Young talent bags scholarship to pursue music in American college

Vince’s ultimate goal is to compose music for major films.

YOUNG local musician and composer Ronald Vincenzo de Leon is aiming high after being awarded a full-tuition scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Unites States.

The 19-year-old from Penang will commence his four-year full-time undergraduate studies at the institution, regarded as one of the world's top music schools, in May.

He sees it as the first step towards realising his ultimate goal of being able to compose music for major films, like his favourite Star Wars franchise.

But for now, the youngster of Filipino and Chinese descent remains grounded, and is anticipating an eye-opening experience.

“I'm ready to be culture shocked, to expect the unexpec-ted. What you see on television isn't always how things are in real life.

“I don't want to get too ahead of myself. One should never feel they're the best, so there remains a motivation to strive to be better,” he quipped in a recent interview.

Vince, as he is better known, recalled how he applied for the scholarship in March last year, and was given an audition date that clashed with his exams at the Prince of Wales Island International School.

“We were conflicted on which to prioritise, but managed to get a change of dates at the last minute and everything went well. It was a nervous wait.

“When the good news came in September, I was both taken aback and relieved,” said Vince, who lists progressive metal and classical as his favourite genres.

He is the son of prominent local musician Ronald Vic de Leon, and many would have seen him perform in their family band, The De Leon Jazz Experience, during weddings, corporate events and charity fund raisers.

Vic said he felt like the happiest man on Earth when he heard the news, and believes the college is a great place for his son to take his talents further.

“When he was small, I saw a talent in him that I did not even see in myself," he added.

He introduced his son to the piano and solfeggio at the tender age of two, and the younger De Leon is now adept at a playing a multitude of instruments.

Knowing the demands of each instrument has helped Vince in composing, like the series of music books he recently came up with.

Among other accomplishments, Vince won the Jimmy Boyle Most Promising Young Musician Award when he was 10, and helped arrange the music and play bass for a musical in Dublin last year.