Sofia Da Silva – Music/Visual Instructor
Sofia Da Silva is a versatile trumpeter with vast experience in both classical and contemporary music. Her goal is to make an impact on her community as one of the leading female Latin American brass musicians of South Florida. She recently graduated from Florida International University (FIU) with her Master’s degree in Trumpet Performance. In 2015, Sofia proudly marched with the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps and performed alongside the Boston Pops & Boston Symphony Orchestra during her tour across the continental United States. She returned to the group in 2017 to play lead trumpet and age-out of the ensemble. Currently, Sofia plays with local bands & brass ensembles from all kinds of genres including ska, funk, traditional band repertoire & baroque music. When Sofia is not making music she is sharing her knowledge by teaching in the South Florida area as a Teaching Artist for the Miami Music Project in Little Haiti, and in a variety of marching band programs including Somerset Academy High School as a music and marching instructor.
Website: www.sofiatrompetista.com
Alexis Lee – Music/Visual Instructor
Alexis Lee is entering his 12th season with the Somerset Academy Panther Marching Band. A Florida native, Mr. Lee was born and raised in Miramar and Pembroke Pines, Florida, Alexis is a graduate of Flanagan High school, c/o 2005. At Flanagan he was involved in the Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band Programs. Since then he has attained his Associates Degree in the Arts from Broward College.
Alexis has participated in several musical ensembles outside of college. During the summers of 2003-2007 he participated in the Magic of Orlando and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps playing Baritone and Euphonium. Alexis has also worked as a visual and music instructor with various Concert and Marching Band programs in South Florida such as Pines Charter High School, Cypress Bay High School, Western High School, Somerset Academy High School, Silver Trail Middle School and Walter C Young Middle School. This past winter season Alexis began working with Nova High School winds helping them earn a bronze medal at WGI Championships. Currently, Alexis is finishing his B.A. in Science Education at Broward College. He is the Coding Instructor at Somerset Academy Elementary. When he is not instructing Alexis is giving private lessons on Low and High Brass instruments.
Veronica Camus began music as a piano player at the age of 11. She joined the Somerset Academy Band Program in 6th grade as a flute player. During her years in the program, she played flute and piccolo in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Arts Conservatory and participated in the Winter Guard. She graduated from the Somerset Music Conservatory in 2015 and will be starting her fifth season with the Somerset Panther Marching Band as a music and visual instructor. Ms. Camus is currently pursuing degrees from Florida International University in Dietetics and Nutrition as well as Physical Therapy.
Bio Coming Soon…
Christopher Artau is a trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist in the Miami area. Playing music since third grade, Chris has eight years of experience in the marching arts, including membership with the newly-established FFCC and WGI Independent World Winds finalist group, Legacy. He is also a published composer who has been recognized by both FMEA and FBA. Under the guidance and mentorship of Larry Clark, Chris was able to publish his first concert band piece at the age of 16 with Excelcia Music Publishing, and remains the youngest Concert Band/Jazz Ensemble Composer with the company. Alongside his published and soon-to-be published compositions, Chris also freelances and writes in a variety of modern musical styles. Having written for multiple schools in the Broward and Miami-Dade areas such as Somerset Academy, Cooper City High School, his alma mater, Mater Academy; and writing for various other musical projects like the Miami Wind Symphony and the Brass Institutes of America, Chris looks forward to bringing a fresh approach to Somerset’s music and visual program.
Surya Kaniyur will be joining his 2nd season with Somerset Academy as a percussion instructor! Being a Florida native, he is from Miramar, Florida, and also a Somerset Academy Alumni, graduating class of 2020! He is currently studying at Florida International University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics.
His past experiences include: 5 seasons with the Somerset Academy Panther Marching Band (2015-2019), where he served as percussion captain for the 2019 season, earning 3 FMBC silver medals in the duration of his time there (2016, 2017, 2019). Additionally, he has spent 5 seasons with the FIU Percussion Ensemble, in which he was in the quadline for 4 seasons (2017-2020) and the snareline for the 2021 season. He served as Quad Section leader for 3 years (2018, 2019, and 2020), making 2 finals appearances in the WGI Percussion circuit (2018 & 2019), and earned a bronze medal in 2018. Recently, he has also participated in the FIU Marching Band Quadline for the Fall season of 2020, and will be marching his first Drum Corps season with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps for the summer of 2021!
While he is not participating in band activities, Surya enjoys long walks on the beach, playing basketball with his friends, and creating content for his drumming page (Instagram: @surya.drums)!
Kayla Wray- Guard Instructor
Bio Coming Soon…
Kimberly Brown- Guard Instructor
Bio Coming Soon…
Anthony Aguayo- Guard Instructor
Anthony Aguayo started his color guard journey as a performer 6th grade
and continued through his senior year, graduating in 2020. Throughout his time with Somerset Academy, he marched 6 Fall seasons and 7 Winter seasons. He also became captain of the color guard his junior and senior year, helping lead the team to several successful seasons. Anthony now attends Florida Atlantic University and is studying to be an Accountant. He hopes to continue his color guard journey by marching drum corps and joining an independent group while in college.
Kayla Stewart- Guard Instructor
Bio Coming Soon…