Assistant Principal Violist ARTHUR ROYVAL, a native of Los Angeles, began studying music and the viola at the age of thirteen. While still in middle school he first studied viola with violinist Harold Dicterow. Dicterow soon sent him to study with Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Violist Sanford Schoenbach. After graduating from high school Royval was offered, but unable to accept, a full scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. He pursued his musical training here in Los Angeles until 1966, when he auditioned for a position with the viola section of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which was then under the music directorship of Zubin Mehta. Royval was accepted and, at age 19, became the youngest-ever person to become a member of the Philharmonic's viola section. In 1971, after having fulfilled his military obligation, Royval returned to his post with the Philharmonic. He was a member of the Philharmonic Quartet for five years, and in 1981, at the request of Music Director Carlo Maria Giulini, he became the Philharmonic's Assistant Principal Viola.

Arthur has no regrets for having missed out on the musical training at the Juilliard School. Instead, he thinks only of the training and experience he has received, for over three decades, under the batons of the great maestros and music directors that have stood on the Philharmonic podium.