CCP young music scholars give back in a people’s concert
It was an encounter that surpassed all our expectations: meeting and listening to the CCP Young Scholars—pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol, soprano Lizzie Bett Estrada, violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, and flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas—at a recent presscon at the Admiral Hotel.
On break from their studies abroad, they gave a preview of their coming Young People’s Concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rizal Park on July 27 and although we had seen them individually and together in concerts before and were already impressed, their performances that afternoon were on another level altogether, with more precision, lyricism, and confidence that belie their youth.
But just as stirring are their individual stories about the journey that they shared, triggering goosebumps and teary eyes among the audience. “There’s something awe-inspiring in meeting these young artists, knowing the future of our arts and culture are in good hands so long as we as a society provide the support they need,” shared CCP president Kaye Tinga. And the Cultural Center of the Philippines has been providing just that, through scholarships and the venues and opportunities to showcase their talents.
They couldn’t have been more grateful. All graduates of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) and first-prize winners of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, they all aspired for advanced education in the great music schools abroad where the prohibitive cost made it out of reach for their families; but they persevered, nevertheless, and discovered how it paid off.
“Iba ang kultura doon, kung paano sila nagpupulong-pulong, paano sila nago-organize ng groups at concerts. Pati and pagtuturo, kakaiba,” observed Mark, who is taking his master’s in Flute Performance at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He admires his teacher, Sooyun Kim, in particular, for her emphasis on analysis and harmonic structure, which helps him to better understand a piece and focus on how to tackle it and connect with it. It’s no wonder that his performances are masterful while very sincere and heartfelt, creating meaningful connections with listeners.
“Super competitive sa London,” related Lizzie, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music together with Aidan. “Both of us noticed how advanced they are when it comes to music theory.” She also appreciates the fact that there are more opportunities since RAM always asks them to do concerts in different venues to get a feel of the scene, helping them grow as artists and performers. “It’s the environment and culture that makes me push myself more.”
Getting to where they are now was an arduous climb, considering that a career in classical music is not really an ideal choice for children in the Philippines. Adrian’s parents, both dentists, were initially not supportive when he was a child of four and fascinated with the sound of the violin that he heard from a TV. It was only his persistence that finally convinced them to send him for lessons at age nine, later studying at PHSA, receiving a scholarship at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and graduating from the Mannes School of Music in New York City. He is currently pursuing his artist diploma at the Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School under Min-Jeong Koh and Paul Kantor. He was hailed early on for his “palpable musical instinct and intelligence.” Charles Castleman admired him for “producing a distinct sound,” making him a sought-after soloist even in the US where he made his Carnegie Hall debut in May 2023.
Lizzie, who comes from a singing family in Calamba where videoke was the order of the day, had to convince her father of the merits of classical music since he initially asked her why she was singing all those “old songs” required for study in PHSA.
Aidan relates how he already had a feel for rhythm and drumming as a child: “I was doing percussion with cans and anything I could find.” His parents, both doctors, thought nothing of it until they saw how he had the natural talent of replicating sounds he heard from commercials on TV into notes on the piano, and enrolled him in lessons.
Mark, a homegrown Caviteño, who has stayed close to his roots, started making music with a kaldero that he would bring out during the town procession and would be scolded by his mother. Alone in the house, he graduated to his sister’s flute, which he found lying around. It would start a passion and an endless fascination for his vocation: “Ayun, parang video game na hindi mo matapos-tapos. Sapat na inspirasyon na yun para mabuhay.”
This inspiration that gives these scholars a reason to live is something they want to share as a way of giving back—that’s why they look forward to opportunities like the Young People’s concert with the PPO since it exposes the public to music that touches the soul.
Adrian credits the Russian violinist Maxim Vengerov as his idol, watching all his performances and documentaries on YouTube every day when he was 13: “Every time he plays you can see the joy and emotion and the love for craft. As ambassador of UNICEF, he performs for children even in places like Uganda and Kosovo. To this day, I am inspired by his love for music, his love for sharing it with everyone and his belief that it can change lives.” Following suit, he participates in concerts and giving masterclasses whenever he can and recently did a Museo Pambata outreach fundraiser for street children where he performed Ravel and was in awe of the reaction: “I saw it on their faces and could see that everyone could appreciate classical music no matter where you come from.”
“Music is not selfish, after all,” says Lizzie. “Being on an international stage doesn’t mean you have to seclude yourself from people not educated in music. It’s more reason that you have to share it with them.”
For Mark, aside from performing, teaching is really what he ultimately wants to do as a way of paying it forward. “Gusto ko magturo sa Pilipinas, pangarap ko talaga yun. Gusto kong makatulong sa ikaauunlad ng musika dito sa atin, sa ikauunlad ng bansa.”
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The CCP Young People’s Concert is on July 27 at 5 p.m. at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Luneta. Admission is free and open to the public. Follow CCP on Facebook and Instagram.