Life-enriching music services in Southwest Ohio
The Southwest Ohio Music Academy (SOMA) was founded by local educators to encourage, engage, and equip people of all ages and backgrounds through uplifting, interactive music experiences from educational classes and seminars to performance opportunities.
Our Services
Music Education for People of All Ages
Professional Music Coaching
Master Classes and Lectures
One-on-One or Group
Our Staff
Officers
President
Pianist Nanyi Qiang has established a wide-ranging career spanning chamber musician, soloist, pedagogue, and piano technician. In 2021, his latest recording album “DUO SHU” was released by Blue Griffin. Dr. Qiang has appeared to public acclaim in venues including Carnegie Hall, Stanford, San Francisco New Music Center. He is an alumnus of Music Academy of the West. Dr. Qiang is on the piano faculty of Central State University, OH. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Currently he serves as the Program Director for OhioMTA Western District.
Treasurer
Trumpeter Chris Braun is the adjunct trumpet instructor at Central State University and at Sinclair College and music professor for Liberty University Online. He is also an adjunct instructor and the Charger Music Society director at Edison State Community College and trumpet teacher at Spring Valley Academy, Beavercreek City Schools, and That Music Place. As a performer, Chris plays trumpet with the Mason Symphony Orchestra, Kettering Praise Orchestra, Mad River Brass, Eddie Brookshire Big Band, Ryan Roth and The Comeback Special Elvis Tribute Band, leads the Innovation Jazz Combo and called upon for freelance work. Chris earned his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance degree from Wright State University and his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from The Ohio State University. Chris has served for over a decade as music director for churches in Florida and Ohio. He is a co-founder of SOMA and is a regular contributor to the International Trumpet Guild Journal (ITG) and a performing member of the Dayton Music Club.
Secretary
Connor is a trombonist originally from the Dayton area. He currently teaches low brass at several schools including Spring Valley Academy, Centerville Schools, Beavercreek Schools, and Springboro High School as the marching band’s brass caption head. In addition to teaching, Connor enjoys performing throughout the Dayton-Cincinnati region. He is principal trombonist of the Kettering Praise Orchestra as well as the Yellow Springs Chamber Orchestra. Connor has an MM from Florida State University and a BM from the University of Dayton.