Award-Winning Soprano Sings Songs of Her Musical Journey

Written by Joseph John L. Verallo  |  September 17, 2025

On September 20, 2025, at the Manila Pianos Showroom in Makati City, renowned artist and soprano Nerissa de Juan will be singing at a fundraising concert, The Sound of Becoming: The Songs That Made Me. De Juan’s eventful musical career is one marked with such stunning milestones as her local debut playing Maria Clara in de León’s Noli Me Tangere and her international debut playing Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen earlier this April. Soon she will be embarking on yet another remarkable milestone in her musical journey, pursuing further studies in Vienna! 

As its name suggests, the concert is very much De Juan’s reflection on her music journey. “The repertoire that I’ll present is a selection of songs that I feel have impacted me a lot as a singer, songs that have brought growth, that have taught me a lot.” She stated about the program. When asked which songs were especially endearing to her, De Juan replied, “It’s hard to choose. But I think one to me is Micaëla’s aria from Carmen. I think it’s very special to me because I sang it for my international debut in Singapore.” She also cited “Kay Tamis ng Buhay” from her debut in Noli Me Tangere, stating “it would always have a place in my heart.” 

Joining her in this event is her longtime friend and award-winning pianist Raki Gendrano. “He has really been my pianist ever since I started at the College of Music. We basically grew up together as musicians.” De Juan said. Together, she and Gendrano won first place in the 2021 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) competition for the Senior Voice and Piano category, respectively. 

The concert also represents one final farewell as De Juan enters a new chapter in her life studying music in Vienna. “It is also my way of saying thanks to all those who helped me these past months and also these past ten years in my music journey,” she comments.

Don’t miss this memorable culmination of De Juan’s ongoing musical journey this September 20. Tickets for The Sound of Becoming: The Songs That Made Me are available here.