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UPAA-W VOH/String Concert
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Joseph Ortiguera
Violinist
A versatile musician, violinist Joe Ortiguera’s musical credits range widely from premiering the work of American composer Sebastian Courrier at Carnegie Hall, making a music video with American country band The Dixie Chicks to recently performing with The Eagles on their Hotel California Tour. He has performed with such artists as Lionel Richie, India Arie, LeAnne Rimes, Richard Marx, Michael Bolton and Amy Grant. He has delighted audiences all over with his performances of Philippine music. As a student at the University of the Philippines, he performed numerous recitals throughout the country under the guidance of teachers Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, Sergio Esmillia and Arturo Molina. His recording of the Nicanor Abelardo Violin Sonata can be heard on “Saysay Himig,” UP Press, 2018.Currently he serves as Assistant Concertmaster of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra and Principal Second Violin of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Alabama, Huntsville, Meridian and Pensacola Symphony Orchestras. He has taught at the University of Minnesota, University of Louisville, University of North Alabama, University of Montevallo and currently serves on the faculty of Alabama State University, Shelton State Community College and Mississippi State University. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joe Ortiguera attended the University of Minnesota earning a Bachelor of Music – Cum Laude and Master of Education degree. He also earned a Master of Music from the University of Louisville and Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Alabama.
Noted for her "eloquent phrasing" and "lush, sonorous and assertive tone,” JoannaMendoza has been enjoying a life in string quartets and teaching for the past twenty-five years.She regularly records, performs, and teaches in and outside the U.S. as violist of the AriannaString Quartet and Professor of Viola at the University of MO-St. Louis.As violist of the Arianna String Quartet, Ms. Mendoza’s performances have been praised for“emotional commitment and fluent virtuosity,” (Pretoria, South Africa) and described as“uniquely beautiful with extraordinary precision and depth,” (Ft. Worth, TX). Liveperformances of the ASQ can be heard on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” and“Live from Music Mountain”, which broadcasts across and outside the U.S. The AriannaQuartet’s recordings of the two Janacek Quartets and the Early and Middle BeethovenQuartets (Centaur Records) have received critical acclaim, including “white-hot emotionalintensity with a rare silkiness of tone,” (Fanfare). They are regularly invited to perform and givemasterclasses across the U.S. and overseas.Ms. Mendoza’s students have continued their musical studies at The Juilliard School, Rice, andNorthwestern Universities, and have attended summer festivals such as Madeline IslandChamber Music, Music Academy of the West, and Colorado College Music Festival. She is aco-founder of Arianna Arts, Inc., that hosts the Arianna Chamber Music Festival, aninternational summer festival in St. Louis.
Joanna Mendoza
Violinist
The Philippine Center Strummers
The group consists of multigenerational members who perform at different events and for different audiences.