All Team

Dr. Nina Vieru Zubaidi

Violin Faculty

Violinist Nina Vieru has performed on many of the most prominent stages in Romania, Moldova, Serbia, Mexico and the United States including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Verizon Hall and Perelman Hall. She was a guest soloist with the Galati Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra, and has twice appeared in concert at the George Enescu Festival in Bucharest. Ms.…

Originally from Ottawa-Gatineau in Canada, Dr, Jean-François (John) Proulx is active in the Greater Philadelphia Area as a pianist, teacher and collaborator. Dr. Proulx completed a 2nd cycle of musical studies at the Quebec Music Conservatory; a Bachelor’s degree and Artist Diploma at University of Montreal; two Master degrees (Keyboard Performance; Chamber Music & Accompaniment) and a D.M.A. at Temple…

Alejandro Espinosa

Trombone Faculty

Alejandro Espinosa, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been playing tenor and bass trombone for over 15 years. When he was nine, his family immigrated to New York City. Nourished by the city’s rich and diverse musical culture, Alejandro gained substantial performance experience in all types of music. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music from the…

Sandra VandeGeijn

Violin Faculty

Violist and violinist Sandra VandeGeijn is a viola graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music  and Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Heidi Castleman and Roberto Diaz,  respectively. She recently moved to Philadelphia from Baltimore, Maryland, where she  freelanced throughout the Baltimore, Wilmington, DE, and Washington, DC region and also  maintained a private teaching studio. She is a regular member…

Alexander Bedenko

Clarinet Faculty

Gramophone Magazine—“Timbrally, the performances are ravishing. Bedenko’s tone is the most luxurious velvet,” The multi award-winning,  Ukrainian-born American clarinetist Alexander Bedenko has appeared in recitals at Carnegie’s Weill Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Steinway Hall, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C and UNESCO in Paris. Graduated from the prestigious The Curtis Institute of Music, Alexander Bedenko collaborated with artists such as…

Jacques-Pierre Malan

Cello Faculty

South African cellist, Jacques-Pierre Malan is taking the classical music world by storm with his unparalleled performances, innovative projects, and uncompromising dedication to energizing and uplifting both audiences and musicians alike. His initiatives have landed him on stages across the world from Africa to Europe to the USA. He is currently based in Baltimore Maryland, allowing him access to America’s…

Janene Montlouis

Secretary

Janene Montlouis is a Project Management Professional (PMP) in the Greater Philadelphia area. The guiding star of her career has been inspired by the Walt Disney quote “If you can dream it, you can build it.”  

Ella Vuernick

Treasurer

Ella is an experienced professional with an extensive background in finance and strategy consulting. Specifically, she brings to the Treasurer role of NBS Classical Music Institute her expertise from a career spanning investment banking, business development, and equity research.

Helen Xing

Chairwoman

Helen is a visionary business leader, passionate about education, social impact, children’s welfare, diversity inclusion and community building.

Sir Julian Milkis

Special Arrangement Clarinet Faculty

Sir Julian Milkis’  impressive sound, a virtuostic technical ease and a musical imagination has captivated critics and audiences alike around the world, He carries the rare honor of being the only student of the clarinet legend Benny Goodman. Mr. Milkis’ unique interpretations and artistry have earned him an international stature of a dazzling soloist, chamber musician, recitalist and jazz clarinetist,…