You probably wonder how Maymay Entrata got her vocal chops when she sang “Amakabogera” or how half Filipina-half Canadian Erika Poturnak got into Berkeley School of Music. The secret is having the right vocal coach. And so, my dear readers, I would like all of you to meet the beautiful and talented Jade Riccio, the vocal coach to the stars. 

“It’s an honor and privilege to be called vocal coach to the stars coming from you, Miss Giselle. It has come full circle because my family and friends would joke about that when I was younger, and now here I am, actually doing what I dreamt of doing.  To say it is quite surreal is an understatement. I’m proud of all my students, past and present. They all started honing their instruments at a young age, which completely contrasts with me because I started at 17. That’s already a bit late in music industry standards, but I think it’s never too late as long as you have passion, perseverance, patience, and dedication.”

Giselle: Tell us your journey with Maymay Entrata.

Jade: A student that I am very proud of is Maymay Entrata, Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 Grand Winner in 2017. I met her when I was a guest on iWantASAP TV.   Maymay jokingly asked if I could help her out with her singing. To her surprise, I said yes. Her hit ‘Amakabogera’ was the song I coached her with. Maymay had to study and train to sing songs with high notes, and that’s what we worked on together. She would often get a bit frustrated, but I reassured her of her enormous talent, and with a little more practice, I am pretty sure she can sing the song in a recording session, in live shows, with confidence and strength. And that’s what she did! That song marked her as a true performer, and I can proudly say, she really did the work. She went to my studio almost every day, if not every day. That was how serious she was about her craft, so I am so happy that she is more confident in her singing and performing now.

Giselle: I heard from my best friend Ina Raymundo that her daughter Erika Poturnak did not want to study under you initially. Is that true?

Yes. At first, Erika did not want to study under me because she thought I was an old, grumpy coach  (LOL). We worked on her technique, stage presence, movements, facial and body posture, and more. From there, I saw that she is also passionate about music. She had a fire in her, and it inspired me as well. I learn from my students, too. From the reluctant beginning, I taught her until she went to audition at Berklee School of Music.  I remembered her audition like it was yesterday. It was midnight here, but I stayed with her and gave my support. Erika passed her entrance exams at Berklee, and I celebrated and cried with her parents. and I was so elated. I felt so happy for her. She is a talented person, and she worked so hard for that. Erika and I also co-wrote a song called Stand Up, which we recorded and uploaded on Spotify. She and I are like sisters at this point. She started with me when she was 19, and now she’s 22.

Giselle: Mikaela Lagdameo is also one of your students, correct?  

Jade: Mikaela Lagdameo started with me after Erika left for Berklee. She was timid, but she eventually came out of her shell. All of my students are very hardworking, and Mika is no exception. She would train, practice, and rehearse, which is good because our vocal cords need training to reach those high notes. I remember the first time Mika’s vibrato came out, or she hit a high note. Every vocal coach dreams to see their students thrive and flourish with their God-given talents. Mika trained with me for a year, and I told her, soon, you will have your very first live gig. She did, and I was very proud of her. Seeing my students excel gives me so much joy because I want them to enjoy music and singing, especially if they are passionate about it. That inspires me as well.

On Nov. 11, Jade handpicked 25 students from her school of music, the RMA Music Academy, to have a concert at the RCBC Theater. Most of them are performing for the first time, and they’ll be accompanied by a live orchestra, Ballet Manila, and some of her RMA Studio Academy coaches. “We have 25 coaches now and more than 200 students. Passion and sacrifice go a long way, indeed.RMA Music Academy started during the peak of the pandemic. I figured everyone was at home, in lockdown, and couldn’t do anything because of the lockdown, so I started doing vocal coaching online. It was an experience because with all that is happening in the world, I felt people needed some release, and that’s what we are offering through music and the arts. It’s been almost 3 years since I started, and we are about to open an all-in-one creative hub in Kapitolyo Pasig, the first of its kind in Asia. Our grand opening is on Oct. 29. I am still working to balance being a voice coach and a performer, but so far, so good. I am excited and thrilled for our creative hub and the old and new students we will welcome once we open.”

Jade earned a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. She was under a scholarship called Klassikal Music Foundation under Dr. George T. Yang, chairman of McDonalds Philippines. She was also a part of the University of Santo Tomas Singers under Prof. Fidel Calalang Jr., One of her greatest mentors. Riccio graduated cum laude and has won all classical vocal competitions.

"Yes, I am a confessed workaholic and achiever, hahaha. I traveled all over the world to perform, which I love. I did my very first concert at 19 years old and have done over 100 concerts and sung more than 20 operas. I never thought I would be an opera singer. Then, I was offered to compete in Pilipinas Got Talent. That’s when I realized I love music, performing, and being on stage. After PGT, I did a crossover from classical music to pop. I incorporated my classical training into pop music, which I enjoyed. Thanks to my mentors and those who believed in me, I was awarded the Best Classical and Crossover Female Performer for four consecutive years (2018 to 2022). Again, never in my wildest imagination that this would happen to me. I am so thankful. Now, I look forward to performing with my students on Nov. 11. It would be one of the best experiences I will ever have as a vocal coach and performer.”

You can book your vocal lessons by messaging any of RMA Studio Academy’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. You can also call or text the RMA Studio Academy at 09171600203. They also teach other instruments, from Saxophone, Guitar, Piano, and Drums to Violin, Music Theory, and everything. Rates at RMA STUDIO ACADEMY  start at Php 1,500/hour/lesson.