A spotlight on the unconventional

"One of the key objectives is to place the viola in the spotlight, challenging the common perception of the viola as merely an accompanying instrument, hidden in the orchestra's harmony."

- Juliette Music & Arts Academy founder, Jessica Cho

 

Earlier this month, Juliette Music & Arts Academy presented a sold-out concert at their cosy venue with a rather unconventional concept: the evening would feature only the viola. 

The concert, Voices of the Viola, featured academy co-founder Juan Sebastian Castillo Diaz with notable Kuala Lumpur-based violists Dr. Andrew Filmer, Datin Veronika Thöne, and Toko Inomoto. 

Volists Dr. Andrew Filmer, Toko Inomoto, Datin Veronika Thöne,
and Juan Sebastian Castillo Diaz perform Hendrik Waelput's
Andante Cantabile for 4 Violas

Underperformed viola repertoire

"Tonight's programme celebrates the viola's profoundly human voice - an instrument that speaks not from above, but from within. We trace its journey through works that showcase its unique capacity for melancholy, warmth, and introspective beauty, from the eloquent sstructures of the Baroque to the searching landscapes of our own time."

- excerpt from the note to the audience by Juliette Music & Arts Academy co-founder, Juan Sebastian Castillo Diaz

The programme of the evening showcased the sound of the viola in a variety of expressions, featuring solo pieces, duets, and quartets. From Hendrik Waelput's Andante Cantabile for 4 Violas that features the cahracteristic lyricism of the Romantic era, to the propulsive force of the fourth movement from Paul Hindemith's Sonata for Viola Solo Op.25 No.1.

Juan Sebastian Castillo Diaz performs the Hindemith Sonata

Toko Inomoto and Dr. Andrew Filmer perform
Karl Stamitz's Duo No. 1 for Two Violas

Karl Thöne's Piano Forter for Viola Solo
performed by his daughter Datin Veronika Thöne

View highlights from the concert on the Juliette Music & Arts Academy YouTube channel

A space for the overlooked aspects of music

This invitation for audiences to explore a new perspective on the Viola is just one of the rather uncommon programmes that Juliette Music  & Arts Academy has on offer. 

Its founders, pianist & composer Jessica Cho, and violist & conductor Juan Sebastian Castillo Diaz, are uniquely poised to offer programmes that are often overlooked in music education. 

Composition and Conducting

Leveraging their strengths and professional experience in these essential yet often overlooked areas of music education, they offer weekly lessons in these areas. Their goal is to open the doors for students to discover these different pathways in music, beyond just learning an instrument. 

Music Appreciation Classes and Concerts

"When I was studying in Sheffield, I often saw elderly couples attending concerts every week. They genuinely enjoyed classical music, appreciated the musicians, and made concerts a meaningful part of their lives. That memory stayed with me," founder Jessica Cho shared with me. This inspired the idea to offer Music Appreciation classes, as well as regularly hosting concerts like Voices of the Viola, and the Moonlight Series of concerts which made live classical music more accessible to the public. 

Masterclasses and Workshops

A variety of masterclasses and workshops have been hosted by Juliette Music & Arts Academy this year, and a new lineup is planned for 2026. These include a Two-day Intensive Conducting Masterclass with Tengku Irfan coming up in January 2026, and a Piano Masterclass with Loo Bang Hean in May 2026. Also in the works is the Viola Lab in June 2026.

"We believe that masterclasses and concerts play an important role in music education. They help foster the habit and culture of attending performances, listening actively, and continuing to learn - no matter what age you are."

- Juliette Music & Arts Academy founder, Jessica Cho

To learn more about upcoming concerts, workshops, and lessons available at Juliette Music & Arts Academy, find them at www.juliette-music.com or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.