Mariel Ilusorio brings her gift of music home

MANILA, Philippines - Spellbinding music from endowed hands has taken world-class Filipino pianist Mariel Ilusorio from Manila to America and around Europe.After gracing the world’s most prestigious stages, she returns to play for her homeland, for good. Mariel recently dazzled Liceo de Cagayan University’s Rodelsa concert hall with classic pieces from music greats Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin, to name a few. Despite performing in the country from time to time, this is her first solo recital since she moved back to the country.

“I was invited by great Filipino pianist and old-time friend from Julliard School, Rudolf Golez. They are building up classical music in the region, contributing immensely to the development of culture there,” said Mariel.

Her passion for music started at an early age and Mariel said she owes it to a very dedicated teacher who imparted to her a genuine love for music and taught her about the simplicity of life.

She also mentioned that she was able to nurture her talent through the strong support showed to her by her mother. “My mother always pushed me to do my best and did her best for me to enrich my musical inclination. Being surrounded by these people, growing up, helped me gained the discipline I needed to develop to become a pianist,” she added.

Things started to pick up for Mariel after she won first prize for Category A of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA). She then received scholarships in music schools in the US, including the esteemed Julliard School, where she received her pre-college diploma.

It has been been an amazing journey for Mariel there on. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Studies at Ohio’s Oberlin Conservatory of Music, she moved to Germany which opened up a lot of opportunities for her career in music. Mariel started bagging awards left and right. She placed in competitions such as the 14th Rina Sala Gallo International Piano Competition in Italy and the Carlo Soliva International Piano competition in Italy, where she brought home the grand prize.

Her achievements did not go unnoticed and soon she was touring the globe, performing solo and chamber music concerts across five continents. She made her mark in her recitals in Germany, Italy, France, Indonesia, the US, South Africa and the Philippines.

In the course of her career, Mariel found herself in Grahamstown, South Africa where she met her husband and musical partner, violinist Juan Muñoz. Together, they spread the gift of music by teaching young students. They also started a concert series titled Juan, Mariel and Friends that aims to keep classical music alive in the Eastern Cape through performances, teaching and outreach projects.

Looking back, Mariel said she believes that it is her determination and commitment to the craft that led her to achieve her dreams and reap success.

“The defining moment in my life is when I left home to pursue something totally different from my family,” remarked Mariel, who is the older sister of local restaurateur and hospitality industrialist Raymond Ilusorio Yap.

She added that having to fend for herself when she was in the US and Germany made her the strong woman that she is today. Now that Mariel has moved back with her family to the country, she said that she can now limitlessly enjoy the things that she loves most here. These include being close to family, friends and Filipino food like her favorites from the local restaurant Congo Grille.