Washington Conservatory of Music

Suzuki Violin Class
2026-02-02 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-09 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-02-23 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-02 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-09 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-16 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-03-23 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | MD

13th Annual Washington Conservatory Petite Piano Festival
2026-02-08 11:00 | Washington Conservatory of Music, 7370 Macarthur Blvd, Bethesda, MD, United States
For Young Pianists Ages 4–8
Designed especially for our youngest pianists, the 13th Annual Petite Piano Festival offers a gentle, encouraging, and joy-filled setting where children ages 4–8 can perform and feel proud of their musical growth.
Festival Highlights

Warm and welcoming performance environment ideal for first-time participants
Short, well-prepared solo piece of the student’s choice
No judges for this event
Petite Festival certificate and medal presented to every performer
A memorable experience that builds excitement and confidence for young musicians
Reception will follow

Who Should Participate
Young beginners who are developing confidence at the piano and who would benefit from a positive, low-pressure performance opportunity.
Registration
Festival Date: Sunday February 8 at 11 am
Location: Washington Conservatory of Music Recital Room
Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCQV1D9GzuSb0OUKahwQbZhQ6GHa22py6YuJJquMhBWX-Svg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Space is limited. Register early to reserve your student’s time slot. The deadline for registration is January 20!

16th Annual Washington Conservatory Piano Festival
2026-02-08 13:30 | Steinway Gallery of North Bethesda, 11611 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville, MD, 20852
For Young Pianists Ages 9–18
Join us for the 16th Annual Piano Festival, a joyful and inspiring day of music-making designed to encourage young pianists to grow, shine, and celebrate their artistry. Students ages 9–18 are invited to perform one or two polished pieces for adjudicators from outside and receive supportive written feedback.
Festival Highlights

Solo and duet performance opportunity in a welcoming, non-competitive environment
Written evaluations offering constructive guidance and encouragement
Professional festival adjudicators from outside the conservatory.
Certificates of participation and ribbon for all performers
A valuable opportunity to build confidence and prepare for future recitals, auditions, and juries

Who Should Participate
WCM Students who are preparing a well-rehearsed solo and duet repertoire piece at any level—from late beginner through advanced—and who are ready to gain performance experience in a warm, supportive festival environment.
Registration
Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRBOeXyA8_aUlP64-nDmI7mi-BPokbK-R_BikKFVBwalXiCg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged, and the deadline to register is January 20.

Beginner Suzuki Violin Class
2026-02-09 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-02-23 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-02 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-09 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-16 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-23 17:00 - 17:30 | MD

Pressenda Chamber Players Concert
2026-02-14 14:00 | Cleveland Park Congregational United Church of Christ, 3400 Lowell St NW, Washington, DC, 20016
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Reception to follow
Join us for a powerful afternoon of chamber music with the acclaimed Pressenda Chamber Players, performing masterworks by beloved classical composers.
Each concert in this inspiring series showcases the ensemble’s artistry and passion for bringing classical music to life — from duos to octets, featuring some of the finest musicians in the country.
Tickets
General Admission – Free with suggested donation
Reserve your seat or RSVP at the door. Seating is limited.
Program:

Beethoven “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” op.66
Debussy Sonate
Schumann Fantasiestücke op. 73
Beethoven- Cello Sonate No. 4 C-Dur, op 102. No. 1

Performers:
Tobias Werner, celloArdita Statovci, piano
About the Artists
Pressenda Chamber Players, the Washington Conservatory Ensemble in Residence, is a chamber music ensemble of strings, piano, and guest artists named for Giovanni Pressenda (1777–1854)—the maker of the instruments played by Founder, Artistic Director, and cellist Tobias Werner and violinist Aaron Berofsky.

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Accord Symphony Orchestra: Black History Month Concert
2026-02-15 15:00 | St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St NW, Washington, DC, 20016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUZxhz55Q2w
Join us for an inspiring and dynamic concert with our talented musicians for this Black History Month observance, where we will honor the power of music in our community. This concert features the Accord Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Julien Benichou, and Assistant Conductor Gloria Yin.
View the concert program here.
Featured Soloist

Internationally renowned concert pianist Christie Julien made her solo debut with the National Symphony Orchestra playing Bartok’s Concerto no.3 under Maestro Leonard Slatkin at the Kennedy Center. She recently performed with Eduardo Marturet and the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, and toured China, Japan, South America, and Europe to great public and media acclaim. As an avid chamber musician, Ms. Julien regularly participates at some prestigious music festivals including Salzburg, Santa Fe, La Jola, Ravinia and Great Lakes. She is a regular jury member of the International piano competitions including Margarita Long in Paris. Christie studied piano with the legendary pianist and pedagogue Leon Fleischer at Peabody Conservatory and obtained a prestigious “Artist Diploma”. In addition, she holds Yamaha and Lavoisier scholarships awarded by the French government and multiple prizes in solo piano and chamber music. Julien entered at the age 14 the Conservatoire National Superior de Musique de Paris and was awarded first prizes in both solo and chamber music. To learn more about Christie, visit christiejulien.com.

Soprano Simone Ballinger-Brown has lived most of her life in Silver Spring, Maryland. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Xavier University of Louisiana and her Master of Music in Voice from Peabody Conservatory under the tutelage of Denyce Graves and Margaret Baroody. She has performed Leontyne in The Anonymous Lover, Musetta in La Bohème, Monica in The Medium, Frasquita in Carmen, and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. Simone runs and performs for her business Black Princess Parties DMV. Simone is the Program Associate at the Washington Conservatory of Music.

No Group Class- Presidents Day (Private lessons still scheduled regularly!)
2026-02-16 | MD

Suzuki Flute Class Book 2+
2026-02-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-22 14:00 - 15:00 | MD

Suzuki Flute Class Book 1
2026-02-22 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-08 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-22 15:00 - 16:00 | MD

Accord Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition Auditions
2026-02-28 10:00 | Cleveland Park Congregational United Church of Christ, 3400 Lowell St NW, Washington, DC, 20016
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be behind the scenes for auditions? Join WCM for our Annual Accord Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition!
The Washington Conservatory of Music (WCM) is excited to announce the opportunity to perform with the Accord Symphony Orchestra through their 10th Season Concerto Competition!
General Requirements

Audition Date and Times: February 28th, 10am-12:30pm
Audition Location: Cleveland Park Congregational United Church of Christ, 3400 Lowell St. NW, Washington, DC
Audition Deadline to Apply: February 23, 2026
Performance Date and Location: April 12, 3pm at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in NW Washington, DC
Who Can Apply: Instrumentalists and vocalists of all ages

What to Perform (read entire section)For both instrumentalists and vocalists, pieces must have been written before 1925, and orchestral accompaniments should be performable by standard Romantic Era-sized orchestra or smaller. Pieces should not exceed a total length of 15 minutes.For instrumentalists, one movement of standard concerto repertoire or major work written for soloist and orchestra.For vocalists, a complete work for voice and orchestra, a selection of songs from an orchestrated song cycle, concert arias, one or two opera arias from the same opera, or selections from a larger work (e.g., Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate) are all acceptable options. Musical Theater or similar repertoire is not allowed.
Music: Provide scores (solo part/piano reduction) for the pianist at the time of application. You may bring your own pianist if you wish, but the arrangements (including any asked-for fees) are the responsibility of the participant. You must bring neat, double-sided, hole-punched copies in a 3-ring binder for the WCM-provided pianist.
Attire: Business or comfortable daytime recital wear. Concert black is also acceptable.
Application Process

Apply Online: Complete the WCM’s online application form.
Submit Video: Upload a high-quality audition video by the deadline.
Prize: Perform winning piece with the Accord Symphony Orchestra during the April 12th concert

Washington Conservatory Orchestra Spring Concert
2026-03-08 17:00 | North Chevy Chase Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 8814 Kensington Pkwy, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
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This Spring 2026 special performance showcases a masterful selection of classical works, bringing together musicians, community, and the joy of live performance. This performance features conductor Jovan Zivkovic leading the Washington Conservatory Orchestra.
Performing:
Rossini – La Gazza Ladra Overture– Marcello Silva, Assistant Conductor
Mozart – Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, K.V. 622– David Chen, Clarinet (WCM student of Cheryl Hill Sanborn)
Beethoven – Symphony No.8

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Women’s History Month Recital featuring Audrey Andrist, piano, and Laura Colgate, violin
2026-03-10 19:00 | Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20816
Join the Washington Conservatory of Music for a distinguished evening of performance in celebration of Women’s History Month.
WCM Faculty artist Audrey Andrist, piano, and National Philharmonic Concertmaster Laura Colgate, violin, present a thoughtfully curated recital honoring the legacy, artistry, and influence of women in classical music. Through works of depth and brilliance, this program celebrates the voices that have shaped and continue to shape the classical tradition.
A reception will follow the performance.
Reserve your seat today.

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Faculty Recital: Pianist Audrey Andrist and Guest Violinist Laura Colgate
2026-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6203 Dunrobbin Dr, Bethesda, MD, United States
Reception to follow

Cello Choir
2026-03-21 12:00 - 16:00 | Glen Echo Park, 7370 Macarthur Blvd, Bethesda, MD, United States
Calling all cellists! You’re invited to be part of a Cello Choir on Saturday, March 21, as part of the Washington Conservatory of Music’s Bach Birthday Bash, celebrating J.S. Bach.
Open to all cellists at the Suzuki Book 2 level and above, this special event includes a three-hour rehearsal from 12–3pm in Glen Echo, MD, where you’ll receive coaching from expert technician and WCM Cello Faculty Sandy Kiefer on repertoire by Bach. The ensemble will then perform at the 4 pm Bach Birthday Bash at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer as part of the larger birthday celebration — cake to follow!
The more the merrier; come celebrate Bach with us! Click HERE to apply! (Application deadline: Friday, March 13th, payment deadline: Wednesday, March 18th.)

Bach Birthday Bash
2026-03-21 16:00 | Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20816
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Come celebrate J.S. Bach’s 341st birthday with the Washington Conservatory of Music during our Bach Birthday Bash! On March 21, at 4 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda, we’ll gather for an informal recital, a festive sight-reading party, and of course, cake!
Whether you’re new to the “grandfather of classical music” or a devoted Bach fan, performers of all levels – including students, parents, faculty, and friends – are warmly welcome. Join us for an afternoon of music, celebration, and plenty of Bach. Anyone wishing to perform a piece by J.S. Bach is invited to submit this form with program information by March 11. The more the merrier! What better way to celebrate Bach than by exploring and sharing his music?
This event supports the Conservatory’s concert programs. You can help support our mission to make music accessible to everyone with a suggested donation of $15 for individuals or $25 for families, which will ensure that we can provide programming like this going forward!

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