CLSU MAESTRO - SINGERS

CLSU MAESTRO – SINGERS The CLSU Maestro-Singers was organized in 1998 by a Classic Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Florante P. Ibarra. Serving as CLSU’s cultural ambassadors, the group had won numerous awards in local, regional, national, and international levels. After merely four years of existence, the Singers have gained a lot in terms of competition awards enough to say that they are successful in earning fame in choral singing. Recently the group received 3 International Awards First, in Changwon, South Korea where the virtual choir competition to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Changwon Initiative on the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was held on May 9-13, 2022, the group was hailed as the Winner of the Minister of the Korea Forest Service Award. Second, in Harumi Tokyo, Japan, the group received three major awards namely the Gold Prize Award, the Category V Winner under Virtual Choir Category, and the Audience Prize Award during the Tokyo International Choir Competition held on July 29-31, 2022. And lastly, during the Taipei International Choral Festival in Taipei, Taiwan held from July 29- August 2, 2022, the group won the Gold Award and was pronounced the Category V Winner for Virtual Choir Category.

FLORANTE P. IBARRA

DR. FLORANTE P. IBARRA, Tenor An International Music Education Researcher/Specialist Choirmaster, CLSU Maestro-Singers Gaining an international recognition, Dr. Ibarra was a recipient of 2009 Classic Fulbright Scholarship Award to the United States. He finished his Doctor of Education degree in Music and Music Education (2009-2012) at Columbia University – Graduate School of Education- in the City of New York, USA. He took up voice and choral pedagogy with Dr. Jeanne Goffi-Fynn from Julliard School of Music in New York City. Popularly known as Maestro Randy, he graduated Master of Music in Music Education minor in Choral Conducting at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, College of Music and Bachelor’s degree in Music Education specialized in Voice at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music with distinct honor of Cum Laude. He studied choral conducting with Dr. Raul Navarro, Prof. Ricardo Mazo Jr., and Prof. Luzviminda Dominguez Gonzales, one of the pioneering members of University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers. He has performed in various opera and broadway presentations at the Cultural Center of the Philippines such as Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus, Florante at Laura, El Senior Santo Nino, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon to mention a few.

JEZREEL DAVE L. LEYBAG

Mr. Leybag is a licensed professional teacher where his expertise covers visual arts, music education, and performances. Earning his bachelor’s degree from Central Luzon State University, He finished his studies with flying colors as he bagged an academic distinction of Cum Laude and also conferred as Cultural Awardee - both University and College level. In like manner, he completed his Applied Music majoring in Voice (Level 1 -7) under the tutelage of National Vocal Coach and Fulbright Professor, Maestro Florante “Randy” Ibarra. He was also hailed as one of the Top 3 Most Outstanding Students of CLSU and nominated as "Lider Estudyante ng Taon" in 2018. As the choirmaster of Cuyapo Rang-ay Ensemble and the prestigious CLSU Maestro-Singers, he participated in various international and national trainings, choral festivals, workshops and have competed in regional, national, and international choral competitions. He was also part of the Sing Philippines Youth Choir (SPYC) Batch 4 with Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio as their choirmaster. At present, Jezreel Dave is also the Musical Director and the Assistant Youth Leader of ODBBC, the Graphic Artist and Visual Director of ODCA, Higher Education/Institution Coordinator of the Nueva Ecija Youth Network, and a Culture and Arts Instructor at the College of Education - CLSU. Mr. Leybag envisages to honor and serve his Alma Mater through musical, cultural, and educational endeavors.