many more to follow.

School: Bachelor's Degree Music Education from Syracuse University 

Experience: Seven years teaching elementary orchestra with Fairfax County Public Schools. Seven years teaching private lessons in violin, viola and cello. 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  

School:

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

Experience:

Private violin, viola and piano teacher - 19 years and Strings Teacher (FCPS) - 4 years

Current Gig: 

Elementary Strings Teacher at Westgate ES, Cunningham Park ES and Louise Archer ES, private piano and violin teacher 

Four Fun Facts:

I love cats, I lived in Japan for 4 years, I grew up in Reston, I also play the piano. 

 School: 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: 15+ years (China, Switzerland, and the U.S.); Former Violin Faculty, City Music Center, Duquesne University; Itinerant Strings Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools; Violin and Viola Faculty, Foxes Music Company. 

Current Gig:  Itinerant Strings Teacher in FCPS. Violin and viola faculty in Foxes Music. 

Four Fun Facts:

1. I started violin at age 4, and never stopped! 2. My idea of a perfect day: chamber music, mountain views, and a good cup of coffee. 

3. I’ve lived in Beijing, Zurich, Pittsburgh and now Virginia, each place has added a new rhythm to my life. 

4. I hike to unplug and recharge. 

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

Experience: Orchestra Teacher FCPS 3 years, Violin/Viola Private lessons 8 years 

Current Gig: Elementary Orchestra Teacher FCPS

Four Fun Facts: 

1. In addition to playing and teaching music,  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. 

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

Experience: FCPS Orchestra Director, 15 years; Private Cello Studio, 25 years; Orchestral, Chamber, and Solo Performance, 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 not only has enjoyed performing with several orchestras in the Greater DMV, but also with some big rock/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 an assortment of 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.  

School:  Bachelor in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University  

Experience: 2007-2024 Berkeley County Public Schools, 2024-currently in Fairfax County Public Schools  

Current Gig:  Elementary Strings Freedom Hill and Kent Gardens  

Four Fun Facts: 

1. I have two amazing kids that put up with my Dad humor 

2. I love bowling & I love origami  

3. I played ice hockey for 12 years. 

4 I might be obsessed with pizza