Through the educational integrity of its founders, the academy has attracted professional educators with years of professional experience, who love what they do and share a common goal—to nurture and inspire excellence in each and every student.
Students enrolled at the Da Vinci Academy not only learn from teachers that have "studied the arts" but from mentors who have "lived the arts."
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Armand Simon piano |
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Nicole van Eer singing, musical theatre |
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Anna Buryakova-Fit ballet, jazz |
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Hester Matthijsse violin |
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Alfonso de Windt visual arts |
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Omar Brown filmmaking |
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Rosalein Bos theatre, acting |
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Armand Simon balances the roles of chamber musician, festival director, soloist, teacher, and director of an art academy. He was born in Amsterdam from Aruban parents and began his piano studies at the age of 12. After winning a prize at the Petrof Piano Competition, it became clear that a musical future was awaiting him. He studied at the Conservatory of Rotterdam with the Russian pianist Mila Baslawskaja and continued his studies at the Conservatory of Utrecht with professor Alan Weiss. As a pianist, he has performed in The Netherlands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, Colombia, USA and Belgium. In 2006, he was invited to perform for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. In 2007, he was invited to the prestigious “Festival del Nuevo Mundo” in Maracaibo.
In 2004, he returned to Aruba and devoted himself to the education and guidance of young promising talents on the island. In his role as ambassador of classical music in Aruba, he created the successful concept "2classic4u?" (2005), and founded the Crescendo foundation in 2006. Armand Simon is the artistic director of the Aruba Piano Festival. Under his leadership, the festival has grown from a small local event to an internationally acclaimed festival which is considered to be the most important classical event in the region.
In 2010 he founded the Da Vinci Academy, an independent institute dedicated to the inspiration and expression of intellectual and artistic curiosity. His aim is not only to teach "how" but to cultivate the "why," forming a deep appreciation for art.
Nicole van Eer had her classical vocal education at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam, where she was a member of the opera class. She was coached by Charles van Tassel and Kevin Smith. During the time she was studying she sang parts in the operas "Le Nozze di Figaro", "La Boheme" and "Xerxes". Under the direction of David Prins she played the part of Monica in Menotti's "The Medium".
After her studies she had her first musical experience in "The Phantom of the Opera". From 1996 to 1998 she played the part of Maria in the musical "West Side Story". Both were Joop van den Ende productions. After this intensive theatre period Nicole decided together with the bariton Roy ter Haar to make their own program in which they compined opera and musical. With their program "Una Storia Amorosa" they were invited to the festival of Monpazier in France. In August 2001 she was a soloist at the Opera Festival in Valverde in Sicily, Italy, with arias from Puccini, Verdi, Bellini and Donizetti.
Together with pianist Hein Franssen she gave succesful concerts in France and Germany. The program consisted of song repertoire, opera and musical. In 2004 she immigrated to Aruba where she continued her singing. Nicole has performed for Her Majesty Queen Beatrix during the Queen's visit to Aruba in November 2007.
Hester Matthijsse is one of the most allround teachers on the island of Aruba. An elementary school teacher, student counselor, Montessori music teacher, working behind the scenes to improve national educational programs, a private violin teacher. A lot of roles, but she approaches each of them with the greatest commitment. She has played violin in various ensembles and has recently been to the US to investigate the possibilities for a cello project in Aruba.
Anna Buryakova has received her education in Russia where she graduated “with honors” at the College of Culture and Art in St.Petersburg on the subjects choreography and dance. She has performed at various theaters in Russia and Italy. In 1998, she came to Aruba as part of a dance ensemble which was contracted by Allegro Resort. From that time, Anna has made Aruba her home and started teaching ballet. She was a teacher at Club di Movimiento and is currently in charge of the dance department at Da Vinci Academy.
Alfonso de Windt attended several workshops held by prominent teachers from the Rietveld Art Academy before pursuing his studies in Holland. He graduated from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam where he obtained his art teacher's license. He is a very experienced teacher, having taught art classes in high school since 1995. As a visual artist, he creates art ranging from realism to fantasy to abstractions. His artwork has been published in local magazines and he has participated in collective as well as juried art exhibits nationally and internationally.
After graduating High School in Aruba, Omar continued his higher education in Orlando, Florida USA. Receiving a degree in both Technical Theatre and Film production from the University Of Central Florida, he interned at Sea World and worked as an entertainment technician at Disney World Orlando, Civic Theatre and Opera while also teaching as a lab instructor at his former college. Upon his return to Aruba he started working at Cas Di Cultura as their main lighting and video technician. Omar has collaborated in various commercial projects for the Aruba Tourism Authority and has recently established his own video production company "Across The Waves".
Rosalein Bos has always been fascinated by theater, acting, spirituality and people. After studying Drama Therapy and Theater in the Netherlands and Belgium she founded her own company, "Volledig Plu", in which she combined her skills, knowledge, experiences and philosophy. As an actor, Rosalein performed in various plays and theater productions, and formed part of Amsterdam's oldest theater ensemble, "Dosto". She has recently moved to Aruba and is really enthusiastic about working with the talented group of youngsters at Da Vinci.
