Our Instructors
Katherine Colburn/ Director and Cello Instructor
Mrs. Colburn received her Bachelors degree in Cello Performance from the University of Miami in 1997, and her Masters degree in Cello Performance from George Mason University in 2009. She has been a cellist with the Prince William Symphony, Manassas Chorale and the Manassas String Quartet. Mrs. Colburn is currently the Assistant Principal cellist of the National String Symphonia as well as the Principal cellist of the Fredericksburg Symphony.
Anna Miller/ Cello Instructor
Ms Miller earned her Bachelors degree in Music Education from Penn State University in 2019 and her Masters degree in Cello Performance from Ohio State University in 2021. She has performed with several orchestras in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and is currently a cellist with the Fredericksburg Symphony.
Ed Scully/ Cello Instructor
Ed Scully earned his Bachelors degree in Music Education from Florida State University in 2016 as well as both a Professional Performance Certificate and a Masters degree in Cello Performance from Penn State University in 2017 and 2019.
Mr. Scully is currently the orchestra director at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, VA.
Anna Henke/ Cello Instructor
Anna Henke graduated from Lawrence Conservatory in Wisconsin in 2010 with a Bachelors degree in Cello Performance and Instrumental and General Music Education. She is the orchestra director at both the Nokesville School and Brentsville High School in Prince William County.
Ms. Henke currently performs with the Fredericksburg Symphony as well as maintains a busy freelance career.
Sam Runolfson/ Cello Instructor
Sam Runolfson graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelors of Music Education degree and then received his Masters degree in Cello Performance from the University of Utah. Sam currently teaches elementary strings in Prince William County.
Mr. Runolfson is the Principal cellist for the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic.
Claire Bostick/ Cello Instructor
Claire Bostick graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music in 2023 with a Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance. She is a graduate of Colgan High School- Center for Fine and Performing Arts as well as a previous student at Prince William String Academy.
Claire has a busy freelance career performing with groups such as the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia and the Apollo Ensemble of Boston.
Stephen Kelsey/ Bass Instructor
Stephen Kelsey received his Bachelors of Music Education degree from West Virginia University. He was awarded a full scholarship from the School of Music where he studied double bass with Dr. Andrew Kohn.
Mr. Kelsey is the orchestra director at Osbourn Park High School in Prince William County, VA.
Brian Slaymaker/ Guitar & Bass Guitar Instructor
Brian Slaymaker received his Bachelors of Music in Guitar Performance from George Mason University. He is an experienced performer in classical music as well as rock, along with other musical genres.
Brian teaches his students a strong foundation of music theory along with proper instrument specific techniques to ensure that his students will excel in any musical style that they choose.
Carol Brobst/ Violin & Viola Instructor
Carol Brobst has enjoyed a long career as both a violinist and violist. She performed with the Richmond Symphony for 13 years as well as the National Gallery Orchestra for 18 years.
Ms. Brobst has taught private violin and viola for 36 years, along with coaching chamber ensembles, has been a director for a youth orchestra program and founded a summer music institute.
Chris Dixon/ Violin & Viola Instructor
Chris Dixon graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Music Education. Mr. Dixon is currently the Principal 2nd violinist and orchestra manager of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra in Woodbridge, VA as well as a violinist with the Fredericksburg Symphony.
Mr. Dixon teaches elementary strings in Prince William County, VA.
Jennifer Bockstege/ Violin & Viola Instructor
Jennifer Bockstege received her Bachelors degree in Viola Performance from Hope College in 2009. She received both her Masters degree in Viola Performance as well as a Post-Master’s Certificate from DePaul University in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Currently, Mrs. Bockstege teaches elementary strings in Fairfax County, VA.
Jen Ransdell/ Violin & Viola Instructor
Jen Ransdell graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA with a Bachelors degree in Music. She went on to receive her Masters degree in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2013.
Ms. Ransdell has taught strings in Prince William County for the past 22 years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Pamela Ferguson/ Violin Instructor
Pamela Ferguson received a degree in music from Case Western Reserve University in 1977. Ms. Pam is certified in the Suzuki Method through Book 6 and taught at the acclaimed Levine School of Music for seven years.
Ms. Pam currently performs with the band Shenandoah Run.
Matt Gattuso/ Violin, Viola, and Piano Instructor
Matthew Gusto received his Bachelors degree from William and Mary University with a concentration in piano and composition in 2011. He went on to earn his Masters in String Pedagogy from George Mason University in 2015.
Mr. Gusto performs regularly as a freelance musician in the DC area as well as being Assistant Principal violist of the National String Symphonia.
Ryan Tusing/Piano Instructor (virtual)
Pianist, Ryan Tusing is an active performer and teacher. He received his Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from Bob Jones University in 2016. He has since taken courses from James Madison University towards a Masters degree in piano performance.
Ryan is interested in both solo and collaborative playing, performing regularly in both capacities.
Nadiia Shvedko/Piano Instructor
Nadiia Shvedko, born in Ukraine, earned a bachelor’s degree in piano jazz performance and education at the prestigious Ukraine Music conservatory named after M. Glinka Dnipropetrovsk Academy of Music. As a young student, she started teaching piano to others and joined the faculty at a local music school in later years of her education. Nadiia successfully graduated in 2016.
Nadiia’s goal is to inspire a love for music and help her students achieve their musical aspirations while providing a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
Katie Highfill/Flute Instructor
Katie Highfill earned a Bachelors degree in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) in 2009. She also studied flute and piccolo with Jan Angus, piccolo for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Eastman Community Music School. She is the orchestra director at Patriot High School in Prince William County. Mrs. Highfill has performed with several orchestras in Virginia. Currently, she plays piccolo in the Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra.
Sherry Rice/Voice Instructor
Sherry earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music/Education from Ashland University, where she studied both voice and piano. In addition, she has earned a Certificate in Vocal Performance from the London College of Music. Sherry also spent several years in New York city studying voice and acting before moving to Northern Virginia.
While in NYC, she performed in several off Broadway plays and showcases. Sherry had roles in productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pippin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Fiddler on the Roof among others. She has a particular passion for musical theatre as well as experience coaching students on song selection, audition and performance technique.