Grahamstown was home to world class concert pianist, Mariel Ilusorio, for nine years. She will be leaving on 1 June to return to her family in the Philippines.
Grahamstown was home to world class concert pianist, Mariel Ilusorio, for nine years. She will be leaving on 1 June to return to her family in the Philippines.
Ilusorio first came to Grahamstown in August 2004 as a guest lecturer at Rhodes University.
It was here where she met her life and musical partner, violinist Juan Munoz. The music duo settled here as music teachers and performers in 2005.
“It is very nice for families,” Ilusorio said about Grahamstown, “it is a small community and very supportive.”
She has played a big role in the promotion of classical music in Grahamstown.
Ilusorio came up with interesting themes for concerts to provide unifying ideas to make them more attractive. She can be seen as a ‘classical music activist’ due to her innovation in music concerts and live performances.
“I think my pupils I will really miss, because I establish a very personal relationship with them.” Ilusorio said. She considers doing Skype lessons with them since she loves seeing children grow and develop.
For artists to stay in one place is difficult, since much experience can be gained from traveling and playing at different venues. Living in a small town can be limiting to an artist.
“I think there are always opportunities, because you've got to make your own opportunities. You've got to be creative, you've got to be open and flexible to what there is,” Ilusorio said.
She found said it was nice to be based in Grahamstown and then go away to perform and get stimulation from bigger cities.
When asked what she would like to change about Grahamstown she said she would bring in more highly qualified teachers with strong backgrounds and experience to develop the children, give more emphasis on music and arts in schools and fix the potholes.
“What really brought me here was just meeting Juan. I have been very happy here and happy that I ended up here.
"But I think it is time to move on as well and go to a bigger place with even more options and more people to teach and develop and especially to come back to my family,” Ilusorio said during an interview.
She left the Philippines when she was 14 years old to pursue her career in music overseas. It has been 26 years since she moved to New York to study at the Juilliard School of Music.
Her music has taken her all over the world, but never back home until now. She will continue to teach and perform in the Philippines.
Ilusorio’s farewell concert will be held on 26 May at St Andrew’s Drill Hall starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the door.
The ‘Juan, Mariel and Friends’ chamber music concert will feature Piano Quintets by Saint-Saens and Dvorak.
Marian Lewin, Illusorio’s role model as a musician and person, will also perform as a special guest.
