Mr. Samuel Heifetz –  Piano, Group Piano, Songwriting University Seminar Samuel Heifetz (piano) works in Arcadia as an adjunct professor from 2002. Besides individual (beginners, intermediate/advanced, jazz/popular) and group piano classes he is teaching Advanced Music Theory, Composition, Improvisation, and Songwriters seminar. Samuel coordinates First Fridays in the Castle concerts, performs in the faculty recitals and serves as an accompanist in students recitals in Arcadia University.  Sam was born in Latvia and holds a master’s degree from the Latvian National Conservatory. He worked at the Latvian Philharmonic Society as the music director of the chamber ensemble Via Tertia, recorded many shows on Latvian and central Soviet television and radio, and performed extensively throughout the former Soviet Union and Europe. He also wrote music for theater and films. In 1988, he released the first album of instrumental Jewish music in the USSR, Jewish Impressions. Sam was one of the founders of the Latvian Jewish Cultural Society. Mr. Heifetz moved to the United States in 1990 and continued his career as performer, composer and arranger. In 1991, he made a successful debut at Carnegie Hall. He has performed throughout Europe and the United States, including at the Jewish Music Festival in Berlin, the International Music Festival in Algarve, Portugal, and the Library of the United Nations. His American discography includes three albums with the ensemble Atzilut (with Ark Music) as well as his own albums: Introversions (with Music Sources) and Moment to Moment (with PianoForte). Sam was teaching a workshop and master classes in contemporary Jewish music in Riga, Latvia in November 2005 and in November 2006. He also works intensively in musical theatre, including at the Prince Music Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Bristol Riverside Theatre, and the Media Theatre for Performing Arts, where he served as the resident music director for the 2008-2009 season. His favorite shows to conduct have been “My Fair Lady”, “Oliver”, “Show Boat”, and “The Fantasticks”, among others. Samuel works as an orchestrator, arranger, composer, performer and educator. In 2009 his original music was performed at the Media Theatre in a presentation of the film "Women in the Military."   His original musical “David the Shepherd” was performed at the Stagecrafters Theatre in March 2011.  Samuel compositions include 3 musicals, Cantata, 3 symphonic suites, various chamber ensembles, choir and solo songs, compositions and arrangements for big band and combos.