Pianist Almond Ponge is a dedicated artist committed to expanding the reach of classical music and to explore the unknown. A native of the Philippines, he is passionate about showcasing underrepresented works and lesser-known composers, integrating them into his performances since 2015. His recent repertoire includes works by Carl Vine, Nikolai Medtner, Nikolai Kapustin, Miłosz Magin, Antonio Molina, William Albright, Alfredo Buenaventura, Lucrecia Kasilag, Ramon Santos, and Antonino Buenaventura.

An accomplished performer, Almond has earned top prizes in numerous international competitions. He was awarded the grand prize at the Adria Art Fest (2021) and the Royal Sound Music Competition (2021). He also secured first prizes at the Tiziano Rossetti International Music Competition (2022), the Lams Matera Award (2021), the Danubia Talents International Competition, and the Canadian International Music Competition, among others. Almond has performed extensively across the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Serbia, and the Philippines. He made his orchestral debut with the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2013 and has since participated in prestigious events such as the Southeastern Piano Festival, UST Sampung Mga Daliri, and Piano Teacher’s Guild of the Philippines (PTGP) programs, including Forte@40 and Paco Park Presents. Recently, he was a winner of the 2023-2024 USC Concerto-Aria Competition, performing with the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra in March 2024.

Almond’s artistic development has been enriched by masterclasses with celebrated pedagogues and performers, including Anton Nel, Carol Leone, John O’Conor, Walter Hautzig, Pascal Rogé, Dorian Leljak, and Sofya Gulyak, among others.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance with a double minor in Piano Pedagogy and Music Theory from the University of South Carolina. His academic journey also includes a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Winthrop University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. Almond’s primary mentors include Marina Lomazov, Phillip Bush, Charles Fugo, and Matthew Manwarren, with additional guidance from Eugene Barban, Perla Suaco, and Patricia Lim.

Apart from his position at Claflin University, Almond serves as the Director of Music at Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.

Currently, Almond serves as a Visiting Professor and Staff Accompanist at Claflin University, where he continues to inspire students and audiences alike through his teaching and performances.

Apart from the piano, Almond is also a part-time vocalist, conductor, and composer. He enjoys taking leisurely hikes in nature and loves to drink boba milk tea.

Link to CV