MEET Our TEAM
our INSTRUCTORS
Fairouz Foty
VOICE | PIANO | CELLO | CHOIR
Fairouz foty
VOICE | PIANO | CELLO | CHOIR
Fairouz Foty has become a sought out full-lyric soprano in the DC metropolitan area for some years now. She has sung in leading musical performance centers such as The Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall, the Verizon Center, The Croatian Embassy, The Slovenian Embassy, The Bulgarian Embassy, The Egyptian Embassy, The Anderson House, The Arts Club of Washington, among others. This season she performed the role of Leonora with the Washington Opera Society in Il Trovatore excerpts and other Verdi Operas. She performed at the Argentinian Embassy as part of the Arts for the Aging (AFTA) Gala performance and will be performing at The Kennedy Center Reach Center, The French Embassy, The National Pen Women’s Association among other prominent venues in the DC Metropolitan area this season.
Fairouz has performed the title of role of Cecilia in Maria & Cecilia with the In Series to stunning reviews. In addition she has performed the roles of Micaëla (Carmen, Carol Opera Company), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi, Westminster Choir College Opera), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Westminster Choir College Opera), Voluptua (La pizza con funghi, Hubbard Hall Opera), Rosario (Goyescas, In Series), Mimi (La Boheme, Romez3arts), and covered the roles of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly, Hubbard Hall Opera), and Tatiana (Eugene Onegin, Bel Cantanti). Last season Fairouz made her Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra debut in Ethereal Voices, A Toast to the New Year. She also debuted the role of Violetta in La Traviata and performed with the Washington Opera Society in Croatian Christmas and Christmas in Slovenia. Fairouz was a Semi-Finalist in the 2018 Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition. She was invited to perform for the 55th-anniversary concert of the Compania Ernesto Lecuona in Teatro Milanese in Pinar del Rio, Cuba and in San Jose, Costa Rica as part of an intercultural exchange with Grupo31.
Fairouz’s musical foundation began through Arabic music where her father, a virtuosic oud player and Arabic singer, taught her and her four siblings how to play and sing in Arabic. She is in the process of using her Western Opera skills to rewriting a unique genre of Arabic Opera that focuses on the works of early 20th century Arabic composers and musicians as well as fusing popular opera arias with Arabic music. Fairouz is the Artistic Director and Founder of Quartertonez Music, a music school that utilizes western classical pedagogy as well as improvisation, world music, and rote learning to create a unique holistic approach to teaching music. Each semester Quartertonez Music focuses on a different underrepresented genre or culture of music.
Fairouz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Africana Studies from Lafayette College in 2011 and continued her studies at Westminster Choir College, where she earned a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy with an emphasis on Performance.
For more information, please visit her website: http://www.fairouzfoty.com
Fuad Foty
VOICE | OUD | QANUN | BUZUQ | PERCUSSION
FUAD FOTy
VOICE | OUD | qanun | buzuq | percussion
LORI SEN
VOICE
lori sen
VOICE
Turkish mezzo-soprano Lori Şen is known for her versatility in many vocal genres, including opera, art song, musical theatre, and jazz, as well as for her teaching and research interests in vocal literature, voice pedagogy, and voice science.
Dr. Şen completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park, and received her Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at Westminster Choir College, in Princeton, NJ, as a Fulbright grantee. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, in addition to a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and a Master of Education degree in Physics Education from Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir, Turkey.
Dr. Şen is an expert of the Sephardic Art Song genre that comprises Western classical settings and arrangements of the traditional Sephardic folk literature. Over the past few years, she has introduced this repertoire to audiences through solo recitals, in addition to her lectures on the history, language, and culture of the Sephardim, and elements and stylistic features of Sephardic music. Since 2018, she has presented her research at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York City, the 14th and 16th Barcelona Festival of Song in Barcelona, Spain, the 8th Annual Judeo-Spanish Symposium (UCLAdino) at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Yunus Emre Institute, Sephardic Heritage International (SHIN) DC, and Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, all in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Şen regularly collaborates with musicians and composers across a variety of genres, and has performed in Turkey, Europe, and the United States. She also teaches as a Lecturer of Voice Pedagogy at the University of Maryland School of Music and Adjunct Voice Faculty at the Peabody Preparatory of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, and serves as an ambassador for the
Barcelona Festival of Song.
“In my lessons, I strive to spark curiosity, keep students engaged, and to inspire learning and critical thinking. I often make use of interdisciplinary examples, fun facts, examples of real-life applications, as well as references to popular culture. It has been my observation that when students are able to build new knowledge on their prior knowledge and experiences, and draw connections between the two, they establish long-term memory. Furthermore, they better achieve creative and consistently successful applications of the new knowledge. I believe that this sort of positive learning experience naturally leads to a discovery that learning can be fun and rewarding. I firmly believe that the teacher’s constructive feedback accelerates the learning process. Through creating a positive, energetic atmosphere, and establishing a safe, friendly environment, I aspire to encourage students to ask questions, share their thoughts and feelings in their learning process, and to exercise their creativity. These explorations are as crucial for the discovery of one’s voice as they are for the development of self-confidence and artistic expression.”
–Lori Şen
For more information: http://www.lorisen.com
ETHAN FOOTE
GUITAR | BASS | CELLO
ETHAN FOOTE
GUITAR | BASS | CELLO
Ethan Foote is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger working in jazz, the Western classical tradition, folk, rock, and genres in between. He writes and performs in many contexts, including theatre and interdisciplinary art. Rooted in the DC music scene, he has taken the stage at many of the area’s notable venues, including the Kennedy Center and the Mansion at Strathmore, where he was an Artist-In-Residence in 2016-2017. He has toured in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Thailand. He received a Master of Fine Arts in music composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2020.
Ethan teaches double bass, bass guitar, cello, acoustic guitar, and piano and believes strongly in incorporating composition and improvisation into all instrumental instruction as a way of cultivating well-rounded and creatively activated musicians. Drawing on classical, traditional, and popular frameworks, he seeks to provide students with the tools that will allow them to enjoy playing their instruments and, at the same time, to develop a deeper understanding of music as a whole. He also works to help students build a foundation of technique that encourages long-term physical well-being by combining tried-and-true best practices with attention to the unique needs of each musician.
GEORGE OAKLEY
FLUTE | SAXOPHONE | RECORDER
george oakley
flute | saxOphone | recorder
The George Oakley has been performing in the Washington D. C. area for thirty years. His repertoire is from the great American Song Book. He performs music from Brazil as well. He has a musical group doing small duos and large quintet.
Jeremy Lyons
GUITAR
JEREMY LYONS
GUITAR
Guitarist, Jeremy Lyons has been performing, teaching, and living in Baltimore for more than ten years. He regularly performs as a soloist and with ensembles of all sizes. In an effort to present both contemporary and period works of art, he collaborates with many different kinds of musicians and performs in a variety of venues. As a teacher, Jeremy leads classes that focus on rhythm, harmony, ear training, and guitar technique. He works with children and adults both privately and in groups settings. In addition to independent projects, Jeremy is a member of two Baltimore-based contemporary music ensembles: Mind on Fire and Pique Collective, and he also applies his extensive background in Renaissance and Baroque music by performing on period instruments such as the Renaissance lute, Baroque guitar, and viola da gamba. As a composer, Jeremy works on projects that combine music and other artistic mediums such as poetry, theater, and sculpture.
For more information, you can visit his website: http://www.jeremylyonsguitar.com
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My goal as a guitar teacher is to help students make music while learning how to play the instrument. I am ultimately striving to motivate my students to get the best possible sound from their instrument while expending the least amount of energy. While there are numerous schools of thought concerning the proper way to position the hands in relation to the guitar and how to execute finger movement, I have found the teaching of Manuel Barrueco to be the most effective guidance. He has always advised me to be economical in motion and to never use unnecessary tension, but he is most insistent upon singing through the guitar. Often technical issues become clear when we sing a line of music and then attempt to play the guitar in the same way. In doing this, I find technical demands are usually dictated by musical decisions. Although developing technique from an early age is paramount to a student’s ability to learn repertoire with ease, an understanding of expression in music is not something that must wait until later in life. I believe that every student can find something very human and natural through making music, and the sooner they experience this part of music, the sooner they become excited by possible results.
With most students, I work through a graded series of method books or at least a collection of etudes to continuously improve technique and present appropriate challenges. Different methods work better for certain students varying in age, ability, and commitment. I also tend to supplement my methods with individually selected repertoire pieces that focus on a particular area of study that the student is engrossed in. I make sure to incorporate an understanding of music theory concepts and I heavily focus on rhythm exercises because these areas are imperative to the development of a complete musician. There are plenty of styles of music associated with the guitar, but the classical guitar has the highest level of repertoire available, thus demanding the highest level of technique. My approach to teaching is that every student should learn the guitar in the classical tradition in order to be prepared to tackle all levels of music. The student may wish to focus on another style of music, but I still request of my students to study classical technique as well. An introduction to music history as it applies to the guitar is a great way to spark interest in an aspiring student. Regular concert attendance also assures exposure to the vast repertoire available and the extent of abilities that a professional guitarist possesses. Finally, by providing and encouraging concert opportunities, the student learns the value of practicing towards a goal and gains experience presenting a body of work in front of an audience.
ALFONSO HERNANDEZ
PIANO
ALFONSO HERNANDEZ
PIANO
Hailing from Guatemala, Alfonso 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.
Jouelle Roberson
VOICE
Jouelle Roberson
voice
Jouelle Roberson (Soprano) hails from Washington,D.C. She began her musical studies at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts where she participated in the Show Choir. Following graduation, she was accepted into the vocal studies program at Morgan State University where she graduated with her B.A and M.A studying vocal performance with Marquita Lister. Miss Roberson was apart of the 2019-2020 season artists of the Atlanta Opera studio program; as well as the 2021 participant in the Saratoga Opera’s young artist program. She was recently apart of Opera Lucca’s 2022 summer program where she performed the role of Suor Angelica. Miss Roberson has graduated from Manhattan School of Music with her Professional Studies program.
Miss Roberson had the great pleasure to advance to the semi finals of the 2019 Annapolis Opera vocalcompetition. Jouelle was also the first place winner in the 2019 NATS local and regional round. Miss Roberson received the encouragement award in the Southeast Region Met Competition.
She is the 2018 winner of the Emerging Young Artist Regional competition presented by the National Association of Negro Business Women and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., formerly known as the Leontyne Price Vocal Competition the 2016 District winner of the National Association of Negr Musicians,inc. Vocals Competition. In 2015, she advanced to the, Regional auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing students auditions.
On The Operatic Stage, she has performed the role of Grisostomo from Don Quichotte: At Camocho’s Wedding by Telemann, in the Saratoga Opera’s young artist summer program in the summer of 2021. Miss Roberson also performed Maria in Saratoga Opera’s main stage production of Man of La Mancha. She has also performed the role of Strawberry Woman in the world renowned opera Porgy and Bess as astudio artist with the Atlanta Opera this past 2019-2020 season. She has also performed the role of Marenka in Bedrich Smetana’s Bartered Bride with the Bethesda Summer Music Festival. Following her successful performances as Marenka, she was invited by the AAMS Opera to perform the role of the Countess (excerpts) from Le Nozze di Figaro in Ischia, Italy. With Opera@Morgan,she has performed in several scenes and fully staged productions, including the 2018 production of Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows by Steven M.Allen Where She portrayed the title role of Alice Ruth Moore. Most recently,by request of the composer, she repeated her portrayal of Alice Ruth Moore in an Opera Showcase presented by CAAPA.
On The Concert Stage, she has been a featured soloist in the Verdi Requiem with the renowned Morgan State University Choir. She has travelled as a soloist nationally and internationally with the choir and the select group “Singers.” She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity.
yOUSTINE FALTAS
GUITAR | OUD
YOUSTINE FALTAS
GUITAR | OUD
Youstine Faltas is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in guitar. Originally trained as a classical pianist, he quickly shifted to the guitar, describing it as finding his voice. He has been playing for 16 years across continents and genres, ranging from French folk, blues, classical Arabic, and Jazz standards. Constantly looking to expand the breadth of his instruments, he joined Columbia’s Jazz band and the Arab Music Ensemble in 2017, and could also be found performing in blues in venues in New York or reggae and funk events in the south of France.
He believes that a musician’s relationship with his instrument is intimate and can be a healing experience as it informs the musician’s relationship with oneself. His teaching style reflects his music philosophy and his emphasis on curiosity and fulfillment in the process of learning.
chakib hilali
OUD | NEY | VIOLIN | RIQ
CHAKIB HILALI
OUD | ney | violin | riq
Multi-instrumentalist Chakib Hilali is noted for his exquisite feeling, playing Arabic music on a dizzying number of different instruments, which he switches between with consummate ease. Instruments he plays most often include oud (Arabic Lute), ney (end-blown flute), violin, riq (Arabic Tambourine), and oriental keyboards. He is also an expressive vocalist.
Chakib grew up in Casablanca, Morocco, born into a family of musicians who took him along to performances from a very young age. Chakib studied oud (Arabic lute) at the Conservatory of Music in Casablanca, and immigrated to the US at the age of 21.
Chakib has become a well-known performer of Arabic music in the DC area, performing both traditional and nightclub styles, and even playing the mizmar in zeffa wedding processions.
Chakib enjoys playing many styles of Arabic music, from classical Arabic music, Tarab, Moroccan music, folk music of the Arab countries, belly dance music, and Rai – a modern style that fuses western instruments with North African rhythms and melodies. In additional to being a skilled and emotive player, Chakib has the ability to take a group of musicians and help them to sound their best through arrangements and subtle touches that come from his deep appreciation for classical Arabic music. His ability to pick up new material quickly and his natural tendancy to play in a complimentary manner with others puts him in demand as a guest or support musician for visiting singers and soloists.
Chakib enjoys teaching others the music of his homeland. He teaching style favors the oral tradition of Arabic music, and he enjoys personalizing his teaching to match the individual music preferences and goals of his students.
Now based in Alexandria, Virginia (in the Washington DC area), Chakib is available for performances, lessons and workshops
Sheldon thwaites
STEEL DRUM | PERCUSSION
SHELDON THWAITES
STEEL DRUM | PERCUSSION
Sheldon Thwaites is an award winning International Caribbean-American percussionist, specializing in Drum Set and Steel Pan. As the son of a Trinidadian music pioneer, Sheldon continues to promote his family legacy amassing an evocative resume with artist’s “Chris Daughtry”, “Lauryn Hill”, “Amel Larrieux”, “Marina Satti”, and Maryland’s premier steelband “PanLara”. He has studied drum-set with Terri Lynn Carrington, John Blackwell, & Mike Mangini. Drums were his first love, but after pursuing music at the high school level, he transitioned into composition, arranging & production. Sheldon has played drums internationally for world-renowned steelbands “Witco Desperadoes”, “Phase II Pan Groove”, and “Skiffle Bunch”. He is currently on tour and in the studio with 300 Entertainment’s new-artist “Cobi”. He is a graduate of Boston Arts Academy & Berklee College of Music. Sheldon currently resides in Hyattsville, MD.
Anthony Hyatt
VIOLIN
Anthony Hyatt
VIOLIN
Anthony Hyatt is an internationally recognized violinist and performance artist who is native to the Washington DC area. He has been learning and sharing the voices of the violin for more than forty years and has an eclectic repertoire that includes music from the traditions of Europe, Asia and the Americas. Anthony’s BA with a music major from Iowa’s Grinnell College included a concentration in India studies from Pune University. His experiences and independent research in India focused his attention and artistry on a continuing journey of learning about the role of improvisation in music, art and life. This led him to become a master teaching artist and a medical musician working in partnership with many Washington DC area health and human service organizations. He now serves as an Artist in Residence with pediatric, cancer and palliative care programs at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and in the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts’ program partnership with Virginia’s Inova Health System.
Anthony’s performance credits include writing and performing the music for the 2014 Imagination Stage production of Rumpelstiltskin. He was for 22 years co-director of the Arts For The Aging Quicksilver dance company and has performed with many other local dance companies. He has taught and accompanied Dance for Parkinson’s classes and presented thousands of interactive programs for older adults. Along the way he has become a singer, and occasional drummer who believes that the Art of Presence promotes the emergence of healing experiences. All of these things integrate into an educational philosophy that is compatible with that of Quartertonez. Anthony shares with students his enthusiasm and respect for the world’s diverse musical cultures and his belief that the study of music makes us become better educated, healthier and happier people. He also teaches at international creativity conferences and does additional performances and facilitation work through his own organization called Moving Beauty.
Jasmine Proctor
ACTING
Jasmine Proctor
ACTING
Jasmine Proctor is a professional actor/teacher, hysterical laugher, and advocate for change and diversity from Southern MD. She has always loved performing and story telling growing up. Which led to her attending Frostburg State University and receiving a BS in Theater with a Minor in African American Studies. She furthered her studies at The Catholic University of America where she received a MFA in Acting. Some of Jasmine’s acting credits include: Junie B. Jones the Musical (Junie B.), Antigone (Antigone) and Othello (Othello). Jasmine is so excited to be a part of the QuarterTonez team and is so excited to follow through her mission which is to teach and advocate for theater to diverse groups of students.
Ken Giles
VIOLIN | VIOLA | GUITAR
ken giles
Violin | viola | guitar
Ken Giles is a violin/viola teacher with the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program and is a
retired music teacher at DCPS Shepherd Elementary School. He also teaches violin, viola, and guitar in his private studio. Ken often supplements classical repertoire with folk tunes, blues, fiddle tunes, and civil rights songs. He also sings with the D.C. Labor Chorus. Ken Giles is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, Swarthmore College, and Suzuki String Institute. He also sang with the folk music band “Bright Morning Star” to promote social justice and environmental causes.
Ralph Burrows
TRUMPET | MUSIC PRODUCING
Ralph Burrows
TRUMPET | MUSIC PRODUCING
I started playing trumpet, like most, in elementary school. I took to it right away and started private lessons soon after. I enjoyed music and trumpet specifically so much that the more I played the more I grew as a musician. Private lessons helped immensely.
I continue to this day to play trumpet professionally. Currently, I play in a number of DMV bands in several genres…disco, reggae, afrobeat, jazz, etc. Not everyone has to be a professional or play their whole life but I truly believe that everyone can benefit from playing an instrument for at least some part of their life.
Antonio Espinal
PIANO
Antonio Espinal
PIANO
Antonio Espinal He is an Orchestral Conductor (BA, National Conservatory of Music, MFA, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA), Choral conductor (MFA, CMU, Pittsburgh, PA) and a Pianist (BA with Honors, UNAM, Mexico). He made his Opera debut conducting ‘La Traviata”, in Mexico City at age 24. Prior to that, he was a Piano Faculty at the Mexico’s National Conservatory of Music. He is currently a Candidate of a DMA in orchestral conducting at the Benjamin T. Rome School of music, at the Catholic University of America.
Mr. Espinal worked at the NATIONAL OPERA COMPANY as a full-time accompanist under the baton of many international Opera conductors. He has participated in more than 70 Opera Productions at aspect of it: As an accompanist, prompter, assistant to the Stage Director, offstage bands director, choral director, and Conducting from the Pit.
He had a personal invitation for an apprenticeship with Maestro Essa-Pekka Salonen with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, making his residence in LA for 10 years. He has conducted all major orchestras of Mexico, including the National Symphony of Mexico, and opera orchestras in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Washington DC.
In 2012 he was appointed CHORUS MASTER (Artistic Founding Director of the Teatro del Bicentenario Opera Chorus) in León, Guanajuato, Mexico preparing the chorus for 7 operas under the baton of international conductors. His work had rage reviews by the critics.
A strong promoter of the Arts in Communities with kids at risk, he started his own non-profit organization “Harmonies Girls’ Choir”, who reached a high level of musicianship and performance. Prominent professional concerts included the “SAINT DENIS FESTIVAL” in Paris France (2007), recording the soundtrack for the film “Brownstones to Red Dirt” (2011), performing with Pop singer Demi Lovato at the ALMA Awards (2011). The group became an exclusive recording artist of French Recording label MILAN RECORDS. Many girls from this chorus were also private voice and piano students of maestro Antonio. As today there are at least 5 opera singers (one with a Master’s in Opera), several cantors in churches and even rock and Pop singers who emerged from his Studio.
In Washington D.C. Maestro Espinal has work with local companies Teatro Lirico D.C. (conducting a full-staged production of “Los Gavilanes”) and with the Washington Opera Society.
He has been appointed Artistic Director of “Opera in Movimiento A.C.” an International Opera Company (with Headquarters in Mexico). This company focus on presenting rare operas from the Baroque to XXI century operas. Mr. Espinal’s debut with the company took place on Summer 2019, Premiering Handel’s opera “ACI, GALATEA E POLIFEMO”, in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, with great reviews from the critics and public alike.
fadi alnaji
OUD | ARABIC VIOLIN
fadi alnaji
Oud | Arabic violin
Fadi is a Palestinian performer and oud musician born in 1980 in Saudi Arabia. He had started learning the oud in Damascus back in 1997, and joined the Taqasim Music School in February 2013.
He has participated and played at many occasions to celebrate the Oud and its cultural influences. In 2010, Fadi wrote and performed a play called “Fareed & Frida” while studying in Exeter. In the play, he introduces the Oud as an individual character through which the human protagonists communicated. Fadi has also initiated a project called “A Musical Painting” in which he uses the Oud, piano and flute, accompanied by a vocalist to produce a musical conversation based on Middle Eastern and Western masterpieces. He is also passionate about writing lyrics and composing music and has written a few songs, one of which, “A Lover from Palestine”, is a tribute to the late poet Mahmoud Darwish.
Fadi is currently developing his own performing style where he simultaneously plays the Oud and recites poetry.
Felipe Paccagnella
PIANO | GUITAR | VOICE | SAX
Felipe Paccagnella
PIANO | GUITAR | VOICE | SAX
Felipe Paccagnella is a well rounded artist based off Columbia, Maryland. He composes, arranges, produces, mixes and sometimes masters various works for artists all over the world. He has released 2 albums of his own (“Christmas Jazz” 2013 and “My Home” 2018) as well as fully produced 2 albums for Linda D. Harris (2018 and 2020) and a full album for Laura Siderac (2019). Felipe can also be heard in singles from Robson Fonseca (2018), Phillip Olaomi (2021), Che Chin King (2021),
and on the “renovo” album by Grupo Orion (2018). Felipe also performs professionally playing piano, guitar, bass, drums and singing and has performed at Riverbend Fesfival (2016), the Strathmore (2015), the Kennedy Center(2020), and the Mid-Atlantic festival (2019, 2020) as well as several known smaller venues such as Bethesda Blues and jazz (2017) and the Blues Alley (2018). He has shared the stage with artists like Tony Craddock Jr, Henri Dikongue, Negleatha Johnson, Jader Santos and Ton Carfi, one of the biggest gospel names in Brazil as well as worked as the band director for the Washington Brazilian Choir (2018). Felipe is also the composer, arranger and director of the light switch band.
In terms of education, Felipe started piano lessons very early at age seven. Since then he has spent a summer on a song writing workshop at the Berkelee College of music, got an associates degree in jazz studies and a letter of recognition in music therapy from Howard community college, and is currently on his last semester of a bachelors in music at Washington Adventist University. Felipe also has a bachelors in psychology from the University of Maryland so that he can better serve his musician friends when they ask for advice in life.
Felipe is a current member of the Washington DC Recording Academy Latin Committee where he is helping to represent the Brazilian music community in the metropolitan area. Felipe is passionate about making the world a better place through his music. He seeks to inspire people to live a healthy and joyful life as well as create an atmosphere where they can relax, even if just for a moment. He plans on keeping to share his gifts and talents with everyone who will listen as well as keep on working with other artists in the studio to help their visions become a reality. There are 13 releases that Felipe is producing scheduled for this year as well as another album by Felipe himself scheduled for 2022. Felipe’s team is currently working on possibly touring the US this coming summer (2021)
Fedor Ouspensky
VIOLIN | PIANO
Fedor Ouspensky
VIOLIN | PIANO
Fedor Ouspensky is a classically trained violinist from Juilliard with over twenty years of experience playing the violin and over ten years teaching music. He has experience with every type of performance environment and has performed all over the world. Additionally, he’s attended every type of music festival and learned from world-class musicians. His teaching focuses on helping students learn solid technique, efficient practicing, and help them reach their goals at a swift pace, be it learning specific songs and pieces they love, preparing for auditions, or honing a specific skill such as sight reading and tone production.
Fedor has founded multiple programs that have given new opportunities to students to perform and learn, one of which is Virtual Concert Halls, a company that embraces the virtual world and helps students and performers alike get to connect through performances, interviews, and podcasts virtually from across the world. One of the big focuses of Virtual Concert Halls is to improve the quality of the live music experience online, which includes virtual lessons. Fedor has an expert setup for virtual teaching that makes lessons online seamless and engaging, nullifying the drawbacks that one might expect.
Fedor enjoys many genres of music and creates a mix of different styles for students to explore, as well as offering a wealth of unique violin books, etudes, and materials for students to utilize, all designed by Fedor to take the best of all materials out there and give students the best shot at becoming brilliant musicians.
For more information, please visit her website: http://fedorouspensky.com
