Charmaine Clamor, originally from Subic, Zambales, is the first Filipina jazz singer to find success on American radio, achieving the rare feat of simultaneously making the top-5 on both JazzWeek’s World (#2) and Traditional Jazz (#4) charts. Her critically acclaimed album Flippin’ Out synthesizes the American jazz with traditional Filipino folk music, languages, and instruments, creating a new genre she calls “jazzipino.” Charmaine is one of the founding members of JazzPhil-USA, and one of FWN’s “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States.” She will be awarded by FAMAS as Philippine’s Best Jazz Vocalist in September 2009.
Charmaine is proud to have found the balance between her love of music and health science. As a graduate of California State University Northridge masters program, she practices physical therapy twice a week in downtown Los Angeles. When she is not learning and creating music, Charmaine enjoys volunteering for various environmental organizations (such as Food & Water Watch, Sierra Club Water Committee), yoga, nature trips to different parts of the world, organic gardening, cooking, experiencing live shows, reading, watching films and most of all, spending time with family and friends.
Paul Im, Sponsorship Coordinator
Paul Im is a professional marketer and concert promoter with extensive experience in event marketing and talent booking. He is the founder and current festival director of the Asian American Music Festival in Los Angeles, music director and proprietor of Cafe Metropol, a notable LA music venue, and works on a variety of other music festivals and charitable events. Mr. Im has produced and promoted concerts, music festivals, theater works, and dance concerts in Los Angeles and Boston at venues including The Ford Theater, The Japanese American National Museum, The Boston Center for the Arts, The Berklee Performance Center, Barnsdall Art Park, The David Henry Hwang Theater, and many others. He received his MBA in Marketing from Loyola Marymount University and his BM in Music Business from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Clinic Coordinator
Abe Lagrimas, Jr., originally from Hawaii, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist who begun his musical journey starting at such an early point in his life. Abe started playing drums at the age of four, but gained an interest in learning other instruments as his music career progressed. Predominantly known as a drummer, Abe is equally proficient on the vibraphone and the 'ukulele. Abe has a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. As an educator, he currently teaches private lessons at Hollywood Academy of Music and has taught at various schools throughout Hawaii.
A 2006 Na Hoku Hanohano nominee for his album "Dimensions," a 2008 Hawaii Music Award recipient and Na Hoku Hanohano nominee for his album "A Pass Out Records Christmas," and a 2010 Na Hoku Hanohano nominee for "Ukulele Vibes," Abe has released and been featured on many recording albums. Abe released his first major record label debut entitled "Lovers Uke" on Universal Music Japan in August 2007. In June 2009 his second ukulele album in Japan, "Uke Wired" was released on Pony Canyon Records. His latest album entitled "Ukulele Vibes", a duo album featuring Abe strictly on the ukulele and vibraphone, was released in December 2009. Today, he currently performs on the drums, vibraphone, and ukulele across the USA and the world most notably in Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Philippines, and South Korea. He is an artist endorser of Canopus Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Koolau Ukuleles.
Michelle M. Lagrimas, Scholarship Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator
Originally born and raised in Ewa Beach, HI, Michelle M. Lagrimas, MSW, moved to Los Angeles, CA, in 2007 to pursue a career in higher education. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Medical Sociology and Gerontology from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA, and a Masters of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University in New York, NY. She currently is a College Professor at Mount St. Mary’s College in the Department of Sociology, Gerontology, and Social Work, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the NGO Committee on Ageing with the United Nations. Michelle is actively involved in the Mount St. Mary’s College community as a member of the Advisory Board for the Bridging Cultures: US-China Program, Na Pua O Ka ‘Aina Hawaiian Club Advisor, Co-Advisor of SAGA (a student and alum professional organization of the Department), member of the Green Team, through her recruitment efforts as a liaison to prospective Hawaii students, amongst many others.
Outside the Mount St. Mary’s College community, she is currently involved as a Board of Director for the Columbia University School of Social Work’s Alumni Association and with ELLAS, an advocacy, mentoring, and educational organization for young Latinas. Her academic background and expertise include social justice/global human rights, race/ethnic studies particularly in Asian/Pacific Islander culture, as well as elderly/aging services. Michelle’s adoration for jazz developed through her husband’s profession as a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose focus is in jazz music. When she is not teaching, Michelle enjoys traveling, running, or wandering around any museum.
Gabriel Mijares, Talent Search Coordinator
Gabriel D. Mijares came to the United States originally from Manila, Philippines, taking with him his love of jazz that stems back to the 1970s when he was a teenager as a result of his father’s influence, the late Emil Mijares. Gabriel has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from San Beda College in Manila, Philippines. He has been an Information Technology professional since 1988 and currently works at 1st American Title Co. in Santa Ana, CA. Gabriel loves music in general, but of course, jazz just tops his list.
John Mina, Community Relations
John S. Mina is an engaged member of the Los Angeles creative and philanthropic community. He is currently the president of the Filipino American Library, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown and a Board of Director of JazzPhil-USA and the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. He supports organizations whose objectives are rooted in education, the preservation of heritage, culture and the livelihood of children, youth and seniors. He is also active in the Coalition for At-Risk Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of foster youth suffering from debilitating skin disorders and physical illnesses.
Born and raised in Manila, John is a human resources analyst with the Ombudsman/Community Liaison Division in the Department of Human Resources for the County of Los Angeles. He began his career with the County in 1997. Working in the public relations hub of the department, John is responsible for a myriad of programs/projects such as marketing special events for the Board of Supervisors and in-house publicity, managing the “County DIGEST,” and specialized recruiting. He is the creative architect behind various tools for Countywide programs and projects. He is the lead staff member of the division and assists its Senior HR Manager.
John holds a Bachelors degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in political science from California State University, Northridge. John resides in Hollywood with his partner and their two dogs. He is also a member of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
Committee Chairs
Michael Konik, Festival Director
The former host and impresario of Hollywood's longest-running weekly jazz series, "Tasty Tuesdays," at Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, Michael Konik has served as the director of JazzPhil's celebrated annual Fil-Am JazzFest for four consecutive years. A best-selling author, TV personality, and record producer, Konik is proud to assist the JazzPhil-USA Board in programming the finest Filipino and Filipino-American jazz talents from around the globe.
