MSO Music Academy Opens at One Ayala in Makati

A violin performance during the MSO Music Academy opening at One Ayala on October 6, 2026.

The MSO Music Academy opened its One Ayala branch in Makati on October 6, 2026, according to the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The new branch offers voice and instrument lessons for children, teens, and adults, joining the academy's existing studio at Ayala Malls Circuit.

MSO says the One Ayala branch has six regular studios, each equipped with a piano. A separate, larger studio is available for group lessons, workshops, masterclasses, and small recitals.

The larger studio at the new MSO Music Academy branch in One Ayala.

Lessons at the One Ayala branch cover piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, harp, and voice, among other offerings listed by MSO. The academy says students can prepare for performances and competitions, or take lessons simply for the enjoyment of making music.

MSO also says it supports its teachers through professional development, including Suzuki teacher training programs in the Philippines and abroad.

Paganini and Laufey were both on the opening recital program, which MSO says featured academy students and faculty. Sara Maria Gonzales on violin and Amansinaya Añonuevo on guitar performed Paganini's "Cantabile." Julia Reanna Aquino and Endrei Joashu Lejano played "Katakataka" in a piano four-hands arrangement by Augusto Espino, while soprano Eina Lejano sang Giordani's "Caro Mio Ben," accompanied by Jeremiah Valenzuela on piano.

The program also included Willy Cruz's "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas," arranged by Jeffrey Solares and performed by violinist Dione Lhorrell Reyes with Valenzuela. David Llandino performed a selection from Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" with the faculty ensemble, while Eliana Mariano and Lois Quitane were the soloists in Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor. The student and faculty ensemble closed with Laufey and Spencer Stewart's "From the Start."

A group photo during the MSO Music Academy opening at One Ayala on October 6, 2026.

MSO credits Standard Insurance and Ernesto Echauz with fully funding the new branch's construction, and Christopher Varlez of Varlez Pianos with supplying the studio pianos. The orchestra also acknowledged One Ayala and Mariana Zobel Aboitiz for accommodating the academy, with assistance from MSO trustee John Silva.

The release mentions scholarship programs, but does not specify eligibility or application requirements. It also does not list tuition fees or lesson schedules.

For One Ayala lesson schedules, fees, and enrollment inquiries, MSO lists Kaye Sison as the contact: 0916 408 7549 or msomusicacademy@gmail.com. Confirm scholarship availability and application requirements directly with the academy. Updates are also available through the MSO Music Academy's Facebook page.

Related reading: The Manila Symphony Orchestra at 100.

This article is based on the MSO press release supplied to Unsaulicited on October 7, 2026. Photos were supplied with the release.