Dr. Edvinas Minkstimas

“Dear parents and students,

It is my honor and joy to announce the opening of The European Academy of Arts at the heart of Northern Virginia, serving Chantilly, Loudoun, Sterling, Herndon, Reston, Fairfax, Ashburn and Centerville communities. For several years a team of dedicated professionals worked tirelessly preparing for this special moment.

Over the course of last decade I was able to visit many of the local music schools in Northern Virginia area. To my astonishment, I found their curriculum, facilities, faculty and, most importantly, vision of the leadership sorely lacking. Realizing the need and frustration of local parents, who had to cope with the limitations of individual teachers’ studios, or compromise the quality enrolling their children at inferior “schools”, my partners and I set out to create a modern, sophisticated school.

The European Academy of Arts’ primary mission is to provide superior music and arts education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Modeled after leading European programs, such as those following the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music curriculum, or Eastern European schools, similar to the Specialized Central Preparatory Music School for the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, The European Academy of Arts seeks to establish itself as one of nation’s leading arts schools, offering its students renowned faculty, tiered studies, an Aspiring Artist program, recitals, juried exams, masterclasses with world famous musicians and a variety of performing and competitive events. Unique opportunities, created in partnership with Washington Performing Arts, Steinway, Embassy Series, local symphony orchestras and other arts organizations are at the disposal of our students.

At The European Academy of Arts, we take music studies seriously – it is a unique opportunity for each child to develop their inner artistry, and we want to ensure that the commitment of the student’s parents is met and exceeded by the learning environment, wealth of professional knowledge, mentoring and opportunities provided by our school. We take pride in educating the future’s leading musicians, artists and dancers, and we thank our student’s parents for choosing the Academy.“

Dr. Edvinas Minkstimas

Director, The European Academy of Arts

Natalia Nelson

I am delighted to welcome you to The European Academy of Arts (EAA) – a unique educational institution for the fine arts. EAA stands out with its own exclusive vision, philosophy of teaching and depth of its curriculum, offering a new level of creativity to the students’ hearts and imaginations. 

It is not my goal to repeat Dr. Minkstimas’ letter. Instead, I wish to share with you a personal experience as both a teacher and as a mother of a musically-gifted child. 

My life was replete with music since early childhood. I began playing piano at age of four, and the power of music affected my inner world ever since. At age six I entered the “Music Gymnasium for Artistically Gifted Children and Youth” in Minsk, the capital city of my native country Belarus. There I completed eleven years of music and classical piano playing studies. During that time a wide range of disciplines, such as music theory, music literature, music history and solfege were covered. In addition, I studied music composition, wrote songs, sang, danced ballet, and participated in music theater performances. 

For the last fifteen years I ran my private piano studio in Chantilly, VA, which became a remarkable and transformative experience for me. As a teacher, I learned how much inherent talent children possess and came to believe that every student is unique and gifted in their own way. Sharing my love for music with students became my first and most important duty.

As a mother of an 18-year-old son, who aspires to become a professional pianist, I witnessed the wonderful influence music exerted on him. I was determined to offer my child the finest and most exceptional education possible. As any loving parent, I desired to nurture my son’s emotional and intellectual growth. I began teaching my child the art of piano playing at the age of three-and-a-half, as soon as his fingers became strong enough to press the keys. What a fun time we had playing little duets together! These tiny home concerts, played for our friends continue to resonate in my heart to this day. 

The introduction to piano playing has enriched my son's world like no other discipline. Music continuously contributed to his spiritual development. It helped my son build self-confidence and acquire a sense of responsibility, accompanied by analytical thinking. The music studies enriched his soul, strengthened his mind, influenced his character and led to many opportunities in his life.

I am certain that you, as a loving parent, are eager to ensure a successful future for your children and will present the best quality music and art education to them. It will be one of the most precious investments one can make, lasting a lifetime.

I would like to invite students of all ages and levels to join the family of The European Academy of Arts. Whether you are the beginner who makes the first venture into the world of arts, or the accomplished artist who wishes to study with a true master, The European Academy of Arts will greatly fulfill your personal goals and expectations. Each student is unique for us. 

The warm and professional learning environment of The European Academy of Arts will inspire you. Our outstanding faculty will nourish the natural talent of each student to its highest potential. All of our superior teachers are graduates of prestigious conservatories, with extensive teaching and performing experience. They are committed to EAA’s teaching curriculum and philosophy. Under their caring guidance, you will learn music and arts with mastery, harmony and beauty. 

It’s a pride for us to serve the community and bring the wonderful beauty of arts to every family.

Natalia Nelson

Director, The European Academy of Arts