The Orchestras of Centreville High School
Clifton, VA
The Orchestras of Centreville High School
Clifton, VA
Meet the Directors
We've got a top-notch team!
Dr. Mark A. Taylor
Orchestra Director
Mark A. Taylor is an award-winning music educator and composer. He has enjoyed teaching all levels, from elementary to graduate students. Dr. Taylor was awarded “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by the Fairfax Orchestra Directors Association (2019), by Fairfax County Public Schools for Region 5 (2017), and by the Virginia branch of the American String Teachers Association (2009). He frequently acts as an adjudicator and clinician in addition to his regular teaching duties. A composer originally published under Ludwig Masters Music where J.W. Pepper awarded him “Editor’s Choice,” he now self publishes and focuses on commissions tailored to the needs of specific ensembles based on the artistic insights of their directors. Dr. Taylor plays cello under the direction of his father, F. Wayne Taylor, in the Friends & Family Chamber Orchestra.
He holds a BM from George Mason University, an MME from Shenandoah Conservatory, and a DMA in Composition from George Mason University where he studied under Dr. Glenn Smith. When he is not making music, Dr. Taylor enjoys spending time with his family and riding his bike wherever the roads might take him. While he once took an unsupported bike trip from Virginia to Alabama to raise scholarship money for his students, most trips encompass a much smaller radius. Mark, his wife Holly, daughter Jacqueline, and son Curtis reside in Centreville, Virginia.
Mrs. Meredith Kohut
Assistant Orchestra Director
Mrs. Kohut joined the Centreville High School Community as Assistant Director of the orchestras in the Fall of 2019. This is her 11th year teaching orchestra in Fairfax County Public Schools. She spent five years at Langston Hughes Middle School and various elementary schools before that. While at Langston Hughes Middle School, she grew the program in numbers and in strength. All of her orchestras consistently received Superior ratings at the VBODA Assessments. She developed a strong collaborative relationship with the South Lakes Orchestra program and helped grow stable connections with the elementary orchestras that led to Hughes.
Mrs. Kohut attended James Madison University, where she studied viola as her primary instrument and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music. Her primary viola teachers were Amadi Azikiwe and Charles Kinder. At JMU she played in the James Madison Symphony Orchestra, the chamber ensemble and string quartet. During her first six years of teaching, she was a member of the Manassas Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jim Villani. In addition to performing, she also had an active viola and violin studio, which she maintained for eight years prior to becoming a mom. Her students were consistently placed in top ensembles in their schools and received Superiors at Solo and Ensemble Festivals. She currently plays with the Fairfax Chamber Players. Mrs. Kohut is affiliated with the American Strings Teachers Association and the National Association for Music Educators. When not making music, Mrs. Kohut enjoys being a health and fitness coach and spending time with her husband, Jake and son, Ian. She and her family reside in Burke, Virginia.
