A GRADE 8 student of the Bataan National High School for the Arts won gold in the Youth Category and Outstanding Musicality Special Prize at the Franz Schubert International Music Competition 2022.

Joella Beatriz Manalili attributed her victory to her voice teacher, Ruby Jean Cortez.

“Noong nagsimula akong magsanay para sa kumpetisyon alam ko na malaking hamon para sa akin ito dahil ito ang aking unang international competition na sasalihan at ang piyesa na gagawin ko ay hindi ganon kadaling ma-execute dahil nangangailangan ito ng matinding voice control,” Manalili said.

Manalili sang Du bist die Ruh’, one of Schubert’s most beautiful and difficult creations.

“Buti na lang at kabisado ko ito dahil piyesa ko ito noong ako ay nasa konserbatoryo na siya namang binigyan namin ni Joella ng bagong atake,” Cortez shared.

Cortez said that she had to prepare Manalili for the competition.

“Para sa akin kasi, bale wala ang talent kung walang disiplina ang isang musician o isang mag-aaral. Technically, magaling naman ang bata at mabilis maka-pick-up ng instructions pero medyo mahirap i-execute ang piyesa so kailangan ko gumamit ng movements para mas maramdaman at mas ma-execute niya nang maayos ang piyesa,” the teacher said.