Pianist Almond Ponge is an artist that dares to explore the unknown. He is dedicated to exploring underrepresented works and lesser-known composers, and has been programming them in recitals since 2015. Recently performed composers include Milosz Magin, Carl Vine, Nikolai Medtner, Lucrecia Kasilag, Ramon Santos, and Alfredo Buenaventura.

Almond  has recently won the grand prize at the Adria Art Fest 2021 and Royal Sound Music Competition 2021. He also won first prize at the 2022 Tiziano Rossetti International Music Competition, 2021 Lams Matera Award, Danubia Talents International Competition, and Canadian International Music Competition, among others. He has performed in the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Philippines. His orchestral debut was with the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2013; he has participated in the South Eastern Piano Festival, the UST Sampung Mga Daliri, as well as Philippine Teacher’s Guild for Piano (PTGP) events such as the Forte@40, and Paco Park Presents.

He has participated in masterclasses with pedagogues and performers such as Anton Nel, Carol Leone, John O’Connor, Walter Hautzig, Pascal Roge, Dorian Leljak, Sofya Gulyak, Angelo Rondello, among others.

Almond holds his Graduate Certificate in Piano performance from the University of South Carolina, an MM in Piano Performance from Winthrop University, and a BM from University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. His primary teachers include Marina Lomazov, Phillip Bush, Charles Fugo, Matthew Manwarren, and he has additional tutelage from Eugene Barban, Perla Suaco, and Patricia Lim. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Piano Performance with a double minor in Piano Pedagogy and Music Theory at University of South Carolina, and will be completing his degree in May 2024. His current research focuses on the commissioned contest pieces from the Philippines's National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

Apart from the piano, Almond is also a part-time vocalist, conductor, and composer. He enjoys taking leisurely hikes in nature and loves to drink boba milk tea.

Link to CV