Amazing Musician – Teachers Join CYM
We are excited to announce the addition of three dedicated teachers! Maria, Gabrielle, and Vincent are effective professionals with great communication skills; they demonstrate a deep love and understanding of the language of music, have cared for and trained music students of all ages, and their work ethic and individual histories of community service fit beautifully with our school’s mission. All three will be available on August 1st to teach lessons each week, in person or online, at the start of our new academic year. Please join us in helping them feel welcome!
Maria Gracielle Constantine – Piano and Musikgarten
A native of Baden, Pennsylvania, and graduate of North Allegheny High School, Maria Constantine is a pianist and soprano who gives careful attention to the practical skills and musicianship of her students. Ms. Constantine teaches lessons and performs frequently as a classical pianist and vocal soloist, and as vocal and percussion ensemble member. She is a person who listens closely to her students to gain insight into the best ways to advance their musical skills. Maria will teach Music Makers at the Keyboard by Musikgarten and individual piano lessons, starting in August.
Maria is pursuing a degree in Music Education with a focus in Piano at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University (2023). She co-founded the Wolf-Constantine Chamber Orchestra, based in Pittsburgh, and serves as the administrator and organizer of the ensemble and also plays with the group. A natural leader, Maria is the President of the Music Teachers National Association Duquesne Collegiate Chapter, as well as Vice President of the National Association for Music Education Duquesne Collegiate Chapter. Through these organizations, Maria supports the professional development of fellow teachers and the betterment of music education as a whole. Some of the MTNA and NAME chapter goals include acquainting students with teaching standards and learning opportunities on campus, in the community, and also in national arenas.
From 2012 – 2018 Maria performed piano at (was named finalist, or won prizes and awards from) the following events: The Cincinnati World Piano Competition, The Carnegie Hall – New York Winners Performance, The Duquesne Young Artist National Competition, The Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition, Carnegie-Mellon University Solo Competition, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition, and The Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Go to the Craft Your Music – Faculty Page to read about Maria Constantine and see lesson openings on her schedule. She is thrilled to share her energy and enthusiasm with students at CYM!
Gabrielle Faetini – Violin and Piano
Gabrielle Faetini is a Pittsburgh based violinist who holds a career as an orchestral musician and educator. While pursuing her Master’s Degree in 2019, Ms. Faetini won a section violin position with the Pittsburgh Opera. She is a member of and has performed with numerous orchestras including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra, the Wheeling, West Virginia, Westmoreland, Butler County, Youngstown, and Johnstown Symphony Orchestras. Gabrielle has also been involved in various summer music festivals including Buzzard’s Bay Music Festival and Berkshire Opera Festival, both located in Massachusetts. She was winner of the McKeesport Young Artist Competition in 2011.
In addition to her performance career, Gabrielle is a violin and piano instructor who loves to work with people of every age, level of commitment, and area of musical interest. She has taught at the Environmental Charter School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she helped create a “Meet the Maestro” program so students could attend performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and talk directly with Maestro Manfred Honeck. Described as “inquisitive and passionate” about music and one who has “seemingly limitless patience” while teaching, Gabrielle works with beginning to intermediate level piano students and violinists of all abilities.
Gabrielle was a student of Charles and Rachel Stegeman at Duquesne University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance in 2018 and Master’s Degree in Violin Performance in 2020. She is a founding member of the Ferrum String Quartet and her quartet has had the opportunity to perform in numerous festivals including the Sunflower Music Festival in Topeka, Kansas, and the Miami Music Festival in Miami, Florida. Gabrielle has registered the course Every Child Can with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and plans to continue her education through this professional organization.
Go to the Craft Your Music – Faculty Page to read more about Gabrielle Faetini and see lesson openings on her schedule. Gabrielle will bring personal warmth and technical expertise to new students at CYM and we are so happy she has chosen to join the faculty!
Cheuk-Yan Leung (Vincent) – Cello, Piano, Chamber Music, and Chinese Languages
A cellist born in Hong Kong, Vincent Leung’s teaching and educational outreach experiences includes working with young children, teens, and young adults at the following institutions: The International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School in Hong Kong, The Cleveland Institute of Music Suzuki Program, The Cleveland School of the Arts, The Joyful Noise Neighborhood Programs (also in Cleveland), and at Florida State University. One commenter observed of Vincent’s previous teaching that he “played an integral role in (the student’s) learning how to actually practice, cello success and motivation… and also developed a lovely relationship with (the student’s) family…”. At the completion of his visit to CYM, one parent shared that Vincent “is very relatable and students will feel comfortable with him”.
Vincent earned a Bachelor’s in Cello Performance at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in 2014, a Master’s in Chamber Music at Kent State in 2016, a Master’s in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2018, and while attending each of these schools he led the cello sections as principal. Vincent earned his Doctorate in Cello Performance at Florida State University in 2021, and while living in Florida played in the Tallahassee and Valdosta Symphony Orchestras as section cellist.
As a founding member of Trio Riva, Vincent received Honorable Mention in the NOLA ChamberFest Graduate Division and was a finalist in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition Senior Division. He also performed as a chamber musician at the University of South Florida’s Rutenberg Chamber Music Series and Thomasville Center for the Arts’ Music in the Woods Series. Additionally, he has been a member of the Burgin String Quartet, the Quartet-in-Residence at the Florida State University, from 2018 to 2021. Vincent has extensive experience performing in prestigious concert venues including the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Orpheus Theatre in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
Vincent has been the Music Director and Pianist, at Faith Lutheran Church, in Tallahassee since 2018 and served his community of faith through the years since 2009 as cello soloist, church pianist, and music lecturer. He has registered Books 1 – 10 with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and positively influenced the potential of students though the Suzuki philosophy and method by nurturing skill, motivation levels, and musical understanding. Vincent, fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, will also offer lessons and tutoring in these languages at CYM.
Go to the Craft Your Music – Faculty Page to read more about Vincent Leung and see lesson openings on his schedule. We anticipate many fresh opportunities for CYM students on cello and piano, with chamber music, and with Chinese languages, as soon as Vincent arrives next month!