PIA MARGARITA BALASICO

Pia Margarita Balasico

Pia Margarita Balasico is Associate Professor at the Keyboard Department, UP College of Music.

Education:

Master of Music Degree Major in Piano (University of the Philippines)
Bachelor of Music Degree Major in Piano, Magna Cum Laude (University of the Philippines)
High School (Immaculata Academy of Malolos)
Elementary (Immaculata Academy of Malolos)

Raised in a family of piano teachers, Pia Margarita Diño Balasico’s prodigious talent was nurtured at a very early age and blossomed to its fullest under the tutelage of Prof. Regalado Jose. At the age of six, won the Honorable Mention at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1973. Five years later, she bagged the first prize. She went on winning the 3rd prize of the Bach Piano Competition in 1984 and the top prize of the Lizst Piano Competition in 1986.

A Recipient of the Rosario Lopez Garcia Scholarship and the Generoso Villanueva Scholarship, Pia finished Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano (1989), Magna Cum Laude and Master of Music degree in Piano (1997) from the University of the Philippines College of Music. She has extensively performed both as a soloist and as a chamber musician in major concert venues in the country. Highlights of these are “Resist! “ Anthems of Struggle and Triumph as one of the featured artists with the UP Symphony Orchestra in February 2019; a repeat of “Resist!” at the University of the Philippines Los baños Laguna in March 2019; Annual Concert of the Champions (NAMCYA) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines; the 3 Grands: A Piano Celebration with ianists Abelardo Gallang II and Artemio Panganiban III at CCP in January 2009; Piano Duo Recitals with Artemio Panganiban III, and Augusto Espino at the UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium in 2009; Back to back concert with Luci Magalit at the PHILAM Life Auditorium in 2009; She was also a featured soloist of the Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra in 1979 and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in 1980 under the baton of his mentor Professor Regalado Jose. Pia is an Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines College of Music. Her excellent pedagogy has produced prize-winners among the country’s best young pianists.

Scholarships:

Rosario Lopez Garcia Scholarship for Piano – 1985 – 1989
Generoso Villanueva Scholarship for Piano – 1984- 1985

Awards:

1st PTGP Piano Ensemble Competition ( 2013 )- 1st Prize Elementary Lever (Teacher – Student)
Lizst Piano Competition ( 1986 ) University of the Philippines – 1st Prize
Bach Piano Competiton ( 1984 ) University of the Philippines – 3rd Prize
National Music Competition of Young Artists ( 1978 ) Cultural Center of the Philippines – 1st Prize
National Music Competition of Young Artists ( 1973 ) Cultural Center of the Philippines – Honorable Mention

Professional History:

Graduate Assistant ( June 16, 1989 – May 31, 1990 )
Lecturer ( June 15, 1990 – October 3, 1992 )
Instructor – Temporary Appointment – ( November 2, 1992 – 1998 )
Instructor - Permanent Appointment - ( March 20, 1998 – June 2000 )
Assistant Professor 3 ( July 1, 2000 – June 31, 2005 )
Assistant Professor 4 ( July 1, 2005 – May 31, 2009 )
Assistant Professor 7 (June 1, 2009 – December 31, 2018 )
Associate Professor 2 (January 1, 2019 – present )

Major Performances:

Resist! Anthems of Struggle and Triumph with UP Symphony Orchestra - one of the featured artists – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (2019)
Tikladong Hirang – one of the featured artists - UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (2018)
Makiling Music Festival – National Arts Center Mt. Makiling, Los Baños Laguna (2018)
Lahing Kayumanggi Piano works and Art Songs – St. Clement Parish Church, Angono Rizal (2018)
Centennial Closing Concert – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (2017)
The Piano Teachers’ Guild of the Philippines present: Forte @ 40 Collaborative Artist – Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo CCP Main Theater (2012)
A Piano Fantasy ,a back to back concert with Luci Magalit,- Philamlife Auditorium, UN Avenue (2009)
A Piano Duo Recital, with Jose Artemio Panganiban III – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (2009)
By the Master for the Master, a fund-raising Concert of Cornerstone Academy – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (2009)
3 Grands: A Piano Celebration with Pianists Abelardo Galang II, Jose Artemio Panganiban III and Chino Toledo conductor – Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater (2009)
Piano Quartet, Collaborative Artist – Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO South Tower (2009)
Concert of Three Flautists Tony Maigue, Sonny Yangco, Enrique Barcelo; Collaboraive artist – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (1996)
Rizal, Collaborative artist – Francsco Santiago Hall, PCI Bank (1996)
All-Filipino Contemporary Flute Music Recital; Collaborative artist – UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium (1996)
Paco Park Presents; Soloist – Paco Park, Manila (1996)
National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Festival; Soloist – Davao City (1994)
KANOR, a musicale tribute to Nicanor Abelardo; Main artist – Barasoain Kalinangan Auditorium (1994)
Special Concert for the Inter-Parliamentary Union Delegates – Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater (1980)
Luneta Park Presents; Featured artist – Luneta Park (1979)
Likha-Awit Pambata – A Concert for the International Year of the Child - Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater (1979)
Annual Concert of the Champions (NAMCYA); Soloist - Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater (1979)