Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Michelle Nikki Junia has come full circle, indeed. From being a music student to arts manager, that is.
Nikki's penchant for music started when she was still a kid. "Nakikita ko na sa kanya ang pagiging artistic lalo na sa music (I could already see the artistic side in her especially in music)," recalled her dad Ray Junia in one of casual conversations.
In school, Nikki was always a participant in academic programs like singing, dancing and acting.
Until she became one of the members of now National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab's 14K singing group in the early 1980s.
It was a challenging phase of her musical career being under the tutelage of an art wizard.
"I learned a lot from Mr. C which I treasure so much. I am able to echo what he taught me to my music students," said Nikki in an exclusive interview in the past.
It was also Ryan's influence and vision that Nikki ventured as an art entrepreneur when she put up Musik Garten Manila, a music school for kids and adults alike.
Although Michelle Nikki is busy as an arts manager being CCP president, MusikGarten Manila continues to operate with her bevy of teachers who are experts and music enthusiasts as well.
The lady Junia also made herself available to advance education as she took up and finished Bachelor of Music major in Voice from the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where she was honored as cum laude.
All her academic background she is able to apply in show business and the corporate world including public service as the top maven of the country's premier arts and culture agency.
Nikki credited Maestro Ryan as one of her illustrious mentors who trained her the rudiments of cultural leadership.
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