Voice student Chrystle Mactal performed on December 6 in the World Music Asian Concert at Kent State University in Ohio. At the invitation of Dr. Priwan Nanongkham of the Kent State School of Music, Mactal sang two kundiman, art songs from the Philippines: "Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran," by Francisco Santiago, and "Mutya Ng Pasig," by Nicanor Abelardo.
Mactal, who is originally from the Philippines, will graduate in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Minor in Mass Communications/Mass Media. She began her voice studies at UNC Charlotte with Dr. Alissa Deeter and now studies with Christina Pier. Last winter, she received First Place in the 4th Year Women Division at the 2018 North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions.
Already a voice teacher herself, Mactal hopes to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in ethnomusicology.
“I will also continue to be an ambassador for Filipino music and use the music to help bridge the gap between Filipino-Americans and their heritage,” she says. “My dream is to create an anthology of Filipino art songs accessible for musicians here in the States and one day build a music school that will give scholarships to passionate kids who aren't able to afford music lessons.”