Building Your Musicianship Skills
Ages 12-18
Overview
This insightful 10-week course is perfect for teenage music students who have some basic note-reading ability and musical understanding, and who want to develop and improve their overall musicianship skills, with emphasis on music history and theory. The class will cover topics in music history, music theory, and musician wellness.
Each week students will cover topics in ear training, rhythm exercises, listening to and learning to distinguish between different musical genres and compositions from the Baroque to present day.
This class is a wonderful supplement to a music student’s regular private lessons. Students who are interested in composition can benefit from recognizing different musical styles and what elements of music theory make a piece sound like a particular style or genre. Open to Academy and non-Academy students.
Younger students who are interested should inquire at academy@gmu.edu for permission.
Ages: 12-18
Dates: Tuesdays, 7:15-8:15 pm
February 14 – April 25, 2023 (10 weeks)
Skip dates: April 4, 2023
Tuition: $285
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, VA
Covid Safety Information
- Mason Community Arts Academy follows all safety protocols required by George Mason University. Visit our COVID Safety Guidelines for more information.
- Mask & PPE Requirements—Masks are optional, but strongly recommended, for students and faculty in all programming. *See University Policy on Face Coverings for full details.
- George Mason Offers Covid Vaccine Appointments
Program Faculty
Dr. Radina Dosseva
Academy Piano and Composition Teaching Artist
Read about Dr. Dosseva
Dr. Radina Dosseva was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she began her music studies at the age of 5. She lived for several years in Africa with her family, where she learned about different types of music and cultures. In 2003 she moved to the United States with her family and in 2008 she completed her music education at t
Dr. Radina Dosseva was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she began her music studies at the age of 5. She lived for several years in Africa with her family, where she learned about different types of music and cultures. In 2003 she moved to the United States with her family and in 2008 she completed her music education at the Levine School of Music and her high school education at George Mason High School.
She went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Music and Sociology from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, followed by a Master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition from East Carolina University in North Carolina. Dr. Dosseva then continued her studies and received a second Master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from George Mason University in Virginia.
In 2016, she was a recipient of the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship for the Mason Community Arts Academy, where she currently works as a piano teacher. Dr. Dosseva received her doctoral degree in piano pedagogy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she studied piano with Dr. Nikita Fitenko and piano pedagogy with Dr. James Litzelman.
Dr. Dosseva is a member of MTNA, NVMTA, and BMI, and is a music theory, composition, and piano teacher in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. areas. Dr. Dosseva has extensive teaching experience, both in the classroom and private settings, and she welcomes students of all ages and levels.
In addition to teaching, playing the piano, and composing, Dr. Dosseva also played prima domra for 10 years in the American Balalaika Symphony under the direction of Peter Trofimenko. Dr. Dosseva has performed in numerous concerts of the orchestra in the Washington, D.C. area.
Dr. Dosseva joined the Washington Balalaika Society in 2019, and has already performed in several concerts of the orchestra.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes 2 business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact academy@gmu.edu for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.
