Our Instructors
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Learn from professionals who are active in the music industry."I'm happy with my daughter's experience at Melodious Music Studios. A lovely studio with a patient and kind teacher makes my daughter's piano lesson a breeze each week. I enjoy the quiet location, and my daughter enjoys the challenging yet encouraging lesson time..."
-Rhonda Roberson, parent of a piano student at Melodious Music Studios |
Instructor Bios
Michael Andree; Violin, Viola, & Cello InstructorMichael Andree holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with a concentration in strings from the James Madison University School of Music. He is a violinist, violist, strings and music educator, and co-founder and member of the Melodious Strings Quartet and Professional Ensembles and a co-founder of Melodious Music Studios.
Michael has performed for over 300 weddings and events with the Melodious Strings Quartet at a variety of venues all over Virginia, including the Patrick Henry Ballroom, Montpelier, the Virginia House, Montalto, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and he has also performed with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. As a teacher, Michael’s dedication and passion for music and strings education has led him to train at rigorous summer string education workshops such as Bay View Music Festival and the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and he has assisted with several strings workshops for children's music education. When not performing or teaching music, Michael likes to build custom computers, learn about new tech, and tend to his three Australian Shepherd "dog kids", Pickle, Daisy, and Zen. |
Kate Hummel; Violin, Viola, & Piano InstructorKate Hummel holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from James Madison University, with a violin concentration. She is a violinist, violist, pianist, composer, arranger, music instructor, and founder of Melodious Strings Quartet and Professional Ensembles and Melodious Music Studios. Kate has performed for over 300 weddings since starting Melodious Strings with her husband, Michael Andree.
Her diverse performing styles range from Celtic, to Classical, to Pop. She has placed in Irish and Scottish fiddling competitions up and down the East Coast; performed at numerous venues including the National Presbyterian Church in D.C. with the James Madison University Symphony Orchestra during their "Carmina Burana" tour, performed with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and released an EP album, "As the Crow Flies", which is available on amazon and itunes. Kate has also held a number of free public concerts with other musicians to teach kids about music. She currently performs for weddings and professional events weekly, and teaches violin, fiddle, viola, music theory & composition, and piano in Fredericksburg, Virginia. When not immersed in one music activity or another, you can find Kate trying out a new cooking or baking recipe, playing with her dogs Pickle, Daisy, and Zen, or adding yet another plant to her ever-expanding garden. |
Madeline Southall, Cello InstructorMadeline Southall holds an undergraduate degree in Cello Performance from Liberty University and is currently working on her masters in cello performance at the Shenandoah Conservatory. She has studied under both David Feldman of the Roanoke Symphony and Neil Cary of the Richmond Symphony and has sat as principle cellist for the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Liberty University Symphony Orchestra, and Randolph College Orchestra. She has performed with a variety of ensembles in Virginia including the James Chamber Orchestra, Danville Symphony Orchestra, the Liberty University Scholarship String Quartet, and the Virginia Cello Ensembles.
Madeline is an active freelance musician and regularly performs for weddings and events both as a solo performer and as a cellist for the Melodious Strings Quartet. She has over four years of private teaching experience in Roanoke, Virginia, and two years of experience as the Head Resident Advisor for the Heifetz International Summer Music Institute's "Program for the Exceptionally Gifted" in Staunton, Virginia. She enjoys playing for Musical Theatre and has performed for many theatre companies in the Lynchburg and Charlottesville areas including the Lynchburg Academy Center of the Arts, Alluvion Stage Company, and the Charlottesville Ballet. Madeline currently teaches privately out of her home in Richmond, VA and at Roberson's Music in Fredericksburg, VA. Maddy is currently pursuing her masters degree in cello performance at the Shenandoah Conservatory. When not teaching or playing the cello, Madeline can be found hiking in the mountains, walking her border collie (Freya), pulling shots of espresso, or chasing cows on her trusty Quarter horse mare, Miss Sue. |
Alex Pendleton, Piano InstructorAlex Pendleton is a self-taught, accomplished, and seasoned piano player with an extensive musical background of over 20 years. He started playing the piano at the age of 12. Since then, he has acquired the ability to play and teach the piano by reading sheet music as well as playing by ear. He has a unique teaching style that encourages fun while learning. He has a love for music, but is most passionate about playing the piano.
In addition, Alex plays and entertains for a variety of engagements such as weddings, funerals, church functions, and parties. He has accompanied and performed for numerous gospel artists throughout his career. Alex is dedicated to his gift and craft and always puts himself in a position to learn all that he can in order to share it with anyone who is willing to learn. |
E'Juana Andrews; Piano & Flute InstructorE'Juana Andrews has been a music educator for 30 years and has taught and mentored a wide range of musicians, from beginners to professionals, from age 7 to age 87. She has taught piano, flute, and music theory to thousands of students from across the U.S. and overseas.
As a recognized leader in both ensemble and private instruction, she has a gift for assessing students' needs and potential. Under her guidance, students have risen to shine in school competitions, houses of worship, professional performances, and even funky living rooms. E'Juana's range of experience includes: • Teaching band in schools • Playing professionally as a soloist, in small combos and big band • Touring with bands • Writing, arranging, and recording for studio production and live performance Her style of teaching incorporates music fundamentals as well as customization based on each student's skill level and musical objectives and interests. E'Juana enjoys all genres of music and loves helping students connect with their own artistic expression. Her goal is to help students to develop their own unique voice expression through their instrument(s). She knows what it takes to root a new student in a solid music foundation and also guide growing musicians to greater levels of skill and mastery. E'Juana holds degrees in Music and Music Education from Miami University. She loves to laugh and her superpower is her sense of smell. Her kids wrote this bio, which tells you how much she is loved. |
Emily French-Lujan; Piano, Introductory Voice*, & Introductory Guitar* InstructorEmily French-Lujan holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from West Coast Baptist College. She plays by ear and sight-reads, and taught herself to play piano when she was 12. She plays a variety of instruments including piano, cello, and guitar.
She has six years of experience in private instruction. When teaching, Emily especially emphasizes music theory, rhythm, sight-reading, and musical creativity through listening and composition. She encourages her students to grow in several areas of music, including sight-reading, playing by ear, creating arrangements, and memorizing music. When not teaching, Emily loves to challenge herself often in her ability to arrange and compose music to keep her skills sharp. She loves sharing her music through social media and publishing her music. She is involved in her church’s music programs, by singing in ensembles, playing in the orchestra, and leading music for teenagers. *Please note that Ms. Emily's schedule is full, and she is not currently able to take on any new voice or guitar students. |