For 24-year-old violin prodigy Adrian Ong, falling in love with music wasn’t a dramatic turning point but a gradual evolution. His passion began at the age of 4, after watching a televised violin performance that left him mesmerized. What started as a simple request for violin lessons soon became a profound journey.
“I explored swimming and taekwondo while waiting for a violin teacher,” Ong recalled. “By the time we found one through a family friend, I was already 9.” Despite his parents’ initial leanings toward a career in dentistry for him, Jeanne and Alan Ong supported his dream wholeheartedly.
Ong’s commitment to music deepened when he became a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Makiling. His journey continued at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he graduated with honors under a scholarship. He furthered his studies with a merit-based scholarship at the Mannes School of Music, also graduating with honors.
Guided by mentors like Mellissa Geronimo Esguerra, Gina Medina-Perez, Paul Sonner, Lewis Kaplan, and Yibin Li, Ong refined his craft. He also attended masterclasses with esteemed musicians such as Ilya Kaler, Almita Vamos, Charles Castleman, Philippe Quint, and Thanos Adamopoulos. Over the years, Ong developed a deep connection with each piece he played. “Every piece I play is my favorite. Currently, I’m practicing a waltz by Eugène Ysaÿe, so it’s one of my top favorites,” he said.
For Ong, the emotions conveyed by composers make the music unforgettable. “I pay attention to the emotions, even the humor or campiness in the music,” he added.
Music’s power to transform and unite people has always fascinated Ong. “Music is an invisible art form that connects people through feelings and sound,” he said. Through the violin, Ong experiences the stories composers share. “It’s fascinating to glimpse into the composer’s life. I also imagine colors as I play, inspired by the story behind the music,” Ong explained. For him, each harmony not only resonates in his ears but also paints vivid imagery in his mind.
At 17, Ong made his orchestral debut with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO). By May 2023, he had achieved a milestone many classical musicians dream of—performing at Carnegie Hall in New York. “It was fulfilling to have my own show, and playing alongside Filipino-American pianist Victor Asunción made it even more special,” Ong reflected.
His gratitude was immense, and he found the experience deeply inspiring. Performing at Carnegie Hall solidified his career highlight, especially after being named a scholar in the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ International Scholarship Program. “Playing for this generation is very inspiring,” he said.
Following a performance with fellow CCP scholars Aidan Baracol and Mark Rocas at the Young People’s Concert in 2023, Ong looked forward to the future of classical music in the Philippines. He found it easy to connect with young audiences, challenging the notion that classical music is too complex for them. “It’s accessible if you’re open to listening,” Ong noted.
The CCP’s International Scholarship Program allowed Ong to explore music beyond the violin. “Each instrument offers a different perspective on music-making and has its own philosophy,” he explained.
Building his international reputation, Ong remains dedicated to his homeland. In 2023, he participated in the Helping Through Music benefit concert for Childhope PH and Museo Pambata, where he saw children’s excitement for the violin. “I want to share what I’ve learned with the next generation in the Philippines,” Ong declared. He has since begun coaching and collaborating with the Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra.
Though Ong initially didn’t anticipate a career in music, his enrollment at PHSA cemented his path. Despite being enrolled in another university at the time, he followed his passion and transferred to pursue his dream. “Playing the violin began as a hobby, but with every performance, my path as a violinist has become clearer,” Ong said with a smile. “I think this is what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life.”
