Enrich Annapolis Music Instructors
Linda Kessler
Flute
Ages: 8-Adult
30-minute lessons are recommended for beginning and intermediate players while advanced players should register for 45-60 minute lessons. Assigned flute literature is tailored to individual playing levels. Students must be committed to daily practice in order to make progress.
Linda Kessler has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern New Mexico University and a master’s degree in flute performance from Duquesne University. She studied with Bernard Goldberg, principle with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was a winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Series. She has taught at Duquesne University, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA, St. Anne’s School of Annapolis, and at private studios in Pittsburgh, PA, Burke, VA, and Annapolis, MD. Ms. Kessler has performed with the Washington Opera, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, McKeesport Symphony Orchestra and the Roswell Symphony.
Richard Marvel
Acoustic, Classical, Electric and Steel Guitar
Ages: 6-Adult
Mr. Marvel individualizes lessons with regard to the student’s musical preferences, personal goals for playing the guitar and apparent levels of development. Students can study acoustic or electric guitar using either a pick or finger tips, and can learn classical, rock or traditional styles. Mr. Marvel works with a large variety of guitar music written in both musical notation and tablature (which does not require knowledge of written music). Students learning to read music can do so while learning pieces rather than through technical exercises. Proper technique and hand and finger coordination are emphasized.
Playing banjo and rhythm guitar since an early age, Richard Marvel is excited to share his talents again with the Annapolis community. Moving to Nashville helped Mr. Marvel develop his love for many guitar sounds and allowed him to attend Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree equivalency in music along with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After deciding to pursue a career in music therapy, Mr. Marvel earned an MA from Drexel University in Philadelphia. In recent years, he has been working as a music therapist with children with communication disorders, teaching guitar, reading and language skills. He is currently working on a solo repertoire and is performing throughout the area.
Kate Northfield
VIOLIN FOR THE BEGINNER
Ages: 5-Adult
Designed for aspiring violinists of any age, students will work to become familiar with the instrument, its sounds, and its place and use in the musical world. Students will develop good habits through work on the fundamentals, such as how to hold the violin and bow technique. This class will also focus on developing solid listening and music reading skills. Students will learn scales and eventually songs. The goal of this class to have each student develop good practice habits, a good ear, and of course, to spark an enduring love for the violin and music.
VIOLIN FOR THE INTERMEDIATE STUDENT
Ages: 8-Adult
This class encourages students to work on audition music for ensembles in the area and will help to prepare students for all aspects of the audition process. In addition to solo repertoire, this class will enable students to work on chamber music by placing students in small groups to play together and be coached as an ensemble. However, this class is ultimately designed to accommodate the goals of the individual student, whether it is perfecting a sonata, making All County Orchestra or putting an ensemble together with fellow students.
Violinist Kate Northfield was born in Annapolis where she received her early musical training. She graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in music and English, studying with Artist-in-Residence Jose Cueto. During her time there, she was concertmaster of the St. Mary’s College Orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Silberschlag. She has traveled with the St. Mary’s College Orchestra to Alba, Italy to participate in the annual Alba Summer Music Festival. She is part of the string faculty at the Anne Arundel Community College, where she also serves as the concertmaster of the AACC Orchestra. She also plays with the Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland, where she served as concertmaster for the 2007-2008 season.
Alex Leone
Beginning Guitar, Bass Guitar, Voice, Songwriting
Ages: 8-Adult
Alex Leone, a current sophomore at St. John’s College, has been involved in theater since he was a young boy. He has written and directed two one-act plays, a musical, and several skits, as well as directed and performed in many community productions. The past three summers, he worked as a counselor at Ashland Productions Youth Theater Camp in Maplewood, MN, teaching kids K-12. He also has played bass guitar, acoustic guitar and violin since he was in elementary school. Three years of voice lessons and extensive experience performing both as a soloist and in groups have added to his musical and stage experience.
Richard Estrin
Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Recorder, Tin Whistle, Accordion, Harmonica
Ages: 6-Adult
Richard Estrin was the principal soloist and concert master with the prestigious Naval Academy Band in Annapolis for 22 years. He has played musical theaters throughout Washington and Baltimore, including the Kennedy Center, National Theater, Mechanic Theater, Lyric Theater and Summer Garden Theater. Richard has also played with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leon Fliesher. He attended Manhattan School of Music in NYC and graduated from the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia.
Julia Berggren
Piano
Ages: 5-Adult
Julia Berggren has been studying piano since 1996 and has a passion to share her talents with children and adults throughout the Annapolis community. Her background in childcare and camp counseling makes her a perfect match for the very young learner. Julia has shared her piano talents with many in the past, playing weddings, private parties and restaurants around the Washington Island, WI area. Currently a sophomore at St. John’s College, Julia is thrilled to be a part of the Enrich Annapolis music team.
Prentice Cooper
Piano and Voice
Ages: 5-Adult
Prentice Cooper has been playing piano and singing since she was a young child. Receiving four years of formal training in piano performance and theory, she has played in front of an audience many times. Prentice has been singing in church choirs her whole life and joined the St. John’s Chorus last year. Beginning a year-long course in music theory, Prentice is excited to be able to share her ever-growing talents with the Annapolis community. She is currently a sophomore at St. John’s College and is excited to be part of the Enrich Annapolis music staff.
Flo Keeney
Piano
Ages: 5-Adult
Flo Keeney has been an instructor here at St. Anne’s School of Annapolis for only one year, but has been giving piano lessons for many years in the Annapolis area.
Erica Knepp
Voice
Ages: 5-Adult
Erica Knepp has maintained a private voice and piano studio in Annapolis for the past 10 years. She has worked with St. Anne's church as the junior choir director, soprano soloist, and accompanist; the Annapolis Youth Chorus and the Annapolis Chorale; the Peabody Preparatory; Annapolis Opera and Opera AACC; and a variety of ensembles and soloists, as vocal coach or accompanist.