Jay is a classical pianist and music educator. For 2 decades, he has honed his musicianship on the piano, developing an insightful and instinctual approach to piano playing. Tackling an expansive repertoire, Jay is most interested in experiencing the endless possibilities of classical piano music, from the subtlest tones of Schubert and Glass, the webbings of Bach’s fugues, to the stirring and explosive passion of Beethoven and Rachmaninov, and the rhythmically charged music of Gershwin and Ravel.
Growing up in the Philippines, he moved to West Texas in 2016 with his family and sought instruction from concert pianist Gayle Spradley Bizzell. He then pursued music at the college level with a full ride scholarship, performing in numerous recitals and ensemble concerts. Jay won the local piano competitions, was consistently invited as guest performer in events, and participated in master classes with pianists Ursula Oppens, Kara Huber, and Boston Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Benjamin Zander. Culminating his stay in West Texas was his performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto . He has been coming back yearly for performance engagements.
Jay has since moved to New York City, earning a Piano Performance degree at the Conservatory of Music in Brooklyn College. He studied with concert pianist Beatrice Long, and acclaimed American pianist Ursula Oppens. He gained recognition for his recitals inside and outside academia, displaying substantial musical understanding, unique interpretations and electrified performances. Jay has recently appeared in the Gijon International Piano Festival in Asturias, Spain, performing and working with esteemed pianists Amy Lin, Dr. Amy Gustafson and Dr. Jose Ramon Mendez. He is currently working with Steinway Artist Yang Liu for his graduate studies.
As a Filipino-American, Jay is constantly studying new and hidden pieces of Filipino composers. May it be classical pieces from the past centuries that are buried underneath western music, or current music by living composers and personal arrangements of Original Philippine Music (OPM). Jay aims to be a beacon of Filipino Heritage, bringing forth music from his culture to an international audience.
Jay holds a private piano studio throughout Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, providing classical-focused instruction to a wide range of students. His unique method instills love for the instrument, individuality, and a healthy technical approach that focuses on body awareness. His regular studio recitals provide his students the opportunity for self-expression, collaboration, and to share the excitement of performance. Jay is an active recitalist of solo and chamber music, and an educator, currently based in Ridgewood, New York.
