Maria Elcon C. Kleine Koerkamp

Maria Elcon C. Kleine Koerkamp was born and raised in the small town of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. With the parents’ hope of giving her better education, she was sent to Dumaguete City to study at Silliman University. There, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music, major in voice. She then pursued a master’s degree in music, with voice as major, at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines, finishing in 2014.

In 2010, she joined Tanghalang Pilipino’s acting workshop held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines which led her to joining a major theatre production: ‘Banaag at Sikat: Isang Rock Musical’ - Tanghalang Pilipino’s Idol season Production. Maria also had the opportunity of portraying major roles in a few opera productions; Magic Flute, A Hand of Bridge, and Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night. After a few years' stint in Manila, she went back to Dumaguete to work as a music faculty in the College of Performing and Visual Arts of Silliman University. From time to time, she continues to perform in musical productions, concerts, recitals, and choral festivals. She is affiliated with several choral groups such as Ating Pamana Inc., SU Chorale, and Sing Philippines Youth Choir (pioneering batch). She is also the director of the Silliman University Women’s Ensemble, which won the Dumaguete Christmas Choral Competition, twice in a row.

Most recently, Maria has successfully finished the certification course offered by the McClosky Institute of Voice and is now one of the only five Certified McClosky Voice Technicians in the Philippines.