A Quarantine Lessons & Carols

Posted on Dec 23, 2020

Come, let us adore! DZFE’s A QUARANTINE LESSONS & CAROLS premieres on December 23 (Wed 1800) on DZFE’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Patterned on the beloved tradition of Scripture readings and sacred song, DZFE’s LESSONS & CAROLS is an hour-long devotional journey to the heart of Christmas with DZFE presenters and station managers of FEBC as guests readers, and hymns of the ages in radiant solo renditions by artist friends of DZFE.

A radio version of DZFE’s LESSONS & CAROLS airs as the centerpiece of the second program of our CHRISTMAS TAPESTRY series (Dec 23 Wed 1300, Dec 26 Sat 1900). After radio airing, listeners revisit the program on Soundcloud.

Download A Quarantine Lessons & Carols program.

Artist Profiles

JoAnn Cerdenia

Jo-Ann Cerdenia belongs to a rare and small group of harp players in the Philippines. Her passion for the harp began at an early age when she saw a street harpist in her hometown in Cebu. Though she lacked the means to pursue the instrument, this early exposure to the harp was to stay and grow in her heart. 

She went to Manila to study composition at the University of the Philippines and came across Lourdes De Leon Gregorio who was the only harp teacher in the Philippines at that time. For years, Jo-Ann had to commute up to four hours each day just to have some practice time with the harp. 

After graduating from the UP College of Music, she studied the German language and went to Germany to study harp at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf. She studied under the wise instruction of Ms. Fabiana Trani.  She also attended master classes with world-renowned harpists. 

Upon returning to the Philippines, JoAnn and her husband founded HarpRoom in Quezon City with the mission of multiplying harpists and harp teachers in the country and increasing the love and appreciation for the instrument. 

Alejandro Consolacion II

Alejandro D. Consolación II enjoys a dual career as both organist and composer. As an organist, he studied with Thomas Dressler, Peter Conte and Matthew Lewis, and attended master classes with Johann Trummer, Guy Bovet, Jeffrey Brillhart and Frederic Blanc, while he studied composition with Manuel Maramba, OSB, Jonas Baes, and Christian Carrie. 

He finished his Masters degree in Organ Performance at the Westminster Choir College at Rider University, and earned his Performance diploma at the Royal School of Music in London with distinction. He was awarded 2nd Place at the Organ Improvisation Competition held at the University of Michigan in 2018, was a finalist at the Organ Improvisation Competition in Detmold, Germany in 2013, and won first place in the composition competition at Westminster Choir College in 2013. 

AJ, as friends fondly call him, was a member of the artistic committee and resident composer for the International Bamboo Organ Festival from 2006 to 2011. He was also a former organ scholar of the Trinity Church in Princeton, New Jersey, and was Director of Music at the Episcopal Church of Princeton University. Presently, he is the artist-in-residence and organist of the Union Church of Manila, organist at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City, and music director- conductor of CANTUS. 

His works are published internationally by Hinshaw, GIA, Santa Barbara, Pavane, Hal Leonard, and Pana Musica, while his recordings are released under the Paulines Records and Diego Cera Records in Manila, and CPO Label in Europe. 

Stefanie Quintin-Avila & Anton Avila

Described by the Straits Times as a singer who “possesses a voice with remarkable flexibility and a truly commanding musical presence,” soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila’s repertoire ranges from Renaissance to contemporary music – including world premieres.  

She attended the Vielklang Akademie für Alte Musik in Tübingen, Germany, and studied with early music specialists —lutenist Lee Santana and soprano Sybilla Rubens. She also collaborated and performed with classical guitarist Carsten Linck, specializing in the performance of English ayres and German Lied.  

Stefanie has performed as a soloist in various international festivals such as the Asia-Europe New Music Festival (Vietnam); Yilan International Arts Festival (Taiwan); soundSCAPE Festival (Italy); Baroque Festival (Singapore), and many others. She has been featured in concerts/performances with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Asia Traditional Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Bach Choir and Orchestra, and the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble.  

She graduated with a degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Vocal Performance from the University of the Philippines College of Music where she studied under Prof. Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and Rica Nepomuceno. She also received vocal training under the tutelages of Ena Aldecoa, Arthur Espiritu, and Christopher Arceo. Stefanie is currently a graduate student at the University of California San Diego, with emphasis on contemporary music studies, under the supervision of Prof. Susan Narucki. 

Guitarist Anton Avila is a chamber musician who primarily performs as an accompanist to singers, choirs, and other chamber musicians. He has performed with ensembles such as the University of the Philippines Guitar Orchestra, the Villancico Choral Ensemble, Kamerata Klasika, and the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club.  

Anton attended the University of the Philippines College of Music, where he studied guitar under Lester Demetillo. Artists for whom he performed in masterclasses include Jose Valdez, Michael Dadap, Zeah Riordan, and Judicaël Perroy. He also had lessons with Rupert Boyd, Jacob Cordover, and Dr. Simon Powis. 

Anton earned a degree in Applied Mathematics from the Ateneo de Manila University and a degree in Law from Saint Louis University. He is a teacher and lawyer by profession. 

Michelle Mariposa

Michelle Mariel Mariposa is a mezzo-soprano. She is currently pursuing a degree in vocal performance at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, under the tutelage of Dr. Raymod Leslie Diaz. She has also studied with Prof. Katherine Molina, Prof. Ena Maria Aldecoa, and Mr. Christopher Ong Arceo. Last November 2019, she was awarded first prize and best interpretation of the contest piece at the 2019 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Senior Voice category. She was also awarded Gawad Tsanselor Para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral in February 2020 for her performances, outreach work, and academic achievements.  

Michelle’s repertoire ranges from early music to premiere performances of new music by living composers, though art songs have a special place in her heart and repertoire. She frequently collaborates with composers and other singers and instrumentalists for endeavors in chamber music.  

Michelle graduated with a degree in Psychology, Summa cum laude, from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, in June 2016. She was invited to speak on Stress Management for Musicians at the 2019 Philippine Choral Directors Association National Convention. She currently works as a freelance singer, voice teacher, and research associate.  

Kyle Tingzon

Filipino countertenor Kyle Tingzon is a newcomer to the Bay Area music scene. He was recently seen in a performance of scenes from Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress (as Baba the Turk) and from Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (as Orfeo) at San Francisco Conservatory of Music in March 2020. Next year in the same conservatory, he will make his role debut as Ottone in their production of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.  

Kyle’s past performances in the Philippines include J. Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis (2019), G. F. Händel’s Messiah and Dixit Dominus (2017). He has also performed A. Vivaldi’s Gloria in D at the Svenska Kyrkans Gosskörsförening, a festival of male choirs in Rättvik, Sweden (2019). He was a street singer and featured soloist in a performance of L. Bernstein’s Mass at the Esplanade in Singapore (2018). Kyle was also featured as a soloist at the annual International Bamboo Organ Festival in Las Piñas City, Philippines, a festival dedicated to the performance of early music. 

Kyle is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Voice, with a Historical Performance emphasis, at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under César Ulloa.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Management, minor in Economics, from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines (2015). He also studied voice privately under Christopher Arceo. 

Ervin Lumauag

Tenor Ervin Lumauag holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Music (magna cum laude). As a classical singer, he’s been featured in small and large works in solo and chamber recitals, music festivals, and opera productions. He’s a former soloist and member of The Philippine Madrigal Singers in 2010-2013. He’s teaching voice in the UP College of Music Extension Program, The Madz Music Studio and his very own Sing Free/Ervin Lumauag Online-Voice. He’s also a choral clinician and resource speaker for voice and choral workshops. 

Enrico Lagasca

Praised by the New York Times as having a “beautiful sound”, Filipino-American bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca performs oratorio, opera, chamber music, and recitals with repertoire from early to contemporary music both as soloist and chorister across the United States and internationally.

In New York, Enrico regularly performs as soloist and chorister with the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, Bach Choir of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, Musica Sacra, Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine, Bard Festival Chorus, New York Choral Artists, TENET Vocal Artists, Clarion Music Society, and The Metropolitan Opera Chorus. Across America, Enrico regularly performs with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale in New Mexico, Conspirare and Ensemble VIII in Austin, Texas, Skylark Vocal Ensemble and Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble in Massachusetts, Bach Collegium San Diego in California, Spire Vocal Ensemble in Kansas City, Missouri, The Thirteen in Washington D.C., and Seraphic Fire in Miami, Florida.

Enrico’s solo concert work has included Beethoven Symphony no. 9, Handel Messiah, Haydn The Creation, Mendelssohn Die Erste Walpurgisnacht, Bach Mass in B Minor, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Mozart Requiem, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle & Stabat Mater, Handel Dixit Dominus, and many others. Enrico has performed a handful of Operatic roles, including  the US premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Monster in the Maze as Daedalus and Gerald Cohen’s World Premiere of Steal a Pencil For Me as one of the Prison Guards, as L’arbre/Fauteuil in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Collatinus in Britten’s Rape of Lucretia, and Lorenzo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e I Montecchi. In song recital, Enrico’s repertoire include Strauss, Schubert, Schumann, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Muhly, Heggie, and many others. 

Several orchestra performances include with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, American Classical Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orchestra of Washington, to name a few. He has also worked with distinguished conductors and stage directors, including Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Pablo Heras-Casado, Joann Falletta, Alan Gilbert, Christoph von Donyanhi, Carl St. Clair, Joseph Colaneri, Craig Hella-Johnson, Joshua Habermann, Matthew Halls, Jane Glover, John Butt, John Nelson, Kevin Newbury, Thaddeus Strassberger, Laura Alley Dietrich, Anthony Laciura, RB Schlather, among others. Enrico has premiered works by Jonathan Dove, David Lang, Gerald Cohen, Denise Hofmann, Stanislav Fridman, Jonathan Newman, Joseph Rubinstein, Nilo Alcala II, Joshua Cerdenia, Luna Pearl Woolfe, and Richard Danielpour. Festival appearances include the Salzburg Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Virginia Arts Festival, Mostly Mozart Festival, Twelfth Night Festival, Webern Festival, Time’s Arrow Festival, and the Bard Summerscape Festival.

He was a finalist in the Das Lied International Song Competition in Berlin, Germany, in 2013 and in the 24th International Vocal Arts Competition Le Centre Lyrique in Clermont-Ferrand, France, in 2015. In 2019, he was a participant in Renee Fleming’s inaugural Song Studio at Carnegie Hall. 

Enrico studied at the University of the Philippines with Cecilia Valeña and at Mannes College of Music with Arthur Levy. He currently resides in Hudson Heights, New York. Proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists.