Summer Piano Explorations

Dr. Radina Dosseva was born in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, where she began her music studies at the age of 5. She lived in Africa for several years 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 in Virginia.

Dr. Dosseva 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. She then continued her studies and received a second Master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from George Mason University in Virginia, where she studied piano with Dr. Monson, chamber music with Dr. Balakerskaia, and piano pedagogy with Dr. Haroutounian. Dr. Dosseva also received a Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she studied piano with Dr. Fitenko and piano pedagogy with Dr. Litzelman.

In 2016, Dr. Dosseva was a recipient of the Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship for the Mason Community Arts Academy, where she currently works as a teaching artist and serves as Piano Area Coordinator. She was also a recipient of the Mason Community Arts Academy Faculty Enrichment Fund Award in 2023.

Dr. Dosseva is a member of several music organizations, and is also a piano, music theory, and composition teacher in the Northern Virginia area. Furthermore, Dr. Dosseva serves on the Governing Board of the Washington International Piano Festival (WIPF), which is held every summer on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Dosseva has more than 10 years extensive teaching experience, both in classroom and private settings, and she welcomes students of all ages and levels, including adult students. She regularly attends educational webinars, workshops, and conferences, and has previously taught a group class, “Building Your Musicianship Skills,” on music theory and history topics, at the Mason Community Arts Academy. She has had several students place in the Honors Recital at the 1st (2017) and 5th (2023) Mason Community Arts Academy Biennial Music Competition in Fairfax, VA. Additionally, her composition student, Ivy Xu, won 1st prize in the middle school division of the YWCC (https://www.themusicaloffering.org/ywcc) in 2022.

In addition to teaching, playing the piano, and composing, Dr. Dosseva also played prima domra (a type of mandolin) for 10 years in the American Balalaika Symphony under the direction of Peter Trofimenko. She joined the Washington Balalaika Society in 2019, and has performed in numerous concerts of the orchestra in the Washington, D.C. area, under the direction of Svetlana Nikonova.

Carol Feather Martin has taught private piano and organ lessons for more than four decades. Her style of teaching is to foster a love of music and a love of learning while adapting approaches that will best fit the learning style of the individual. As an instructor of piano, organ, and vocal ensembles and conductor of instrumental ensembles, Ms. Martin has assimilated a wealth of knowledge into her teaching style and has achieved success with beginners, avid amateurs, Ph.D. candidates as well as professional colleagues.

A native of North Carolina, Ms. Martin graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a B.M. in Piano Performance and M.M. degrees in Organ Performance, Piano Chamber Music and Accompanying Performance from Catholic University. As organist and director of music and arts at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia, Ms. Martin works with all ages of singers, handbell ringers, and instrumentalists.

For 10 years, Ms. Martin was the artistic director of Virginia Bronze, an auditioned community handbell ensemble. Through the years, Her diverse musical tastes have served her well as she has arranged music and uniquely constructed programs for various ensembles and guest artists. Solo and chamber music recitals have taken her to many areas of the United States, Canada, and Germany. She is a champion of newly composed and American music as well as standard repertoire and transcriptions. She is a frequent clinician and consultant for professional music organizations.

In her free time, Ms. Martin enjoys reading, gardening, working crossword/jigsaw puzzles, designing and creating metal jewelry, biking, cross country skiing, and playing oboe in chamber ensembles.