Austin Johnson-Stawarz has studied at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, the University of South Carolina, and George Mason University. Austin has taught and performed internationally, including two residencies as a guest artist-teacher in Haiti. Austin currently serves as the Board President of the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education, the membership coordinator for the Virginia Music Educators Association, the treasurer of the Virginia String Teachers Association, and is a co-director of the SoCo Summer Strings.

Mrs. Plumer has served as a strings teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools for 11 years, spending the majority of her tenure as the orchestra director at South County Middle School and Laurel Hill Elementary School. She currently maintains a private cello studio and is glad to be able to continue to serve the South County community through this camp. Mrs. Plumer holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Bachelor’s degree and Performance Certificate in Cello from the University of South Carolina, where she taught in the USC String Project, a nationally recognized teacher-training program. She resides in Chantilly, VA with her husband Kevin, daughter Emma, and chocolate lab Savannah.

Alexandra Blaine is the Orchestra Director at West Springfield High School. Alexandra holds a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education and Certificate in Violin Performance from James Madison University, a Music Industry professional certificate from the Berklee School of Music, and a Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia. Alexandra has also given masterclasses on both fiddling and improvisation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her daughter Josie, her dog Bentley, and her husband Jeremy.

Mr. Chang is in his second year as the strings teacher at Hybla Valley ES and Mt. Vernon Woods ES. He graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Mr. Chang has a private violin studio that has been running since he was in high school (11 years!), with students ranging from elementary to middle school. He also has been going on mission trips to other countries to teach violin and hopes to travel all parts of the world to teach others!

Karine Chapdelaine-Walker holds a degree in music performance from McGill University (Canada), and a dual Master's degree in music performance and education from Howard University. She has served as an adjunct bass instructor at James Madison University and the University of Mary Washington while also teaching in D.C. Charter Schools. For the past eight years, she has been teaching strings at FCPS. Mrs. Walker has performed internationally, including engagements in Finland, Austria, Cameroon, Japan, Italy, Peru, and Brazil. Currently, she performs upright and electric bass locally, teaches privately, practices, spends time with her family, volunteers at church, and enjoys running.

Ms. Choi currently serves as an assistant principal with the Alexandria Symphony and performs regularly with National Philharmonic and Maryland Symphony. With years of experience in both education and performance, she has taught in a variety of settings, including Prince George's County Public Schools, Howard County Public Schools, and the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins University. Trained in the Suzuki method, she is passionate about fostering musical growth in students of all ages. Currently, she teaches with Fairfax County Public Schools, continuing to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians.

Ms. Herrera has 20 years of experience teaching strings in the public schools. She currently teaches at Bailey’s Upper Elementary and co-teaches at Annandale High School. Previously, she led the West Springfield HS orchestra (2012–2023), where students performed at the White House, the Stirling Arts Festival in Scotland, and VMEA. She has presented at VMEA (VA Music Ed. Association) and NAfME on culturally responsive teaching and music education. Passionate about making music accessible to all, she fosters a joyful learning environment that builds community and self-expression through music.

Taryn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a certificate in Violin Performance from the Conservatory of Shenandoah University, providing her a solid foundation for teaching string instruments. With three years of experience teaching elementary strings in FCPS, she nurtures her students’ musical development and enthusiasm for strings by fostering a fun, supportive and engaging learning environment. Taryn actively engages in the music community as a member of the local ensemble, NVCO, and she continually works to hone and improve her performance skills.

Molly Sgrecci is an educator and violinist in Northern Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Certificate in Violin Performance from The University of South Carolina where she studied under Dr. Gail Barnes, Dr. Donald Portnoy, and Mr. Neil Casey. Ms. Sgrecci is in her 10th year of teaching for Fairfax County Public Schools as the Orchestra Director at Stone Middle and London Towne Elementary Schools in Centreville. She has previously been on staff at both the Franklin Band and Orchestra and Mason Summer Strings Camps and maintains a studio of violin and cello students in Herndon, VA. She also regularly performs as a member of the Loudon Symphony Orchestra and with quartets throughout the Northern Virginia area.In her spare time, Ms. Sgrecci enjoys musical theatre and can be found viewing and performing for shows around the DC area. Ms. Sgrecci is excited for her first summer as part of theSoCo Summer Strings Camp!

Paige Sharkey, named Future Music Teacher of the Year by the Virginia String Teachers Association in 2023, recently graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Music Education. She gained practical experience as a substitute teacher and clinician within PWCS and FCPS. Upon graduation, Paige was directly hired by FCPS to cover co-teaching positions across various schools (Laurel Ridge and Fairview). In addition to her full-time teaching role, she continues to teach private lessons and actively participates in camps and string events in the area. This year marks her first year working with South County Summer Strings, and she is excited to contribute her skills and passion to the program this summer!

Ms. Suchecki (soo-het-ski) is in her 6^th year of teaching orchestra for Fairfax County Public Schools. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2015. Prior to teaching orchestra in FCPS, Ms. Suchecki taught general music in Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 3 years, and for one year in DC Public Schools. She is the former treasurer of the Dade-County Music Educators Association, and secretary of the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education.

Miller Susens is a cellist originally from Dallas, Texas. She received her Bachelors in Music Education from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in 2018. She has extensive experience teaching privately and publicly, and has a background in orchestra and chamber music. When she is not teaching, Miller spends time with her two cats, Hank and Olive, enjoys gardening and painting, and actively looks for new music of all genres.