Filipino violin virtuoso Kristine Clair "KayCee" Uchi Galano is set to headline a premier recital at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium on May 5, 2026, officially opening the Silliman University Culture and Arts Council's Mid-Year Cultural Season in Dumaguete City.
The concert, titled "Strings of Gratitude," represents more than a showcase of technical brilliance — it serves as a musical tribute to artistry, heritage, and the mentors who have shaped Galano's remarkable international career. She will be joined on stage by her brother, Kristiann Lloyd Uchi Galano, on piano.
The May 5 performance carries deep personal significance for the 24-year-old violinist, whose mother Vangie graduated from Silliman University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in Piano. This marks Galano's return to the same auditorium where she performed in 2014 as a young prodigy, opening Silliman's 52nd Cultural Season.
From Sultan Kudarat to International Stages
Born in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in 2001, Galano's journey to becoming an internationally acclaimed violinist began at age four when her family was living in Brunei. Her mother operated a piano studio there, and young KayCee would gaze out the window at students practicing violin at a nearby school.
That childhood curiosity prompted her parents to purchase her first violin and enroll her in lessons. The decision proved transformative — by age eight, Galano had already claimed first prize at the Malaysian Youth Music Festival, signaling the emergence of a rare musical talent.
At ten years old, she attended the Great Wall International Music Academy in Beijing, where she encountered Kurt Sassmannshaus, the Dorothy Richard Starling Chair in Classical Violin at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). This meeting fundamentally altered her career trajectory.
Galano enrolled as a scholarship student in Sassmannshaus' Starling Preparatory String Project and began weekly long-distance lessons over Skype from Brunei — an unconventional but effective approach that bridged geographical barriers through technology and dedication.
Early Recognition and Media Attention
Her exceptional abilities gained national attention in the United States when she was featured on National Public Radio's "From the Top" with Christopher O'Riley at age twelve, during the show's first broadcast from Beijing. This exposure introduced her talent to American audiences and established her as a rising star in classical music circles.
By fourteen, Galano was touring extensively, performing across the United States with renowned pianist Rohan De Silva and traveling throughout China with the Starling Chamber Orchestra. These early professional experiences provided crucial stage experience and international exposure that would serve her throughout her career.
Carnegie Hall Debut and Competition Success
Galano achieved a significant milestone in October 2019 when she made her Carnegie Hall debut at eighteen years old. She performed all six Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas from memory at Weill Recital Hall — a technically and mentally demanding program that few violinists attempt.
Her mentor Sassmannshaus described the performance as demonstrating "a rare combination of youthful energy and uncommon maturity," highlighting the exceptional nature of her musical interpretation and technical execution.
Her competition credentials span multiple continents and prestigious events. In 2021, she won first prize at the Mary Lane Memorial Violin Competition and advanced to the semifinal round of the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition. The following year, she reached the semifinals of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, one of the world's most competitive violin competitions.
In 2020, she placed third at the KF Wieniawski Competition, adding to her growing list of international recognition. Most recently, in 2024, she was among 69 violinists selected from 290 applicants worldwide to compete in the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition in Brussels, Belgium.
Orchestral Collaborations and Performance Venues
Beyond solo performances, Galano has established herself as a sought-after orchestral soloist. In the Philippines, she has performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga.
Her international orchestral experience includes performances with the Jena Philharmonic in Germany, expanding her repertoire and collaborative experience with European ensembles.
Her concert tours in China have taken her to some of the country's most prestigious venues, including the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. These performances have established her presence in Asia's classical music scene and demonstrated her appeal to diverse international audiences.
Academic Achievement and Continued Studies
Galano's academic pursuits have paralleled her performance career. She earned her Bachelor of Music from CCM in 2022, followed by her Master of Music degree in 2024. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the same institution, continuing her studies under Sassmannshaus' guidance.
This academic foundation provides the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills that complement her natural talent and performance experience, positioning her for potential future roles in education and musical scholarship.
Homecoming Performance Details
The "Strings of Gratitude" recital is scheduled for May 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium on the Silliman University campus. Tickets are priced at ₱500, ₱800, and ₱1,000, making the performance accessible to various audience segments.
Interested concertgoers can make inquiries and reservations through multiple channels: email at cac@su.edu.ph, phone at 09073691338 or (035) 422-1901 extension 522, or by visiting the Culture and Arts Council office on the second floor of COPVA II between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
The concert officially opens Silliman University's Mid-Year Cultural Season, presented by the Culture and Arts Council, positioning it as a marquee event in the university's cultural programming.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Silliman University Culture and Arts Council