Our Teachers
Only accepting voice students at this time
Megan Yingst
Founder & Music Educator
Megan Yingst champions the idea of making music accessible to everyone, challenging the belief that music should be restricted to only “talented” individuals. She believes in the transformative power of music as an art form and a catalyst for the cultivation of empathy and the ability to forge meaningful connections with oneself and others. Megan creates a safe and nurturing environment where students embrace self-expression without fear of judgment, promoting trust and openness that are cornerstone to the learning process. Megan’s ultimate goal is to empower students as independent thinkers and musicians, equipping them with the tools to excel in music and life through self-expression, creativity, and resilience.
Megan has dedicated her life to music education advocacy, founding her own choir at a middle school where the chorus program had been discontinued when she was only 18 and advocating on Capitol Hill for music education legislation with the National Association for Music Education Association from 2016-2018. After receiving her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Florida Southern College, Megan served five years as a Chorus Director in Title I communities in Baltimore County, Maryland and Polk County, Florida. Under her direction, her choirs and students achieved remarkable successes including superior ratings at district festivals, admission to prestigious music schools, and performances at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Upon relocating to Alexandria, she started Megan’s Marvelous Music, a thriving studio offering private in-home voice, piano, and guitar lessons. Recently, Megan served as the music director in recording Santa Had No Elves, a children’s Christmas book written by local Alexandrian Author Dr. David Charney. Megan also serves as the Executive Director of the Alexandria Choral Society and Conductor of the Training Chorus with the Alexandria Children’s Chorus. In her free time, Megan sings with the Washington Chorus and lives with her husband Michael, and her dachshund, River.
She cherishes and takes great pride in honoring the legacy of her first piano teacher, her grandmother, Margery Kennedy, a revered choir director and piano teacher.
Only accepting voice and piano students at this time
Deirdre McKeever
Teaching Artist
Deirdre McKeever is a dedicated teacher who believes in unlocking the musical potential of every student. Deirdre grew up in a musical family. Her first musical memories were of performing piano duets and signing with her grandmother. This sparked a life-long passion for sharing music with others. Deirdre has performed in orchestras, bands, and choirs and has privately studied voice, piano, viola, and ukulele. She has worked with students from a wide range of ages and musical backgrounds.
Originally from the Metro-Detroit Area, Deirdre holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan. In addition to teaching privately, she works as a K-6 General Music and Chorus Teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. In her spare time, she sings with the Washington Chorus in venues throughout the DC area.
In both the classroom and in private lessons, Deirdre’s goal is to inspire a life-long love of music. Her greatest joy is helping students build self-confidence through creative expression. She is comfortable teaching a variety of styles and genres. Students are encouraged to identify their own musical interests and goals while receiving a solid foundation in musical technique and theory.