Angelo Ortiz is what you can say, your typical neighborhood kid. But hanging out with his cousin during one summer time, had brought a remarkable change in his life.

Curious with his cousin’s organ lessons, Angelo then asked for a piano from his parents persistently, but received a toy piano instead from ‘Santa Claus’.

Surprisingly, he was able to play music with the toy piano without any guidance or assistance. Seeing the potential and interest, Angelo’s parents then bought him a real piano that started his formal piano lessons. At his young age, the piano teacher was able to see the potential and the talent that she advised Angelo’s parents to pursue the training, and he never stopped playing since then.

Piano takes a lot of his time. Due to his practice schedule, he was unable to play with his siblings and other kids in the backyard; he never even got a chance to hang out at night even during his college years… but all his sacrifices and hard work eventually paid off.

Though he took up an IT course in college, it didn’t made Angelo happy. He then focused his time to start  composing classical pieces of his own. He took a chance and submitted his compositions to record companies that resulted, to start his music career as a recording artist.

Amongst the recordings, shows and concerts, Angelo was given a chance to show off his talent and represent the country, when he join the World Championship of the Performing Arts, or is also known as, the Olympics of the performing arts.

This unforgettable competition that was held in Hollywood California, USA, was joined by 50,000 participants from 50 different countries. But it was Angelo who was able to bag two World titles in this competition. He won as the Overall Instrumental World Champion for Classical and Original Works. He was the only pianist who passed all elimination rounds and ended up at the final round defeating all pianists from around the world with an overwhelming standing ovation from the audience.

Angelo, though was still in the process to begin his music degree in college, was able to compose several classical pieces and arrange music for the orchestra. He added new elements in his music that captured the hearts of young and old alike. “I was able to see high school students and families in the audience during my concerts, I am really happy to see that” cited Angelo.

He described his compositions and genre as semi classical and more of new age. With influences and inspiration from Yanni, Jim Chappell, Jim Brickman and Maksim, Angelo, now at 24, is considered as Asia’s Youngest Classical Pop Piano Instrumental Composer and Musical Director.

Apart from his great performances on stage, Angelo has released four record albums internationally. Serenity is Angelo’s first all original piano instrumental album. It’s a compilation of his original compositions, ranging from the slow haunting melody of  “Dawn”, to the sexy romantic serenade of  “Endearment”. New Age Christmas Bliss is an Awit Award nominated album with all traditional Christmas songs that are arranged in a classical romantic piano instrumental serenade. His third album “A Love Affair” that contains the Theme of the movie “Love Affair” entitled “Piano Solo”. "Classica!" his fourth album has his rendition of "Chariots of Fire". It also includes two of his winning pieces in which he became the World Champion pianist at the World Championship of the Performing Arts in Hollywood on 2006.  This album is different from his previous albums because the contents are now in the classical pop arrangement accompanied by an orchestra.
 
At this time, Angelo still practices piano for at least 3-5 hours a day under the supervision of his Piano teacher, Ms. Nita Quinto. He is preparing for three concerts to be held in Manila this year. He also dreams to be able to work with top artists in the future such as Sharon Cuneta, Kuh Ledesma and Josh Groban.

Angelo’s word of advice, “If you have the passion and the talent, don’t let go of it, because when we grow old, we work for what we love, so if you love your music and you love your talent, pursue it.”

Watch his outstanding performance, CLICK HERE...