Kevin Guyton
NW DC, Upton St. Site Director
Dr. Kevin Guyton is excited to serve as the Site Director for Levine Music Summer Camp. A pianist, vocalist, and educator, Dr. Guyton holds a Doctorate in Education and has spent the past 10 years teaching in the District of Columbia Public Schools. He is passionate about helping young people discover their creativity, confidence, and love of music. Outside of camp, Dr. Guyton enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. As a family, they love visiting Disney destinations and watching Marvel movies together. He looks forward to a fun, engaging, and memorable summer with all of our campers and families!
Noelle Gertz
Assistant Site Director- NW DC, Upton St.
Hi! This is my second year at Camp Levine on staff! I am a rising sophmore in college studying Social Work! I have worked with Camp Levine previously as a Teen Apprentice and I am very familiar with camp! I can’t wait to meet all of you this summer! We are going to make it a great one!
Joshua Bowman
Teen Apprentice Coordinator- NW DC, Upton st.
Hi Camp Levine families. My name is Josh Bowman and I will be serving as the Teen Apprentice Coordinator, meaning I will be in charge of our Teen Apprentices this summer. I am a sophomore music education major at Shenandoah Conservatory. My primary instrument is cello, which I study under Julian Schwarz. I am elated to be serving in this role.
I hope that in my role I can either directly or indirectly help encourage your child to love the arts as much as I do!
VL Buzdygon
Composition Teacher, Aftercare Teacher- Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
VL is excited to return for their fourth 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.
Cierra Grace
PreK Teacher- Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
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.
Rachel Panay Raziel
PreK & Art Teacher – Session I & Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
Rachel Panay Raziel is a musician, educator, songwriter, and performer with a lifelong passion
for music and the arts. A graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC,
and an Honors graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, she has spent her career
performing, creating, and teaching music.
Rachel’s professional experience includes work as a Billboard-charting recording artist and
songwriter whose music has been heard on national television and international stages. She has
studied and performed a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, musical theater,
gospel, pop, R&B, and dance music.
As an educator, Rachel loves helping young people discover their creativity through music,
movement, storytelling, and hands-on artistic experiences. She believes that every child is
naturally musical and that learning is most effective when it combines structure, imagination, and
fun.
This summer, Rachel is excited to explore the theme of Songs, Sights, and Sounds of the City
with her students through singing, movement, rhythm activities, art projects, and creative play.
She looks forward to helping campers learn, create, and build confidence while making
wonderful summer memories together.
Dominic Thomas
PreK Teacher- Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
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 8 years in PG County, Maryland and DC schools. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with all camp families and students.
Nicole Ottolenghi
PreK Teacher- Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
Hi! My name is Nicole, and I’m a Pre-K special education teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools, where I’ve been working for over six years. I’m originally from England, where I trained as a trial attorney before transitioning into education.
I love working with children and creating a warm, supportive environment where they feel safe, happy, and excited to learn. I have experience supporting a wide range of learners and enjoy helping each child grow in their own unique way.
I’m also a mom of two boys, so I understand how important it is for families to feel confident and comfortable with their child’s care. I’m really looking forward to a fun, engaging, and positive camp experience this summer!
Sam Hall
PreK Teacher- Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
My name is Sam Hall, and I’m excited to be a Pre-K teacher at summer camp this year! I love working with young children and creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment where they can learn, play, and grow. I enjoy helping campers build confidence, make new friends, and explore their creativity through hands-on activities, music learning, and outdoor adventures.
Mark Sylvester
Guitar Teacher- Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
Mark is on the guitar faculty of Levine Music, and he is looking forward to another fun year at Camp Levine.
Francisco Quintero
Guitar Teacher- Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
Francisco Quintero is a professional musician, music producer and educator. He attended Berklee College of Music and Northern Illinois University, obtaining degrees in Music Performance and Jazz Studies respectively with Summa Cum Laude Honors. He’s an active performer around the Washington DC area and beyond, presenting original music both as a soloist and as a member of different ensembles. When not performing, Francisco spends most of his time teaching music at some of the most prestigious schools in the area and working as a music producer in the studio.
Jonathan Vesley
Cello & Production Art Teacher – Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
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.
Claire Cunningham
Saxophone & Production Art Teacher – Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
Claire Cunningham is a teacher and saxophonist from the DMV area. She recently graduated from Baldwin Wallace University. Claire is excited to return to Camp Levine for the fifth time, this time as a teacher!
Nathan Wolfe
Trumpet Teacher – Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
Nathan Wolfe is a trumpet player and educator based in the Washington, DC area. His love for music is not confined by genre, and has performed in many different musical settings, from small jazz combos, to large orchestras. He has performed at many legendary venues, including the Kennedy Center and Blues Alley. He received his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Maryland, where he studied with Chris Gekker. He has also studied with Ray Riccomini and Robert Birch. He currently performs with the DC Concert Orchestra.
As an educator, Nathan likes to employ a personalized approach, as every student is different. His main goals are to build technique and tone on the trumpet, which will provide the student with a strong foundation to pursue any form of music that they desire. His ultimate aim is to mold his students into skilled musicians who are joyful about the music that they create. He is also a certified teacher in the Suzuki Method for trumpet.
Outside of music, Nathan enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading. One of his lifelong goals is to visit every national park.
Alexandra Jones
Piano Teacher – Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
Alexandra Jones is thrilled to be joining the Camp Levine for her second summer. A native of Rockville, Md, Alexandra holds a B.A. in Music from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a M.M. in Piano Performance from George Mason University. She is active as a performer and teacher in Reston, Va where she lives with her husband and adorable dog, Piper. In addition to music, Alexandra enjoys gardening, hiking with her dog, and discovering the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Christine Kharazian
Violin Teacher – Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
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.
Pauline Lamb
Dance & Instrument Building Teacher – Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
Pauline Lamb is a professional actor, choreographer, and properties designer who has worked with multiple theaters throughout the DMV including, Mosaic, Folger, 1st Stage, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth, Theater Alliance, Creative Cauldron, and NextStop Theater. She is thrilled to come back to teach summer camps with Levine for her fourth summer! This fall she will complete her third international tour on the island of Bermuda as an actor and choreographer for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Matt Tredwell
Percussion Teacher – Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
Matt Tredwell is a professional drummer and educator with more than 15 years of teaching experience and an extensive background performing throughout the DMV and East Coast music scenes. He has taught thousands of private drum, guitar, and piano lessons to students of all ages. In addition to private instruction, Matt has taught music and percussion in independent school settings and summer arts programs throughout the Washington, DC area.
As a performer, Matt regularly appears with a variety of bands and artists spanning funk, reggae, rock, blues, jazz, and world music traditions. He performs frequently with La Unica and Carly Harvey, and recent musical theater work includes The Addams Family, Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief, Something Rotten!, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma!, and Cinderella. Matt studied at The Collective School of Music in New York City, earned a BFA in Jazz Studies from The City College of New York, and completed a Graduate Performance Diploma at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
Maya Cooper
Music+ & Vocal/Choral – Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
Maya Cooper is a pianist/vocalist/educator/performer based in Northern Virginia. Maya is thrilled to be entering her fourth summer as a teacher with Camp Levine. She received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Vocal)/Piano from the Eastman School of Music. She also serves as the Music Director at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and will be teaching Elementary General Music for Arlington Public Schools. Maya’s favorite things about Camp Levine/teaching music in general are the memories made, and putting the “fun-” in “fundamental”.
Amanda Silverstein
Music+ – Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
Amanda Silverstein (Music +) is so excited to be back for her third summer with Levine. Amanda is a general music teacher in Arlington County Public Schools. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in Music Education from George Mason University. Amanda loves to perform and spend time outside when she is not teaching. Amanda is excited for another summer of music making!
Emma Parker
Beforecare & Art Teacher – Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
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.
Kyng Cleveland
Games & Sports Teacher – Session I & II – NW DC, Upton St.
Hi my name is Mr.Kyng and I excited to be teaching Games & Sports at Camp Levine this summer! With a passion for keeping kids active and engaged,I strive to 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.
Loodmy Altema
Drama Teacher – Session I – NW DC, Upton St.
Hi my name is Loodmy and I will be your artists´ drama teacher for session 1! I look forward to expanding their creative thoughts while also helping them to find and refine their artistic voice. Get ready to have the most fun!
Shereth Gilson
Drama Teacher – Session II – NW DC, Upton St.
I am excited to return for my 3rd year, 2nd at the NW campus.
Upon graduating from Indiana University in music and theatre, I have performed all over the United States and Canada in the national company of Fiddler on the Roof, sung with opera companies in the DC area, and was in 2 shows with Open Circle Theatre, including Evita and a retrospective of past musicals.
I have also sung with City Choir of Washington and did 3 seasons with Bethesda Little Theatre.
Besides performing my passion is animals, especially horses, and I volunteer at Humane Rescue Alliance.
I look forward to a great, fun summer!
John-Paul Perrotta
Snack/Break Session 1 & After Care Teacher 1 & 2
John-Paul is excited to return to Camp Levine to be a Snack/Break Teacher and an Aftercare Teacher. He was previously a Production Art Teacher and an Aftercare Teacher. During the DCPS school year, he is a teacher at Murch Elementary School.
Before Camp Levine, he was a camper and a counselor for many years at Creative Kids Camp in Greenbelt, Maryland, a musical theater summer camp where campers and staff performed an original musical at the end of each session.
John-Paul was also a piano student at Jordan Kitt’s Music for many years and has continued playing since then. He is fluent in Italian, has a working knowledge of Spanish and French, and thoroughly enjoys art.
Kelton Norris
Snack/Break & After Care Teacher II
Kelton Norris is a professional drummer, musician, and educator based in Washington, D.C. With a background in education and performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and Northern Illinois University, Kelton has built a career centered around performing and helping students grow as confident, creative, and thoughtful musicians.
As both a performer and teacher, Kelton brings a patient, encouraging, and student-centered approach to every lesson, workshop, and collaboration. He specializes in drum set, percussion, and musicianship, while helping students develop confidence, communication, and effective practice habits.
Kelton has worked with students of all ages and experience levels through private lessons, school programs, college courses, educational performances, workshops, and ensemble coaching. He is known for his ability to connect with students and families, creating a supportive environment that encourages curiosity, teamwork, and long-term growth.
Alongside his work as an educator, Kelton maintains an active performance career throughout the United States and abroad. He has appeared at major venues and festivals, supporting internationally recognized artists in a wide range of settings, including concert halls and jazz clubs. Whether performing or teaching, Kelton brings the same focus, groove, and flow to every musical experience.