Prof. Armando Salarza

Started his piano studies at the age of 7 under Ms. Donna Ofrasio.  Two years later, he started playing the Bamboo Organ under Profs. Hernandez and Mota and gave his first public performance at the age of 11.        In 1978, he was the youngest finalist of the NAMCYA piano competition and while continuing his studies under Fr. Maramba was the official accompanist of the Las Piñas Boys' Choir.        After high school, he was sent by the Bamboo Organ Foundation to study Church Music at the University of Music in Graz, Austria under the Profs. Triebel and Trummer.  He graduated in 1988 with distinction and received the degree "Magister Artium" and a special award from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research.

He took up postgraduate course in Organ Performance at the Universioty of Music in Vienna, Austria under Prof. Tachezi and finished in 1992.        He has given Organ concerts in various cities in Europe and USA and is a yearly performer at the International Bamboo Organ Festival.        Back in Manila, he has played important recitals on the instrument in the EDSA shrine, the St. Joseph Auditorium, San Agustin and the Cathedral of Cebu.  He teaches at the St. Scholastica's College of Music.  He is a regular collaborator of the Festival and a member of the program committee.  He was the Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ between 1994 to 1996 and March 2001 up to the present.