The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. presents five classical artists, violinist Brent Lorenzo Taghap, flutist Joshua Abrahan and pianists Joy Tyler, David Martinez III and Nhick Ramiro Pacis in an afternoon of pure instrumental classics on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 3:00 in the afternoon at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida.
Brent Taghap, Joshua Abrahan, David Martinez III and Nhick Ramiro Pacis are active members of the Philippine Community in Tampa. Brent Taghap, 18, has been playing the violin for thirteen years and began taking lessons at the age of five. He recently graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa. Positions held by Brent include associate concertmaster of the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestras’ Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of Jesuit High School’s Chamber Orchestra. Some of Brent’s musical and academic accomplishments include performances with the Florida All-State Concert and Symphony Orchestras; performances at The Florida State University’s Strings Workshop Honors Recital, the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival’s Young Artist Concert Series, and the Bayanihan Arts Center’s Classical Concert Series; consistently being named to high honor roll, and receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award this past year. Brent currently studies with Catherine Michelsen and will be studying with Eliot Chapo in the Fall at Florida State University where he hopes to pursue a degree in music performance.
Joshua sings tenor for the Philippine Choral Group and has been playing for the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Orchestra since 4th grade. He started playing for the school band since 1st grade; has been a Flute Section Leader of the Alonso High School Marching Band, plays with the Alonso High School Jazz Band, has earned 9 Superior medals for District Solo & Ensemble on Flute and 2 Excellent ratings at State Solo & Ensemble. He is currently part of the Couples for Christ –Youth and it’s Music Ministry and occasionally plays the flute at OLPH Church in Ybor City. He participated in the BayWinds Orchestra of Tampa Bay at the USF School of Music. He will be a senior at Alonso High School and plans to pursue a Medical degree in college.
Joy Tyler recently graduated from USF with her bachelor’s in Geography. She is currently halfway through her second degree in Music Studies and has played the piano since the age of five. In addition to her love of music, she also enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
David, who is currently furthering his studies in piano at the University of South Florida, is a member of the Philippine Choral Group and the St. Petersburg Community College’s Madrigalians. He also directs several church choirs and teaches piano and voice at his private studio.
Nhick, a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music, is a freelance composer/arranger but also works as the in-house music director of PCFI, conducting the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble. He is also music director at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ybor City and a member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay.
PCFI’s Classical Concert Series aims to present both Filipino and American classical artists through concerts and shows held at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center. This program has featured several including cellist Clarissa Jean Lacson, violinists Brent Taghap, Michael del Rosario and Charles Korfmacher and pianists Carolyn Chiang, Nhick Ramiro Pacis and Tom Tanada. Proceeds from this event are used to benefit PCFI’s cultural projects.
Admission to the concert is $10.00. The Bayanihan Arts and Events Center is located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626. For more information, please call the BAEC office at (813) 925-1232 or Olive Santiano at (727) 734-7022 or visit the PCFI website at www.pcfitampa.org .