Vernon Villapando

Vernon studied Music at the UST Conservatory of Music, and at the UP College of Music (both in Manila, Philippines) with a degree of Bachelor of Music Majors in Music Education and Trumpet. He was featured as a solo artist in various concerts by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and by the Manila Chamber Orchestra where he was also commissioned as the orchestra's principal trumpet player. He also performed as a solo artist in several stagings of the prestigious Las Piñas Bamboo Organ International Music Festival.

Vernon took his first conducting lessons under Prof. Bernardino Custodio (Manila Symphony Orchestra), and under Prof. Sergio Esmilla, Jr. (Manila Chamber Orchestra). He also attended a chamber music course at the 27th International Summer Chamber Music Workshop at Weikersheim, Germany in 1982. In 1986, he took Orchestra studies at the US International University in San Diego, California where he was also tapped to do principal trumpet chores with the International Orchestra. Vernon took formal lessons in conducting under Prof. Zoltan Roszynai (Budapest Symphony Orchestra) in the same university. In 1990, he further enhanced his conducting skills at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London as a British Council Fellow. While in London, Vernon also studied trumpet under noted BBC Symphony principal trumpet Paul Cosh.

As a teacher and professor, Vernon taught Music History, Early Music, Band and Orchestra at St. Scholastica's College Manila, San Beda College, University of Sto. Tomas, International School Manila, Brent International School Manila and at the Senri/Osaka International School where he is currently connected.