PEGGY LACEY CRAIG, Director, is a well-known piano teacher and performer in the greater Washington, DC area. She holds a Master of Music degree from Peabody Conservatory and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano, Harpsichord, and Music History. She has pursued post-graduate studies at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester and Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. Ms. Craig has served on the faculties of the Inwood School for the Performing Arts in WV, Prince George’s Community College in MD, and at Shenandoah Conservatory. She has performed twice at the White House and the Kennedy Center in DC, and has appeared as a soloist on the Coolfont Recital Series in WV, Bedford Springs Festival for the Arts in PA, at Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, VA, and with the Fairfax Symphony as well as many chamber ensembles in the greater Washington, DC area. The former Music Director of Opera Americana in Alexandria, VA, Ms. Craig has performed as soloist with the University of Maryland Madrigal Singers and Chamber Orchestra, toured Germany with the University of Maryland Chamber Chorus and has been a solo performing member of The Friday Morning Music Club in Washington, DC since 1987. She is a flexible piano teacher who uses classical, folk and popular music in her teaching.
DR. TULA RUGGIERO is a sought-after musician who is known for blending musical artistry with strong classical technique. Earning the Doctorate of Music in Harp Performance with an additional certificate in Music of the Americas from Florida State University, she also holds a Master of Music degree in Harp Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory, a Bachelor of Music degree in Harp Performance from Montclair State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in America Studies magna cum laude from Rutgers. Tula has performed at numerous locations, including The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in VA, the Shippensburg Orchestra in PA, and on a prominent Sunday afternoon concert series in Thomasville, GA. She is currently the harp instructor at Shepherd University and serves as accompanist for the Shepherd Masterworks Chorale in Shepherdstown, WV. As former principal harpist with the Florida State University Symphony, Tula can be heard on the Naxos recording of the Dohnányi Symphony No. 2. She performs in concert and for special events throughout the region, and provides service music for Calvary United Methodist Church in Great Cacapon, WV. Dr. Ruggiero teaches both classical and folk harp.
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ALEXANDER MARTE is well-known in the Berkeley Springs area as a violin protégé of Dr. Linda Whitesitt. He currently studies with Dr. Preston Hawes, who is the Chairman of the String Department at Washington Adventist University where Alexander is a Junior. Mr. Marte began playing with The New England Youth Ensemble, by invitation, when he was 15 years old. He appears regularly at Carnegie Hall in New York, playing alongside professional musicians of the New England Symphonic Ensemble and has performed in Erbendorf, Germany and with the orchestra in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA, the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and has toured the Gold Coast of Australia. Alexander is the winner of the Deborah, Leslie, and Christopher Bright Achievement Fund award, the 2010 George Rink Memorial Scholarship, and was the First-Place winner of the Montgomery County, MD Middle School Competition. In addition to music, he enjoys tennis, kayaking, hiking, and many other outdoor activities.
RHIANNON GRIFFITHS, voice teacher, was born and raised in Berkeley Springs. She began her musical studies at the age of five with her grand-mother, Lydia Walker, and continued vocal and piano studies with local professional musicians. That developed into her passion and she recently graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Studies. Rhiannon has performed in many concerts and theatrical performances, portraying the lead title roles in productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, and The Marriage of Figaro. Rhiannon has also been the Musical Director for MAC Ice House Children’s Theatre Camp for the past four years.
WALKER WILLIAMS is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, holding a Master of Music in composition from the University of British Columbia and a BA in music from Shepherd University. His works have been performed at festivals across North America and in Italy at the Alba International Music Festival. As a performer, he has toured with performing ensembles across western Europe, as well as performing locally with various choirs and ensembles. Walker is currently offering lessons in: Musical Composition, Song-writing and Music Theory, as well as beginner-to-intermediate oboe, recorder, flute, and pennywhistle. He is also the grandson of Lydia Walker.
MORE TEACHERS TO BE ADDED SOON!