Hello, 2017!
Our Korista profiles were in absentia because of the busy latter half of 2016 that was. But thank you to the 2,300+ koristas who joined the Facebook Group (do join us!) and the 130+ Facebook Page likers (like like like!).
Now, we introduce another certified korista now based in the US. Plus, she is a newbie mom and now jewelry maker. Do read up to the end of this post for a giveaway!
This month’s korista is Jacqueline Jimenez (formerly Jacqueline Grace Ramos). She used to sing with university choirs back here in the Philippines as well as the then trio, The Nightingales.
Name: Jacqueline Jimenez (formerly Jacqueline Grace Ramos)
Current profession: full time mom, part time musician/jewelry maker
Choirs joined: Adventist University of the Phil. Ambassadors(now Phil. Meistersingers) 2001-2007 and Philippine Madrigal Singers (2008-2013).
Why did you join the choir?:
Church choir: I belong to a family of choristers (Pressure!) But I love to sing, so I joined.
School choir in college: out of curiosity at first. My bestfriend was there so I tried auditioning when I was in my freshman year but guess what, I got rejected! So I took voice lessons, developed my voice more and auditioned again after 3 years. I got accepted finally.
Madz: i was not loving my job anymore as an English teacher so I prayed to got for guidance. He answered. A friend of mine in the Madz told me that there’s an audition. I tried out and the rest was history. I quit my job and joined the Madz fulltime. Talk about passion.
What was that something or someone that influenced you?:
The church was a big influence and of course the loooove for music. Without that passion I wont be able to stay there for years! My parents influenced me a lot also because they were choir members. But studying music gave me more confidence to join the university choir then the Madz.
What is your favourite song arranged or composed for choir and why?: I dont have just one! I have a lot! But here are some popular songs arranged by Filipino composer-arrangers that I like:
Sempurna by Ily Matthew Maniano, You Raise Me Up by Nilo Alcala, Light of a million mornings by Fr. Arnold Zamora, Suscipe by GP Eleria, Thankful by Saunder Choi, A Better World by Bojo Lijauco among others. Memorable lang ang mga ito sakin at masarap kantahin lalo na pag alto ka!
What was the hardest piece you’ve studied?:
There’s a lot too but the pieces in the Premiere concert of the Madz last 2013 was definitely one! Lalo na ung Sarasvati! (It was a concert of all-new works premiered by the Madrigal Singers. I was able to watch it and the pieces were challenging!)
Any choir/s or vocal ensembles you look up to and why?:
The Madz, Swingle Singers.
What is your most unforgettable choral moment?:
When I was just starting in the choir (college), I was a trainee and i was the only one wearing black in the concert. I felt soo bad i cried! Sabi ko sa sarili ko I will work hard for that costume! The hard work paid off.
Madz- Italy concerts! The long applause and heightened emotions! Sobrang memorable sakin when one woman came up to me and said, thank you so much for blessing me today. I needed that badly. Just inspiring them or giving them a little piece of heavenly music is enough for me.
#KoristaAko dahil:
Mahal ko ang musika at ang mga taong kasama kong bumuo nito. Kung akoy nagiisa di ako korista. Pamilya tayong kumakanta. ?
Tell us something about your product, Charms of Grace, how did it start?:
It started this year of April (2016). I got married here in the states 2014 and gave birth to Grace last year 2015 so I’m a full time mom. I don’t want to work because I want to really take care of my daughter. So I prayed to the Lord for his leading. And I got an answer.
My hubby Juan gave me a precious charmed locket necklace as a gift when we were still dating and I thought that was the most beautiful thing I have received! So I was inspired by that! I’ve always loved jewelry but charmed ones are the closest to my heart because it tells your story. So my hubby and I bought a couple of materials to start with, posted in Facebook until people started loving and buying them! I got more inspired and I just realized how happy I become just by making them. Lalo na pag nagustuhan nila. The hard work was worth it. The name Charms of Grace came from my daughters name and my sister thought of putting them together. As I’ve said in my blog one time, its like singing. I’ve discovered a new passion which is making charmed jewelry. I believe if you really ask God for guidance he will reveal it.
While this is mine, that Jacqui made for me after winning an earlier raffle. You can win yours, too!
And here it is! The Charms of Grace Giveaway!
Charmed keychain giveaway instructions:
1. Follow charms of grace on instagram and FB page Charms of Grace.
2. Tag 3 friends who would want to win this too. Make them follow charmsofgrace on IG and fb page.
3. Answer this question. Why would I choose you to win a charmed keychain? Give a brief detail about your life story and how colorful it is despite lifes challenges.
The winner will be chosen on January 15 (US time).
This is open, worldwide.
Join now! ?
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