Camp Levine DC Campus: NW Teacher Bios

Jon Hamilton, an Erie, PA native, graduated from Allegheny College with his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance in 2007. He later earned his M.Ed. from Pennsylvania Western University (formerly Edinboro University) studying Middle & Secondary Education and Music Education in 2011. Jon has performed as pianist and vocalist with many organizations including: The Thomas Circle Singers, The Alexandria Singers, The Erie Philharmonic Choir, The Young People’s Chorus of Erie, Sudden M-Pac Band, and even his own group 3rio. Jon has served the last 10 years as an educator in the Title 1 schools of Fairfax County Public Schools. He also teaches private voice and piano to intermediate and advanced learners. When not working Jon is often giving his time to depth work and self development, whether alone or in group facilitation trainings. Such full hearted living provides many opportunities for enriching relationships as well as experiences.

Paloma is a second-year Digital Print Journalism and Wildlife and Fisheries Science Double Major at Penn State and a prior Camp Levine Camper and Teen Apprentice. Originally born in Argentina, she moved to the US as a young child and has been interested in music ever since her first summer with Levine. She took violin classes at levine for 8 years, and now wishes to make every summer as magical as the ones she’d experienced as a kid.

VL is excited to return for their third summer with Camp Levine. They have worked as an elementary school music teacher and early childcare educator and are currently pursuing their masters in social work at the University of Maryland Baltimore. They are super pumped to be working with the entire camp population this summer through PreK, Composition, and aftercare for sessions 1 and 2 at NW.

Cierra has been teaching with Levine’s First Music Department since 2017 and with camp since 2019. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she currently teaches elementary vocal/general music in Prince George’s County Public Schools as well as private bassoon and clarinet lessons. When Cierra is not teaching, she enjoys binge watching television and crocheting.

In my music room, students understand through experience how to create an environment where everyone thrives. Our success as an ensemble, whether measured by accurate notes or palpable joy, depends on each and every member’s sense of belonging and self-expression

Hello! My name is Dominic Thomas. I am truly excited to join the Camp Levine family this summer at the NW and SE campuses. I have been a music educator for about 7 years in PG County, Maryland and DC schools. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with all camp families and students.

Jonathan Velsey has been introducing campers to the wonders of the cello at Levine’s Music & Arts camp since 1999. A Levine alumnus himself, Jonathan received a B.A. from Bard College, and got his Master of Music degree at Northwestern University. During the year, Jonathan teaches strings in Howard County, Maryland, is on the faculty as a studio and group cello instructor at Levine and is an active freelance cellist in the Washington area. Jonathan’s musical journey has allowed him to travel and perform as solo, chamber and orchestral cellist, giving critically acclaimed recitals at home and abroad. When not teaching or performing, Jonathan enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, traveling, composing and arranging music and learning new languages.

Marbelly holds a Master of Music from the Catholic University of America, a Bachelor of Music from Peabody Conservatory and Suzuki certification. She also holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor in Biological Science. Marbelly is currently teaching First Music and Guitar at Levine Music. During summers, she enjoys teaching guitar at Camp Levine. In the past, she has taught First Music lessons in Spanish, served as OLOM Children Church choir director, taught visiting instrument classes for Montessori, school and pre-school children in the Maryland area and graduate and undergraduate Food Science classes at the Simón Bolívar University in Venezuela. She has performed as accompanist for choirs on guitar and cuatro and in orchestras with lute and mandolin.

Ariel Nathanson Bolinja, DMA, is a pianist and educator who earned her doctorate in piano pedagogy from The Catholic University of America in 2024 under Dr. James Litzelman. She also holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance with a Pedagogy Emphasis from The Hartt School and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The George Washington University, where she was a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. An experienced teacher since 2013, she currently teaches at Levine Music in DC and has performed across the U.S. and internationally. A dedicated educator, she believes in fostering lifelong curiosity, individualized instruction, and a joyful approach to learning. A frequent accompanist, she has appeared at venues such as the Kennedy Center and Strathmore. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she enjoys learning languages, traveling, and inspiring her students through music.

Christine Kharazian is a concert violinist, a graduate of the Komitas State Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Advanced School of Music in Yerevan, Armenia. She has performed in concerts at the Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall, Dumbarton House, the Gallery at The Ellipse, and various Embassies in Washington, among other venues as a soloist and with various groups. Christine is an experienced educator. Currently she teaches violin technique at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Sidwell Friends. Christine is also the author and presenter of a series of interactive programs in music education. As a versatile and adventurous musician she loves exploring various styles, from Gypsy Jazz to Brazilian Choro and performs often with various ensembles including Orchester Praževica. Christine Kharazian enjoys experimenting with the merging of various art forms, such as theater and music. In addition Christine was a 2nd prize winner of the Unsigned Only competition in 2021 for her original composition Valse Astolfi. She serves as a Chair of Student Activities at Friday Morning Music Club, coordinating concert series for young aspiring musicians, and is a board member of Blues Alley Jazz Education Society.

This will be Savannah’s second year with Camp Levine, having taught Instrument Building in the Summer of 2022. A graduate from George Washington University with a double major in Music and Psychological & Brain Sciences, she has since worked as the Performance Events Assistant for the GW Music Program, as well as a stagehand and member of the set team for productions at the Washington Stage Guild. Currently, Savannah is the Educational Program Coordinator with the Washington Bach Consort, an organization dedicated to introducing DC public school students to the musical works of Bach. Having spent much of her life and career engaging with music in a variety of different formats, she is excited to return this year with fun projects that work to encompass the nuances of music creation and the meaning of sound. As a performer and life-long lover of music she is excited to bring new challenges to the table for this year’s campers.

Emily Gilson is a DC native, actor, singer, teaching artist, and voiceover performer. This is Emily’s sixth (not counting 202) year as a teacher at Levine! She received her BA in Theatre, Medieval Studies, and Classical Literature at SUNY Purchase, and has also trained at Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory; Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA); and Shaw Festival (Ontario, CA). A proud member of SAG-AFTRA, she made her feature film debut in 2023 in Rustin on Netflix, directed by 6-time Tony nominee George C. Wolfe. Locally, she performs all over the DC area, is a cabaret singer, and also teaches at Berman Hebrew Academy and Adventure Theatre Musical Theatre Center. She is very proudly represented by Firestarter Entertainment in New York and Los Angeles. When not working, you can find her at home in Silver Spring with a cup of coffee, knitting needles, and her pet goblin, a rescue cat called Lucy.

Holly Nelson is a dedicated violinist and educator, teaching Suzuki and Traditional methods at the Levine School of Music. She fosters a nurturing environment for students to reach their artistic potential.

An active soloist, chamber musician, and concertmaster, she has performed Piazzolla, Price, and Desyatnikov concertos at prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center and Peabody Conservatory. She serves as concertmaster of the Latin Grammy-nominated Pan American Symphony Orchestra and has played with the Chamber Orchestra of New York and the Binghamton Philharmonic.

Her international performances include tours in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Taiwan, England, and Canada with renowned ensembles. A recipient of the 2022 Presser Graduate Music Award and a 2023 Fulbright Research Grant, she studied tango music in Buenos Aires and later led workshops at Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Peabody.

Holly holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Peabody Conservatory, a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor of Music from Mannes College.

Dr. Albrecht has had the privilege of freelancing all over the US, performing with groups at the Kennedy Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Mondavi Center, Krannert Center, and others. Dr. Albrecht is the professor of trumpet at Frostburg State University, where he teaches jazz and classical trumpet. He has held teaching positions at several musical institutions over his 15-year teaching career. Dr. Albrecht’s students have gone on to many careers as professional musicians and attended several top colleges and universities. Dr. Albrecht is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, the University of North Texas, Aaron Copland School of Music, and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

Emma is an elementary art teacher in MCPS. She has a BFA in Sculpture and Expanded Media and a MAT in Elementary Education. Emma’s goal this summer is to support the development of campers creative confidence, artistic identity, and critical thinking and problem solving skills. She plans to accomplish this through a variety of material processes and techniques and providing opportunities for student choice.

Hi my name is Mr.Kyng and I excited to be teaching Games & Sports and leading Before Care at Camp Levine this summer! With a passion for keeping kids active and engaged,I strive ti bring energy, fun, and teamwork to every activity. Whether it’s starting the day with a warm welcome or leading exciting games. I also am dedicated to creating a safe and enjoyable camp experience for all.

Hi, my name is Ashlei Peoples! I studied piano performance at Spelman College and attained my Master’s degree in Music Education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro! I have taught elementary music and private piano lessons for the past 8 years! I absolutely love working with children and nurturing their individual musical talents!

I am happy to return for my second year at Levine. Last summer I taught at the Strathmore campus. I have a professional background as a singer/actor. I toured with a national company of Fiddler on the Roof after graduating from Indiana University, and have perfomed in the DC area in 2 productions with Open Circle theatre and opera companies and choruses. I am a regular sub on staff at Murch Elementary school. When not working, I volunteer at a local animal shelter and horseback ride on the weekends.

I have taught elementary music for 15 years in New York, New Orleans and Northern Virginia. I have a BA from Stanford University and MA from Teachers College Columbia. In my music room, students understand through experience how to create an environment where everyone thrives. Our success as an ensemble, whether measured by accurate notes or palpable joy, depends on each and every member’s sense of belonging and self-expression.

Emily Thaler is an experienced teacher with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Art Education. She works full time during the school year for Montgomery County Public Schools and teaches art to students aged 3 to 11. She has worked for Levine School of music for over 5 years. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, dancing and hiking. She is very excited to be teaching at Levine again this summer!

Francisco Quintero is a musician, composer, producer and educator based in Washington D.C. In addition to regularly performing with some of the most well known musicians in the DMV area and the east coast both as a leader and sideman, he’s a dedicated teacher at some of the most prestigious schools in the Washington D.C. area.