Our outstanding staff…
Virginia Anne Dill
Founder, Director
”Mrs. Virginia” is from Richmond and founded the Virginia Beach School of the Arts in 1998. She is a an honor graduate from the Conservatory at Shenandoah University where she majored in Classical and Jazz piano. Her greatest loves are her husband, family and friends, students and teaching preschool music. She splits her time between Va Beach and Jacksonville, FL where founded the Jacksonville School of the Arts and also teaches.
Founder, Director
”Mrs. Virginia” is from Richmond and founded the Virginia Beach School of the Arts in 1998. She is a an honor graduate from the Conservatory at Shenandoah University where she majored in Classical and Jazz piano. Her greatest loves are her husband, family and friends, students and teaching preschool music. She splits her time between Va Beach and Jacksonville, FL where founded the Jacksonville School of the Arts and also teaches.
Meredith McKee,
Art
Hi! I am Mrs. Meredith, Director of Art at the Virginia Beach School of the Arts for the past 19 school years!!! I have a bachelors degree in Art Education from Virginia Wesleyan College, and I am certified pre-K through 12th grade. I have worked hard to develop a stair step art program for students ages 2-16 here at VBSA. One class building on the next. I grew up here in Hampton Roads and love our artistic community. I’m am married to my long time life partner Executive Chef Andrew McKee of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. We have one out going daughter, Gibson, who we love traveling and spending time with. She also attends many extra curricular activities here at VBSA. I look forward to seeing all of you in my classroom soon!!
Art
Hi! I am Mrs. Meredith, Director of Art at the Virginia Beach School of the Arts for the past 19 school years!!! I have a bachelors degree in Art Education from Virginia Wesleyan College, and I am certified pre-K through 12th grade. I have worked hard to develop a stair step art program for students ages 2-16 here at VBSA. One class building on the next. I grew up here in Hampton Roads and love our artistic community. I’m am married to my long time life partner Executive Chef Andrew McKee of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. We have one out going daughter, Gibson, who we love traveling and spending time with. She also attends many extra curricular activities here at VBSA. I look forward to seeing all of you in my classroom soon!!
Grace Hare
Piano
A lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area, Mrs. Grace attended Old Dominion University where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She has been teaching for 21 years. She currently lives in Chesapeake with her husband & 2 boys. On their down time, they love traveling and going to the beach.
Piano
A lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area, Mrs. Grace attended Old Dominion University where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She has been teaching for 21 years. She currently lives in Chesapeake with her husband & 2 boys. On their down time, they love traveling and going to the beach.
Crystal Lennon
Piano & Guitar
Born in North Carolina as part of the 4th generation on a beef cattle/grain crop farm, I started learning piano by age 7, trumpet by age 10, and guitar by age 11. My education journey took me to Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, where I earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with a concentration in Music Composition. Although I’ve taught music for more than 20 years, I’ve also had some other interesting occupations alongside my teaching career. I’ve composed music and designed sound effects for computer games, short movies, and commercials. I’ve played in many different bands/orchestras. I’ve served as both worship leader and band member of several worship bands. I even spent a year in Kenya, East Africa working in a Nairobi music studio. I have lots of stories to tell!
Piano & Guitar
Born in North Carolina as part of the 4th generation on a beef cattle/grain crop farm, I started learning piano by age 7, trumpet by age 10, and guitar by age 11. My education journey took me to Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, where I earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with a concentration in Music Composition. Although I’ve taught music for more than 20 years, I’ve also had some other interesting occupations alongside my teaching career. I’ve composed music and designed sound effects for computer games, short movies, and commercials. I’ve played in many different bands/orchestras. I’ve served as both worship leader and band member of several worship bands. I even spent a year in Kenya, East Africa working in a Nairobi music studio. I have lots of stories to tell!
Beth Baker
Piano
Beth earned her Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education with an applied piano concentration from Old Dominion University’s Diehn School of Music. Playing and teaching piano are her biggest passions. She is an avid beach lover and enjoys swimming and spending time with her soon to be husband.
Piano
Beth earned her Bachelor and Master degrees in Music Education with an applied piano concentration from Old Dominion University’s Diehn School of Music. Playing and teaching piano are her biggest passions. She is an avid beach lover and enjoys swimming and spending time with her soon to be husband.
Angelina Gandolpho
Violin
Canadian violinist Angelina Gandolfo moved to Hampton Roads in 2015. As a section violinist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Angelina performs extensively throughout the region, including work with the Virginia Opera as well. She obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Performance from McGill University in Montreal. Passionate about music education, Angelina enjoys teaching students of all ages at VBSA. She currently lives in Norfolk with her husband, VSO trumpet player Adam Gandolfo, and enjoys beach walks and pickleball in her spare time.
Violin
Canadian violinist Angelina Gandolfo moved to Hampton Roads in 2015. As a section violinist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Angelina performs extensively throughout the region, including work with the Virginia Opera as well. She obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Performance from McGill University in Montreal. Passionate about music education, Angelina enjoys teaching students of all ages at VBSA. She currently lives in Norfolk with her husband, VSO trumpet player Adam Gandolfo, and enjoys beach walks and pickleball in her spare time.
Allison Kim
Violin
Allison Kim has been playing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as a section violinist since 2019. She began playing after receiving a quarter size violin as a gift from her grandfather for her eighth birthday. She grew up in Asunción, Paraguay and Busan, South Korea before moving to Colorado, where she began her formal training under the tutelage of Jesse Ceci, former concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. She received her Bachelor of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Master of Music at Indiana University, and Advanced Music Studies certificate at Carnegie Mellon University. During the summers, she attended festivals including Aspen Music Festival as an Orchestral String fellow, National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Garth Newel Music Center, Encore School for Strings, and Madeline Island Music Camp. She is a substitute of the Colorado Symphony and the New World Symphony and has been a member of various regional orchestras in Indiana and Colorado. In addition to Jesse, her teachersinclude Lina Bahn, Ik-Hwan Bae, Yumi Hwang-Williams, and Andrés Cárdenes. During her free time Allison loves playing with dogs and cheering on Denver sports teams.
Violin
Allison Kim has been playing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as a section violinist since 2019. She began playing after receiving a quarter size violin as a gift from her grandfather for her eighth birthday. She grew up in Asunción, Paraguay and Busan, South Korea before moving to Colorado, where she began her formal training under the tutelage of Jesse Ceci, former concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. She received her Bachelor of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Master of Music at Indiana University, and Advanced Music Studies certificate at Carnegie Mellon University. During the summers, she attended festivals including Aspen Music Festival as an Orchestral String fellow, National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Garth Newel Music Center, Encore School for Strings, and Madeline Island Music Camp. She is a substitute of the Colorado Symphony and the New World Symphony and has been a member of various regional orchestras in Indiana and Colorado. In addition to Jesse, her teachersinclude Lina Bahn, Ik-Hwan Bae, Yumi Hwang-Williams, and Andrés Cárdenes. During her free time Allison loves playing with dogs and cheering on Denver sports teams.
Gina George
Advanced Preschool for the Arts
I started teaching preschool last summer, taught in the Rainbow room and substituted for K-3rd until March of 2021 when I created and began teaching the Advanced Preschool program. I helped found the VBSA PTA, serve as PTA Treasurer, and enjoy planning our school events and festivals.
While I have only been in a teaching position for a year, a Groupon for Mommy and Me classes brought me to VBSA 8 years ago and I never left! I have loved watching and being a part of the school’s growth and am excited for another amazing year!
I have a bachelor degree in Social Science, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 Holland lop rabbits, 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats, and 24 chickens. 🙃
Advanced Preschool for the Arts
I started teaching preschool last summer, taught in the Rainbow room and substituted for K-3rd until March of 2021 when I created and began teaching the Advanced Preschool program. I helped found the VBSA PTA, serve as PTA Treasurer, and enjoy planning our school events and festivals.
While I have only been in a teaching position for a year, a Groupon for Mommy and Me classes brought me to VBSA 8 years ago and I never left! I have loved watching and being a part of the school’s growth and am excited for another amazing year!
I have a bachelor degree in Social Science, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 Holland lop rabbits, 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats, and 24 chickens. 🙃
Anastasia Galisyna
Ballet
My name is Anastasia. I have been living in United States for 9 years, I moved here from Russia. I started dancing in Russia and graduated from the choreography school there. Here, I teach ballet classes for adults in a dance studio and barre classes at the gym. I love teaching and I feel it’s my passion to dance and to teach. I hope we will dance together this school year!
Ballet
My name is Anastasia. I have been living in United States for 9 years, I moved here from Russia. I started dancing in Russia and graduated from the choreography school there. Here, I teach ballet classes for adults in a dance studio and barre classes at the gym. I love teaching and I feel it’s my passion to dance and to teach. I hope we will dance together this school year!
Samantha Marti
On Site Manager
Hi! I’m Samantha, otherwise known as “Mrs. Sam”. Prior to landing for a second time at VBSOTA, I taught for three years at Courthouse Academy. I’m a Navy Veteran and spent much of my military service teaching…which oddly enough is very much like teaching preschool! Haha! My family and I have called Virginia Beach home for more than 20 years and love spending time at the beach, watching my oldest son play hockey and my youngest son play soccer. I look forward to helping teach your children and getting them excited about learning this fall!
On Site Manager
Hi! I’m Samantha, otherwise known as “Mrs. Sam”. Prior to landing for a second time at VBSOTA, I taught for three years at Courthouse Academy. I’m a Navy Veteran and spent much of my military service teaching…which oddly enough is very much like teaching preschool! Haha! My family and I have called Virginia Beach home for more than 20 years and love spending time at the beach, watching my oldest son play hockey and my youngest son play soccer. I look forward to helping teach your children and getting them excited about learning this fall!
Lindsey Flores
Preschool and Lead Substitute teacher
I have been teaching for a few years now and love to teach the children through games, dancing, and stories. I graduated from Old dominion University with a psychology degree. Therefore, I like to focus on building the emotional intelligence of our students. I have lived, studied and worked most of my life in Virginia Beach and I'm happy to be home again! I am a military spouse, a mother of a fellow student at our great school and a foster Mom with the Virginia Beach SPCA. My hobbies include spending time with my friends & family, learning new things and fostering kittens!
Preschool and Lead Substitute teacher
I have been teaching for a few years now and love to teach the children through games, dancing, and stories. I graduated from Old dominion University with a psychology degree. Therefore, I like to focus on building the emotional intelligence of our students. I have lived, studied and worked most of my life in Virginia Beach and I'm happy to be home again! I am a military spouse, a mother of a fellow student at our great school and a foster Mom with the Virginia Beach SPCA. My hobbies include spending time with my friends & family, learning new things and fostering kittens!
Theresa Walker
Preschool Music
Theresa graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University with a degree in journalism and advertising. For the past 2 years, she has taught ESL to students in China. She lives in Virginia Beach with her two daughters, ages 6 and 3. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited to have a sing-songy school year with her students!
Preschool Music
Theresa graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University with a degree in journalism and advertising. For the past 2 years, she has taught ESL to students in China. She lives in Virginia Beach with her two daughters, ages 6 and 3. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited to have a sing-songy school year with her students!
Lauri Boatright
Piano, Voice, Preschool music
Lauri is a native of Hampton Roads,a graduate of Kempsville High School, and has her bachelors of music education from Southeastern FWB College in Wendell, NC. Lauri has taught classroom music, private piano, private voice and choirs of all ages for over 20 years. Inspiring students to love music, she has taught a wide variety of all ages of people. Lauri has been with The Virginia Beach School of the Arts for over 18 years and also works concurrently at Great Bridge Christian Academy in Chesapeake as a private instructor.
Piano, Voice, Preschool music
Lauri is a native of Hampton Roads,a graduate of Kempsville High School, and has her bachelors of music education from Southeastern FWB College in Wendell, NC. Lauri has taught classroom music, private piano, private voice and choirs of all ages for over 20 years. Inspiring students to love music, she has taught a wide variety of all ages of people. Lauri has been with The Virginia Beach School of the Arts for over 18 years and also works concurrently at Great Bridge Christian Academy in Chesapeake as a private instructor.
Shannon Ritter
PreK assistant, Kids Club, Tumbling, Yoga
With her 200 RYT certification in Yoga and attending Liberty University towards her degree in Education, Shannon brings such joy of learning to the classroom. She is a military spouse and mother to three children. Shannon enjoys sharing health and wellness for all ages and stages! She has attended Ms Virginia’s Connections the Brain Seminar which her family practices! She loves the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and her poodle, Roxy!
PreK assistant, Kids Club, Tumbling, Yoga
With her 200 RYT certification in Yoga and attending Liberty University towards her degree in Education, Shannon brings such joy of learning to the classroom. She is a military spouse and mother to three children. Shannon enjoys sharing health and wellness for all ages and stages! She has attended Ms Virginia’s Connections the Brain Seminar which her family practices! She loves the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and her poodle, Roxy!
Carolyn Weems
1st grade teacher
Carolyn Weems graduated from Clemson University and soon afterwards became an instructor and Women’s Tennis Coach at ODU. In addition to starting and managing their own company, Carolyn and her husband, Billy, raised 5 children here in Virginia Beach and enjoyed being their coach, den leader, Sunday School Teacher and school volunteer. She has been a member of the Virginia Beach City Public School Board since 2002. She represented Virginia Beach on the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Board for 17 years and is currently the liaison to the city’s Special Education Advisory Committee. She received her Special Education Provisional License before teaching in Norfolk and becoming a language arts and math tutor. She is president of Caitlyn’s HALO and co-chair of the Hampton Roads Opioid Working Group. In her spare time, Carolyn loves to paint furniture, craft, read and play games.
1st grade teacher
Carolyn Weems graduated from Clemson University and soon afterwards became an instructor and Women’s Tennis Coach at ODU. In addition to starting and managing their own company, Carolyn and her husband, Billy, raised 5 children here in Virginia Beach and enjoyed being their coach, den leader, Sunday School Teacher and school volunteer. She has been a member of the Virginia Beach City Public School Board since 2002. She represented Virginia Beach on the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Board for 17 years and is currently the liaison to the city’s Special Education Advisory Committee. She received her Special Education Provisional License before teaching in Norfolk and becoming a language arts and math tutor. She is president of Caitlyn’s HALO and co-chair of the Hampton Roads Opioid Working Group. In her spare time, Carolyn loves to paint furniture, craft, read and play games.
Kristin Klaus
1st grade
Hello! I have 19 years of teaching experience a BS in Elementary Education and Communication, a Master’s degree in Instructional Technolgy, and TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I’ve taught in the classroom, homeschool, as well as online. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to see a child’s enthusiasm as they learn new things. I like to keep things simple and bring a positive, patient, and encouraging attitude to the classroom. I love spending time with my family, listening to music, watching movies, and traveling.
1st grade
Hello! I have 19 years of teaching experience a BS in Elementary Education and Communication, a Master’s degree in Instructional Technolgy, and TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I’ve taught in the classroom, homeschool, as well as online. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to see a child’s enthusiasm as they learn new things. I like to keep things simple and bring a positive, patient, and encouraging attitude to the classroom. I love spending time with my family, listening to music, watching movies, and traveling.
Cathy Jelsema
1st grade
Kid’s Club Director
Hello! My name is Cathy Jelsema. I hold degrees from Cedarville College,(BA) and Western Michigan University. (BS) I have 28 years of teaching experience behind me. I was introduced to Virginia Beach School of the Arts by my niece and started substitute teaching last January. In the spring I took over as Kids Club Director and this fall will step into the first grade suite. So excited to start this new adventure!
1st grade
Kid’s Club Director
Hello! My name is Cathy Jelsema. I hold degrees from Cedarville College,(BA) and Western Michigan University. (BS) I have 28 years of teaching experience behind me. I was introduced to Virginia Beach School of the Arts by my niece and started substitute teaching last January. In the spring I took over as Kids Club Director and this fall will step into the first grade suite. So excited to start this new adventure!
Angelica Bombik
4th grade & piano
I am originally from the Richmond area, but have lived all over Virginia and in several other states. The 2021-2022 school year will be my 3rd year teaching and my 2nd year at VBSA. I received two undergraduate degrees from Christopher Newport University; Bachelor's in Music for piano performance, and a Bachelor's in Music Education. I also have a Master's of Arts in Teaching. I am VBSA's 4th grade teacher, as well as a piano instructor.
4th grade & piano
I am originally from the Richmond area, but have lived all over Virginia and in several other states. The 2021-2022 school year will be my 3rd year teaching and my 2nd year at VBSA. I received two undergraduate degrees from Christopher Newport University; Bachelor's in Music for piano performance, and a Bachelor's in Music Education. I also have a Master's of Arts in Teaching. I am VBSA's 4th grade teacher, as well as a piano instructor.