BIOGRAPHY
Arlene’s background combines a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (majoring in Piano with a minor in Organ) with extensive experience as a professional pianist, organist, accompanist and music educator. More than performing, her greatest love is teaching and sharing the joy of music with her students.
Her educational pursuits have taken her through the halls of the Adventist University of the Philippines (formerly Philippine Union College) the University of the Philippines, Philippine Women’s University, the Greenhills Suzuki Teacher Training Center, the University of Southern California and the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Among her teachers are Corazon Arevalo-Coo, Allan Imperio and Dr. Louise Lepley. She has performed with numerous nationally and internationally known vocalists, instrumentalists and choral groups.
Since 1983, she has taught piano, organ, music theory and general music in both private and classroom settings for age groups ranging from very young children to adults, from beginners to college level music majors. Her students participate in a variety of musical endeavors, both instrumental and vocal. Each year her students have consistently been awarded superior and excellent ratings in all levels, including the national and international divisions of the National Piano Playing Auditions. Certificate of Merit students under her tutelage are consistently selected to receive Branch Honors and have qualified for the 100% Theory Club. Many of her students have been qualified to perform at the yearly Music Teachers’ Association of California’s state conventions. Several of her former students have gone on to pursue their own careers in music and are now also successful professional musicians.
Arlene not only teaches, but performs regularly as a much-sought after accompanist. She currently serves as the music coordinator, organist and accompanist for the Glendale Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church and substitute organist for several other area churches.
She is a former workshop leader for the New School of American Music and is an active member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, the American Guild of Organists and the Music Teachers’ Association of California. She has been president of the Glendale Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California for three terms and has continued to serve on the Board of Directors since 1990. She is also a nationally renowned adjudicator, clinician and lecturer.
Arlene is the historic first president of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) and currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Board. An active member of the Filipina Women’s Network, she was awarded one of the FWN 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World for 2021. Steinway & Sons declared her as one of the Steinway Top Teachers in 2021.
Her husband, Don, is a physical therapist and they have two adult daughters, Emily Dawn and Roxanne Celeste who also share the love of music.
3094 Buckingham Rd.
Glendale, CA 91206
(213) 248-9850