DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-LAGUA
has a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School of Music where she
was a scholar 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 & Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. She
had 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 had likewise breezed through
internationally reviewed and widely appreciated appearances in Italy, Switzerland,
Spain, France, Austria, and other parts of North America.
DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-LAGUA is
the recipient of numerous competitive awards, including the distinguished
and foremost "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)