Hailed for his “palpable musical instinct and intelligence” (Catanduanes Tribune) and for “producing a distinct sound” (Charles Castleman), Adrian Nicolas Ong had his orchestral debut at the age of 17 with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura, performing Saint- Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. In 2019 he performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga. He has also collaborated with the Manila Symphony and Manila Symphony Junior orchestras, among others.
Adrian has collaborated with esteemed musicians Mary Anne Espina, Herminigildo Ranera, and Victor Asuncion. He has given recitals in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Arts Center (Laguna), and Maybank Performing Arts Center. He will have his Carnegie Hall recital debut in the spring of 2021.
Adrian is an incoming sophomore at the Mannes School of Music, he is currently studying with world renowned violin pedagogue Lewis Kaplan and Yibin Li. In 2019 he graduated with honors at the Interlochen Arts Academy under the tutelage of Paul Sonner. He has also studied with Gina Medina-Perez at the Philippine High School for the Arts and privately with Melissa Esguerra.
He has participated at the Curtis Summerfest and was also accepted at the Aspen Music Festival, the Meadowmount School of Music, and Tanglewood Music Festival.
Adrian is also passionate in playing chamber music and orchestra. He has held principal positions in the Interlochen Arts Academy and Curtis Summerfest orchestras. He was also a member of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra.
Adrian has had masterclasses with Thanos Adamopoulus, Regina Buenaventura, Charles Castleman, Desiree Ruhstrat, Wen Qian, Gabriel Pegis, Anthea Kreston, Yevgeny Kutik, Stefan Jackiw, and the Juilliard String Quartet.
Adrian has been an FCCP (Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines) Scholar since 2019.
Adrian plays on a modern Heinrich Gill violin and an early 20th century Louis Henry Gillet bow from anonymous sponsors.
In his spare time Adrian loves eating and discovering different cuisines in the streets of New York. He is also an avid gamer and enjoys spending time with his family in the summer when he gets to go home.