Join Us!

Couple words from Founder Kevin Pham

As an alumnus of the Music Conservatory in Vietnam, music has always been part of my life. Coming to America at the age of 30, any opportunity that came first, I took it to make a decent living. It is truly a miracle for me to play music again.

Along the way, I have met wonderful friends. Very few knew my musical background. With their encouragement, I started to join small local orchestras, and I played with many various groups from American to Vietnamese ones.

With more confidence, I have joined the NOVA- Annandale Symphony Orchestra in 2006. I was so grateful to be able to play with such wonderful and dedicated musicians. Since summer 2009, I have been proudly the Concert Master of this great orchestra. I am in debt with those individuals who opened their arms to accept me; they have inspired me to be a better musician.

My love in music has kept me growing artistically and also as an individual. My repertoire of music had developed and helped me played with a more open-minded sound. I would never find enough words to express my gratitude with all those members of the NOVA- Annandale Symphony Orchestra.

Music makes so much sense when it is shared with others This is where I want to spend my energy and my time. I am now able to express myself and my love in music. This is what I would like to share to the community and this is the way I would like to pay back to our cherish community who has always been generous to me.

I am so thankful to so many individuals and friends who have contributed to the success of the Prelude Chamber Ensemble. Especially to parents who have put their trust in me by letting me teaching violin to their children.

Also to the children who have contributed their time to the Vietnamese- American Youth String Orchestra. Thanks for all your efforts. You have inspired me. I have seen most of you grown artistically and as wonderful individuals. Hopefully you will continue to share your love in music with me for many years to come.

My favorite quote:

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy"

Ludwig Von Beethoven

Board of Directors

The Prelude Chamber Ensemble Board of Directors is comprised of civic, cultural and philanthropic leaders with interests in the Northern Virginia area.

The Board is the governing body of the Prelude Chamber Ensemble and The Vietnamese American Youth String Orchestra.

The Board helps to direct and carry out the artistic mission of the Prelude Chamber Ensemble.

The Board will meet whenever necessary before any important event or concert. It will participate in many social functions and events with the Prelude Chamber Ensemble musicians and guest artists throughout the year.

Wonderful friends and unique individuals agree to belong to the Board.

Mr. Patrick Geddes

Patrick Geddes began violin lessons at Fairfax’s Oak View Elementary in first grade and started private lessons two years later. He progressed through the Northern VirginiaYouth Symphony orchestras in addition to playing in the Robinson Secondary orchestras. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and was able to play with the nearby Connecticut College orchestra his senior year. Commissioned as an Ensign in the Coast Guard, he served two years afloat as a deck watch officer based in San Francisco, followed by shore tours in Washington, DC; London, England; New York City; and Norfolk, VA before leaving active duty. Returning to the DC area to work for Bell Atlantic, he resumed orchestral playing by joining the NOVA Annandale Symphony around 1999 and is still an orchestra member. He has played electric violin in several local rock bands (The Groaning, Dark Dissolve, and Todesbonden) and is currently a member of the instrumental doom-metal band, Seasick Gladiator. He is employed as a civilian electrical engineer at Coast Guard Headquarters, and he holds Masters Degrees in Electrical Engineering (Virginia Tech) and English Literature (George Mason). He and his wife, Angela, live in DC’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood.

Ms. Monica Martin

Strings Instructor

Fairfax County Public Schools

Monica Martin is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell where she studied viola and earned a degree in Music Education. In addition, Ms. Martin has earned a Master of Education degree from George Mason University.

Ms. Martin has served as a middle and high school orchestra director and an elementary itinerant strings instructor in Fairfax County Public Schools since 1982. Currently, she teaches strings at both Lorton Station and William Halley Elementary Schools. Along with her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Martin has organized and directed the Elementary Strings Area Orchestra for many years. Ms. Martin was a member of the Prince William Symphony Orchestra, and at present, a member of the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra.

Ms. Martin resides in Woodbridge, Virginia with her two sons. She enjoys biking and freelancing on viola. Ms. Martin’s desire is to continue to inspire young people to appreciate and enjoy music and to empower them to reach their highest potential.

Mr. Dao Pham

Dao started playing the piano when he was 10 and went on to study music at Concordia University under the guidance of Dr. Yaron Ross. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Music and is currently working on towards a Masters Degree of Piano Interpretation at Universite de Montreal. He is very passionate about teaching and spreading classical music to all sorts of audiences, young and old.

Ms. Ha Tran

was born in a musical family. Her father Mr. Trần, Vàn Trạch was a very famous Vietnamese artist during 1950’s and1960’s.

She received her diploma from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris in 2001 where she studied with pianist Waldkowski. Ha Tran also studied with concert pianist Andre Gorog.

In 2009, she received her Licence in music teaching and also at the Ecole Normale. In 2007, she received her Licence in musicology at the Sorbonne. She is a piano professor at the Conservatory in La Garennes Colombes in France and she has been in numerous piano recitals in Paris since 2002.

Ms. Gwen Ward

Gwen Ward is currently a general music teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. Ms. Ward has more than 30 years experience in education. Twice named Teacher of the Year, she worked as a high and middle school orchestra director, elementary string specialist, and interim assistant principal. Ms. Ward served as assistant to the conductor of the Youth Orchestras of Prince William’s Introduction to Preparatory program, and has adjudicated for various events sponsored by the Virginia Music Educators Association. She has freelanced on viola in the Washington metropolitan area since 1981. Ms. Ward has been a member of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Prince William Symphony Orchestra, and the Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, as well as a regular performer with the Prelude Chamber Ensemble. Ms. Ward has earned a BMEd from James Madison University, MA and MEd from George Mason University, and an EdD from Walden University. She resides in Manassas, Virginia.