Nathaniel Cogen is a passionate, meticulous, artistic, and soulful pianist that implements various teaching philosophies into his pedagogical approach to piano education. Having performed in various collaborative and solo performances, Nathaniel’s wide range of knowledge creates a fun and edifying learning experience for any student he has the privilege of working with.

Some of his solo performances include participation in a winner’s recital at Carnegie Hall in 2011, an undergraduate solo recital in 2017 and a graduate solo recital in 2022 at the Howard Performing Arts Center. A couple highlights of his collaborative work include the performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto 1st Mvt and Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 1st Mvt with the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra.

As an aspiring DMA candidate, Nathaniel desires to one day teach at the collegiate level, mentoring and coaching talented musicians on the nuances of Western European music while maintaining a modern outlook to enhance musicality and personalized interpretation. In addition to his expertise in classical music, Nathaniel spends his time producing and writing records for various genres such as hip-hop, rap, R&B, and pop.  

Xinyi Wang, from Shandong, China, is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at The Catholic University of America, under the guidance of Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, the Piano Department Chair and a Bulgarian-born pianist and educator. She completed her undergraduate and master's degrees at Shandong Normal University, where she continued to study for an Artist's Master’s degree in Piano Performance, studying under Dr. Huang Ying, a doctoral graduate from Russia. She is a member of the Weifang Musicians Association and the Shandong Musicians Association Piano Professional Committee. After earning her master's degree, she taught at an undergraduate institution for two years and received offers from multiple U.S. universities before enrolling at The Catholic University of America.

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In recent years, she has participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Ms. Bao Huijiao, Professor Wang Yao from Shandong University of Arts, Dr. Jin Yu, Dr. Ellen Elder, Chair of the Piano Department at the University of Southern Mississippi, and Dr. Kevin Chance, Chair of the Piano Department at the University of Alabama, gaining invaluable insights.

Originally born in Vietnam, Mr. Le started piano lessons at the age of 8. In 2017, Mr. Le decided to pursue a music career as a pianist. He completed his Associate Degree of Arts from Montgomery College in 2020 and Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2022 under the guidance of pianist Brian Ganz. This fall Mr. Le will continue to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Maryland.

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Mr. Le believes music has a supernatural power of helping people escape reality, and enter a magical world filled with imagination and wonders. It is within music that he feels the voiceless can speak and the blind can see. It is where one can become true to oneself with no fear of being criticized. It is with music that Mr. Le overcome the challenges in life, and it is his wish to share this power with as many people as he can as a music teacher for Chanson Music Studio.

Joshua Jenkins is a musician with over 20 years of experience. He has a diverse background from performing with various musical artists, celebrities at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The White House, and many other stages. Joshua Jenkins graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts where he studied under Dr. Haewon Min and then continued his education at James Madison University studying under Dr. Lori Piitz, an acclaimed Steinway pianists and Indiana University graduate.

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Joshua's wide range of experience will allow students to harness their artistic expression and technical proficiency. He believes life is about balance and your outside experiences shape who you are as a musician, so he encourages his students to also find other hobbies outside of music such as sports or chess!

Jess Schaefer is a pianist with a primarily classical background, but also has experience in pop, jazz, and musical theater styles. In 2018, they were accepted to the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities where they completed pre-professional training in solo and collaborative piano. They were also selected twice to perform in masterclasses given by pianists Drew Petersen and Peter Dugan at the “Joye! in Aiken” performing arts event.

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Beginning in 2020, Jess attended the Sunderman Conservatory at Gettysburg College to study piano with Dr. Jocelyn Swigger. They were an avid collaborative pianist and continued to diversify their playing style by performing with the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble. In the spring of 2023, they studied abroad with IES Vienna’s music program in Vienna, Austria. There, they took part in an intensive chamber music course and received individual instruction for both solo and collaborative piano. They graduated a BA in music and a BS in environmental studies.

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As a teacher, Jess aims to give their students the tools to build their musicianship, and to create a welcoming learning environment that appeals to each student’s individual interests and learning style.

Pianist Dr. Heqing Huang has appeared in recitals at Florida, California, New York, Iowa, among other states. As a soloist, Dr. Huang has performed with The University of Iowa Chamber Orchestra, Symphony of the Vines, Lynn Phiharmonia and Ars flores symphony orchestra .

Dr. Huang earned his DMA in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa under Dr. Uriel Tsachor and served as teaching assistant to the school of music. He had a studio of 20 students and taught group piano classes for both major/non-major students at the University of Iowa. He also taught at the Pre-College Piano Conservatory at UI.

Mr. Huang’s competition achievements include: First prize in the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota piano competition with Virginia B. Toulmin Award (2014), Ars flores young artist concerto competition(2011),  First prize in “HAILUN” National Piano Competition (2007 Sichuan Subdivision), special prize in the 1st National Youth Piano Competition held by the China Culture Ministry (2009), Finalist in the 4th Wiesbaden International Piano Competition in Germany (2009) and Finalist in both Chautauqua International Piano Solo and Concerto Competition, New York (2013/2016). He had master classes with Leon Fleisher, John Perry and Jon Kimura Parker. 

Maxwell Kwarteng is a multitalented Front-End Developer rooted in enhancing the customer experience. He has an array of familiarity with communication processes and evaluating the quality of material and data. Inspired by the organic brands that he loves, he is now eager to help small businesses with their online web presence. He focuses on clean, creative, and friendly web designs to turn visitors into customers.

Since roads are not always a straight shot. Maxwell has had many life experiences that have shaped the professional that he is today. As a Biology Major, he has worked as a pathology lab technician, college tutor, and teacher assistant. As a Physical Therapist Assistant Student, he has worked closely with patients to develop a program that fits their needs. His work ethic is deeply influenced by creating an environment that invites differences and similarities. The result is to seize the best of both worlds, manage customer needs, and advocate for interactivity. 

When not working, he loves to exercise! As a former football player and track and field athlete, he knows that is important to exercise regularly, have plenty of sleep, and perform outdoor activities. You can find him weightlifting, running, hiking, having a long nap, or just enjoying a day on the beach. Although he is an advocate of nutritious meals, his weakness is a good burger and/or pizza!

Daniel Peterson is a recent doctoral graduate in orchestral conducting at the Catholic University of America, where he studied under the tutelage of Maestro Murry Sidlin.  He has completed graduate degrees in conducting at Southern Methodist University and Boston University, as well as a degree in music education and piano at Grove City College.  He has also studied abroad at the Bauhaus University in Weimer, Germany.  Prior to pursuing graduate study, Mr. Peterson taught music to elementary through high school students in public schools in New Jersey, including piano, general music, chorus, and special education.  Additionally, he has conducted performances with collegiate orchestras and choruses as a graduate student.  He is inspired by students who love music, and excited to assist them in their artistic development.  Mr. Peterson is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda.

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Jiashu Song is an educator and classical pianist. As a native of China, Ms. Song is dedicated to providing Mandarin immersion programs for students through music lessons. For 9 years, Ms. Song has taught children ages 3 - 17 both privately and at schools in the D.C. metropolitan area. Ms. Song received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Catholic University of America. As an educator, she hopes to bring joyful and inspiring learning experiences to every student, guiding them through their journey of diverse world music traditions.

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Ms. Song has been a student at masterclasses of The Washington International Piano Series, given by well-known pianists Igor Lebedev, Professor Changxin Guan and Professor Murray McClachlan. She performed Frederic Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the CUA Symphony Orchestra, and also as a chamber orchestra pianist in an opera world premiere in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Katherine Leon has many years of experience in the entertainment and arts business. Her first approach was behind the scenes. She started working as a junior producer in her native Peru before she graduated with a B.A. in Audiovisual Communications from the Catholic Pontifical University of Peru. She had the opportunity to work with three companies that showed her different aspects of the audiovisual industry: Maia Films (corporate), Terra TV (online channel), and Tondero Producciones (entertainment industry).

Ms. Leon was also part of Emily Mazzotti’s Flamenco Company, and the National Peruvian Choir. Once in the US she started to perform as an opera singer with companies like Opera Camerata of Washington DC, Inseries, Teatro Lirico of DC, Belcantanti and Maryland Lyric Opera in productions like Die Fledermaus, I Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Snowmaiden, Romeo et Juliette, Carmen and The Medium.

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Further, Ms. Leon is passionate about her native language and Peruvian heritage. She ended up obtaining a B.A. in Spanish Language, Literature and Culture from University of Maryland, College Park. Her background in literature and linguistics has made her appreciate the power of communication and its many cultural representations. In an effort to combine her experience and passions, she decided to partner with Jackie Song to create Chanson Music Studios as a place that unites music and language.