Who We Are
Julien Xuereb
Julien Xuereb is the founder and director of Capitol Harmony School of Music, where he teaches classical, steel-string and electric guitar. A French guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer, Julien is known for creating unique musical experiences that blend classical and contemporary styles. His notable performances include the TEDx MidAtlantic Conference, where he shared one of his original compositions and spoke about his work in community outreach.
Julien studied at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he became the first Musician-in-Residence at the Springwell Senior Living Community—a program later featured by PBS, The Baltimore Sun, WBAL-TV, and MPT. He continues his outreach work in Washington, DC, regularly performing for patients at the cancer center of GW Hospital.
In addition to his teaching and performance work, Julien has released two albums—one dedicated to classical guitar and the other featuring original pop/rock songs in French and English. His most recent singles, Ta Route and Les P’tites Choses, were released in 2025.
Karine Koroukian
Karine Koroukian is an award-winning pianist and dedicated educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. She has performed internationally across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, with appearances at renowned venues such as Steinway Hall (NY), the Juilliard School’s Paul Hall, Mannes Concert Hall, Strathmore Hall (MD), Concordia University (Montreal), and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
In addition to her distinguished performance career, Karine is a passionate piano teacher who has guided students of all ages and backgrounds to achieve excellence. Her students have won top prizes in international youth competitions and have performed at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, and Symphony Space in New York City.
Karine is fluent in Armenian, French, and Arabic. Beyond music, she has a strong interest in visual art and the Alexander Technique, which also informs her holistic approach to piano pedagogy. At Capitol Harmony, she brings her wealth of international experience and deep commitment to nurturing each student’s musical potential.
Larissa McKay
With over 25 years of distinguished experience in music education, Larisa P. McKay is an accomplished musician, educator, and performer, recognized for her expertise in piano, voice, and early childhood music. Since 1998, she has guided private piano students from novice to advanced levels, cultivating not only technical proficiency but also a deep appreciation for both classical and contemporary repertoire.
From 2009 to 2024, Larisa served as Music Director at Feynman School in Bethesda, where she developed and led the Early Childhood Music Program and also taught private piano lessons, inspiring students through engaging and personalized instruction.
In addition to her teaching, Larisa dedicates her talents to community service through music therapy. Drawing on her Music Therapy degree from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia, she has assisted patients in expressive movement therapy, including individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and is skilled in working with children on the autism spectrum.
Earlier in her career, she taught music and choir, directing children’s ensembles and lecturing on music history, composers, and opera. Today, Larisa continues to share her artistry and passion with students at Capitol Harmony School of Music in Georgetown, where she enriches the next generation of musicians through her teaching, performances, and outreach.