Academy of Fine Arts, Gaithersburg | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

The Academy of Fine Arts is a hidden gem in Gaithersburg. My older daughter is a serious music student and she started her first private piano lesson at the Academy when she was 7. She is now 15 and still loves being a student at the Academy. My younger daughter also has been a happy student there for the past 6 years. The tuition is very reasonable, but that is not what I like most about this place. The teachers are genuinely interested in helping the students play their instruments better, and the Academy provides a nurturing environment that is critical for learning music. Performance is always encouraged at the Academy, and there are plenty of opportunities in the no-fee monthly student recitals. They also offer music theory classes which my girls have participated in for years. Both of my girls have been studying with Natasha Dukan, who is not only a stellar pianist, but also the most brilliant teacher. She knows how to motivate her students and help they continue to develop technically and musically. My older daughter also takes violin lessons from Leo Sushansky, who is a wonderful soloist and a chamber musician with a very successful career in performance. Nothing is better than learning first-hand from the pros. I sit in on all of my girls’ lessons and take notes for them, and I must say that I have learned so much as well. If you have youngsters that are interested in learning music, I would highly recommend starting them at the Academy.

I highly recommend Mr. Phil’s acting class. In my opinion, Mr. Phil is the best acting class teacher in the area, and my son has been taking his classes for almost five years now.

What I love about Mr. Phil’s teaching is that his lessons are well-structured and tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. He teaches students the ins and outs of acting, including facial expressions, speaking tone, body language, and the emotions of the character, and he does so in a way that allows students to develop their acting skills and not just simply read lines.

Moreover, my son and I have had great experiences with the Academy of Fine Arts acting summer camps that Mr. Phil leads. The final show is always amazing, and it’s a testament to Mr. Phil’s ability to inspire his students and help them bring their best performances to the stage.

Overall, if you’re looking for a top-notch acting class, I highly recommend Mr. Phil’s class. He’s an excellent teacher who is dedicated to helping his students succeed in the world of acting.

My almost five year old daughter recently started piano classes and I’m in awe of how much she has already learned! The existing class her age started over a month prior and Hayuru went above and beyond doing multiple one on one sessions to get my daughter caught up so she could join the group class. I was hesitant about the class being virtual, but it became a blessing in disguise being able to become familiar with our piano at home and not having to travel for classes. Classes are age appropriate, engaging, and most importantly fun for both my daughter and I. Give them a try!