Our Directors
Austin Isaac
High School Orchestra Director
Email: ADIsaac@fcps.edu | Phone: (703) 426-1074
Austin Isaac is the high school orchestra director at Lake Braddock Secondary School (LBSS) and is also the lead of the orchestra Collaborative team there. He has taught orchestra at the elementary and secondary levels in both public and private schools in Virginia. He received his B.M. from James Madison University with a concentration in instrumental education and his master’s degree in education from George Mason University.
As a conductor and clinician, Mr. Isaac has had the honor of conducting multiple honors orchestras for both middle and high school ensembles throughout the state of Virginia. He is also the conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra with The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestras. As a director at LBSS, the middle school chamber orchestra has been invited to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) In-service conference and the High School Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at the 2020 Music for All national orchestra festival, the 2024 VMEA In-service, and the 2026 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
As a double bassist, Austin has been an active performer in a variety of orchestras in the Northern Virginia area. He has also served as an adjudicator for state assessment performances throughout Virginia. Austin has also co-presented on improvisation in the instrumental classroom at the VMEA in-service conference and has served on the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Orchestra State Grading Committee. In addition, he has served as a regional orchestra representative for VBODA, and as the chairman of the orchestra sight reading committee for VBODA.
He also enjoys writing music for a variety of ensembles which have included string orchestra, full orchestra, concert band, and choir. His original works and arrangements have been selected as J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice selections and have been published with Carl Fischer Publishing, Wingert-Jones Publishing, Tux People’s Music, Cane River Music, Southern Music, Zicato Music, Dog Smile Music, in addition to self-published works.
Austin lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Nicole and their two cats Lychee and BK.
Diana Chou
Middle School Orchestra Director
Email: DLChou@fcps.edu | Phone: (703) 426-6383
Diana Chou is a music educator, cellist, and conductor. She has been a music educator since 2008, and has taught for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) since 2013. She currently teaches at Lake Braddock Secondary School as the Middle School Orchestra Director and is co-department chair of the Performing Arts Department. She is also the Director of the Fairfax Chamber Players, an orchestra made up of FCPS teachers in conjunction with the Academy Course Program. In addition, she is the Artistic Director of The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestras (TCSYO), as well as Conductor of the String Ensemble.
She is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, and has worked with Middle School All County Orchestras in Virginia and New York. In May of 2025 she had the opportunity to work with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a participant in the “Girls Who Conduct” masterclass with Marzena Diakun.
Mrs. Chou is also a freelance cellist in the Washington D.C. area and is a founding member of the Maestra Ensemble. She has performed concerti with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra, Fairfax Chamber Players, Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra, and the Friends and Family Orchestra.
She has organized many events for the Lake Braddock Pyramid, including Strings Extravaganza, Solo Spotlight, and Area Orchestra. She was the Secretary and Event Coordinator for the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE) and worked to create musical opportunities for all students. Mrs. Chou enjoys curriculum development, and worked on projects for FCPS and the Virginia Department of Education. She has been a mentor to many first-year orchestra teachers and has hosted several student teachers.
Before moving to Virginia, she taught elementary and middle school orchestra for the Ithaca City School District. She served as Vice President of the Seneca Tompkins Music Educators Association and was the Chairperson for All County and Area All State festivals. Mrs. Chou was also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Ithaca Community Orchestra. In 2013 she was named a Music Educator Grammy Award Quarter Finalist. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College, a Master of Music in Conducting from Houghton University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from George Mason University with Dr. Soo Han.
Rachael Greenman
Middle School Orchestra Assistant
Email: RAGreenman@fcps.edu | Phone: (703) 426-6383
Rachael Greenman serves as Assistant Orchestra Director for Laurel Ridge Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, and Lake Braddock Secondary School. She is dedicated to fostering musical growth, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music in students of all ages. Through a student-centered approach, she strives to create an engaging and supportive learning environment where every student can develop both their musical skills and confidence.
Ms. Greenman earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Conducting from the College of William & Mary and her Master of Arts in Music Education from Belmont University. A classically trained violist, she also performs on the Viper, a seven-string electric violin that reflects her interest in blending traditional string performance with contemporary styles. Her academic training and diverse performance experiences provide a strong foundation for her work as both an educator and conductor.
Now in her fourth year of teaching, Ms. Greenman began her career in Nashville, Tennessee, where she taught orchestra at Croft Middle Design Center. Since joining Fairfax County Public Schools, she has taught at Sandburg Middle School, Aldrin Elementary School, Herndon Elementary School, Union Mill Elementary School, Eagle View Elementary School, Katherine Johnson Middle School, and Rocky Run Middle School. These experiences have allowed her to work with students across a wide range of ages and skill levels, helping young musicians build strong fundamentals and a love of ensemble performance.
In addition to her classroom teaching experience, Ms. Greenman has been actively involved in music enrichment programs for many years. She attended and later taught at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp for twelve years, gaining valuable experience in contemporary string performance and innovative music education. She has also served as a teacher for Arcola Summer in the Arts Camp, where she helped students explore and develop their artistic talents through collaborative and creative musical experiences.
Ms. Greenman is passionate about helping students discover the joy of making music together. She believes that participation in orchestra cultivates not only musical excellence but also teamwork, perseverance, and self-expression—skills that benefit students both inside and outside the classroom.