VIEW CELLO COURSE

Ms.Supanee Sonchaiwanich (Nee)

Ms. Supanee began playing the cello at age 12 and has since built an impressive career, performing across Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and France. She graduated with First-Class Honours from the Royal College of Music in London, studying under Raphael Wallfisch, and later earned a Master of Performance with Distinction from Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Zurich, under Orfeo Mandozzi. Her musical versatility spans classical, baroque, jazz, and pop genres, with notable performances including Bach Cello Suites, chamber music with the Carmina Quartet, and leading the cello section of the RCM Philharmonic Orchestra (2020-2021).

Supanee has received numerous accolades, such as 2nd prize at the 2016 Final Beethoven Competition and the 2014 Thailand 3rd International String Competition, and a scholarship to the 47th International Summer Course for New Music Darmstadt. Beyond performing, she is passionate about music education, co-leading workshops like "Music in Everyday Life" (2020) and teaching cello at St. Andrews International School Bangkok since 2024.

Lessons can be taught in Thai and English

Mr. Siripong Keetasilpsakul (Jiw)

Siripong earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education (Cello) from the Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, in 2000. He was awarded First Runner-up and later National Champion in the Classical Guitar category at the Yamaha Guitar Festival in 1996 and 1997, respectively. From 2000 to 2019, he was a cellist with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and also performed with the Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra, as well as other ensembles such as the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and Siam Sinfonietta. In addition to his performance career, he has taught as a guest lecturer at the College of Music, Fine Arts Department (teaching Harmony and Counterpoint), Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (teaching Cello), and Kasetsart University Laboratory School (Guitar Ensemble). Furthermore, he has extensive experience teaching music at several international schools, including NIST International School, St. Andrews International School, and Bangkok Patana School, from 2001 to 2021.

Jessica Nopthaisong (Jessica)

Jessica Nopthaisong is a cellist currently honing her craft under the tutelage of Ajarn Marcin Szawelski. As part of her journey at the Young Artist Music Program, she held the position of co-principal cellist in the Mahidol String Chamber Orchestra (MSCO) from 2020 to 2022. Jessica has also performed with the MSCO as a soloist.

Throughout her career, Jessica has amassed an array of awards. She earned gold prize in the International String Competition hosted by Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts in 2022. Her chamber music ensemble was awarded 2nd prize in the YAMP Chamber Music Competition. As a soloist, Jessica garnered 3rd prize in the Senior Category of the Thailand Strings Competition in 2022. Additionally, she earned the Gold Prize in Ensemble Category and Solo Category in the inaugural Sugree Charoensook International Competition the same year. Her talents were further recognized in 2023 when she won the String and Chamber Music Department Competition, earning her a coveted spot in the String Department Showcase. Recently, she earned the Champion Prize in the Chamber category of Taiwan International Music Competition, First Place in Scherzo International Music Competition, Platinum Prize in the Thailand Music Competition and Second Prize in The 12th Hong Kong International Performance Arts Festival and Music Competition held in Hong Kong, as well as earning the Champion Prize from having the top score from both group and solo categories in Japan Music and Talent Competition 2025.

Jessica's excellence has also been acknowledged academically and professionally. In 2021, she was honored with the General Prem's Scholarship Fund and accepted into the Side by Side Program after auditioning to the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. Having been a student intern from 2021 to 2024, she contributed, performing alongside the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra on numerous occasions. She has also participated in masterclasses with esteemed musicians such as Prof. Peter Schumayer, Prof. Barbara Łypik-Sobaniec, and Prof. Brandon Vamos.

Jessica has also performed in many prestigious events for audiences that included representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, the Vatican City State, and Romania. A passionate advocate for chamber music, she has performed across Thailand with multiple chamber groups and has conducted workshops to share her knowledge with aspiring musicians in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

After graduating as valedictorian of her class in 2022 with the highest grade point average, Jessica is now in her third year at the College of Music, Mahidol University. She served as the principal cellist of the Mahidol Symphony Orchestra during 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 seasons and a principal cellist of Salaya Chamber for the 2024-2025 season. Jessica is also a member of Siam Sinfonietta for the 2024-2025 season. Recently, Jessica performed in the National Symphony Youth Orchestra Summer program in Taiwan and has performed in Hong Kong, China, and Poland

Mr.Kritpakorn Chanfak

Mr.Kritpakorn Chanfak is a cellist with extensive experience in both performance and music education. He has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra, where he played in major pieces like Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His diverse performance background includes collaborations with the SCG Young Thai Artist in Composition program, as well as appearances at Museum Siam and TCDC’s “Transition” event. With a strong foundation in classical and contemporary repertoire, he continues to refine his artistry and contribute to Thailand’s dynamic music scene.

Beyond his performance career, Kritpakorn is deeply committed to music education. He has taught piano at Suan Dusit University. His teaching philosophy focuses on nurturing technical excellence and musical expression, guiding students of all levels to reach their full potential. With his dedication to both performance and education, Kritpakorn plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of musicians.

Mr.Vannophat Kaploykeo (Tau)

Vannophat Kaploykeo (Teacher Tau) is an award-winning Thai cellist whose versatile career bridges classical tradition and contemporary innovation across three continents. Renowned for his “rich, powerful cello sound” and “dazzling performance” (Pattaya Mail), he has appeared as a soloist with leading orchestras such as the Salaya Chamber Orchestra, Mahidol Pops Orchestra, and Million Wind Philharmonic. His accolades include multiple ensemble prizes at the Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition and First Prize at the University of Victoria Bach Competition (2023). A passionate orchestral performer, Vannophat held positions with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra before joining Canada’s Victoria Chamber Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and Pacific Opera Victoria throughout the 2023/2024 season.

Beyond orchestral stages, Vannophat is an active chamber musician and advocate of contemporary music. He has collaborated with esteemed artists including Rolf-Dieter Arens, Stefanie Waegner, and members of the Carmina Quartet, Abegg Trio, and Lafayette Quartet, and has performed at international festivals such as Quartet Fest West and the Thailand International Composition Festival, where he served as ASEAN Young Artist-in-Residence (2018–2019). Committed to new music, he has premiered works by composers from Thailand, Canada, Iran, Hong Kong, the U.S., and China. Vannophat holds a bachelor’s degree from Mahidol University and a master’s degree from the University of Victoria, supported by prestigious Canadian arts scholarships.

In 2024 he was awarded an Ernst Mach Grant to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw-Wien) through the support of the OeAD.

Kesara Bunayamongkol

Kesara Bunayamongkol (Teacher Amy), born in 2001, began her cello journey at the age of 7 and quickly became a rising star in the classical music scene. In 2015, she earned a prestigious scholarship to study in the Virtuoso Program with the Orchestra da Camera in the United States. This launched her into an inspiring path that included a scholarship to pursue her Bachelor's degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the guidance of the world-renowned French cellist and pedagogue, Jean-Michel Fonteneau.

Kesara’s career has been shaped by masterclasses and collaborations with legendary musicians such as Midori Goto, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Tilson Thomas, Zuill Bailey, Gustav Rivinius, Daniel Rowland, and Richard Lester, further enhancing her expressive and refined playing. Since 2023, she has been pursuing her Master of Music at the Royal College of Music, studying with the acclaimed cellist Alexander Boyarsky.

Beyond her solo work, Kesara is a founding member of the Asterios Trio, which has been invited to perform in prestigious venues across the UK, including the Elgar Room at Royal Albert Hall, St James' Piccadilly and the Banstead Music Arts Festival. She is passionate about historical performance, deeply engaging with the Baroque Cello and Viola da Gamba under the renowned Elisabeth Reed and having worked with Jérôme Hantaï.

Kesara's versatility extends beyond performance; she has a keen interest in music history, demonstrated by her remarkable achievement as the top scorer in Thailand for the Cambridge AS and A-Level Music Examinations in 2018 and 2019.