DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-LAGUA
 

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)