Our Faculty

Owner, Managing Director & Lead Piano Instructor
Jovita has been bringing her unique instructional style and her love for the piano to this area since 1990. Born in Malaysia into a large musical family, Jovita was the first in her family to formally study music and the piano. She largely credits her family's love of dance and music in daily life as her inspiration to grow, create and succeed in her chosen career.
With an education in music, finance and management science Jovita has incorporated this unique blend of her arts and science education into the creation of The Academy of Music in 1990 and evolving it into what is now the Academy of Performing & Creative Arts (APCA) in 2007. APCA offers instruction in piano, other classical instruments, voice and acting with a curriculum track that teaches and hones performing skills.
Today Jovita has added arranging, composing and creating and producing live and pre-recorded musical events ranging from small intimate shows to full stage productions to her plate but has not lost sight of her first love-the piano. She still shares her skills and talents on this instrument with students of all ages who share that love with her.

John has been teaching instrumental and vocal/general music in area schools for a number of years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music from Hartwick College and a Master of Music Degree from Syracuse University, as well as permanent New York State Certification in Music. He has been identified as a multiple-year honoree in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."
His performance credits include: Catskill Symphony in Oneonta (viola), Binghamton Community Orchestra (principal viola), Greater Utica Chamber Orchestra, (principal viola and associate conductor), and Floyd Community Band (bassoon, flute, oboe, and trumpet). Before moving to the Mohawk Valley, he appeared as guest piano soloist with a high school orchestra in a performance of "Exodus." In addition to his instrumental performances, he has also sung in the Catskill Choral Society (Tenor I) during which time the Society produced the world premier recording of "Jonah," (1775, documented to be the first oratorio composed in the "New World"), and since 2015 has sung in the Hamilton College Masterworks Chorale (Tenor I).

Voice & Acting Lead Instructor - Stephen is no stranger to the professional stage. Stephen began his career in Germany at the Theater der Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg where he played such roles as: "Tony" in West Side Story; "Brad" in Rocky Horror Picture Show; "Ferrando" in Cosi Fan Tutti; "Steuerman" in The Flying Dutchman to name a few. His last year in Germany he was on stage performing for over 316 performances, in 16 different productions.

Son of Heather Thomson (Dramatic Soprano) and Perry Price (Helden Tenor), he was truly a theater child and learned at a very young age, the world of Performing and Stage Craft. He went on from Germany to study at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he majored in Voice and Acting performance. Then he left for Europe once more. It was then that Stephen really hit his stride in the Theater world and was asked to join shows such as Jekyll and Hyde in Cologne Germany, and Phantom of the Opera in an all-star cast in Stuttgart Germany.

Stephen was then as handpicked by Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber himself and 21 time Tony Award winner Hal Prince, to join in the new Las Vegas Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian Hotel on the world famous Strip. Stephen has graced the stages of Europe and North America for many years performing over 11,000+ shows.

Still performing abroad and locally today, Stephen is enjoying life living in Upstate NY, with his two daughters, Lily and Charlize. Stephen continues to be a sought after coach in voice and acting and has been with the Academy Of Performing & Creative Arts (APCA) for 10 years as the agency's lead vocal & acting instructor working with and honing the skills and talents of 100's of area youth, teens and adults.