Founder/Director Isabel C. Benemelis. Isabel started taking piano lessons at the age of 4 in her native country of Cuba. She was introduced to classical music at age 7 at The Louis Aguirre Music Conservatory. Instantly mesmerized by the music of Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart and Bach, their compositions became her passion. And by the age of 13, she was a concert pianist performing solo recitals before hundreds of people.

Over the last 26 years at the helm of Falls Church Music Conservatory, she has instilled in her students that same passion for studying and performing the classics. Isabel is dedicated to her work as music director and teacher at FCMC and considers her position a privilege.

Isabel is a member of the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association).

Juan Carlos Perez Garmendia is a virtuoso pianist. A Venezuelan native, Mr. Perez holds a Master’s degree in Piano performance, Chamber Music and teaching from the Poitr Ilich Tchaikovsky Academy of Music located in Kiev, Ukraine. Mr. Perez has performed in Venezuela, Ukraine and Russia. He has more than fifteen years of teaching experience in his native Venezuela and Ukraine. He has worked for the Venezuelan Council of Culture teaching piano to beginners as well as advanced students. He has worked as a Chamber Music Instructor for the renowned Venezuelan Children and Youth Orchestra National System and the Simon Bolivar Conservatory where he worked with professional musicians of “The Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra” Mr. Perez is a member of the National Association for Music Education and is fluent in Spanish, English and Russian.

Specializes in Piano, Voice, and Choral Direction.

She has several years of experience in teaching Piano to children. She studied classical voice in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, with the Chilean singer Claudia Parada, and conducted the Gabriel Rene Moreno University Choir in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Conservatory Adventis del Plata, Argentina.

Jose is a professional guitarist with over 20 years of experience. He started his music education in elementary school in his native Cuba, and graduated from the National School of Arts of Cuba with a Music Specialization Diploma. Mr. Martinez teaches students of all ages and levels and enjoys performing classical music, jazz, blues, Caribbean rhythms and bossa nova.

María Elizabeth Peguero is a native musician of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Since very young she showed interest and aptitude in music, so she started her music studies in the National Elementary Music School of Santo Domingo, specializing in classical piano.  Then became part of her Elementary School and local church choirs.  Later she deepened her music studies in the National Conservatory of Music of Santo Domingo, where she also joined its prestigious choir, joined many times by their Symphonic Orchestra in their performances.  Since she had developed love for singing, she decided to get voice lessons with the Dominican soprano Paola González, which gave her the knowledge and confidence to start a full time career in music, both teaching and performing.  Maria has an extensive teaching experience, both in piano and voice, being able to conduct many recitals throughout the years she lived in the Dominican Republic.

Mr Alvarez is a Drummer- Latin Percussionist from Venezuela, with more than 30 years of experience performing and teaching Drums, Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Cajon, Djembe, and several other percussion instruments. He also plays multi-percussion instruments like Maracas, Guiro, and Tambourine.  Mr. Alvarez plays and teaches a variety of rhythms, among them are Rock, Jazz, Salsa, Merengue, and Rumba. He has shared stage and has recorded with some renowned artist like Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, Grammy award winner Fletch Wiley. Chris Vadala and Latin Grammy award winner 123 Andres, among others. He has toured Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Aruba and Curaçao. Mr. Alvarez is extremely patient, and enjoys working with students of all ages and levels.

Maria de Fátima Cantelli, inherited the love of Opera from her Italian and Spanish immigrant grandparents, who settled in Brazil in the turn of the 20th century. In turn, Ms. Cantelli has chosen the Washington, D.C. area to live and to follow her dreams of a career as an opera singer. She holds a Magna cum laude degree in Vocal Performance from The Catholic University of America, where she is very pleased to have performed some very rewarding roles and scenes, such as: Penelope, in “Il Ritorno D’Ulisse in Patria; Orfeo in “Orfeo ed Euridice”; Mother Superior in “Suor Angelica”; Zita in “Gianni Schicchi”; and The Third Lady in “The Magic Flute”.

Ms. Cantelli’s is currently holding online vocal training sessions and looks forward to teaching and performing live again when COVID-19 is no longer a threat. She wishes all prospective students, parents and fellow teachers continuous safe and enjoyable virtual music experiences.

Ms. Pavlova has taught piano to hundreds of students over 20 years. Many of her students have earned top marks at recitals, festivals, and competitions, as well as winning state competitions in Virginia and North Carolina. She is a member of the National Association of Music Teachers and the Union of the Bulgarian Musicians. She has close connections with P&O Music Company in Shanghai, China representing top musicians from Shanghai Music Conservatory, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. In 2007, she established the Global Music Academy. She won recognition in 2008 by the Washington Family Magazine as one of the top best-music-teachers in the Metropolitan area.

Nediana Pavlova has a close connection and experience working with most of the music teachers, music retail stores, music instruments dealers, university’s music departments, newspapers and magazines in the Washington area.

Mr. Natrella teaches students of all levels and all ages, and likes to share his deep appreciation and love of music with all his students. He has been active as a teacher since 1978.

Holds a Master’s Degree in violin performance from Catholic University of America.

He has played in different symphony orchestras such as Fairfax, Roanoke, Arlington, and Maryland, as well as in Opera Companies since 1978.