Capital Piano Conservatory

Faculty

JAMES HILLIS

Award-Winning pianist JAMES HILLIS is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with Julian Martin and Joseph Schwartz the chair of the Oberlin piano department. After conservatory Mr. Hillis studied privately with Veda Kaplinsky the current head of the Juilliard Piano Division. Mr. Hillis is founder of the Capital Piano Conservatory. Watch performances from James Hillis HERE

MARCO ALEJANDRO CRUZ

Pianist and conductor MARCO ALEJANDRO CRUZ has two Master’s Degrees in music – as a pianist and as an operatic coach - both from the University of the Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany as well as a Bachelor’s in piano performance. Fluent in both German and Spanish, Mr. Cruz has been a thoughtful teacher to young pianists since 2005. An accomplished musician in a wide variety of disciplines, Mr. Cruz brings an enormous breadth of knowledge and experience to our students. (Klavierunterricht auf Deustch and Clases de piano en Espanol)

OLGA VOLKOVA

Olga Volkova has extensively performed in Russia, Europe and the USA, as soloist and collaborative pianist, and has won several prestigious international competitions. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms. Volkova graduated with honors from the Herzen University Institute of Music (St. Petersburg, Russia), where she studied solo piano with Tatiana Zagorovskaya, collaborative piano with Vladimir Gourevich and chamber ensemble with Pavel Eliashevich. Later she continued her studies at Mannes School of Music in New York City (The New School), where she completed her Master’s degree in piano performance under Eteri Andjaparidze. Ms. Volkova is a wonderfully creative teacher who is terrific at sharing her joy for music with her students. CPC is very excited to have her!

PARKER FADOUL

PARKER FADOUL runs CPC’s beginner program. A doctoral candidate at Peabody, Ms. Parker has her Master’s Degree in music from Yale and her undergrad from George Mason. Although primarily a percussionist who has been a soloist with the National Symphony, Ms. Fadoul is an accomplished pianist who has taught young pianists for over a decade and was a standout candidate for CPC because of her extraordinary ability to connect with and inspire kids. Ms. Fadoul has worked extensively in children’s music education, developing and performing over 200 children’s music shows for the Kennedy Center, shows she has taken on the road throughout the US.

KATHRYN GOODSON

KATHRYN GOODSON, CPC’s visiting professor of Collaborative Piano was called “generator of colors and of lights” by the Journal de Genève after a Schumann Liederabendpianist. A pianist, teacher, coach and administrator, Dr. Goodson has enjoyed an international career for over three decades. She commands repertoire from baroque through contemporary and improvisatory genres, collaborating with vocalists, instrumentalists, composers, multiple dance disciplines and orchestral ensembles. As partner and coach Dr. Goodson has served at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance since 2002. Goodson’s discography includes recordings of lost Italian-Jewish art songs, duo recitals and chamber music. Belle Nuit, a Navona release of “sparkling heights” (American Record Guide) was curated and produced by Goodson. Additional signature endeavors are masterclasses–Songs4Winds, and American & African Diaspora Art Song for German Music Schools, as well as Kinderconcerts: a series of concerts for young children.