DIVINAGRACIA B. MONTALBAN-LAGUA has a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School of Music where she was a scholar and violin student of the late Ivan Galamian. Acclaimed at age seven as a ‘child prodigy’, she had been featured as soloist of all major symphony orchestras in her country, the Philippines. One of the most auspicious highlights of her career was a command performance as a professional violin concertist at age 10 for President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. She has also shown her rare musical wares before the Royal Highnesses of Thailand, the ambassadors and plenipotentiaries of countries from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and the members of the prestigious Diplomatic Corps to the United States in Washington, DC. She has likewise breezed through internationally reviewed and widely appreciated appearances in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Austria, Canada and other parts of the U.S.

Divinagracia B. Montalban-Lagua is the recipient of numerous competitive awards, including the distinguished and foremost "Certificate of Recognition" at the "Premio Internationale di Violino Nicolo Paganini" in Genoa, Italy. She has held various positions in the musical milieu such as clinician at the George Washington Suzuki Piano Institute in Virginia, violin specialist at the Montclair State College in New Jersey, choir director of the Philippine Choraleers of New York City, and as music director of the New York Phil-Am Lions/Lioness Choir. As a member of the Composers Guild and the National Academy of Songwriters, she was awarded honorable-mention for her song, "We Are Your Children", which premiered at the United Nations during the Statue of Liberty’s Centennial Celebration. Alberto Vallejo, a Rockleigh reporter of New York City, said of her: "About Ms. Montalban-Lagua, the inspiring force behind it all, there are not enough words to describe the highly talented musician-artist. Under her dynamic direction, a group’s instrumental or choral performance becomes just a small proof of her ability to teach the art in which she is a master." (Copyright 1989 by Roberto C. Ordonez of the Filipino Reporter, NYC)

DIVINAGRACIA B. MONTALBAN-LAGUA is a truly outstanding teacher. She has excellent musical and instrumental concepts. Her teaching is always constructive, thorough, and with great insights."

GERARD SCHWARTZ

Music Director, Mozart Festival

Lincoln Center, NYC

"MONTALBAN DIRECTS BRILLIANT MUSICALE... The cast was held together by the exemplary commanding and dynamic young conductor. An overflow of audience applauded enthusiastically and was amazed at the incredible talent she demonstrated as she performed her multiple chores in presenting and assisting the performers. She was electrifying! She was terrific!"

MERCEDES NICANOR

Philippine Press, LA-NY

Philippine News, San Francisco

"Everything Ms. Montalban-Lagua did on stage was totally at her command... a TOUR DE FORCE... her demeanor as a well-matured pedagogue astonishingly belies her youth, much too young for all that she has accomplished."

FILIPINO REPORTER (1980), NYC

Performance Highlights: New York City debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall, UNICEF’s 1st Children’s Worlds Fair in Asphalt Green, NYC, Statue of Liberty’s US Centennial Celebration at the U.N., "Musical Soiree" for the Ambassadors’ wives and members of the U.N. Mission Wives Club and National Council of Women in the US, "It’s a Small World" opening ceremonies sponsored by the Board of Education of NYC, and Barbizon Corp., "The Philippines’ Fiesta Islands" concert sponsored by the Philippine Air Lines and the Consulate General of the Philippines in NYC, the YPSE’s 10th founding anniversary concert at the NY Public Library-Heckscher Oval Auditorium in Lincoln Center, NYC. Full length concerts sponsored by the De La Salle Alumni Association of NYC, and the TKR cable tv show, "Joe Brower Half Hour" program which was aired 18 times in summer 1997, among others.

"Student musicians with extraordinary discipline and undoubtedly long hours of rehearsals delighted the large and select audience. Their stage presence and talents marked their concert with a touch of class and professionalism."

ALBERTO VALLEJO, Columbia

Rockleigh Reporter, NYC

"Over-all impression is that of a happy and pleasurable balance between exquisite talent and serious hard work. The young performers had remarkable musicality, stage presence, and impressive confidence. They communicated vitality, intelligence, excitement, and energy."

Consulate General of the Philippines. NYC