Omar Soffan (Director of Music, Admin. - Founder) performed his under-graduate studies as a partial scholarship recipient at the Boston Conservatory of Music. Mr. Soffan has performed throughout the United States as well as abroad. He has been invited to numerous music educational institutions to give lectures on the works of Frederic Chopin and his influences. Mr. Soffan has also contributed to a review in the "Chopin 2010 project" along with other artists featured were pianist's Lan Lan, Martha Argerich, Murray Perahia and Evgny Kissin.   Considering himself a "romantic period pianist" Mr. Soffan has also researched and lectured extensively on the works of  Domenico Scarlatti, Muzio Clementi's influence on the writing of Beethoven, as well as an exploration and recording of Alexander Scriabin's opus 11 Preludes.  In 1998 Mr. Soffan was also chosen by Steinway and M. Steinert & Sons to perform in a series of recitals on the piano's belonging to the legendary pianists Vladimir Horowitz, Ignaz Paderewski and Van Cliburn while these instruments were on their Northeast tour.  Mr. Soffan is currently going into his 13th, season as Artistic  Director of the critically acclaimed Professional Artist Series held in historic Alden and Spaulding recital halls at Worcester Polytechnic Institute at WPI College in conjunction with the Boston Conservatory of Music in performance collaboration with Douglas Weeks (Applied Music Director) and Michael Lewin, Boston Conservatory (chair of piano).  Mr. Soffan has also performed in such historic halls as Mechanics Hall, Tuckerman Hall, Seully Hall (Boston Conservatory), Alden and Spaulding Recital Halls and the "Historic" Higgins Mansion as well as receiving recognition and awards from the American Red Cross and recognition from the President of the United States for his arrangement and participation in a concert consisting of 17 renowned musicians from all over the world, uniting them in a 7 hour "marathon" performance  to help support  the September 11th, tragedy and the American Red Cross.  Mr. Soffan has also been interviewed and featured in Worcester Business Journal, Chopin 2010, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Waltham Tribune, Worcester Magazine, Today's Parent, Boston Conservatory Monthly Newspaper "Stages", WICN 90.5 Radio, WGBH 98.5 Radio (Boston) with Cathy Fuller & Richard Neisley, WCRB 102.5 (Boston), WTAG, WGMC Channel 3 News Worcester (with Jennifer Roy) and Channel 5 News (Boston).  Mr. Soffan's primary teachers & master classes have included; Janice Weber, Jonathan Bass, Mykola Suk, Michael Lewin, Gabriel Chodos, Dr. Howard Schott (Juilliard School, student of legendary Scarlatti interpreter Ralph Kirkpatrick)Cathy Fuller, Peter Orth, Soomi Lee (student of Nadia Boulanger) Jung-Ja Kim and coaching with Eugene Lumelsky. Recordings for Sonarc Records Include: Beethoven Sonata's Opus 27, Nos. 1 & 2, Scarlatti 13 Sonata's, Scriabin Op. 11 Preludes and Two Etudes of Contrast.  In recognition for the Royal Academy school's, He was also named one of Worcester Business Journal and Worcester Magazine's 40 most successful under the age of 40, ("40 under 40") the very first year this award was given in 1998. In its 11 year history he has been the youngest person to receive this award at age 27.

Sarah Vincelett (Voice) Soprano, Sarah Vincelett has excelled in a wide variety of musical repertoire including classical styles, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary vocal music. Ms. Vincelett is a former participant in Los Angeles OperaWorks, the Spoleto Vocal Music Symposia, Ithaca College Opera Workshop, and the San Diego Opera Intensive, where she’s performed partial roles ranging from Gluck’s Euridice to Bellini’s Giulietta. Ms. Vincelett recently obtained her Bachelors of Music degree from the Ithaca College School of Music. She is currently perusing her Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance and Opera Studies at the New England Conservatory of Music under the instruction of Carole Haber. A California native, she has participated in numerous regional theater productions, receiving the San Diego Playbill’s award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Ruby in Dames at Sea. She can also be seen in the role of Shelby on the TV show Veronica Ma

Jennifer Woodward (Voice) Soprano, performs a wide variety of musical repertoire including opera, oratorio, musical theater, jazz, swing, and contemporary vocal music. Ms. Woodward has performed with the Key West Symphony Young Artist Program and the Asolo Art Song Festival, in Italy as well as the Norte Dame Cathedral in France and Westminster Cathedral in England. She also has given recitals in South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine, performing with the Charleston Symphony and Lynchburg Symphony Orchestras. She has experience working with many different age groups, previously helping to coach the St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church Children’s choirs for their European tours and assisting in teaching the Royal Academy School of Music young chorister program. She has also worked with the Adult choir at the Court Street United Methodist Church in preparation for performances with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. She has studied with voice teachers Mary Gould and Marcia Thom and has participated in master classes with Wendel Werner and Errollyn Wallen. Currently she is pursuing her Master of Music degree in Opera Performance at Longy School of Music, where she studies with Donna Roll and coaches with Noriko Yasuda.

Thiwangkorn Lilit (Director of Music, Piano) Thailand born child prodigy Thiwangkorn Lilit received his B.M. and M.M. from New England Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance and Composition. A specialist in contemporary music Mr. Lilit has studied composition with Michael Gandolfi and Piano with Margaret Ott. He has received numerous awards including a New England Conservatory of Music Honors Scholarship and Bangkok Performance Award in the Bangkok Chopin Competition.  Mr. Lilit has also instructed at the Boston Arts Academy, Payap University, Thailand, and the Yamaha Music School in Thailand. His performance career has taken him to all parts of the world and he has received high acclaim for his talents as a pianist and composer. Mr. Lilit has also been awarded “Teacher of the Year” award three years consecutive from the Royal Academy for Performing Arts.

(Sabrina) Mong-Yun Shih (Piano) was educated at Franklin Pierce University, N.H. where she received her B.M. in Piano Performance.  Ms. Shih's primary teachers have included: Jung-Ja Kim, Janice Weber, Faina Bryanskaya and Robert Johnson. Ms. Shih has performed throughout the New England Area and abroad in her native country of Taiwan and has also held teaching positions in Dracut, MA, Boston, MA,  as well as in Taiwan, instructing students of all ages and all skill levels. Ms. Shih has been recognized by the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Music Teachers National Association. Ms. Shih teaches exclusively through the Royal Academy for Music.

Ian Fletcher (Guitar & Bass) has been playing music for well over a decade. He first began playing clarinet at age 12. A year later, he began playing bass which soon became his primary focus. During high school, Ian joined his first bands and began playing his first gigs in clubs around Providence. After high school, Ian attended Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2005. During his time at Berklee, Ian furthered his studies in jazz bass playing, jazz composition and arranging.While attending school, Ian studied bass under Fernando Huergo, Bruce Gertz, John Lockwood and Dave Zinno. In addition, he explored different types of music including hip-hop, reggae, and electronica with his own band Looseleaf.  After college, Ian stayed in Boston and  began taking on his first private students while working for Guitar Center in Natick MA. The following year he began playing out regularly in jazz clubs around Boston with the Sonny Watson Quintet. Soon after, Ian left Sonny's quintet to form his own jazz quartet. They soon began playing a weekly jazz brunch at the Chicken Bone Saloon in Framingham MA. In  January of 2007, Ian left Boston to do a short stint as an orchestra musician for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  In April of 2008, Ian returned to Rhode Island to pursue his teaching career. He now teaches at St. Mary's Home for Children in N. Providence, Royal Academy of Music in Shrewsbury MA and Scituate (RI) High School. Ian performs every week with Marny & the Men of Distinction, (a band which he founded and leads) at Downcity Spirit and Food in Providence RI. He also performs in bars and restaurants throughout New England with Sweet P Blues, the Roots Report, Malloi, and the Hakim Law Trio among other projects.

(Irene) Yaling  Lin  (Piano & Flute) performed her undergraduate studies at Adelphi University in New York, where she received her Bachelor Degree in both piano and flute.  Ms Lin was also an active member of Adelphi University Symphony Orchestra as a flutist and performed in Garden City, Long Island and through out New York City.  Originally from Taiwan Ms. Lin has served on faculty at the Yamaha Music School, Taiwan, Washington Kindergarten, Taiwan and the Kon Wah Day School, Flushing, New York. Ms. Lin has also served as a teaching assistant a Adelphi University and teaches exclusively through the Royal Academy for Music.

Alex Gordeev (Sax, Clarinet, Bass and Piano) is a talented and versatile saxophonist, who has played in a variety of different musical genres from classical to jazz, funk and latin. Alex was born in Moscow in 1983. He started learning music at the age of 11 as a result of the wish of his parents. First he learned to play a little guitar and sing Russian songs. Then Alex took up the alto saxophone. That was the instrument that stuck, but it wasn't until the age of about 16 when he became serious about music.  When Alex was 11 his family moved to live in Australia. There he studied the principles of playing his horn and became interested in jazz and groove music. In 1999 Alex was chosen as one of the finalists at the prestigious Generations in Jazz competition held every year in Mt. Gambier, Australia by the prominent jazz trumpeter James Morrison.  At the age of 17 Alex moved back to Moscow and studied classical saxophone with renowned Russian saxophonist Alexey Volkov. In 2000 Alex was a finalist at the Selmer International Classical Saxophone Competition in Kiev, Ukraine. In 2001 Alex began to study privately with a great Russian jazz educator/saxophonist Alexander Oseichuk. In 2003 Alex won first place at the IV All-Russian Young Jazz Performers Competition held in Rostov-na-Donu, Russia. That same year he got a scholarship to study at the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston. In Boston he has had the privilege to study and share the stage with Marcus Miller, Joe Lovano, David Fiuczynski, Darren Barrett, George Garzone, Ed Tomassi  and others.  Alex graduated from Berklee in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in Professional Music (focus: Performance, Composition, Production). Since then he has been making an impact on the Boston music scene playing with a number of different bands (Wally's Stepchildren, DiLe Afro-Cuban Orquesta, Entrain, Boston Common, Louie Bello Band, Mass Ave Project) and producing tracks for up and coming Hip Hop and RnB artists (Singapore Kane, Louie Bello, Lisa Bello, Xenys and others). In October, 2009 Alex (under his production alias AleGory) was the winner of the Boston edition of iStandard Producer Showcase, a well known Hip Hop producers contest. The contest was judged by some of the biggest names in Hip Hop production: Buckwild (credits include Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie Smalls, Jadakiss and others), Jimi Kendrix (Ja Rule, Jay-Z and others) and Joey P (Ludacris and others). With a plethora of musical talents Alex is a multiple threat to the industry that needs a revitalizing shot of originality

Ashley Episcopo, (Voice) received her Master of Music degree from the Longy School of Music.  She performs music ranging from the mid 1600's to contemporary, newly composed works and in styles ranging from classical to jazz to contemporary music.  Ms. Episcopo has performed in opera, oratorio and recital in the Boston area and in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  A diverse musician, her studies have also included composition, flute and oboe performance.  Solo engagements have included the Mozart Requiem with Chorus Pro Musica and the Vivaldi Gloria with the Three Rivers Choral Society.  She made her operatic debut as Morfeo in Sebastian Duron's zarzuela "Salir el Amor del Mundo."  She has also participated in master classes with respected performers such as Ellen Hargis, Jeffrey Gall, and Sondra Kelley.

Charles Licata (Brass  & Woodwinds) completed his Bachelor's degree from the University of Buffalo and his Master's Degree from the New England Conservatory.  A native of Buffalo, Mr. Licata has performed regularly in New York in such Jazz hotspots as the No-Name Bar, the Trafelmadore and the Edward Hotel.  Mr. Licata has also studied theory and composition extensively and has composed both in the classical and jazz styles.  Mr. Licata also performs internationally and directs several jazz projects in Honduras which can also be heard on NPR radio.

Kyra Davies (Violin) Violinist Kyra Davies is an active orchestral, chamber and solo musician. After winning a scholarship to the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, she studied under Kenneth Goldsmith, graduating with a Bachelor of Music at the age of twenty. She has performed with the National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Music Center Orchestra and National Orchestral Institute, and is currently a member of several New England ensembles in addition to substituting with the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida. An advocate of new music, Kyra has appeared with the Brevard Music Center’s new music ensemble, itch, and was recently a guest performer with the New England Conservatory Contemporary Ensemble. In May 2009, she was the featured soloist in a program of Vivaldi concertos with the Orchestra of St. Margaret Mary in Westwood, MA, and she appeared several times as a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra as part of their summer 2009 season. Kyra currently studies with Eric Rosenblith, and has been on the faculty of the Sharon Music Academy since 2007. She can also be seen around the Northeast as a traditional Celtic fiddler and singer.

Jun Nishijima (Drums, Percussion & Piano) works professionally as a drummer, composer, and arranger as well as performs regularly around the Massachusetts area and through out  Japan.  Born in 1984 in Toyama, Japan, Jun started playing classical piano at the age of 7 in the Yamaha Music School. He was later influenced by the style of rock music and took up the drum set at age 13, also at the Yamaha School in Japan. He was then offered a full scholarship to study music at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in 2002. After two years of study he accepted a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and began studying with Terri Lyne Carrington.At Berklee, Jun studied performance, harmony, composition, and arranging, improving through concerts, recordings, and jam sessions. In his first semester he auditioned andgot in Joe Lovano’s ensemble and master class. He was invited by faculty George Gazone to play in his ensemble and recital, and by Jim Odgren in his saxophone clinic.He also played in a concert directed and produced by Jazz Revelation Records at the Berklee Performance Center for their 2008 CD release. Jun also recorded sample musicfor the Harmony Department which is currently being used for composition courses taught at Berklee.After graduating in May 2008, Jun continues to perform around Boston and also teachesdrum set to elementary through high school students at Sant Bani School in NewHampshire.

Phyllis Aronson (Flute) began her flute studies with her father, who is a former member of the original Glenn Miller Orchestra.  She received a Bachelor of Music in Flute degree, magna cum laude, from Hartt College of Music, and a Master of Music in Flute degree from Northwestern University.  Her teachers have included the late John Wummer of the New York Philharmonic and the late James Pappoutsakis of the Boston Symphony as well as Walfrid Kujala of the Chicago Symphony. While still an undergraduate, Ms. Aronson was invited to join the Hartford Symphony and the Connecticut Opera Orchestras. She became leader of the Hartford Symphony Woodwind Quintet.  Other orchestral positions have included the Springfield (Massachusetts) Symphony, Hartford Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic with whom she toured Mexico, Japan, Canada and the United States under conductors Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta, and participated in recordings on the Deutsche Grammophon label. A gifted pedagogue, Phyllis has held positions at the Hartford Conservatory of Music, Westfield State College, Brown University, UMASS- Dartmouth, and Western New England College.  In addition to teaching flute to all ages and levels, she has taught music appreciation to people as diverse as a class of police officers.
Ms. Aronson currently is Principal Flutist with the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra and chamber players ad the Cape Cod Opera Company.  Other recent performances include the Rhode Island Philharmonic and a premiere solo performance featured on National Public Radio. In 2005 she won a position with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra.  She is on the faculty of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School where she teaches flute, chamber music, and where she leads an educational outreach program. 

Jingke Cao (Piano) began playing the piano at the young age of 4 in China.  After showing a high potential she began to study piano seriously leading her to attend the East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China where she received a diploma in piano performance. Ms. Cao recently relocated to the United States where she continues an active career as performer and a very active career as a private piano teacher exclusively through the Royal Academy.

Shah Salmi (Beginning Piano, Voice,  Brass & Woodwinds) is originally from Malaysia, where his musical career began when he starred with his sister Zuria in a variety show on Malaysian television. Together, their performances had them singing, dancing, acting, and playing various instruments with the band.  After moving to the United States, Shah graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1990 with a degree in Music Education. He won first place at Berklee's Songwriting Competition in 1990. He pursued his Master's Degree at U Mass Lowell in Music Education, as a vocalist and instrumentalist. His educational background includes teaching Drum Corps and High School marching bands, and he is currently the 4th and 5th grade instrumental music teacher at Edwards Elementary school in West Boylston, MA.   As a performer, Shah is a member of Vote For Pedro (www.pedroband.com), an award-winning vocal jazz group.  He is also a sought-after studio session vocalist and songwriter.  Shah's original song "Semua Untuk Mu"  went #1 in Malaysia in 2004.

Li-Ching Huang (Early Childhood Music) was educated in both China and Clark university in Worcester, MA. Ms. Huang has enjoyed a career as a young up and coming pianist.  Her training consists of a Bachelors Degree in Arts in Music and in Business from Clark University and she has performed at Clark University as a soloist and collaborative musician. She continues to enjoy a very active career as a performer and instructor in voice and piano.

Joe Carcia (Guitar) was educated at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music in guitar performance. Mr. Garcia enjoys a career as a very active performer and has acted as accompanist for St. Joan of Arc Youth Choir as well as lead guitarist for "Soul Movement", a soul R& B Band nominated twice in the "Worcester Turtle Boy" awards as well as performed in numerous venues such as Tammany Hall, Lucky Dog Music Hall, Tufts university, Clark University, WPI, Harper's Ferry, Boston Court House, Middle East, and T.T. & the Bears.  Mr Garcia's primary teachers include Walter Platt, Jon wheatly and Jessica Blair.

Antonio Campagna, (Voice) received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance from New York University in 2005, and quickly began performing principal positions professionally in various regional houses throughout the country in the genre of Music Theatre.  After some time and deliberation Antonio made the decision to pursue his true calling, Opera which he has had tremendous exposure to since childhood.  In 2007 Antonio was placed on the Active Ensemble Roster for the Connecticut Opera after performing for their fall production of Puccini’s Tosca alongside Metropolitan Opera Star Eduardo Villa and rising New York City Opera Diva Lisa Daltirus.   Antonio followed up his performances at Connecticut Opera in 2008 with Yale University Opera as the Tenor section Leader Antonio is an active songwriter and has fronted two rock groups in his history.  Antonio is currently studying under the tutelage of Connecticut Opera Star and UConn Vocal Professor Dr. Constance Rock and in New York received the bulk of his training from former Metropolitan Opera Chorus Master Michael Ricciardone.   Antonio has been music director for various local productions in his time spent living in New Jersey and has honed his private teaching skills under the direction of the above professors.  Antonio is thrilled to be surrounded by such a wonderful collection of knowledgeable and talented musicians.  

Gjergji Kote (Violin) received his education at the Tefta Tashko Arts High school and Conservatory in Korce, Albania.  Completing 12 years of study (PHD equivalent) at the conservatory in violin performance. Mr. Kote was also invited to play with the Korce Orchestra and chamber ensemble.  Mr. Kote was later invite dto the United Staes to perform with the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra in Michigan where his mastery has earned him first violin chair in the orchestra.  He has also performed with many members of the orchestra in chamber recitals throughout Michigan and in the U.S. Mr. Kote has also enjoyed an extensive career as a teacher, instructing children and adults of all ages and skill levels.
 

Special Education/Music Therapy

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Susan M. Davis, MT-BC (Music Therapist) Ms. Davis received her B.A. in Sociology and Music from the University of Massachusetts and her B.S. in Music Therapy from SUNY New Paltz and her internship at Taconic DDSO, Wossaic, NY. Ms. Davis has worked at the American Institute of Neuro-Intergrative Development; Giant Steps as a part of a multi-disciplinary team with students having Autism spectrum disorders. She has also taught at New Horizons Resources and has seen numerous patients through private practice. Ms. Davis has composed for numerous publishing companies including Sonshine Publishing, Berkshire Theater for Theatre and the Arts, Mass. College of Liberal Arts and many more. Ms. Davis is certified by the American Music Therapy Association, Certification Board of Music Therapy (CBMT), First Aid and CPR as well as, Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP).
 

Royal Academy Internship Program

Robert Kelly (Percussion/Drums) is an active drummer in the Worcester/ Boston area. His primary styles of music is Rock N' Roll, Jazz and band. He performs in numerous bands throughout the area and continues to enjoy a very active role as a performer. Furthermore, Mr. Kelly teaches as primary percussion private instructor at the Hillside Boarding school as well as teacher os band and orchestra sectionals.


 

Administration Staff & Public Relations
Omar Soffan – Advanced Piano Program, Director 508-755-7373
Mary Gaudet - Assistant to the Director's, Administration
Thiwangkorn Lilit – Director of Music 508-755-7373
Chris Fourkas – Accounting, Book Keeping 508-752-0712
Diane Vandal - Accounting

Member
*National Guild of Community Schools for the Arts (New York)
*Music Teachers National Association ID#9058645
*Massachusetts Music Teachers Association
*Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau
*Americans for the Arts Action Fund
*Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce
*Better Business Bureau (Accredited Member)
*ASCAP

Affiliations /Performance Relations/Career Services
*Royal Academy (London)
*Royal Conservatory (Brussels)
*The Juilliard School (Career Services, Performances)
* Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins University, Career Services)
*Berklee College of Music (Career Services)
*New England Conservatory of Music (Career Services, Performances)
*Boston Conservatory of Music (Affiliate, Performances)
*Metropolitan Opera House
*Mechanics Hall, Worcester
*Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Schools & Institutions that Utilize the Royal Academy For Services
*Worcester Polytechnic Institute
*Worcester State College
*Clark University
*The Hillside School (Marlborough) (Shah Salmi & Kate Tanguay)
*Umass/Memorial Hospital
*Christ Tabernacle Church
*Mechanics Hall
*Tuckerman Hall

Awards/Recognition
* Best of Shrewsbury 2008 & 2009
   Music Instruction Category
* Best of Worcester 2008 & 2009
   Music Instruction Category
* American Red Cross. Concert to Benefit September 11th, 2009
* President of The United States, Recognition for Concert to Benefit Red Cross
* Worcester Business Journal, 40 under 40 Most Successful
* Worcester Telegram & Gazette
* Worcester Magazine
* Today's Parent
* WGBH Boston
* WICN Worcester
* WCRB Boston
* WTAG Worcester
* Channel 5 News Boston
* Channel 3 WGMC News Worcester
* Stages, The Boston Conservatory
* Waltham Tribune
* Accreditation Better Business Bureau


 Referrals
* Geoffrey German, Attorney Family Practice
   Geoffreygerman.com
   508-798-9923

* Chris Fourkas, Accounting & Book Keeping
   508-752-0712

* Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Family Practice (Medical Associates of Boston)
   508-820-8383

* Union Music - Instrument Sales
   508-753-0712

* Music America - Instrument Rental
   508-792-1221

* Tadmor & Tadmor Law Offices (Immigration Law)
   508-791-9100

* The Boston Conservatory of Music
   (617) 536-6340