VIOLIN ● VIOLA ● CELLO
Our bowed strings program builds strong foundations through the Suzuki Method, where students are encouraged to enjoy the process of learning and making music. Lessons emphasize listening, steady progress, and developing artistry in a supportive environment. Beyond solo study, students take part in group classes and ensemble work, gaining sensitivity, teamwork, and confidence. As they grow, they join chamber groups and larger performances, discovering the joy of sharing music within a vibrant community.
BERNICE ELAINE U. GO, VIOLIN
Bernice Elaine U. Go is a graduate from the UP College of Music. She is a violinist
and arts administrator with the University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra (UPSO) and a trustee for its foundation, Orkestra ng Bayan, Inc., and has participated in international festivals like the World Civic Orchestra. A Suzuki-trained pedagogue and Program Coordinator at the Miriam College Music Center, she also promotes string music education as Corporate Secretary of the Filipino String Teachers Association and manages outreach performances through Gala Musika.
EMLYN S. PONCE, VIOLIN / VIOLA
Emlyn S. Ponce, a violist and music teacher with a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Philippines College of Music, began her orchestra training in 2005 and gained international experience with the Musikito String Orchestra at the 4th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna. She has participated in several international festivals and competitions, including the Le Festival International de Musique Universitaire and Musica Festa Florence, and was selected as a panelist for the World Amateur Orchestra Forum in 2022.
CELYN S. PONCE, CELLO
Celyn Ponce has been a cellist with the UP Symphony Orchestra since 2022. She began studying the violin at age 9 and later transitioned to the cello at age 12. She graduated from the UP College of Music with a Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts (2017) and a Bachelor of Music degree (2018), majoring in Cello Performance under the tutelage of Prof. Eduardo Pasamba. In 2019, she completed Suzuki Book 1 training under Bai-Chi Chen. She retrained in Book 1 with Sunkyung Hwang in 2023 and continued with Book 2 training in 2024. Currently, she teaches cello at the Miriam College Music Center and at Sisidlan Institute, a Steiner-Waldorf school.
