The Community Music School of the Piedmont

Marlene Baldwin earned her BM at the University of Maryland, She founded and has continued to direct the Baldwin Music Theater Camp.  She has performed in several choral groups, including Winchester Musica Viva, Voce, and Washington Choral Arts Society.  She has adjudicated numerous vocal competitions including NATS District and Regional Auditions, the Bland scholarship competitions, Virginia District Choir Auditions, Maryland All-State Choir Auditions and Maryland Show Choir Competitions.

Abigail Chang was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has had a deep appreciation for the piano since she was 6 years old. She obtained a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in composition and the piano as her major instrument from Messiah University. After graduating, Abigail gained valuable experience in piano teaching at State Street Academy in Harrisburg, PA, before joining Shenandoah University's Professional Studies Program in Music Therapy Certification. She is currently working toward obtaining her MT-BC credential by the Fall of 2026. Abigail believes in using her broad musical knowledge and experience to help people of all ages to engage with music in a creative and meaningful way.

American born Polish pianist, Szymon Czerniak, has been hailed for his “brilliant technique, extraordinary energy, and strength in interpretation." Szymon was awarded a Cultural Arts Scholarship by the Koszczisko Foundation  to study in Poland under Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz. Currently, Szymon serves as adjunct faculty at Shenandoah University while completing his doctorate in Musical Arts . Szymon holds a BA in Musical Arts from University of Houston, and Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York.

Daniel Kelly II is a locally revered percussionist and recognized as a grand prize winner of the 2019 Shure Drum Mastery Competition. He has performed with the Shenandoah Conservatory jazz band, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, The Virginia Symphony, and the 29th Infantry Division Band. Currently, Daniel continues to perform across the DMV area and internationally. He teaches percussion in jazz, gospel, rock, R&B, Latin, and classical styles.

Sarah McMichen is pursuing her DMA in Woodwind Doubling at Shenandoah University.  Before moving to Virginia, McMichen played for musicals throughout mid-Michigan and appeared as a soloist with the Vintage Parlor Orchestra and Saginaw Eddy Concert Band. She received her Master’s as a Woodwind Specialist at Michigan State University. She divides her free time between hiking with her little dog and wishing she had more free time.   

MMT, MT-BC. 

​

Miho is a board-certified music therapist, holds an MM in Music Therapy from Shenandoah university, and a BM in voice performance from Musashino Music University in Japan. Aside from teaching musical skills both as a music therapist and a music teacher, Miho focuses on her students’ physical and emotional well-being. She enjoys working with babies to mature individuals of all ages. 

B.M., State Music College, KracowM.A., Literature, Jaggiellonian UniversitySuzuki Training, Suzuki Institutes of Washington, D.C., Ontario, Canada, Siofok, Hungary, Greater Washington Suzuki Institute, Kingston Suzuki Institute, Queen’s University, Canada.

Mezzo-soprano Shanshan Zhang commenced her vocal training at Capital Normal University in Beijing, China, laying the foundation for her musical journey. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she ventured overseas to obtain Master's degrees in Voice Pedagogy and Voice Performance from Syracuse University. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Voice Pedagogy at Shenandoah Conservatory, Shanshan continues her artistic evolution under the guidance of baritone David Meyer. Shanshan actively engages as a soloist and voice instructor in the vibrant DMV area, bringing her passion for performance and pedagogy to her students and audiences alike.

Christina Callahan has performed in operas, theater productions, orchestras, chamber groups, and festivals across the United States and in Italy. She is a graduate of the Doctoral program in Flute Performance at Shenandoah Conservatory, where she studied with Jonathan Snowden. Christina currently teaches throughout Northern Virginia and performs with the Capital Wind Symphony. She is a recipient of the Leslie Watada Flute Scholarship and is affiliated with the National Flute Association and The Flute Society of Washington.

Hsin-Yi Chen has completed a DMA in Collaborative Piano at the University of Maryland, College Park. She holds two masters in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano and a bachelors degree in Piano Performance, all from Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA. She is certified to teach Suzuki piano and has training in using the Music Mind Games curriculum. She has extensive experience accompanying choirs and theatrical productions

Matthew Gattuso earned his BA in Music at The College of William and Mary and his Master of Music in Strings Pedagogy from George Mason University. He currently performs with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra. He is an accomplished violist and pianist with concentrations in Strings Pedagogy, Piano Performance, and Composition. He strongly believes in the integral value of music education for building well rounded and engaged citizens. 

Taylor Losey earned her MM in Trumpet Music Performance, studying under Professor Mary Elizabeth Bowden at Shenandoah Conservatory and earned her BM at Western Michigan University studying with Professor Scott Thornburg and Dr. Robert White. She has performed with Shenandoah Conservatory’s pit orchestra for several productions and has received multiple Achievement Awards through WMU. Currently, Taylor continues to teach private trumpet lessons and perform throughout Michigan and Virginia.  

Hidemi is currently pursuing a DMA in Piano Performance at Shenandoah University, studying with John O'Conor. She has extensive experience teaching a wide variety of students. She has performed with the SAR Philharmonic Orchestra in Hong Kong and appeared on NPR's The Front Row, and has also performed at the Steinway Hall and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Alan Saucedo holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from Escuela Superior de Musica, Monterrey, Mexico.  He also earned a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance from Shenandoah University. Alan is a founding member of the Vitali String Quartet.  Currently, he performs with the Roanoke Symphony. Virginia, where he also directs the annual chamber music workshop each June.  His doctoral dissertation was published by University Press of America in April 2014. 

Patricia Wulf received her BM in Vocal Performance from Catholic University School of Music. She was a soloist Mezzo Soprano with various opera companies throughout the US, including the Washington Opera. Patricia is a private voice teacher and has served as faculty at Catholic University and Shenandoah University. She previously taught at CMSP and we are thrilled to welcome her back.

Currently, Clair serves as principal bassoonist as she pursues her DMA at Shenandoah Conservatory. She earned her MM in Bassoon Performance from University of Massachusetts Amherst. With nine years of teaching and performance experience, Clair believes "all students should be afforded the opportunity to explore their artistic voice, and to make music in ways that are meaningful to them." She offers private teaching to all age levels. 

Mrs. Cullinane earned a BM in Music Education from George Mason University, and taught for several years with Fairfax County Public Schools.  She has performed with traditional Irish groups and celtic rock bands in a variety of festivals and stages, from sidewalks to the Kennedy Center, on both sides of the Atlantic. She is also a trained Music Together instructor.  Laura teaches strings at MCCS and has been with CMSP since 2007. In her non-musical life she enjoys gardening and being a mom to Katie and Daniel.

Britney Howell has shared her love of music with people of all ages throughout the Piedmont region. Currently, she is a music therapy student at Shenandoah University. Britney is a certified Music Together instructor and teaches classes in Upperville.

Sylvia McClain received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Harp and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Birmingham-Southern College. Ms. McClain has won awards and honors in the national competitions of the American Harp Society, and the Musicians’ Club of New York. She was harpist of the Blossom Festival School of the Cleveland Orchestra where she performed under the direction of Pierre Boulez. In 2005 Sylvia was the featured soloist with the Loudoun Symphony.

Jamie Potter has 30 years performing experience both in classical and popular genres. A graduate of Brown University in 2006 with a degree in History, he set about pursuing a multi-discipline career in the arts--teaching and performing the blues up and down the East Coast, publishing YA fiction and graphic novels, and becoming a 2016 finalist for the prestigious Bernard Ebb Songwriting Prize recognizing outstanding songwriting in the DC/MD/VA region. He and his wife Amy, also a songwriter, tour the country with their Americana band

The Crooked Angels. 

Cynthia Saucedo graduated  with a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Escuela Superior de Musica in Monterrey, Mexico.  She earned a Master of Music (MM) degree in Violin Performance from  and an MM in Violin Pedagogy from Shenandoah in 2005. Cynthia received an Artist’s Diploma in Chamber Music from Shenandoah in 2007. In January 2006 Cynthia won the Shenandoah Conservatory Concerto Competition and had her solo debut with the orchestra in March of that year.  She works with the “After School Music” program at several local public and private schools.

Hang Yin received his Bachelor's Degree from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music before moving to the United States for graduate school. He is currently a doctoral student at Shenandoah University, where he has studied guitar with Colin Davin and Julian Gray. Hang has performed for competitions and masterclasses throughout the U.S. and China. Along with his extensive performance experience, he has taught privately for over 10 years.