Jonathan Emmanuel de la Paz Zaens

JONATHAN EMMANUEL P. ZAENS started singing as a boy soprano in his mother's boy choir in Naga City. He was only 11 years old when he won first in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 1981. This gave him the opportunity to be chosen as the first scholar in voice at the Philippines High School for the Arts.

Now a baritone, he has a bachelor's degree in voice, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines under Prof. Andres O. Veneracion. Currently, he is pursuing a master's degree in voice at the Academy for the Arts (Hochschule der Kunste) in Berlin, Germany under Prof. Dr. Herbert Brauer.

In Germany, he has performed the operatic roles of: Count Almaviva in "The Marriage of Figaro" and the speaker in "The Magic Flute" both operas by W.A. Mozart; the title role in the P.I. Tchaikovsky's "Eugen Onegin". The role of Guido in the rarely performed opera, "Flavio, King of Lombardy" by G.F. Handel.

Jonathan regularly performs as Jesus Christ in J.S. Bach's St. John and St. Matthew Passions in Berlin's historical churches: the Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church, the St. Hedwigs Cathedral and the Berliner Dome. He has also sang the bass solo parts in Bach's "Christmas Oratorio", the "B minor Mass" and also Verdi's "Requiem".

He has been features soloist in concerts at the Beethoven Hall in Bonn, at the Music Instrument Museum in Berlin (Sponsored by Inner Wheel Club) and at the Academy of Arts celebration of J. Brahms 100th Death Anniversary. He has also given song recitals in the United States sponsored by the Philippine-American Association.

A former member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Jonathan joined the group on their 1989 world tour, covering the United States, Europe, Mexico and Southeast Asia. He was also invited to represent the Philippines in the World Youth Choir in 1993 and 1994 held in Norway and in South America, respectively.