This section is a tribute to the people who have had a positive impact on my life. Without them I would not be who, and where, I am today.

The following is in no specific order. I have been very lucky to have had very many people play a positive role in my life, and these are the most significant.

H.T. Payne
Mr. Payne was my high school music director. When I enrolled at Northgate High, he called me "a hotshot violinist." He recognized my performing and orchestral experience, and the talents and skills I had picked up from my instructors who were among the Bay Area's best musicians. He was both a teacher and a friend. He named me the Concertmaster of the Northgate High School Orchestra and charged me with teaching my peers the finer points of orchestral performance. Tragically, Mr. Payne passed away during my stay at Northgate. Remembering his advice, I took it upon myself to assist the new orchestra teachers in leading the orchestra. He not only gave my self-confidence a boost, he also empowered me. It is a gift I shall always treasure.

Jennifer Smith
Jennifer Smith was a dance teacher at Northgate. Up until high school, playing the violin was my only true passion. Dancing Hip Hop was a hobby. For fun, I joined her Dance Production class at Northgate, reasoning that it was preferable to doing gym at 7 a.m. in cold weather. Ms. Smith encouraged my interest and, more importantly, helped discover the dancer in me. She encouraged me to choreograph full routines and teach some of the other dancers for an end-of-the-year dance production show. The show was a hit. I had discovered I enjoyed choreography, teaching, and dancing before an audience. And dancing became an integral part of my life.

Li Lin
Li Lin was one of my last violin instructors. Because he was closer to me in age than my previous instructors, he understood how better to motivate me and address my youthful issues. Li Lin taught me so many things about music in a few weeks that other instructors couldn't teach me in years. Li Lin's patience and diligence were amazing. He found new and clever ways to show me the proper way of playing the violin and interpreting music. Now as a teacher of dance and music myself, I have adopted and adapted some of his methods. Imitation is the sincerest compliment.

Kate Nauer
Kate Nauer was my friend and spiritual and life mentor. Moving from teenage to adulthood is a difficult transition. And religion helps one transcend the unrest of adolescence to the stability of maturity. Kate was the teacher who helped me prepare for Confirmation, which is often described as "finding one's self." She was a listener, taking time to understand each individual and address their unique issues. She was a role model who taught me how to find inner peace. She taught me how to appreciate life's many gifts.

My family
I'm the youngest of three and the only boy in our family. My sisters, Camille and Liezl, though only eleven and ten when I was born, were my first babysitters and playmates. While my parents balanced their work schedules to care for me, my sisters happily stepped in whenever my parents were at work. My sisters would rush home from school to balance homework with caring for me. My memories of my childhood are very happy, thanks to the love and sacrifice of my sisters. Like all siblings, we have our disagreements, but our bonds of love and sharing are indestructible. Throughout our lives, they have always been, and will always be, there for me -- and I for them.

Still waters run deep. My Dad, Armand, is a model of faith and serenity. His faith in God and in our ability to surmount all difficulties, his serenity during times of turmoil, and his capacity for self-sacrifice continue to inspire all of us. A man of few words, we have never, ever, heard him complain about having to work multiple jobs to support his young family; nor has he ever taken credit for his hard work. A modest man of simple tastes, he likes to downplay his accomplishments, not only as a father, but also as a successful professional. This serious side is balanced by a goofy sense of humor and lots of laughter. His love of practical jokes, golf, and bowling is only exceeded by his love of our family.

My mother, Rhona, is the most intelligent, articulate, headstrong, and courageous person I know. She is an excellent teacher and writer, first and foremost, and is my best teacher. I take after her more than any other person I know. It is she who first taught me to sing, dance, read and write. It is she who instilled in us a love for the arts, literature, math, and history. It is she who has taught us the meaning of "Hindi ka makakarating sa paroroonan, hung hindi ka lumingon sa pinanggalingan." This means you can't get to your destination without learning lessons from the journey and the past. It is she who has taught me to be proud of my heritage. It is she who has taught me lessons of honesty, truthfulness, courtesy, and concern for others. It is she who has had an unshakeable faith in my abilities and talents. It is she who has taught my sisters and me to follow our dreams and to be better than we thought we could ever be. In her personal and professional life, she personifies her belief that "the good can always be better, and the better can always be the best."

My family is very proud of me and supports me in everything I do. Thank you and I love you.

My determination to do my best arises from knowing that my success makes my parents very proud and happy. They are always a quiet (sometimes noisy) presence in my performances and competitions. They support my every endeavor. They love me unconditionally. I am truly blessed. I thank God for all my blessings!