Opus School of Music and Conservatory is known for its highly qualified instructors who have a wide range of expertise and teaching styles. Our instructors work together to develop a high level of musicianship in our students and community.
After an initial assessment, we match every student to the right teacher for their skill level and personality. Some teachers specialize in early childhood learning, others in preparing students for performances and examinations.
Even though each student has an individual teacher, we are one big family! Joining our studio is a great way to make friends and meet people passionate about music.
Our instructors have been certified by the Royal Conservatory of Music to train students for the National Piano Certification Exam. Students interested in this program should speak with our director, Marisela Smith, when they do their trial lesson and assessment.
Rita Abreu
Director of Opus Miami and Instructor
At the age of six, she began her studies of classical piano, harmony, composition, voice, and percussion in the Music Conservatory of Jose Angel Lamas in Caracas, Venezuela, under the direction of Vicente Emilio Sojo and Evencio Castellanos.
Ms. Abreu has studied and played the piano, French horn, folk harp, cuatro, and maracas in various orchestras and performed as a mezzo-contralto in various choral productions.
Her orchestral experience began in the Conservatory of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Caracas, where she was the second French horn and learned her choral skills under the tutelage of Aldemaro Romero and Eduardo Marturet.
Subsequently, she took courses in Orchestral Direction and the History of Music and Culture at the Conservatory of the Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, taught by the Orchestra’s internationally known founder, José Antonio Abreu.
She was the Founder and Director of the symphony and chorus, “Maria Auxiliadora Chorus“ in Caracas, Venezuela. She furtherserved as Assistant Director of “The Philharmonic Orchestra of Caracas” and the official chorus for the “Government of the Federal District of Caracas.”
Being skilled in the fields of music, art, direction, and design, she held diverse positions in related fields. She has designed orchestral sets, produced television programs, performed, and much more. She has been the set designer and director for several of our recitals and brought them to the next level as seen in our events section.
As a teacher, she has a good feeling and an ear to spot students who will perform at a higher level.
Ms. Abreu is based in Florida and covers the area of Miami – Broward.
Broward and West Palm Beach
Rafael Vagnini
Rafael began his musical career at the age of five in Caracas, Venezuela when a relative gifted him an accordion. At eight, he initiated his musical studies in the José Angel Lamas Superior School of Music in Venezuela and received classes from some of its greatest exponents: Inocente Carreño (Theory & Solfeggio), Vicente Emilio Sojo (Music Dictation), Mauel Enrique Pérez Díaz (Guitar), Moisés Moleiro (Piano). He studied guitar and piano simultaneously.
He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra Juan Jose Landaeta (Now Simon Bolivar Orchestra) under its world-renowned Maestro, José Antonio Abreu. He finished his musical degree as a piano professor and performer.
Subsequently, he taught piano and guitar as he continued his musical studies at the University of Santa Maria in Caracas. He studied the history of music, harmony, English, as well as graduating with a degree in Structural Engineering.
Rafael is an avid reader and fisherman. His lessons in piano and guitar are focused on achieving the technical dominion that allows for the release of creative capacities.
22570 MARKEY CT.
DULLES, VA 20166
(571) 244.2855
MON – SAT 9 A.M. – 7 P.M.
5431 NILES ROAD
RICHMOND, VA 23234
(571) 730.7906
MON – SAT 9 A.M. – 7 P.M.