ASIA’s jewel, internationally-acclaimed soprano and celebrity vocal coach Jade Riccio mesmerized the crowd with back-to-back performances last May 17 and 18.

She first performed Regine Velasquez’s medley at the P’agsalabuk festival at the Araneta Coliseum with Kai Montinola, a Star Magic artist and Cebu’s Singing Gwapa, and Theo Tiu, one of the most promising students at the Riccio Music and Artistry (RMA), the music academy she owns.

Aside from the soprano, popular band Rocksteddy also performed and helped lit up the stage at Dipolog Boulevard last May 17.

The following day, Riccio performed via video at the Autism Society of the Philippines’ (ASP) Angels Walk for Autism at the Mall of Asia.

Selected RMA students also performed and added glitter to the event. Riccio, also a composer, performed “The Prayer” that elicited thunderous applause from the crowd.

She picked an ASP talent since the original version of the song was performed by blind tenor Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

When asked why she sang “The Prayer,” the theme from the anime blockbuster “Quest for Camelot,” at the ASP event, she said: “To inspire. The goal is always to inspire. Sakto kasi my ka-duet is autistic. She has autism.”

She said RMA reaffirms its dedication to ASP’s advocacy as several of its talents–Pepe Herrera, Vivoree Esclito and Sab Cerrado–graced the stage.

These brilliant voice students are just some of the over 400 who took voice studies at RMA.

“Where words fall apart, music speaks–especially for hearts wired differently.

For many on the autism spectrum, music isn’t just a sound–it’s a language, a comfort, a bridge to the world.

From emotional release to moments of brilliance, music becomes not just a therapy, but a celebration of unique minds and beautiful expression,” Riccio, a cum laude graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas’ Conservatory of Music, told the People’s Journal.

Riccio, a half-Italian, has been destined to succeed as a classical and crossover musician since she was 17.

She first captured the limelight when she did the cover of Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life” in 2019 to join Star Music and sang “Historia de un Amor,” a Spanish classic, at the Pilipinas Got Talent.

She recently ventured into composing and crossover music and hopes one of her recent compositions, Kailan Kaya, will become a theme for a TV soap.

The soprano and businesswoman listed Lea Salonga, Lani Misalucha, BINI, David Foster, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Raye, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Barbra Streisand and Regine Velasquez as among her favorites.

She advised aspiring sopranos not to compare music journeys, don’t force their voice, don’t sing without feelings and don’t eat sweets before and after a performance as this creates phlegm.

“You truly are a blessing to all of your students. Thank you so much for sharing your God-given gift with my son.

We are still in awe of his performance, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity you’ve given him.

You’ve created such a wonderful environment where the kids can thrive without feeling any pressure,” said Ron, a parent of one of her students, in his letter to Riccio. By ED VELASCO