News

The study of music theory provides the foundation for a deep understanding of music as a language, creating a knowledgeable and discerning audience of music lovers who attend concerts, create, listen, play and study music over a lifetime. At Levine, Music Theory courses are not strictly college level studies; the sooner students begin to acquire these essential skills the better they will be able to understand and appreciate more fully the music they are learning. 

Basic theory courses are open to students ages 10 and older. Slightly younger students may be accepted into the program based upon their teacher’s recommendation and by approval of the Department Chair. Placement in specific classes beyond Level 1 will be determined by the completion of the theory placement test.

For more information, contact the Theory Department Chair, Sis McKay at (202) 686-8000 x1109 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Theory Placement Tests

Sign up online

Summer is the perfect time to expand your musical horizons and discover something new!

Levine offers classes, workshops, boot camps, and lesson packages for students of all ages, from babies and toddlers to seasoned music lovers.

New this summer:

The 2013-2014 Act Two @ Levine season will include one Mainstage Production, the Pre-Professional program for high school students and new this year, First Act a musical theatre training program for students in grades 5-8.

After a successful inaugural season with performances of Rent at THEARC, Bat Boy at Woolly Mammoth and Next to Normal at Arena Stage and special events with visiting artists and local theatres, next year's Pre-Professional program will be in high demand.

The Pre-Professional Program is a full-year, comprehensive training program designed to provide high school students with exceptional musical theatre training opportunities that will stage three black box productions at various theatres in the DC area. Students actively participate in the creation process and build their skills in auditioning, acting, voice, movement and production. Levine’s partnership with DC area theatres offers students enhanced performance experiences and exposure to the professional theatre atmosphere. Apply now to audition.

New for the 2013-14 season, First Act will provide students in grades 5-8 the building blocks of what they will need in the theatre world. Through a combination of acting, voice, and movement training, First Act students will stage and perform two black box productions in Montgomery County and learn the ins and outs of acting along the way. First Act will give young actors a taste of what it is like to be involved in a professional show and can serve as a stepping stone to the Pre-Professional Program. Apply now to audition.

Show annoucements, audition opportunities and more information will be posted on the Act Two @ Levine page throughout the summer.

Congratulations to the free tuition raffle winner: Deborah Weinberger!

Deborah is an adult flute student who studies with Karen Johnson at the NW DC Campus.

Congratulations to the winners and all the participants of the 2013 Marlin-Engel Solo Competition.

Piano Competition

JUNIOR

1st place: John Buser

2nd place: Eva Meyer

Honorable Mention: Casey Lim, Fujia Sun and Clarissa Branson

INTERMEDIATE

1st place: Cinnamon Sipper

2nd place: Cassandra Branson

Honorable mention: Berenika Prasad, Victoria Graf and Nicole Schwartz

SENIOR

1st place (Ida Canter Prize): Avery Gagliano

2nd place: Alexander Tsereteli and Madeline Liu

Honorable mention: Robert Masi and Keiju Takehara

Instrumental Competition

JUNIOR

1st place: Grey Small and Casey Lim

2nd place: Najya Gause and Noah Pan Stier

INTERMEDIATE

1st place: Fiona Cunninghame-Murray and Sabrina Shuster

2nd place: Ariana Warden and Zoe Fong

Honorable mention: Jackson Pope and Adele Lezec

SENIOR

1st place: Yukino Takehara

2nd place: Nissa Flanders and Maresca Brand

Honorable mention: Ian Flanders and Rosemary Read Joaquin

Piano:

Nicholas Biniaz-Harris, 14 year old student of Irena Orlov, was named the winner of the NSO competition playing the Barber Concerto.  In addition to a cash award, he will perform with the National Symphony in a concert in a future season. Nick was one of nine finalists this year, after finishing as runner-up in last year’s competition. Congratulations to Nick and Irena!

Guitar:

Three of Franco Platino’s placed in the 7th Beatty Music Scholarship Competition for Guitar:

Amenie Oubraim, 1st Prize Ex Aequo, youth division

Robbie Belson, 1st Prize Ex Aequo, junior division

Arda Sahiner, 5th Prize, junior division

Congratulations to all of our guitarists who participated in the Beatty Competition!

Suzuki Violin & Flute:

Khloe Yelverton, a current Suzuki Violin (Findley) and Suzuki Flute (Collaros) at our SE Campus, has just been cast in a small non-singing role in Washington National Opera upcoming production of Show Boat.  Khloe is six years old.

Brava to Miss Khloe!

The Levine School of Music's Annual Chamber Music Competition will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Levine's NW DC Campus. The competition is designed to provide an educational as well as a competitive experience for chamber ensembles of all ages.

The competition has four age divsions:
• Junior (average age of ensemble is under 13 years on March 23, 2013)
• Senior (average age of ensemble is under 19 years on March 23, 2013)
• Adult (all members are 19 years and up)
• Adult Professional (all members are 19 years and up)

Particpation in the competition is open to both Levine students and non-Levine participants. The early deadline for registration is March 16, 2013 and final deadline is March 23, 2013.

Click here to download the 2013 Chamber Music Competition application form

Piano Competition

JUNIOR

1st place: Eva Meyer, student of Hyeweon Lee Gessner

2nd place: Ellen Carrier, student of Hyeweon Lee Gessner

Honorable mention: Fujia Sun, student of Wen-Yin Chan, and Aniah Gagliano, student of Pamela Sverjensky

INTERMEDIATE

1st place:  Avery Gagliano, student of Marina Alekseyeva

Honorable mention: Eugene Choo, student of Artur Aksenov, and Nicole Schwartz and Andrew Wu, students of Irena Orlov

Instrumental Competition

JUNIOR

1st Place: Eshan Parkash, student of Mary Findley, and Emma Lee Freeman, student of Elizabeth Kim

2nd place: Kristal Maimo and Lev Belolipetski, students of Jorge Orozco

Honorable mention: Simon Blanco and Layla Dawit, students of Jorge Orozco

INTERMEDIATE

1st place: Fiona Cunninghame-Murray, student of Elizabeth Kim, and Ariana Warden, student of Sarah Foard

2nd place: Sabrina Shuster, student of Laura Cahn, and Avery Gagliano, student of Jorge Orozco

Honorable mention: Ian Ajmani, student of Susan Katsarelis, and Sam Safadi  and Zoe Fong, students of Jorge Orozco

SENIOR

1st place:  Yukino Takehara, student of Ricardo Cyncyncates, and Matthew Stalzer, student of Rebecca Collaros

2nd place: Nathaniel McLean, student of Susan Katsarelis

Honorable mention: Nissa Flanders, student of Sarah Foard and Jorge Orozco

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers and families.

Do you or  your child want to sing or learn an instrument in a fun and encouraging environment? The following group classes and ensembles are excellent options.

Group Music Therapy Classes (ages 4-18)
The Music Therapy department offers group sessions at different age levels to bring students together to make music and to develop and practice valuable social skills in a structured setting.

Exploring Drums (ages 5-6)
Designed for beginners and as a next step for recent graduates of Early Childhood and Elementary Music classes, this hands-on class guides students as they explore the vast diversity of the percussive world.

Music Moves (A-D) (through age 7)
The Music Moves series provides a solid foundation in music literacy to prepare children for individual instrumental lessons, and provides an enrichment experience for children already studying an instrument. Based on the approach of composer Carl Orff, these classes center on movement and focus on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, dance, and play instruments.

Building Musical Bridges (ages 6-8)
“Bridging” our Elementary Music classes with private instrument study, this class offers older children more structured learning of complex musical ideas, note-reading and basic theory. Students develop and perform in multiple disciplines including singing, Orff instruments, composition, basic percussion and movement/dance.

Beginning Harp Sampler (ages 7-12)
This class provides students with the opportunity to try out the harp before committing to private lessons and instrument rental/purchase.  Using harps at Levine, students explore the instrument’s history, proper playing posture, hand position, and introductory technique.

Treble Voices (ages 7-12)
This vocal enrichment program teaches students the musicianship skills and character building required for ensemble singing. Students learn basic vocal technique, music theory, and sightsinging, which are skills that are vital to their development as young musicians.

Children’s Chorus (ages 8-12)
This performing ensemble focuses on developing age-appropriate vocal technique and musicianship skills through children’s choral literature. Benefits of this chorus include attaining artistic integrity, musicality, ensemble experience and musical literacy all while the students gain confidence, make friendships and find their own voices through music.

Beginning Guitar Class (ages 8-12)
Start your guitar study by learning to play great songs from around the world with confidence and competence. Learn the fundamental habits of great guitar players while mastering note reading, basic melodies, right-hand fingerpicking technique, arpeggio patterns, chords, and strums.

Rock Band (ages 8 - adults)
Rock Band offers opportunities to develop musical skills and explore the art of rock for youth, teens and adults. Discover the ins and outs of playing in a rock band in this 8-week rock n' roll experience.

Jazz Bands (ages 12-18)
This ensemble offers training for middle school and high school students who wish to play in a jazz band. Students study jazz repertoire, develop improvisation skills and build on their ability to work as a group.

New Horizons Band (adults)
This ensemble is designed for adults who enjoy making music and want to revive their musical studies. Weekly classes include a group instrumental lesson and a full band rehearsal.

Noontime Chamber Orchestra (adults)
Explore great repertoire in an ensemble setting, while improving intonation, bowing styles, phrasing, dynamics and ensemble techniques.  This community ensemble for adults is open to advanced-beginner and early-intermediate musicians, performing mostly Baroque music.

View all of Levine's Programs to learn more about our departments and group classes for all ages.

This year's Summer Music & Arts Day Camp theme is: Water Water Everywhere - Splish Splash!

We're off to explore all that H2O has to offer. From vast oceans to tiny puddles, mountain snows to lazy rivers, raindrops to snowflakes, join us as we dip our toes into the world of music, art, dance, stories, myths and traditions all revolving around WATER.

Dates
Session I – June 24 to July 12, 2013
Session II – July 15 to August 2, 2013

Priority Registration for Music & Arts Day Camp opened on January 8 to campers and current Levine families. In order to register, you will need to log in to your Levine Online Account with the email address that you have on file.

Registration is open to all on January 15.

Registration for the Teen Apprentice Program also opened on January 8. Read more about the Teen Apprentice program and requirements. Please note, the 7th and 8th grade positions fill up rapidly so please apply as early as possible.

We are all looking forward to an exciting summer! If you have any questions or are having difficulties registering, please contact Sally Mennel or Susanna Kemp in the camp office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-686-8000 x1040 or x1014.

Levine's full summer catalog including specialty camps and workshops will be available online on January 24.

Learn more about Camp.