Conductors/Professional Staff

Megan Bevill, Executive Director

Megan Bevill is a native of Columbia, MD and has recently completed her studies in violin performance on scholarship at the University of Mary Washington, where she graduated magna cum laude. There she studied under Edwin Johonnott, former violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra, and Johanna Beaver, principal violist of the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Bevill was also an active member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mu Phi Epsilon.

She is currently serving her fifth year as Concertmaster of the University of Mary Washington Community Symphony Orchestra and is also the founder and first violinist of L’Esprit String Quartet. The Quartet has been together for six years and frequently performs in venues both on campus and in the local Fredericksburg region. In addition, Megan has performed with the Stafford Regional Choral Society, the Columbia Orchestra, the Oratorio Society of Charlottesville-Albemarle, and University of Virginia Singers.

Ms. Bevill brings her 17 years experience in concert/chamber music and teaching to the area, where she is available for private instruction in both violin and viola with students at the adult and youth levels. She specializes in classical training.

 

Ioana Weathers, Conductor, Primo Orchestra

Ioana Paula Boca Weathers is a native of Romania and graduated from the Conservatory in Bucharest with a major in Violin Pedagogy and a minor in Conducting. While in Europe she has been a guest conductor at music festivals in Germany, Holland, France and Italy and was invited to participate in the National Young Conductors Festival in Craiova, Romania where she won first place two years in a row.

Mrs. Weathers moved to Los Angeles, California in 1997 where she performed in orchestras for theater productions such as “Fiddler On the Roof” and “Oklahoma!”. In 1999 Mrs. Weathers became a member of the “International Who’s Who in Professional Management.”

Since moving to Virginia nearly ten years ago, Mrs. Weathers has taught strings at Godwin Middle School in Prince William County where her orchestras have received “superior” ratings at County Festivals and at the Hershey Park Music Festival. She worked with the Prince William County Youth Orchestra and had previously conducted with RYS. Mrs. Weathers has served as a guest conductor for Stafford’s All County, a judge for the All County Festival in Stafford County and an invited adviser reviewing the strings curriculum for Prince William County.
Last year Mrs. Weathers completed her Masters in Conducting from the University of Music in Bucharest. She presently teaches 5th grade strings in Prince William County and performs with quartets in the area. She is a member of the Music Educators’ National Conference and loves to keep up with all new strings teaching techniques. In the July edition of “Making Music” magazine, Mrs. Weathers’ strings techniques were highlighted by Eve Carr.

Her husband Anthony Weathers and her two kids Emilia and Ronnie are the greatest gifts in life for Mrs. Weathers.

Brandon Bangle, Conductor, Repertory Orchestra

Brandon Bangle attended Christopher Newport University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s of Music in Instrumental Music Education and Master of Arts in Teaching. He performed in the University’s Symphony Orchestra, Choir, and String Quartet. Mr. Bangle arranged music for the String Quartet and the Saxophone Quartet, which performed these works at a recital. He is also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.

Mr. Bangle is currently the Orchestra Director at Ni River Middle School in Spotsylvania County. His orchestras have received high marks at District Festival and won first place in the May 2009 Music Festival Showcase. He also teaches private violin and viola lessons in the greater Fredericksburg area. Mr. Bangle has performed with the York River Symphony Orchestra and the Rappahannock Pops. This is his second year with the Rappahannock Youth Symphony.

Veronica Johnson, Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

After graduating from W. G. Enloe High School (Raleigh, North Carolina) in 1985, Mrs. Johnson studied violin at the University of Miami (Coral Gables) with Dr. Marla Meutschler (Paul Rolland protégé) and Dr. Earl Sanders at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). After graduating summa cum laude from NCCU, she began teaching orchestra in Wake County Schools on the elementary, middle and high schools in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mrs. Johnson moved to Richmond in 1994 and began teaching in Henrico County, where she currently works at Byrd Middle School and Godwin High School.

In Henrico County, she coordinated the Strings Discovery Program designed to introduce stringed instruments to rising 6th graders. Mrs. Johnson’s orchestras are known for outstanding performances throughout the county. Recently, her high school orchestras performed at the Virginia Music Educators’ State Convention in Norfolk, VA. The orchestras have also received superior ratings in national competitions in Chicago, New York, Toronto, and Boston. Locally, Mrs. Johnson’s middle and high school orchestras consistently receive superior and excellent ratings in District Orchestra Festivals. Mrs. Johnson’s students have received numerous individual awards and recognition for their performances.

Mrs. Johnson has also participated in several conducting workshops with such names as Dr. William Jones of Iowa State University, Dr. Anthony Maiello of George Mason University, and Dr. Marvin Rabin. She has served as guest conductor and clinician for the Virginia’s Central Regional Orchestra Event, North Central Regional Orchestra Event,Southeastern Regional Orchestra Event, JMU’s Spring String Thing, Chesterfield County Schools All-County Orchestra, Richmond City Schools All-City Orchestra for three years, Newport News City Schools All-City Orchestra, Fauquier County Schools, Norfolk City Schools, and Spotsylvania County Schools All County Orchestra. She serves as the orchestra director for the Sinfonia Orchestra at Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. Mrs. Johnson has served as guest clinician and conductor for the Pitt County All County Fifth Grade Orchestra in North Carolina for three years. Mrs. Johnson also served three years as conductor for Richmond Symphony’s Youth Concert Orchestra, an intermediate full orchestra. Mrs. Johnson has judged several district orchestra festivals in North Carolina and throughout Virginia.

Other affiliations include membership and past president of the Virginia Chapter of the American String Teachers’ Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Music Educators’ National Conference, and active membership at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Mrs. Johnson is lovingly supported by the love of her life Tony Johnson, and her two gems, Camille and Phillip.