Singers, conductors, and music lovers across the UAE have a chance to train under one of the Philippines’ most respected choral figures later this month. Dr. Jonathan Velasco, DMA, will headline a two-part session at The Fridge Warehouse in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in an event organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.
The afternoon opens with an optional Choral Clinic running from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. That segment gives way to the main Choral Masterclass, titled “Your Voice: How to Use It. How to Move It,” scheduled from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and built around audience interaction.
Velasco’s résumé spans teaching, conducting, and cultural leadership. He instructs voice at the University of the Philippines College of Music and handles choral conducting at St. Paul University Manila. He also directs the Ateneo Chamber Singers and holds a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. His standing in the field was formally recognized in 2025, when the Philippine Choral Directors Association presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anyone hoping to attend must secure entry through Platinumlist.net. The Consulate General has clarified that it plays no part in ticketing, which is managed independently of the office.
The gathering falls under the Consulate General’s Pasiklab Pinoy 2026 campaign. Staging it is a joint effort by The Fridge, working alongside ChoirFest Middle East, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine Choral Directors Association.
