Sharing Our Passion for Music

Ms. Van is the founder of Virtuosos Russian Music Academy and a graduate of the world-renowned Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Russia, where she earned her Master’s degree in Piano Performance.

After arriving in the United States in 1996, she established V.R.M.A., Inc. with the support of her late husband, Yuriy Marshukov. For more than 25 years, Ms. Van has been dedicated to teaching students from across the country, earning a reputation for her structured, creative, and inspiring approach to music education. Her distinctive teaching method consistently fosters remarkable progress and artistic growth in every student she mentors.

Ms. Van’s students have achieved outstanding success, winning numerous competitions throughout the United States—including the V-Star Competition in Orange County, California—and even appearing on national television programs such as “Little Big Shots,” hosted by Steve Harvey.

Highly regarded for her expertise and passion, Ms. Van’s teaching is in great demand among students of all ages, with a waiting list for her classes. She believes that the classical arts are often underappreciated in modern American culture, particularly among younger generations. Her mission is to rekindle a love for piano and the performing arts through positive encouragement, artistic excellence, and a deep, heartfelt passion for music.

Mr. John, successor and son of founder Ms. Van, is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, where he earned his degree with an emphasis in Piano Performance. He has over 17 years of experience teaching piano and more than 10 years teaching drums.

In his early music career, Mr. John performed with his rock band Breaking Curfew, which opened for major acts such as The Offspring and played at renowned venues including the House of Blues and Whisky a Go-Go. The band also won Battle of the Bands in 2011. At just 13 years old, Mr. John became the youngest piano finalist in the UCLA Junior Bach Competition.

Throughout his teaching career, Mr. John has trained numerous students for piano competitions, many of whom have placed among the top finalists or taken first prize. His charismatic and encouraging teaching style inspires students to develop both technical skill and a genuine passion for the arts.

A dedicated member of V.R.M.A. for over 16 years, Mr. John believes every student is unique and strives to help each one discover their full potential in a positive, engaging, and motivating environment.

Ms. Sirana earned her Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Yerevan State Conservatory. She is a passionate, dedicated, and caring educator who focuses on helping her students realize their full potential while developing proper piano technique and musical expression.

Her students enrolled in the M.T.A.C. Certificate of Merit Program have maintained an outstanding record, with many achieving State Honors. Beyond her teaching, Ms. Sirana has toured extensively throughout Europe, conducting master classes at renowned venues in Spain, Armenia, Germany, and Russia.

For more than 15 years, Ms. Sirana has been an integral part of V.R.M.A., where she continues to uphold the classical tradition through rigorous European academic standards and a deep commitment to excellence in music education.

Mr. Dūng is a distinguished master of cello performance, celebrated for his artistry and dedication to musical excellence. He studied in Russia and has toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia, earning international recognition for his performances.

A graduate of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, where he completed his Master’s degree in Cello Performance at the top of his class, Mr. Dūng was honored with the prestigious Elite Artist of Vietnam National Award, presented by the President of Vietnam. He went on to serve as the Principal Cellist of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra for an impressive 33 years.

As an educator, Mr. Dūng designs personalized learning programs tailored to each student’s goals and skill level—balancing challenge with enjoyment to foster both technical mastery and a genuine love of music. He is known for his patient, engaging approach and his ability to inspire students of all ages, from young beginners to advanced adult musicians.

Mr. Tadashi earned his degree in Guitar Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where he developed a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary styles. With over 20 years of dedicated teaching at V.R.M.A., he is known for his patience, gentle guidance, and exceptional versatility across multiple instruments, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele.

As the head of the Rock Band Department, Mr. Tadashi brings energy and creativity to every lesson, helping students build confidence, technique, and stage presence. His supportive teaching style has made him a favorite among students, many of whom are able to perform independently within their first year of study.

Mr. Eric is a passionate violinist, violist, and arranger, and a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. He has performed as a violist with several distinguished Hawaiian ensembles, including the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, Maui Chamber Orchestra, and Orchid Isle Orchestra.

During his university years, Mr. Eric broadened his musical horizons as a member of the University Jazz Orchestra, where he explored diverse styles on both the violin and viola, drawing inspiration from artists such as Frank Zappa. He frequently created original arrangements and composed string parts for jazz orchestra performances, showcasing his versatility as both a performer and arranger.

More recently, Mr. Eric has expanded his artistry to include the electric violin, performing with various local bands and musicians in the Long Beach area. As an educator, he is deeply encouraging of creativity and exploration, often arranging custom pieces for his students to inspire excitement and personal connection through music.

Ms. Angel is a dedicated music educator and vocalist from San Diego, California, with training in classical music, choral performance, and vocal jazz. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Choral Music Education from California State University, Fullerton, where she performed with the University Singers, Concert Choir, and Jazz Singers ensembles.

Throughout her career, Ms. Angel has performed with prestigious choirs at renowned venues such as the Hollywood Bowl and the Honda Center, singing in the chorus for performances featuring Andrea Bocelli and Jennifer Hudson. In the summer of 2024, she expanded her musical reach internationally, touring across Rwanda and South Africa.

Ms. Angel’s love for music began at a young age, inspired by her passion for R&B and pop. Over the years, she has come to see music as a powerful way to connect people across cultures, languages, and experiences. As both a teacher and performer, she strives to create meaningful connections through music, emphasizing its ability to unite and inspire.

Deeply committed to comprehensive music education, Ms. Angel believes that every student deserves access to quality instruction. She meets her students where they are—providing encouragement, guidance, and the tools they need to grow both musically and personally.

Ms. Rachel is a talented vocalist and educator from Southern California with over twelve years of experience teaching voice and piano. She holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, where she developed her artistry through extensive performance and academic study.

An accomplished performer, Ms. Rachel has appeared in numerous opera productions, portraying roles such as Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Zia Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Mistress Quickly in Verdi’s Falstaff, among others. She was a finalist in the Meistersinger Vocal Competition in Graz, Austria (2022) and the winner of the Kleinman Competition in Chicago.

As an educator, Ms. Rachel is passionate about mentorship and inspiring curiosity and creativity in her students across all musical genres. She believes in equipping every student with the skills, confidence, and artistic tools to express themselves through music—whether performing for others or simply for the joy of making music.

Ms. Summer Le is a dedicated voice and piano instructor originally from Vietnam and raised in Orange County, California. She holds degrees in Music from Orange Coast College and pursued further studies in Music Education at California State University, Long Beach. Classically trained in the Bel Canto vocal technique, Ms. Summer is also well-versed in Musical Theater and Pop styles, bringing versatility and depth to her teaching.

Passionate about connecting with her students, Ms. Summer values the personal relationships she builds through music and takes pride in witnessing their artistic growth. She believes that music is a universal language that enriches lives and strives to share its beauty and importance through every lesson.

In addition to her teaching, Ms. Summer is an accomplished performer, having appeared on prestigious stages such as Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall, and various renowned venues across Southern California.

Mr. Mike is a multi–Grammy-nominated musician and accomplished multi-instrumentalist who specializes in percussion, with an emphasis on rock and jazz drums. He earned his degree in Jazz Performance from George Mason University, where he refined his artistry and developed a versatile foundation in performance and composition.

Throughout his career, Mr. Mike has recorded and performed with numerous world-renowned artists, including Dua Lipa, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, and Lana Del Rey. His extensive touring experience spans across Japan, Singapore, and throughout the United States, performing with various jazz ensembles and rock groups.

As an educator, Mr. Mike brings his professional experience into a fun, engaging, and motivating learning environment. He strives to ensure that every student leaves each lesson feeling accomplished, confident, and inspired. In addition to teaching drums, Mr. Mike is also an accomplished music producer with two Grammy nominations to his name. He now offers a specialized course at V.R.M.A. in recording, engineering, and songwriting, designed to help students explore the creative and technical sides of modern music production.