Antoni Josef Inacay

Praised for his "lush, exuberant tones" and "ravishing lyrical moments," Antoni Josef Inacay is a cellist born in Manila, Philippines. He began his studies at the age of 10 under the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) program based at St. Scholastica's College, Manila. Under the tutelage of Wilfredo Pasamba and Renato Lucas, he completed his bachelor's degree from the aforementioned school on full scholarship granted by the Battig Foundation and a recipient of the Sr. Baptista Battig Certificate of Merit.

While pursuing his degree, he was a member of the Asian Youth Orchestra in the 2001 and 2002 tours of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, China, Japan, and Taiwan. He joined the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble workshop based in Thailand in 2005 and 2008. It was also in 2005 when he won the top prize at the Philippines' National Music Competition for Young Artists.

Upon graduating, Mr. Inacay had already established a busy career as a cellist. An active chamber musician, he has collaborated with pianists Christine Coyiuto, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Mary Anne Espina, Greg Zuniega, violinist Gina Medina, and the Clarion Chamber Ensemble. He is also the principal cellist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra since 2003.

While enrolled in the studio of Rhonda Rider at The Boston Conservatory, Mr. Inacay was a member of the Boston Conservatory Honors Quartet. He also participated in music festivals such as the CelloFest! at the Texas Christian University, The Cello Seminar of Music at Salem, The Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, and the Bowdoin International Music Festival. Mr. Inacay played in masterclasses by Klaus Kanggiesser, Claudio Bohorquez, David Pereira, Andres Diaz, Christopher Adkins, Bion Tsang, Peter Howard, Steven Doane, Yehuda Hanani, Jorja Fleezanis, the Apple Hill String Quartet, and the Jupiter String Quartet.