Festival Founders
Mr. Anthony Giles
Festival Co-Founder & Lead Consultant
“Education is the most powerful weapon...you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Anthony Giles is Director of Arts and Activities at ISB . He was the first person to propose creating the Kinnari Music Festival, and kindly offered ISB’s amazing facilities of to host this inaugural event. Below is how he sees his role and purpose.
“Schools throughout the world often serve as the hubs of the communities whose children they serve providing not only opportunities for learning, but also activities and celebrations that bring people together. In many cultures teachers still hold a special place within this circle as both the giver of knowledge but also as the connector between parent, child and what is being taught. Although more current teaching practices might be better described as facilitating learning rather than giving knowledge, I believe the importance of the teacher/student relationship is still one of the most significant factors in determining student success.
I got into educational leadership because I love teaching and learning and because I thought I could make a difference helping others teach and learn - not as the giver of instructional knowledge or expertise, but rather as a facilitator of teacher and student growth.“
As a co-founder of the Kinnari Music Festival and kindly offering ISB’s state of the art facilities as our home, Mr. Anthony is providing yet another opportunity to be a facilitator in learning and making a difference for aspiring musical artists.
Dr. Akkrawat (Paye) Srinarong
Festival Co-Founder & Music Director
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” - Napoleon Hill
Dr. Paye Srinarong is a violinist, conductor, educator and entrepreneur. Forbes Thailand described him as “an entrepreneurial violinist; a pioneer who harmoniously combines music alongside modern business. An artist who pushes barriers and enhances the society through his musicianship and creativity for higher purpose.”
For the past three decades, his passion as a violinist and connecting music to a wider audience has earned Dr. Paye international recognition, with over a thousand performances in six continents. Dr. Paye became Music Director of Thai Youth Orchestra (TYO) in 2017. In his inaugural year he led the young ensemble to First Prize at the prestigious Summa Cum Laude International Youth Orchestra Competition in Vienna, immediately giving Thailand international musical recognition followed by Spain tours in 2018 and 2019. Amidst the pandemic, the orchestra have been active online through #TYOdigital campaign, releasing contents and presenting virtual concerts, with hundreds of thousands viewers tuning in since 2020.
As an educator he founded Viemus Music School with his family in 2008, creating a high standard music community, grooming local talents at an early age and also bringing families and friends together through music making.
Dr. Paye received his early music education from his father, Prof. Phukorn Srinarong. He attended London’s Purcell School, Royal Academy of Music, Yale University, and SUNY Stony Brook New York, where he became and remains the only Thai violinist with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree since 2012.
Khun Kanokewan (Ja) Wuttithamrong
Festival Co-Founder and Lead Organizer
"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." -Mother Teresa
Living in Chicago, Princeton, Geneva, Hong Kong, Beijing and Bangkok has made the founder of Kula Co., Ltd., Khun Ja Wuttithamrong, a “citizen of the world”, so to speak. For close to three decades, her professional career has taken her all over the world, spanning roles in journalism, media, sales, marketing, and education.
In media, she started off as a rookie reporter under the tutelage of veteran news anchors and broadcasters in Thailand, culminating in roles as a producer at CNN Hong Kong and an anchor at China Central Television (CCTV 9, now CGTN) in Beijing, China.
After taking some time off (and welcoming two daughters), Khun Ja switched to the education field and held several roles with an education group based in Beijing with 16 schools all over China, eventually becoming its Director of Marketing and Community Engagement.
Khun Ja has a breadth of experience when it comes to event organization, ranging from intimate coffee talks, to large scale community events and charity concerts, all conducted with equal dedication, precision and conviction. It was also while at the education group where her love for children and her desire to help people became crystal clear. Seeing the power of education, and how transformative it can be for a child has made supporting education a part of her mission and passion. She is delighted to be a co-founder of Kinnari Music Festival and will do all she can to ensure a smooth and successful festival for everyone.
