Our featured artist today is young and promising pianist, Zion Pe Montebon. Zion is a graduating student from the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA). He is a consistent honor student having been a recipient of Academic Excellence Awards since freshman year and the Outstanding Student in the Arts. He has also participated in competitions winning top prizes locally and abroad.
Aside from musical concerts, he has participated in outreach and government programs in Laguna, Manila, Baguio and Antipolo.
After winning Second Prize in the 2021 New York Young Performers Prize, he was offered a scholarship to the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. In 2022, the NCCA under the Office of the President of the Philippines, honored Zion with the Ani Ng Dangal Award.
2022 Ani Ng Dangal Award recipient Zion Pe Montebon
We had a chance to chat with Zion recently and here is that conversation.
Did you always aim to be a pianist growing up, or did you have other interests previously? What motivated you to continue pursuing music in high school?
I was not really focused on playing the piano. It was something my parents wanted me to take up in my childhood because they took the advice of a pianist who said that I had an affinity for music.
As early as five years old, I could "hear notes" and identify them easily. My father discovered that I had perfect pitch while he was tuning his guitar and I was reciting the notes back to him. My parents knew that this was not normal so they really encouraged me to continue taking piano lessons.
During this time, I was passionate about soccer. As a homeschooler, it was one of my only sources of socialization, exercise and entertainment. My team played competitively and whenever we lost a game, I let out my frustrations on the keyboard even if I didn't have a piano back then.
I decided to hang up my cleats when I was accepted to the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) but I still love watching the beautiful game.
I wasn't accepted to UP Rural High School and was wait-listed in the Philippine Science High School, so I was left with no other choice. Though it does not seem like the best reason for why I chose this path, I am absolutely blessed to have been at PHSA all this time.
Initially, I pursued music because it was expected of me. It was a whole new adventure since, aside from Bach who I listened to from conception, I was not familiar with classical music.
A defining moment in my life is probably my attendance to the Manila International Piano Masterclasses Festival (MIPMF) when I was in my second year of high school. I met international concert pianists and pedagogues who left a great impression on me.
I realized that I wanted to be a pianist, whether as a performer or pedagogue. Sometimes, life puts you in situations where you are left with "no other choice" and you simply make the most of it. Eventually, they become the greatest turning points in your life.
What are your expectations from the scholarship that Brooklyn College of the University of New York offered to you?
I was only 15 years old when they offered the scholarship. It was still the height of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the offer may no longer stand because it was three years ago, but that was one of the best moments in my life. But I am pleased to share that I was accepted and offered scholarships to Lynn University Conservatory of Music, Western Illinois University, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee. It will be a very tough decision to choose where I should go, but what I pray for is that God continues to bless me with mentors who truly care about my growth and career as an artist, and that He will open opportunities for me to excel in.
What advice can you share with younger music students?
Although musicianship and musicality are the things we all strive to improve on, nothing beats having the purest intentions. It is difficult to find both a skilled yet kind person these days. If you are a good person, that good will come back to you and even have a positive influence on your future.
For the musical part, you have to love what you are doing. I know it is challenging to digest the principles our music teachers give us at the beginning, but if you take them to heart, progress will come. It does not happen instantly because improvement is a long process. Don't give up though. It's why you also need patience and diligence. Practice is a lonely process, but a very rewarding one.
Sacrifices will be essential in this road as well. That includes reducing time playing games, hanging out with friends, and other recreational activities. It does not mean you cannot do these things, but they take a back seat in your priorities.
As musicians, everyone has different ways of interpreting music and it is definite that not everyone will appreciate the way we play. Accepting criticism and taking it professionally is something we have to get used to.
Lastly, even if you are spending most of your time practicing, you also have to work on your people skills. We are artists so we have to establish networks with all types of people. Our industry is very cut throat so we have to find ways to make ourselves stand out and having people that back us up is one of those ways.
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After chatting with Zion and listening to his music, I believe this young artist has tremendous potential. I wish him success in all his endeavors.
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