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just by listening. His music skills haven’t gone unnoticed
and have earned him a minor local celebrity status — the
neighborhood kids look up to him, and he’s often requested
to perform at school graduations and town fiestas.
But more than the recognition, Simon cherishes his time in
CASA, where everyone is a kindred spirit in music. “Everyone
makes me feel special here.”
Growing roots
CASA’s artistic pursuits are not confined to music. Since
1993,
its brick theater has hosted creative writing, film,
music, theater and visual arts workshops for local students
aspiring to attend specialty schools, conservatories, colleges,
or even just to prepare for performances and exhibits.
Founded by Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, a world-renowned
violinist and alumnus of The Juilliard School, CASA lists an
impressive line of mentors that includes world music artists
Joey Ayala and Grace Nono; dance luminaries Denisa Reyes
and Myra Beltran; visual artists Brenda Fajardo and Elmer
Borlongan; the late National Artist for Literature N.V.M.
Gonzales; the flamboyant cellist Matthew Barley; and pianist
Cecile Licad. During its early years, teachers from The
Juilliard School, Indiana University and Oberlin Conservatory
would visit CASA to conduct workshops.
“
Around the early 1990s I was coming home a lot to do
concerts,” says Coke, who was part of Columbia Artists
Clockwise from top
left: music scholars
take their rehearsals
outdoors; one of
Plet Bolipata’s
mosaic sculptures;
Leeroy New’s art
installation; CASA
at dusk; little artsy
details, such as
this painted tile
featuring a pianist,
make for fun
surprises. Front
page: the facade of
the main theater
S O U N D O F M U S I C
