Ceejay’s heart is in theater

Through the years, Ceejay Javier has steadily become one of Philippine Theater’s finest musical directors. He has played the music of almost every major musical theater composer and has conducted the orchestra for some of the country’s top performing artists.

His musical tastes growing up were quite eclectic, listening to the music of Jose Mari Chan, Bryan Adams, Richard Clayderman and Jon Bonjovi. He started taking piano lessons at six years old along with his sister and cousins. After graduating high school, he had planned to pursue a medical career but his Mom and his Tita Myrna encouraged him to pursue his true passion — music. 

With the support of his family, most especially his lola who listened to him practice day in and day out, Ceejay graduated Magna Cum Laude from the UST Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Maestra Pat Aliwalas.

Having always loved the storytelling aspect of theater and the many different musical styles it requires you to master, Ceejay knew it was where his heart was and pursued it. He says, “If you are going to excel at anything, you have to really love what you are doing. There is not much money in theater, but the fulfillment is something money can’t buy.”

To date he has played on the piano for over 25 productions, 17 of which he has musical directed for Atlantis Productions which has been his home base for the last eight years. Director Bobby Garcia says, “There isn’t anyone else quite like Ceejay. His musical mind is genius and with his passion and commitment, you always know that audiences will get to hear the show as it deserves to be heard. One of the great fulfillments in my career is having watched him grow into the world-class musical director that he is.”

His collaboration with Bobby and Chari Arespacochaga through the years at Atlantis has taught Ceejay many valuable lessons. He says, “I learned that talent alone won’t make you a success. Good attitude, patience and hard work will bring you places. Your attitude defines you. Also you have to love your craft. The biggest reason why the industry is thriving right now is because of the immense hearts of the people driving it forward.”

Ceejay also has a close collaborative relationship with Floy Quintos, who he has written musicals with. Together they created Isang Panaginip na Fili for Dulaang UP, Astig, Alex in Wonderland, Breakaway Antigone (co-composed with William Manzano), Legacy, and the fast and furious Ang Nawalang Kapatid. They continue to collaborate on new and exciting musical ideas.

Performers and collaborators who have worked with Ceejay continue to sing his praises. West End musical theater actress Joanna Ampil, who worked with Ceejay on The Bridges of Madison County, says, “One of the many reasons why I felt so safe during the rehearsal process for Bridges  was because of our musical director, Ceejay Javier, who tirelessly helped me find my voice as Francesca Johnson. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ceejay stop playing the piano; he was always and forever practicing. One of the most talented and excellent musicians/MDs that I know who is on a par with some amazing musicians I’ve worked with around the world; but what’s more admirable about him is his eagerness to constantly learn with such enthusiasm.”

Critically-acclaimed choreographer Vince Pesce, who collaborated very closely with Ceejay in Saturday Night Fever,  had this to say, “I had a feeling from my first conversation with Ceejay that he was going to be an excellent MD. Little did I know that he would be one of the finest musicians and dance music arrangers I have ever worked with. I’ve worked with the best MD’s and dance arrangers in NY and Ceejay creates with the same expertise, creativity and musical prowess as these great musicians. It was a joy to create with him.”

Rock icon and musical theater leading man, Jett Pangan, has worked with Ceejay for many years in both the musical theater stage and the rock concert arena. He says, “Ceejay has certainly come a long way from being second keyboardist in local musicals. He is now one of the most passionate and hardest-working musical directors in theater, especially in Atlantis shows with Bobby Garcia at the helm. I’ve learned so much from him as he is generous in giving time to help others do better in their work whenever he can.”

Musical theater legend Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo has tackled some of her darkest and most demanding stage roles with Ceejay as her musical director. She says, “When you are given difficult and emotionally-demanding roles like Diana in Next To Normal and Margaret White in Carrie, bringing the character to life is made even more difficult when you throw in music. You have to find their voices, voices that are true to the character and what they are going through. A musical director is crucial to this task. Ceejay understands that journey and is with you from start to finish. He breathes with me and goes through what I go through. You feel confident, supported and secure. Only then can the character and music become one”

Ceejay is excited to begin work on his next two musicals, Jersey Boys and Fun Home. He says of the two Tony Award-winning musicals, “I love the music of Jersey Boys. They are tunes we listened to on my mom’s old radio growing up and my wife, Louise, used to play Frankie Valli songs with her ’60s band. It will be fun to relive that era with some of the finest performers in the country interpreting the songs. Immediately after that I go into rehearsals for Fun Home, which I am so excited for. It’s my 11th year in the industry, but it will be my first time to work with Lea Salonga. That alone is reason enough to count my blessings. I have also always been a fan of Jeanine Tesori’s music and Fun Home really is a masterpiece.”

While he may have many dream shows that he hopes to perform someday, Ceejay continues to be grateful for the experiences he has already had in his career. Ceejay says, “I would love to MD The Color Purple, Sunday in the Park with George, or a big musical like Miss Saigon. And I would love to write another musical with Floy. I am excited to be creating an original musical with Bobby Garcia now. The best part of my journey though is that Atlantis gave me the opportunity to work on some of my dream shows and collaborate with some of the best and brightest musical theater artists here and abroad. From experiences like introducing me and getting musical notes from Lin-Manuel Miranda for In The Heights, facetime-ing with Michael Gore and Lawrence Cohen for Carrie, working with Claude-Michel Schonberg, Stephen Brooker and Cameron Mackintosh in an audition room for Miss Saigon, creating brand-new arrangements for a re-worked Saturday Night Fever and soon working with Jeanine Tesori in Fun Home, my life is like a musical. I am living my dream.”

And judging by his talent, hard work and passion, Ceejay’s dream will continue to live his dream for many years to come.