Stephanie Spear 
At a craft-and-sip K-Pop Demon Hunters night, guests might not expect the pianist leading the room to be a classically trained musician and certified music therapist. But for Northern Virginia pianist Mei An, blending artistry with high-energy themed events is exactly the point. Now celebrating one year of her sold-out immersive nights at Chateau de Chantilly, located at 13974 Metrotech Drive, Mei has turned her love of music and community into something uniquely her own. We spoke with Mei about her journey, her work, and what she loves most about creating spaces where people can connect. Read on for more with Northern Virginia pianist and music therapist Mei An.
About Mei
Mei was born and raised in Maryland, but moved to Northern Virginia to continue her education. “I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Piano Performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University,” she said. “I moved to Virginia in 2020 to pursue my Music Therapy degree at Shenandoah University.”
Mei said that the decision to pursue music therapy came after some soul-searching. “I started to question why I was performing. That search for meaning led me to join my school’s volunteer group, Musicare, where we played for hospitals, children’s centers, and senior homes. Those experiences completely transformed my perspective,” she said. “Using music as a therapeutic tool to comfort, heal, and connect with people was profoundly rewarding-it made me realize that music was never just about performing. It was always about connection.”
Image courtesy of Mei An
Mei said, “That realization sparked a deep curiosity about music therapy, and I knew I had to follow it. After completing my master’s, I moved to Virginia to pursue degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy at Shenandoah University,” she continued. “Looking back, it all fits together perfectly-my mother is an artist, a painter and dancer, and my father is a doctor. Somewhere between their worlds of creativity and care, I found mine: using music as a bridge between art and healing.”
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Now, Mei is a clinical therapist at StoneSprings Hospital in Dulles, VA, where she integrates her therapeutic and musical expertise. She also performs at weddings and other private events. “I also adore playing for weddings. There’s something sacred about providing the soundtrack to the most meaningful moments of someone’s life-the walk down the aisle, the vows, the first kiss,” she said. “Those moments are raw, emotional, and alive in a way that reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
Creating Connections
Mei’s desire to foster connection led her to start the popular craft-and-sip nights at Chateau de Chantilly. “When I first began blending music, art, film, and desserts at Chateau back in February 2025, it truly felt like an experiment. There was nothing quite like it in the area, and many people weren’t sure if it would work,” she said. “But for me, it was always a dream, to create a space where every element of the experience- sound, taste, sight, and emotion-comes together as one immersive experience.”
The themed, ticketed events combine crafts, music, and movies. Popular themes have included K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bridgerton, and Mamma Mia! to name a few. Guests can work on their crafts while Mei plays piano, accompanying the movie projected on the wall. The music is often the movie’s soundtrack or related songs. Guests are encouraged to make requests and even sing along if they’re brave enough. It’s a fun, collegial environment that’s a good fit for date night, girls’ night out, or just a place to relax and get creative.
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Now, one year into the events, Mei said her dreams have come to fruition. “My heart truly belongs to the immersive piano and paint events I host at Chateau de Chantilly! They bring together everything I love-music, art, film, and human connection-into one shared, sensory experience,” she said. “Watching guests paint, sip wine, and lose themselves in the music feels deeply fulfilling. It’s more than just a performance; it’s a space where creativity and emotion intertwine.”
“I think every artist’s dream audience is someone who truly connects to their music- someone who doesn’t just listen, but feels the music and connects with the story behind it. That’s why I love creating my own themed piano & paint nights,” Mei said. “They naturally attract people who already share an emotional bond with the theme, like Studio Ghibli, so the room fills with kindred spirits. When everyone is immersed in the same world of melody, color, and nostalgia, something magical happens.”
She notes that other cafes in Northern Virginia have started hosting similar events. “Seeing other businesses embrace that idea-inviting live pianists, string duos, and small ensembles into their spaces- feels incredibly rewarding,” Mei said. “It shows that people are once again craving connection and atmosphere.”
To find out more about Mei or to book her for an event, please visit her website. To get tickets to one of the craft nights at Chateau de Chantilly, click here.
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