Scholarship Recipients at UP College of Music
Since 2016, the Donnie Memorial Fund scholarships have been awarded to outstanding young musicians pursuing their Bachelor of Music studies at the University of Philippines College of Music.
2020-2021
Jordan Mendoza, Cello
2019-2020
Lovely Masaquel, Viola
Paul Anthony Evangelista, Viola
2018-2019
Paul Anthony Evangelista, Viola
2016-2017
Stephen Cruz, Violin
2020-2021
Jordan Mendoza, Cello
2019-2020
Lovely Masaquel, Viola
Paul Anthony Evangelista, Viola
2018-2019
Paul Anthony Evangelista, Viola
2016-2017
Stephen Cruz, Violin
The 2012-13 Recipients
Donnie Memorial Fund scholars in 2012-2013 include outstanding young musicians who received scholarships to support musical training in summer programs and Bachelor of Music studies.
Diomedes Saraza, Jr.
Born to a family of musicians, Diomedes showed his interest in the violin at the age of three. Diomedes’ father became his first teacher. He took his formal lesson at the age of 5-years at St. Scholastica’s College of Music (Philippines) studying under the violin pedagogue Ms. Virna Valerio. After a year, he transferred to the much respected pedagogue, a Julliard-trained violinist, Prof. Basilio Manalo and then to Prof. Arturo Molina, the only foreigner in history to win the Annual String Competition at the Kiev Conservatory, Moscow.
Diomedes has performed as a soloist of the PREDIS Chamber Orchestra and Children Orchestra as a concert master. He became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra II and has been featured in Maestro Filipino I and Friends of Cultural Center of The Philippines (CCP) Concerts.
At the age of 8, Diomedes is one of the delegates in the 45th year Suzuki Music Convention (1998) held in the Japan. He has been featured at his solo debut recital at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the Pasig Music Festival. In 2002, he won first place at the National Music Competition for the Young Artists and in 2003, he made his concert debut “The Gift” at the CCP and was awarded to be one of the best performances for 2003 in the Philippines.
Diomedes moved to New York in the summer of 2005 to pursue his studies in violin at the Mannes College, Preparatory Division. He was under the tutelage of respected violin pedagogue, Dr. Chin Kim. In 2006, he joined the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and played the Khachaturian Violin Concerto for the opening concert. In 2007, he won the Friday-Woodmere Young Artist Competition in Hewlett, NY and was featured in WQXR 96.3's Rob Sherman's Young Artist Showcase. In 2008, He won the Mannes Concerto Competition which led him to a performance with the Mannes Philharmonic under the baton of Mr. Michael Adelson. Later that year, he became the concertmaster of the Mannes Philharmonic In 2009, his chamber group won the American Teacher's League Cometition and was later featured in Carnegie Hall. Later that year, He had his homecoming concert in the Philippines entitled “Symphonic Virtuosity” with the respected German conductor, Mr. Christoph Poppen.
Diomedes had his concert debut with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble at Julia Richman Auditorium in New York. He was a prizewinner of the Juilliard Schools’s William Schuman Competition and was also featured in a long tradition all-sonata concert of the Juilliard School called “Sonatenabend.” He recently appeared with the Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, performing Tchaickovsky’s violin concerto. Diomedes studies under the tutelage of Prof. Stephen Clapp of the Juilliard School and will receive his Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in June 2013. He has been accepted to Juilliard's master's degree program and will begin graduate study in Fall 2013. Visit Diomedes' website here.
Samantha Carter
Samantha Carter, age 14, has been been studying the violin for about seven years. Throughout her violin study, her interest and passion has grown tremendously, which has caused her family to turn to home schooling for the past two years. As a current 8th grader, Samantha participates in four orchestras (Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Philharmonia and Chamber Orchestra, and the Waukesha Area Youth Orchestras’ Sinfonietta and Chamber Orchestra) and a string quartet. She also mentors two young ensembles (MYSO’s Progressions and WAYO’s Phledgling Philharmonic).
The interaction with fellow musicians is always a source of motivation for her. She endeavors, one day, to walk in a similar path as her violin teacher, Pamela Simmons, who is her biggest inspiration. Ms. Simmons, a highly sought-after teacher, has played with various orchestras, the ballet, the opera, and numerous other venues. Samantha was looking forward to the summer at Interlochen as an inspiring environment to broaden her perspective and her appreciation of the arts.
Diomedes Saraza, Jr.
Born to a family of musicians, Diomedes showed his interest in the violin at the age of three. Diomedes’ father became his first teacher. He took his formal lesson at the age of 5-years at St. Scholastica’s College of Music (Philippines) studying under the violin pedagogue Ms. Virna Valerio. After a year, he transferred to the much respected pedagogue, a Julliard-trained violinist, Prof. Basilio Manalo and then to Prof. Arturo Molina, the only foreigner in history to win the Annual String Competition at the Kiev Conservatory, Moscow.
Diomedes has performed as a soloist of the PREDIS Chamber Orchestra and Children Orchestra as a concert master. He became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra II and has been featured in Maestro Filipino I and Friends of Cultural Center of The Philippines (CCP) Concerts.
At the age of 8, Diomedes is one of the delegates in the 45th year Suzuki Music Convention (1998) held in the Japan. He has been featured at his solo debut recital at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and at the Pasig Music Festival. In 2002, he won first place at the National Music Competition for the Young Artists and in 2003, he made his concert debut “The Gift” at the CCP and was awarded to be one of the best performances for 2003 in the Philippines.
Diomedes moved to New York in the summer of 2005 to pursue his studies in violin at the Mannes College, Preparatory Division. He was under the tutelage of respected violin pedagogue, Dr. Chin Kim. In 2006, he joined the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and played the Khachaturian Violin Concerto for the opening concert. In 2007, he won the Friday-Woodmere Young Artist Competition in Hewlett, NY and was featured in WQXR 96.3's Rob Sherman's Young Artist Showcase. In 2008, He won the Mannes Concerto Competition which led him to a performance with the Mannes Philharmonic under the baton of Mr. Michael Adelson. Later that year, he became the concertmaster of the Mannes Philharmonic In 2009, his chamber group won the American Teacher's League Cometition and was later featured in Carnegie Hall. Later that year, He had his homecoming concert in the Philippines entitled “Symphonic Virtuosity” with the respected German conductor, Mr. Christoph Poppen.
Diomedes had his concert debut with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble at Julia Richman Auditorium in New York. He was a prizewinner of the Juilliard Schools’s William Schuman Competition and was also featured in a long tradition all-sonata concert of the Juilliard School called “Sonatenabend.” He recently appeared with the Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, performing Tchaickovsky’s violin concerto. Diomedes studies under the tutelage of Prof. Stephen Clapp of the Juilliard School and will receive his Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in June 2013. He has been accepted to Juilliard's master's degree program and will begin graduate study in Fall 2013. Visit Diomedes' website here.
Samantha Carter
Samantha Carter, age 14, has been been studying the violin for about seven years. Throughout her violin study, her interest and passion has grown tremendously, which has caused her family to turn to home schooling for the past two years. As a current 8th grader, Samantha participates in four orchestras (Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Philharmonia and Chamber Orchestra, and the Waukesha Area Youth Orchestras’ Sinfonietta and Chamber Orchestra) and a string quartet. She also mentors two young ensembles (MYSO’s Progressions and WAYO’s Phledgling Philharmonic).
The interaction with fellow musicians is always a source of motivation for her. She endeavors, one day, to walk in a similar path as her violin teacher, Pamela Simmons, who is her biggest inspiration. Ms. Simmons, a highly sought-after teacher, has played with various orchestras, the ballet, the opera, and numerous other venues. Samantha was looking forward to the summer at Interlochen as an inspiring environment to broaden her perspective and her appreciation of the arts.
The 2011 Recipients
The first recipients of the Donnie Belleza Memorial Fund received a scholarship to either the Greenwood Music Camp or the Interlochen Summer Camp. We are proud to announce the awards to these two talented young musicians:
Emera Gurath
Emera began playing the violin at the age of 4 ½. Over the years, Emera has had many opportunities to learn and grow. At the age of 7, she played for violinist Midori at a private fundraiser, as well as playing 1st violin in a youth orchestra that featured Midori as soloist. She participated in a master class with the Ahn Trio at the age of 9. At age 6 through 7 she played in a chamber quartet with the Dakota Academy of Performing Arts. That same year, at age 7, she began playing 1st violin with the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra.
Emera currently is in her third season with the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she plays first violin. In February, Emera took third place in the Young Musician's Concerto Competition, which was sponsored by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Her current teacher is Doosook Kim, the concertmaster of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
Emera is the oldest of five children. Her mother is a stay-at-home mom and her father is a pastor. Music is a large part of her home and family life. Her grandfather's desire was to have a grandchild play the violin, and to this day, her grandparents generously support the music education in her family. Emera's dream is to someday become a violin soloist.
Andrea Alvarez
Andrea is a 12-year-old from Boston's inner city who has been talented enough to receive a scholarship for weekly lessons at the New England Conservatory. She has been attending the Greenwood Music Camp for the past 2 years and is loved by all her peers and teachers.
Emera Gurath
Emera began playing the violin at the age of 4 ½. Over the years, Emera has had many opportunities to learn and grow. At the age of 7, she played for violinist Midori at a private fundraiser, as well as playing 1st violin in a youth orchestra that featured Midori as soloist. She participated in a master class with the Ahn Trio at the age of 9. At age 6 through 7 she played in a chamber quartet with the Dakota Academy of Performing Arts. That same year, at age 7, she began playing 1st violin with the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra.
Emera currently is in her third season with the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she plays first violin. In February, Emera took third place in the Young Musician's Concerto Competition, which was sponsored by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Her current teacher is Doosook Kim, the concertmaster of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
Emera is the oldest of five children. Her mother is a stay-at-home mom and her father is a pastor. Music is a large part of her home and family life. Her grandfather's desire was to have a grandchild play the violin, and to this day, her grandparents generously support the music education in her family. Emera's dream is to someday become a violin soloist.
Andrea Alvarez
Andrea is a 12-year-old from Boston's inner city who has been talented enough to receive a scholarship for weekly lessons at the New England Conservatory. She has been attending the Greenwood Music Camp for the past 2 years and is loved by all her peers and teachers.