Last month, we kicked off our search for a solo violinist who’ll perform Nicanor Abelardo’s “Cavatina” for our audio and video recording project coming up next year. After our two rounds of adjudicated auditions, our judges have deliberated and we’re pleased to introduce ya’ll to the student violinist they selected. Give a round of applause to Jeanne Rafaella Marquez!

We’d like to introduce you to Jeanne and our judging panel.

Jeanne is a Filipina violinist born in Cavite City. She began playing violin at the age of six under the tutelage of Cedric Lachenal of the Muñoz String Quartet. Her other teachers include Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) maestro Arturo Molina and MSO concertmaster Prof. Diomedes Saraza, Jr. As one of the founding members of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO), Jeanne earned a scholarship sponsored by Standard Insurance Inc. and performed in Europe with the ensemble. While on tour in 2017 and 2018, Jeanne and the MSJO won second and first place, respectively, at the 11th and 12th Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna. Jeanne’s achievements as a solo violinist include winning second and first prize at the 2016 and 2018 National Music Competitions for Young Artist (NAMCYA), respectively, in the junior strings category, and third runner up at the 2019 FILKOR Youth Concerto Competition. Jeanne is currently a student at the Colburn School’s Music Academy, under the tutelage of Joan Kwuon as a Kohl Scholar, and at Oak Crest Academy in Los Angeles.

Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata is often considered one of the Philippines’ leading musicians. He’s a seasoned performer, teacher and writer, as well as the administrator of CASA San Miguel, a community school for music and the arts. His musical achievements and contributions to Philippine arts and culture have earned him many awards, including the Aliw Award for best instrumentalist, the Katha Award, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Alab ng Haraya Award. His book “Water in the Ring of Fire” also won the National Book Award for book design. A child prodigy, Coke comes from a family of musicians. At age 12, Coke won first prize in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, and subsequently traveled to the United States to study at the Juilliard School. Coke was a member of Alexander Schneider’s New York String Orchestra and an original member of Michael Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony.

Violinist Regina Buenaventura strives to make meaningful and memorable music in each of her performances. She completed her master’s in music studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2018 and her bachelor’s in string performance at Northwestern University in 2013, under the instruction of Ole Böhn and Almita Vamos, respectively. Regina was a merit scholar while pursuing her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and from 2003 to 2013, she was on a scholarship funded by Standard Insurance Co., Inc. Her notable performance venues include the City Recital Hall in Sydney, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the President George Bush Library. Regina has performed as a soloist and member of chamber ensembles for various universities including Sydney Conservatorium, Northwestern University, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas. She is currently based in Sydney as a violinist and violin teacher.

Violinist Joseph Esmilla has performed extensively as a violin soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and as a conductor in the Philippines, the United States, Germany, Austria, China, Malaysia, and South Korea. His first music teacher was his father, Sergio Z. Esmilla Jr. At 14, Joseph entered the Juilliard School, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s in music. His career highlights during his time in the United States include collaborations with the Eaken Piano Trio, a performance as a soloist in Saint-Saëns’ violin concerto with the Cleveland State University Orchestra, and recitals with pianist Ariel Dechosa in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Highlights of his recent musical activities in the Philippines following his return home in 2008 include conducting the Chamber Players of Manila and premiering Korngold’s Violin Concerto with the Manila Symphony. Joseph currently mentors emerging Philippine musicians and serves as artistic director of the Chamber Players of Manila. He regularly performs in a piano trio with pianist Rudolf Golez and cellist Victor Coo.

Justina Hodgson is a respected violinist who has traveled the world thanks to music. She trained with some of the world's most renown award-winning violinists. From Juilliard School alum Linda Rose, to Vladimir Ovcharek from Russia's Taneyev String Quartet, Justina credits her teachers for her success in music. She has had the privilege to lead professional orchestras as concertmaster. These ensembles include the Boulder Symphony Orchestra and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra. Justina has also enjoyed serving as concertmaster of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a music sync licensing songwriter and private music teacher. Justina’s most recent composition was featured on HBO Max’s "The Hype." She is currently based in Virginia.

Robert “Bob” Shroder is FASO’s founding Musical Director and Conductor. Prior to FASO, Shroder served as principal flautist of two major orchestras: the Manila Symphony Orchestra, one of Asia's first symphony orchestras, and the Manila Chamber Orchestra. In 2002, he was founding conductor for the Boyle Heights Youth Symphony, demonstrating his creative vision and leadership in a predominantly Latino community as its first Asian member. In his youth, Shroder earned acclaim as grand prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists. He majored in flute, and minored in chamber music and conducting at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, where he became principal flautist of the Philippine Youth Orchestra.