Lauren Cudo

​"He'll find a better world and the strength to face tomorrow..." (Black and Portman) are the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, Stories, and it perfectly describes my journey with music especially musical theatre. As a kid I actually tried to avoid music as much as possible. I was bullied and told to stay quiet and so I did. The only connection I had to music was the piano lessons my parents told me to attend every day. People would say I was just shy, but it was more than that, I was deathly afraid of people and if someone tried to talk to me, my instincts would tell me to flee. In spite of that, I had always admired people who performed on stage but I only had the courage to try when I was eighteen. Once I tried singing in front of an audience, I found it was easier to interact with people and be myself. Music opened up my world and gave experiences I would never have dreamed of as a kid.

Since then I've studied singing and piano in The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab and Melody's Music Studio. I've attended and performed in workshops by Repertory Philippines and the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA). I've even experienced writing scripts and lyrics for recitals and doing backstage work for events like the Philippines' LEAF awards. Being able to sing, and being exposed to music in general paved the way for me to have a better life. I speak now, I lead, I create, and I help make spaces safe for everyone.

Music helped me and that's one of the reasons that drove me to study Music Theatre at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. To create a better for people who were like me. Since entering the Conservatory, I've begun teaching music to others and I've even had experience teaching students who are neurodivergent and blind. I do not discriminate, I believe music is for all and someday soon I hope I get the necessary certifications to teach people with varying abilities.

I know I don't know everything but I'm constantly learning and growing in order to share with others, because as a teacher once told me "It's what it's for. To pass it on."

So whether you just want a new hobby or you want to study singing seriously. I hope you journey with me and we can have fun learning, failing, and succeeding together.