When Music Calls: GP Eleria's Story
Although he had been interested in music all his life, GP Eleria did not realize just how passionate he was about it until he joined the Ateneo High School Glee Club. From there, his love for music only grew. He “bounced between” UP Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University, initially pursuing degrees in Film and Communications Technology, but well into his college years, he realized that he wanted to become a professional musician.
During his stay with the Ateneo College Glee Club, he crossed paths with Dr. Joel Navarro, the conductor of the club at the time. He inspired Eleria to be both the best musician and Atenean that he could be, through his love for the school, for the Philippines, the Filipinos, their history, and their principles.
Jonathan Velasco, guest conductor of the Ateneo College Glee Club along with Dr. Navarro and co-founder of the Ateneo Chamber Singers, also played a major role in Eleria’s decision to pursue music. It was Velasco who believed in Eleria’s abilities and potential even before he even thought of music as a possible career. Eleria considers his involvement with the Ateneo Chamber Singers his training for all the work he has done since he moved to the U.S.
Mark Anthony Carpio, the conductor of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, is another person Eleria considers his mentor. According to Eleria, it was easy to appreciate Carpio's desire as a musician to make the world a better place, and he actually made this a real possibility.
The guidance, support, and values Eleria received from his mentors were pivotal in his decision to pursue a career in music. He studied in Berklee College of Music in Boston, eventually graduating with two degrees.
He has done work as a film/TV music composer. Before he went to Berklee, in 2002, he scored an animated feature that was shown for a limited time in Manila, entitled, “Kuwentong Kayumanggi,” the trailer of which can be watched below:
After graduating from Berklee, in 2008, he also wrote music for episode 9013 of “The Young and the Restless,” a (very) long-running soap opera in the U.S. that is now on its 28th year of being the number one daytime drama in the country. This scoring feat is Eleria's favorite, because of how many things had to go his way in order for him to get the opportunity to write music for the show. He added, “It’s also neat to hear your music on television like that!”
Despite his musical successes outside of Ateneo, however, Eleria has not forgotten his alma mater in the slightest. When asked about his fondest memory there, aside from “siomai rice” (a very common answer among Ateneans, no doubt), what he claims has really stuck with him through all these years is the sense of mission that Ateneo gave him: the importance of being a man for others. According to Eleria, “There are few things more extraordinary than the experience of receiving things you don’t deserve. Therefore, there must be few gestures greater than a generous one.”
After college, he became a teacher for six years at Saint Peter’s Preparatory School, an all-boys Jesuit high school like his alma mater, in Jersey City. There, it seems he was able to find his true calling, as he was able to build a successful choral program for the students.
Now, Eleria is the Director of Music Ministries at St. Joseph’s Church in Williston, North Dakota, and he has no regrets about intensely pursuing his passion for music.
So what should you do when music calls? According to Eleria, “There are a thousand and one reasons for you not to pursue a career in music. It’s probably even logical for you to avoid this career, but you’re still going to. And that’s okay, because you’re going to make it okay.”
And Eleria's story is proof of this--that a life lived in pursuit of doing what you love is one that is greatly rewarding, and most certainly well-spent.
___________________________________________________
Sources:
"About the Young and the Restless." CBS.com. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 4 May 2017.
"Interview with GP Eleria." Online interview. 3 May 2017.
Mahoney, Lesley. "Opening Day: Identifying a Deeper Purpose." Berklee College of Music. Berklee College of Music, 15 Sept. 2008. Web. 4 May 2017.