From Arizona to PH: Violinist Chino Soberano Mentors Aspiring Musicians Despite Distance, Pandemic

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A year ago, Ramon Alfonso Soberano, or simply Chino, was spending his summer in front of a screen. With a violin propped up on his shoulder and a bow in one hand, he dedicated his time providing lectures and masterclasses to aspiring violinists in the Philippines.

The premier violinist did this for free, all while he’s some 12,300 kilometers away from his students. Chino is currently based in Arizona in the United States where he finished his doctorate degree in Violin Performance at the Arizona State University (ASU).

Much to his surprise, his act of giving violin classes without any charge didn’t go unnoticed.

Earlier in January, during the 7th Wish Music Awards, Chino was named the KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy — a special award bestowed to artists who use their gift of music for a charitable endeavor.

A passion to share

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Chino was only seven when he first fell in love with classical music.

Though it was the piano that he was first able to play (In an interview, he said that his grandaunts taught him “simple tunes” when he got to visit them in Florida, USA) — it was the violin that he formally pursued when he went back home. He shared that as their home didn’t have ample space for the keyboard instrument, his mom suggested learning how to play the violin — which is smaller — instead.

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What began as a passion for playing the string instrument would soon become a lifetime commitment.

For his tertiary education, he went on to study at the University of the Philippines’ College of Music and graduated with honors. Meanwhile, he received his Master of Music degree at Western Illinois University.

During his stint at ASU, he also performed as part of the Herberger String Quartet and the ASU Symphony Orchestra, and was a recipient of various scholarship awards.

Under the mentorship of acclaimed string pedagogue Professor Danwen Jiang, Chino also learned that being a professional musician isn’t just about being able to play your instrument of choice. Just as important is learning other “non-music performance skills.” And that includes effective teaching.

Apart from performing as a soloist and chamber and orchestral musician, Chino also became a teaching assistant. He also actively participated in community outreach music programs and taught for his university’s String Project, which aims to provide “low-cost, high-quality instruction on orchestral stringed instruments.”

It comes as no surprise that Chino would want to conduct violin classes for free for Filipino students.

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In 2021, he originally planned to return to the country to conduct these lectures and masterclasses. But as the world still faced restrictions prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, this plan did not push through.

However, not one to simply give up, he opted to continue his classes with help from modern technology. And through video conferencing, he was able to teach violin classes in partnership with the Philippine Research for Developing Individual Soloists (PREDIS) and his alma maters in the Philippines  — the UP College of Music and St. Scholastica’s College’s School of Music.

“Naisipan kong gumawa ng mga free virtual masterclasses at lectures para sa mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas dahil gusto ko ipamahagi ang karunungan at kadalubhasaan na nakamit ko habang nag-aaral dito sa USA (I thought of holding free virtual masterclasses and lectures for my fellowmen in the Philippines because I wanted to share the wisdom and expertise that I got while studying here in the USA),” he shared in an email interview.

Asked about why he decided to do it for free, he cited two reasons: First, he acknowledges how the pandemic has punctuated the poverty in the country; second, he sees this project as a homage to the very institutions that paved the way for him to be able to study abroad.

A sweet surprise

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When he learned that he will be recognized as the KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy for 2022, Chino was nothing short of surprised.

“Hindi ako makapaniwala nung una na napili ako! Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa Wish 107.5 at kay Kuya Daniel Razon para sa kanilang kagandahang loob na kilalanin at bigyan parangal ang mga taong kagaya ko (I couldn’t believe that I was chosen at first! I deeply thank Wish 107.5 and Kuya Daniel Razon for their kindness to recognize and honor people like me),” he said.

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“Kung kaya ng musika na magpasaya, magpaiyak, o magpasigla, kaya din nitong magbigay inspirasiyon at pag-asa.”

— Chino Soberano

Sharing a few words about the radio station’s efforts to champion charity, he enthused: “Talagang nakakamangha ang broadcasting institution na ito dahil hindi lamang makabagong musika ang kanilang hinahandog, pati na din ang kanilang puso at kagandahang-loob sa pamamagitan ng pag-grant ng mga hiling ng mga tagapagpakinig (This broadcasting institution is indeed amazing not only because of the modern music that it offers, but aso because of its heart and goodwill to grant the wishes of its listeners).”

For winning the said award (named after Kuya Daniel Razon, the innovator behind Wish 107.5), Chino received a cash prize worth Php70,000.

According to him, this reward will be helpful in furthering his advocacy: to help provide access to everyone who wishes to study music. As part of his long-term goal, he aspires to see younger musicians be able to pursue music as their career without worrying about their financial situation.

For Chino, being able to help fellow musicians offers a different kind of fulfilment. Because, after all, music is instrumental in sparking hope — especially at a time when the world needs it most.

“Importante ang musika para maibahagi ang diwa ng pag-asa dahil ito ay may tanyag na epekto sa damdamin at kaisipan ng tao. Kung kaya ng musika na magpasaya, magpaiyak, o magpasigla, kaya din nitong magbigay inspirasiyon at pag-asa (Music is important in sharing the essence of hope because it has that renowned effect on people’s emotions and mind. Like how it can make someone feel glad, cry, or be perked up, it can also give inspiration and hope.)”

And, like what his story proved, distance is not a hindrance for the power of music to do just that.

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