Fil-Am music company expands training of young talents
Young artists of PnC Music Company.
• Offers a year packed with showcases, concerts, workshops to hone artistry and build confidence
• Services include homework assistance for all-rounded student development
• Instructors aim to boost Fil-Am presence in mainstream entertainment and arts
Performers at Mother’s Day staging of a light-hearted musical, “Lady Beneath my Wings.”
MILPITAS, California — To help prepare students to participate in competitions, musical plays and other artistic events, the PnC Music Company has designed a year jampacked with showcases, concert series, major shows, assessments and workshops.
“Our staff will be assisting their students to prepare for performances while simultaneously working to build a strong foundation on music comprehension with a focus on theory and other technical concepts,” explained PnC proprietor and instructor Pamela Serrano-Fernando.
PnC has had a successful 2013 creating a safe, comfortable and friendly environment for their students to work on performance delivery and gain confidence in front of others. One of the training highlights is the monthly showcase of student talent.
“It becomes a win-win situation because the youth gets a genuine audience who are there to support,” Instructor Andre Nuestro said, “and the audience gets to see hidden talent within their children, family and friends. I think it’s cool having a lot of Filipino supporters!”
For more advanced students, PnC stages a concert series featuring teacher-nominated students and their repertoire of various music styles. The series includes a pre-event photo shoot for images to promote the show, the chance to work with live musicians and rehearsals in which the students can work on their stylistic technique and individuality.
“Just like learning an instrument, performance is another skill that takes practice, especially if you want it to feel easy and effortless,” Instructor Charito Soriano said. “Nerves and butterflies can creep in easily in front of a bunch of people you don’t know.”
The concert series lets students tackle the challenge of live performance. “It also is a chance for their friends and families to witness and celebrate their artistic growth through the beautiful medium of music,” added Soriano.
At the end of the year, the students will produce two major shows, their biggest performances. These are similar to their monthly showcases but are on a much larger scale to give performers yet another opportunity to entertain the crowd solo or in a larger group.
These major shows will not only give students a chance to highlight their talent and build their confidence, but they also engage the community in an interactive way.
“The major shows are very fun event to witness,” said Soriano. “You see the excitement and the hard work that all these kids committed to. We really just have a handful of Filipino stars in American media positively being role models for our community. Therefore, the community members, including all the teachers, parents and students have to become one another’s sources of inspiration.”
Children’s Song & Dance & Rhythm Combo Class led by Pamela Serrano-Fernando.
The school will be hosting several special guests to teach classes and workshops that include Song & Dance, Build Me-Up, Summer Sessions and much more.
“We don’t stop at music. Creativity is expressed through many forms of art. That’s why we hold summer sessions,” Nuestro explains. “That way, when summer hits we don’t have a hiatus of creativity and learning. Cake decorating, art class, dance, etc. are used to encourage the importance of experimental creativity.”
March 11 was the kick-off date for their newest workshop, Song & Rhythm & Dance Combo Class, to get students moving and having fun. It’s an upbeat course that teaches fun tunes, basic choreography and a sense of rhythm through music patterns.
Workshop Instructor John Andres said, “My goal by the end of eight weeks is to make sure students learn the importance of teamwork and music as a tool to let out your feelings when all else doesn’t seem to work.”
Andres wants the students to gain a permanent boost in confidence and a better outlook on things. “Music is not just about turning on the radio and listening to some tunes, or playing an instrument, or singing in the shower—I believe it’s a way of life,” he added.
PnC is also offering a new service, “Homework Help” from Monday through Thursday at 3:00-4:30 p..m. in Milpitas.
“Sticking to one thing and doing well in it is really good, but on top of that, expanding your mind and applying your skills to other things is better,” Andres said. “Who knows, maybe you can do really well on something that you’ve never done in your life. You never really know until you try, and it wouldn’t hurt to try something new.”
For more information about PnC Music Company and all of the services, you can email [email protected] or visit them inside Seasons Market Place in Milpitas.
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