Rachelle Gerodias: The harmony of splendor
MANILA, Philippines - There is such a force in the grace and simplicity of Rachelle Gerodias, one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2010. She shares her principles as a soprano extraordinaire through songs that are full of expression. Like the libretto from an opera, her life is full of enlivening directions and distinctions. Like the music that she belts out, her life sways to the harmony of splendor and self-expression. She is, after all, world-class.
Rachelle, a cum laude graduate from the Conservatory of Music of the 400-year-old University of Santo Tomas, received her Professional Diploma in Operatic Studies from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She would later sing her way to finish her Master’s in Music Degree in Vocal Performance and Vocal Literature from the Eastman School of Music in New York. This soprano has generated a mark that would allow her to be acclaimed as Liu from Turandot in Vienna. Most recently, she made her debut as Rosina from Barber of Seville at the Daegu Opera House in Korea on the occasion of the 8th Daegu International Opera Festival. The worth that Rachelle gives to her passion is the same value that she gives to her relationships. She zealously remembers how each of her songs bears the significance of her hard work, humility and zeal. She is elated at the thought that her passion would become a source of pride for the country. 
In order to give back, Rachelle spends time training students on classical art. She maintains that her Christian background tells her to always give back to the Filipino community through her music. She constantly finds herself mentoring young singers so that they can one day pursue greatness in the performing arts. Rachelle maintains the principle of “giving back” with a twist — to give forward by harnessing the talents of those who want to pursue Opera and the Classical Arts. In return, the artist in her not only enriches the knowledge of opera amongst Filipinos, she makes sure that there is sustained interest in the craft for generations to come.
Rachelle Gerodias — the person and her music — is truly an artistic force in the Philippine performing arts. She shows us that her talent is part of the force that intensifies Filipino pride.
