A new chapter for Belfast: Rae Sofley steps into her mother's legacy
When Rae Sofley takes the reins as LCME Belfast centre representative in early 2026, she won't just be following in her mother's footsteps. She'll be continuing a remarkable 16-year journey that has helped transform music education in the region.
Rae has watched her mother, Angela Sofley, build something extraordinary since 2009. What started as an intimate exam venue with one examiner across five days has blossomed into a thriving community hub that welcomes candidates from across Northern Ireland in piano, musical theatre, classical singing, traditional instruments, and speech and drama.
"I've always helped mum at the sessions and enjoyed being in the centre, meeting all the other teachers and all the candidates," Rae explains. "I went through exams myself with LCME as well, so I was very acquainted with the world."
Building a community, not just a centre
Angela's journey began when her predecessor, Mildred Bass, recognised her organisational skills and suggested she apply for the representative role. But Angela's real motivation came from a friend's recommendation that LCME had "a different kind of ethos that was much better for the children."
Putting the needs of people first has shaped everything Angela has built. The transformation became evident when she moved the centre to its current venue, a decision that proved pivotal for growth.
"The old venue certainly wasn't suitable for any more musical theatre candidates because there was no area to change, no toilet facilities," Angela recalls. "So we moved to the venue where I am now, and everything just changed. It just gradually grew and grew and grew."
The numbers tell part of the story. Where Belfast once saw predominantly piano entries, the centre now welcomes a rich diversity of instruments. Classical singing has grown significantly, alongside traditional instruments, such as the viola, violin, and flute.
But the real success lies in the community atmosphere Angela has fostered. "People are coming in, and they're seeing a familiar group of teachers or the same musicians or performers coming through each session, and they get to know these people. That inspires other collaborations. They'll start working together on other events, which is really cool to see."
Success stories that inspire
The performers who have been part of this community have gone on to achieve exam and professional success. One of Rae's former students achieved 100% in their musical theatre exam and has gone on to the National Youth Theatre in London. Whilst another student secured a place at a specialised performing arts school in London at just 15.
"There are so many success stories," Angela reflects. "We have teachers who work with Northern Ireland Opera, and many of their pupils have gone on to do local professional work."
These achievements reflect the centre's commitment to nurturing talent at every level, creating pathways from local music education to professional opportunities.
Navigating challenges together
The journey hasn't been without its challenges. As LCME evolved its syllabuses and systems over the years, Angela became the crucial bridge between organisational changes and her local teaching community. Whenever new entry procedures or updated requirements created questions, she developed innovative solutions, including creating organisational templates and systems to help teachers navigate change.
There are also many new teachers coming from other boards who sometimes need extra support. "The majority of teachers know the core procedures, but we have had an increasing number of new ones coming in," Angela explains. "They'll email or text and say, 'This is the first time I've entered, how do we go about it?', and we always try our best to provide that personal guidance."
This personal support became even more vital as technology advanced, particularly with the increased reliance on digital exams following COVID-19. While some representatives might have struggled with these transitions, Angela's hands-on approach and willingness to adapt kept her community together.
This personal touch extends to exam days themselves. The centre's excellent performance spaces and inviting waiting area contribute to a relaxed atmosphere. Angela deliberately keeps exams away from the waiting area, allowing people to chat and relax without constant interruption.
A seamless transition
Rae's transition into the representative role feels natural. She's been increasingly involved in the administrative side, particularly as technology became more prominent. "I became more interested in the admin side and what mum was doing when she was typing away on the computer," Rae explains. "I'm interested in helping people have a good experience with exams because I know first-hand that it can be nerve-wracking."
For Rae, the goal is clear: "I would like to sustain the environment that she's created in the centre. Everyone comes in, and they feel welcome there. They feel like they belong there."
Looking forward
As Rae prepares to officially step into the role fully after the Winter 2025 exam sessions, she plans to bring fresh energy while maintaining the values that have made the LCME centre in Belfast special. The advantage of this family succession, as Angela notes, is continuity: "If it were somebody completely new, they may come in and run things much more strictly or just in a different way, but the advantage of Rae taking over is maintaining that familiarity for the community."
Angela's message to the LCME community is one of gratitude: "My thanks to all of the teachers and candidates who have been so supportive and loyal to the Belfast centre over the years. They really have been encouraging."
Rae and Angela’s story demonstrates how the right combination of knowledge, spirit, and personal care can transform not just individual lives, but entire performance communities.
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