About
The College of Performing and Visual Arts started out in 1912 as the Music Department of the College of Arts and Sciences. Since the beginning, however, the inspiration to create an independent college was already there, even as far back as 1906 when Dr. Walter O. MacIntire organized the Silliman Band. At that time, Silliman founder and first president Dr. David S. Hibbard already spoke of a vision to establish a music school which he hoped would be established sometime in the second quarter of the Silliman University’s existence. This vision was finally fulfilled upon the arrival of American missionary Geraldine Kate who be came the founding school director and first voice teacher of the Silliman Conservatory of Music which was for mally opened in 1934. It existed as such for seven years until it became known as the School of Music in 1941. With firm foundations in both music and dance, the school became the University’s small wonder. It became the live force of culture in Southern Philippines, attracting students from much of Mindanao and the Visayas. With the addition of the Fine Arts Department of the school of Music became the School of Music and Fine Arts in 1969. Eventually, the School of Music and Fine Arts became the College of Performing Arts which officially opened with the college status in June 2001.
Leadership
ELIZABETH SUSAN VISTA-SUAREZ
- Dean, College of Performing and Visual Arts
- Instruction Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Full Professor
Education:
- PhD in Administration
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting Performance) (Coombs College of Music, Philadelphia, PA, USA)
ASST. PROF. W DON F. FLORES
- Chairperson, Fine Arts Department
- Manager, Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- MFA in Art (California Institute of the Arts, USA)
ASST. PROF. JOSEPH ALBERT P. BASA
- Chairperson, Music Department
- Director, Silliman University Band
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
ASST. PROF. CATHERINE CADIZ
- Chairperson, Speech and Theater Department
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- PhD in English (Literary Studies) (on-going)
- MA in English (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
DR. DIOMAR C. ABRIO
- Director, Culture and Arts Council
- Research Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- PhD in Administration
- Master of Music (Music Education)
ASST. PROF. LEVI L. ALABAN
- Director, SU Strings Ensemble
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
ASST. PROF. NATHANIEL R. BICOY
- Director, SU Men’s Glee Club
- Extension Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
ASST. PROF. MATHILDA L. EROJO
- Director, COPVA Orkestra Sin Arco
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
ASST. PROF. MARIA ELCON C. KLEINE-KOERKAMP
Director, SU Women’s Ensemble
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Voice) (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
ANGELO SAYSON
- Artistic Director, SU Dance Troupe
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- BS in Education (P.E.H.M.) (Negros Oriental State University)
LEONEL L. DE JESUS
- Site Supervisor, Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- BS in Architecture (Foundation University, Dumaguete City)
Updated: September 16, 2024
Office of Media and Public Affairs
Faculty & Staff
Faculty
Fine Arts
CALUMPANG, URICH ISIDORE N.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Management)
CAPUCION, ERMA EUGENIA L.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- MFA in Advertising (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
DE JESUS, LEONEL L.
- Site Supervisor, Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- BS in Architecture (Foundation University, Dumaguete City)
FLORES, W. DON F.
- Chairperson, Fine Arts Department
- Manager, Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- MFA in Art (California Institute of the Arts, USA)
GUTANG, MA. ISABEL S.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- BFA in Studio Arts
OCOL, ANA KATRINA T.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- MFA and Design (Fine Arts and Design) (Philippine Women’s University-Manila)
TABOADA, LEDZEEPEE ACE M.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- BFA in Studio Arts
VARGAS, CARLOS DANIEL Z.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Masters Degree in Fine Arts (Fine Arts University of Peru, Lima, Peru)
- Masters Degree in Spanish Language and History (San Marcos University, Lima, Peru)
Music
ABRIO, DIOMAR C.
- Director, Culture and Arts Council
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- PhD in Administration
- Master of Music (Music Education)
ALABAN, LEVI L.
- Director, SU Strings Ensemble
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
ALCANTARA, DANIELLE ELISE Z.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Music Education)
- Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) (Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia, USA)
BASA, JOSEPH ALBERT P.
- Chairperson, Music Department
- Director, Silliman University Band
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
BICOY, NATHANIEL R.
- Director, SU Men’s Glee Club
- Extension Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
EROJO, MATHILDA L.
- Director, COPVA Orkestra Sin Arco
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
KLEINE-KOERKAMP, MARIA ELCON C.
- Director, SU Women’s Ensemble
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Voice) (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
MISA, GONZALO NOEL V.
Rank: Instructor
Education:
- PhD in Music Performance (Guitar) (Philippine Women’s University) (on-going)
- Master of Music (Applied Music) (Guitar) (Philippine Women’s University)
JUNI JAY L. TINAMBACAN
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
LUMAGOD, JOHN DE C.
Rank: Instructor
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
QUIDET, QUIN MARIE F.
Rank: Instructor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
TUBIL, HENRIX PAUL D.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting)
CRUEL, CZARINA E.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- MA in Music (Music Therapy) (St. Paul University-Manila)
RALPH LORENZO D. GONZALEZ
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- MA in Music (Music Therapy) (St. Paul University-Manila)
LIM, CHRISTIAN EMMANUEL T.,
MD Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- Doctor of Medicine
- Post Graduate Training, Neurology Residency (University of the East RM Memorial Medical Center)
- Visiting Rotator, Neuropathology (University of California, San Francisco, USA)
SAYSON, ANGELO
- Artistic Director, SU Dance Troupe
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
BS in Education (P.E.H.M.) (Negros Oriental State University)
Speech and Theater
AUSTERO, KRIS DAVE V.
- Director, Artista Sillimaniana
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- MA in English (Literary Studies)
CADIZ, CATHERINE I.
- Chairperson, Speech and Theater Department
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- PhD in English (Literary Studies) (on-going)
- MA in English (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
BRAGANZA II, MIGUEL
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- AB Speech & Theatre
CABE, FIONABELLE MARIE M.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Performing Arts (Speech and Theatre Arts)
PALM, ROSANNA Q.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- MA in International Relations (New School for Research)
SAVIOR, HOBART P.
Rank: Instructor (Part-time)
Education:
- PhD in Language Studies (Mindanao State University-IIT)
- MA in English (Language Studies)
COPVA Extension Program
ALABAN, CHARLOTTE JOYCE T.
Rank: Instructor (Trumpet) (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Music (University of Southampton, UK)
ARCOLAS, ISHA VALERIE M.
Rank: Instructor (Dance) (Part-time)
Education:
- BS in Architecture (La Consolacion College, Bacolod)
AMPALAYO, KRISZEN DANA B.
Rank: Instructor (Violin/Piano) (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Music (Composition and Arranging)
BERNALDEZ, REGINALD B.
Rank: Instructor (Guitar) (Part-time)
Education:
- Master of Music (Instrumental Conducting) (on-going)
CABE, FIONABELLE MARIE M.
Rank: Instructor (Dance) (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Performing Arts (Speech and Theatre Arts)
DEDAL, RENA
Rank: Instructor (Voice/Piano) (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Music (Voice)
MAGBANUA, EUGIN
Rank: Instructor (Voice/Piano) (Part-time)
Education:
- Bachelor of Music (Composition and Arranging)
POLIGRATES, LEMOINE REY
Rank: Instructor (Piano/Voice) (Part-time)
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
Staff
College
TAMAYO, ELEANOR P. Position:
- Office Secretary, College of Performing and Visual Arts
Education:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Management)
Speech and Theatre
PADAO, NADINE A. Position:
- Office Secretary, Speech and Theater Department
Education:
- BS in Computer Science (Foundation University)
Fine Arts
VILLAHERMOSA, GIRLIE MAE D. Position:
- Office Secretary, Fine Arts Department
Education:
- BSC (Banking & Finance) (Foundation University, Dumaguete City)
Updated: September 16, 2024
Office of Media and Public Affairs
F.I.R.E.
ASST. PROF. DANIELLE ELISE Z. ALCANTARA
- Faith Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Music Education)
- Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) (Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia, USA)
ELIZABETH SUSAN V. SUAREZ
- Dean, College of Performing and Visual Arts
- Instruction Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Full Professor
Education:
- PhD in Administration
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting Performance) (Coombs College of Music, Philadelphia, PA, USA)
DIOMAR C. ABRIO
- Research Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
- Director, Culture and Arts Council
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- PhD in Administration
- Master of Music (Music Education)
ASST. PROF. NATHANIEL R. BICOY
- Extension Coordinator, F.I.R.E.
Rank: Assistant Professor
Education:
- Master of Music (Choral Conducting)
Updated: September 16, 2024
Office of Media and Public Affairs
Admission
College of Performing and Visual Arts Programs
Music Department
Bachelor of Music
Online Admission and Audition Process for School Year 2026-2027
Admissions Now Open
The Silliman University (SU) College of Performing and Visual Arts (COPVA) – Music Department is now accepting applications for Bachelor of Music for SY 2026-2027. Applicants must fill out the online admission form and upload their required documents at aris.su.edu.ph/admission.
Eligibility
The Music Department accepts senior high school graduates from any academic track or strand.
Audition Requirements
BM in Music Performance (Piano)
- Play two (2) pieces of the applicant’s choice on the level of Bach’s Two or Three Part Invention; Haydn’s or Mozart’s Sonatas; Chopin’s Waltzes, Nocturnes, Preludes, or any of their equivalents.
- Sight-read a piano piece from J. Thompson’s Grade 3 book.
BM in Music Performance (Voice)
- Sing a song (applicant’s choice) that best demonstrates his/her vocal ability.
- Sing a major and minor scale.
BM in Music Performance (Choral Conducting)
- Sing a song (applicant’s choice) that best demonstrates his/her vocal ability.
- Sing a major and minor scale.
- Conduct the National Anthem of the applicant’s birthplace.
BM in Music Composition
- Present an original composition or arrangement.
- Play a piece on any musical instrument (optional).
BM in Music Education
- Sing a song of the applicant’s choice or play a piece on any musical instrument (optional).
BM in Music Therapy
- Undergo an entry interview (Pass or Fail).
- Perform with an accompaniment of either guitar or piano with a song in English, Tagalog, or Bisaya.
Submitting Your Audition Videos
Applicants may submit their unedited talent audition videos and other major requirements through the form at forms.gle/7WfaF2GCEL463kR2A or via email through [email protected].
Audition Evaluation Results and In-Person Interview
Audition evaluation results will be discussed with the applicant after an in-person interview with Music Department faculty. Scheduling for this interview will be communicated to the applicant via email.
Grade Requirements
Applicants to the Music degree program must have a senior high general grade average of 80% or above in order to be accepted as a regular student. Applicants with a general grade average of below 80% in senior high, or shiftees and transferees with an average of below 2.0 may be accepted on probationary status so long as their audition meets the standards of the department.
Probationary Acceptance
Based on their previous grades or their audition evaluation results, new students may be accepted on probationary status so long as there are available slots in their chosen program. Students accepted on probation are given one semester with a reduced load and will work closely with their program adviser in order to increase their skills and overall performance. A required evaluation at the end of the probationary semester will determine if the student’s probationary status is lifted or extended, or if the student will be advised to shift courses.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (035) 420 1901 loc 367
In-person inquiries are welcome at the Music Department. Our offices and practice rooms are located on-campus at COPVA Buildings I and II behind the Luce Auditorium.
Speech and Theatre Department
Bachelor of Performing Arts
Major in Speech and Theatre
Online Admission and Audition Process
for School Year 2026-2027
The Silliman University (SU) College of Performing and Visual Arts (COPVA) – Speech and Theatre Department is now accepting applications for Bachelor of Performing Arts (Speech and Theatre) for SY 2026-2027. Applicants must fill out the online admission form and upload the required documents at: aris.su.edu.ph/admission
The Speech and Theatre Department accepts senior high school graduates from any of the Academic Tracks and Strands.
Major Requirements
- Talent Presentation (2 UNEDITED VIDEO RECORDINGS – 2 to 3 minutes each): Both presentations should primarily highlight your acting skills and may be supplemented with singing or dancing.
Supplemental: Singing, Dancing
- Two-page Essay (short bond paper/ 1.5 space): State your Rationale in pursuing Theatre and how it will contribute to the attainment of your personal goals.
- Portfolio: Send a compilation of scanned certificates, programs, attendance, pictures/proof of all theatre activities/stage performances participated in before enrolling in the program.
- In-person Interview (to be scheduled by the department)
- New Applicants - Incoming Freshmen: A grade of at least 80% Gen. Ave. in SHS. Applicants with Gen. Ave. below 80% may be accepted under “On Probation” status for one (1) semester subject upon passing nos. 1-4 of the major requirements.
- Shiftees and Transfer Applicants: A grade of at least a QPA of 2.0. Applicants with an average below 2.0 may be admitted and placed under “on probation” status for one (1) semester subject upon passing nos. 1-4 of the major requirements.
Online Application Procedure
- Complete your personal profile and attach a PDF file of your TOR/grades from your previous school.
- Submit UNEDITED Talent Audition videos and other major requirements. (Please refer to the major requirements above.)
- Talent Audition Videos and other major requirements may be submitted starting April 1, 2026, at Google Forms or via email at [email protected].
- An in-person interview with the Speech and Theatre faculty will follow.
- Wait for the results of your application, which will be released immediately after the in-person interview.
- Proceed with the University Enrollment Procedure through SU Admissions Procedures.
COPVA Admission Status
Applicants who have no theatre-related experiences but are accepted by the department will be given an “ON PROBATION” status and are expected to build up their portfolios within the first two years while enrolled in the program.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (035) 420 1901 loc 367 or (035) 422-6002 loc. 367
Fine Arts Department
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
Online Admission and Portfolio Submission Process for School Year 2026-2027
Admissions Now Open
The Silliman University (SU) College of Performing and Visual Arts (COPVA) – Fine Arts Department is now accepting applications for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art for SY 2026-2027.
Applicants must fill out the online admission form and upload the required documents at aris.su.edu.ph/admission.
Eligibility
The Fine Arts Department accepts senior high school graduates from any academic track or strand.
Portfolio Requirements
All applicants to the Silliman University Fine Arts BFA Studio Art program are required to submit an organized portfolio of 10 to 15 creative works produced by the prospective student within the last two years demonstrating their skills and artistic interests. The Fine Arts Department welcomes the following types of creative work:
- drawings, paintings, or sketchbook pages
- images of sculpture in any three-dimensional medium
- documentation of fabric, fiber, or weaving-based works
- prints, photography, or samples of graphic design work
- excerpts from video, film, performance, or other types of time-based works
- documentation of installation, exhibition, or socially-engaged projects
Prospective students may download detailed submission instructions for the BFA Studio Art program here: tinyurl.com/23ah95za.
Submitting Your Portfolio
Portfolios may be submitted digitally as a link to a folder on Google Drive (or a similar service) using this online form: forms.gle/KnAkBfazGHgkZqKA9.
The portfolio submission form will also ask for information about the applicant’s educational background, art experience, and special needs, if any. Finally, the form will also provide space for a brief statement of intent that the applicant may use to tell us more about themselves and what they expect from the program.
Portfolios may also be presented in-person during regular office hours at the Fine Arts Department. We are located on-campus by the Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery. Please get in touch with us via email ([email protected]) if you would like to schedule an appointment.
Portfolio Evaluation
Fine Arts Department faculty will assess an applicant’s portfolio for their readiness in terms of skill level, discipline, and focus. Applicants with portfolios that meet department standards for new students may be accepted as regular students in the BFA degree program. Applicants whose portfolios may be lacking in skill or experience may be accepted on probationary status (see below) so long as slots for new students remain available.
Grade Requirements
Applicants must have a senior high general grade average of 80% or above in order to be accepted as a regular student the BFA degree program. Applicants with a general grade average of below 80% in senior high, or shiftees and transferees with an average of below 2.0 may be accepted on probationary status so long as their portfolio meets the requisite level of skill for new students and available slots for the program remain.
Probationary Acceptance
Based on their previous grades or their portfolio evaluation results, new students may be accepted on probationary status so long as there are available slots in the BFA program. Students accepted on probation are given one semester with a reduced load and will work closely with their program adviser in order to increase their skills and overall performance. A required evaluation at the end of the probationary semester will determine if the student’s probationary status is lifted or extended, or if the student will be advised to shift courses.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (035) 420 1901 loc 251
In-person inquiries are welcome at the Fine Arts Department. Our office and studios are located on-campus by the Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery.