Meet Our Faculty
Norman Charette
Norman is currently on the piano faculty at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He has previously served as an instructor of keyboard skills at James Madison University, and also worked as an accompanist for undergraduate and graduate instrumental students. At Indiana University, he worked as a practice coach for the Indiana University Summer Piano Academy. In addition to his work in a university setting, he maintains a large studio of private students in the DC area.
Norman Charette is a pianist from Lowell, Massachusetts. Although he had some music lessons as a child, it was not until the age of 19 that he began to start practicing the piano seriously. In 2012, he left his job as a software engineer to pursue studies in music, earning a Master of Music degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington, in 2016. He is currently a candidate for the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano at James Madison University. His primary piano teachers have included Paulo Steinberg, Evelyne Brancart, Edmund Battersby, and Tatiana Yampolsky, and he has taken lessons or masterclasses with Jean Saulnier, Lee Phillips, Reiko Neriki, and Edlina Dubinsky.
Norman has performed across the United States, and most recently, a trip to China included a performance as a soloist in the 2024 “Bond with Kuliang” China-US Youth Festival in the city of Fuzhou, Fujian. His playing has been described as passionate and virtuosic, and Tobias Picker (composer and former Artistic Director of Tulsa Opera) described his performance of Old and Lost Rivers as “most sensitive” and “expressive.” As a recording artist, he has recorded works by many of his favorite composers, including Claude Debussy, Frederic Chopin, Tobias Picker, and Orlando Fagnani. His latest CD album features the first complete recordings of Brazilian composer Orlando Fagnani's (1922-1977) solo piano music.
Piano
Bogdan (Bobo) Pejić
Bogdan (Bobo) Pejić is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, and music educator with over two decades of experience across classical, jazz, and tango genres. As a founding member of the renowned Beltango Quinteto, he has performed more than 1,400 concerts across Europe and South America, sharing the stage with prestigious symphonic orchestras and collaborating with world-class artists. His unique style blends classical guitar technique with the rhythm and passion of tango, resulting in deeply expressive and technically refined performances.
As a music educator, Bobo has taught guitar at conservatories and music schools throughout Serbia, and has led numerous masterclasses and workshops. His students have won over 70 national and international awards under his mentorship. He has also authored educational materials for guitar and served on juries at international competitions. In 2019, he co-founded Music Center Pejić, where he continues to inspire the youngest generation through innovative and playful music workshops.
Bobo is also a prolific composer, with original works for solo guitar and chamber ensembles. His recordings with Beltango, including Trilogia, Locomotivo, and Carapintada, have received critical acclaim. A frequent guest on European radio and TV, Bobo combines the roles of performer, mentor, and artistic leader with passion and vision, making him a key figure in contemporary guitar and tango music education.
Guitar, Ukulele, and Composition
Vesna Pejić
Vesna Pejić is a professional violist, violinist, and dedicated music educator with over 20 years of experience. She holds advanced degrees in Viola from the University of Arts in Niš and has performed with ensembles and orchestras across Europe, including tours in Austria, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. As a chamber musician, she has been a member of the Creativo Quartet, Aperto Quartet, and Beltango Quinteto.
Her teaching career includes work with students of all levels—from preschoolers to competition-ready young musicians. Vesna has taught violin and chamber music at respected music schools in Serbia, helping her students achieve over 50 top prizes at national and international competitions. She is known for her balanced approach, combining discipline with creativity and encouragement.
In 2019, she co-founded Music Center Pejić in Niš, where she leads engaging workshops for children ages 3–10. These programs use play, rhythm games, and movement to nurture musicality and confidence. Vesna’s warm, structured teaching style and rich performance background make her a valuable asset to any music community.
Violin, Viola, and Ukulele
Erin McAfee
Erin McAfee is a Washington, DC - based professional flute and piccolo artist hailing from the state of Alabama. Erin began her advanced flute studies with principal flutist of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Lisa Wienhold, in 2013. In her undergraduate studies, Erin studied under Diane Boyd-Schultz, principal flutist of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. She has also been featured in various festivals such as the ARIA International Summer Music Academy, the Pender Island Flute Retreat, and the Marina Piccinini International Masterclass. Throughout her career, she has experienced the great honor of being selected as a performer for masterclasses with renowned flutists William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, Judith Mendenhall, Bonita Boyd, Donna Shin, and Ransom Wilson, among others. Erin has also had the privilege of working as a substitute for the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra in years 2021 and 2022.
In 2023, Erin began her graduate studies at the University of Washington under the tutelage of renowned flutist and teacher, Donna Shin. Erin has had much experience playing in orchestras, wind bands, and as a soloist throughout her career, and she has developed immense respect for each of these repertoires.
Most recently, Erin performed with the University of Washington Wind Ensemble as a winner of the 2025 concerto competition and was accepted to the prestigious DCFlutes ensemble. In addition to being a professional flute and piccolo performer, Erin enjoys teaching music, creating visual art, practicing guitar, and spending time with her two cats, Fred and George!
Flute and Piccolo
Teymour Saifi
Teymour Saifi is a DC-based bassist, composer, and educator who performs with and leads ensembles across a wide range of styles—from improvised music to rock, ambient, and experimental genres. Known for his creative approaches and collaborative spirit, he brings a deep curiosity for sound to every project. His musical education includes formal theory and performance studies at Georgetown University, training at various institutions, and mentored study with renowned performers—a diverse background that informs both his teaching and his distinctly creative approach to every musical endeavor.
At Appassionata Music School of VA, Teymour teaches electric bass, performance, and composition, drawing on years of experience teaching private students of all ages and skill levels. He encourages students to engage with music on their own terms, balancing the strong technical foundation from his studies with creative freedom. His approach helps students develop their unique voice through improvisation, composition, and musical expression. Whether working with beginners or advanced musicians, he prioritizes curiosity, playfulness, and the expressiveness of making music.
