My family and I miss you, Jovanni.

I miss the time when you visited Vietnam for work. My brother and I met up with you in Saigon. Only two days after being in the city, you were already an expert at crossing the streets in crazy Saigon traffic. You also discovered the best spot to get bubble tea in Saigon and treated us to a cold drink during the scorching heat of Saigon! You visited our home and family in Saigon; we called Jeremy to tease her; we had snails and you hated it!

We miss you and wish we could go back in time so that we could see your face just one more time...

Tina

" We "  at your wedding reception  .  .   .   we miss you.    You of course have other  "plans"  but then   but then the  Almighty Father  have also some other plan 

I went to see Jovvani with his friend Yuki a blind Japanese pianist.  My condolences to his family.  I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

You will always be  Beyond Forgetting  - 

I missed hanging out with you every day when you were still here, and since your passing, I miss you even more. The world has lost a vibrant, shining life and not a day passes that I don't wish I could update you about my new life, which you had selflessly (as always) helped me apply to and coached me through the process. It's going to be hard going to conferences knowing that you're not there as the life of the party. I will always cherish your friendship - your humor, your fun, and your support helped me immensely during school and after graduation. Missing you so much. 

I won't be able to take more of your photo - I will surely miss you!

It is with a heavy heart to learn the passing of Jiovanni-Rey.  He shared with us his prowess as a pianist during a concert in Fresno, CA sponsored by UPAACC. The UP Alumni in Central California would like to express our deep condolences to his family.
John 3:16

September 19, 2019


It was with a great sense of loss when we, officers and members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Central California (UPAACC), learned of the passing of Jovanni-Rey and we wish to express our deepest sympathy to his family. He will be remembered not only for his talent but also for his willingness to share his time and expertise.

UPAACC is very grateful to Jovanni-Rey as the featured artist and for showcasing his brand of classic music in our fund-raising concert “Vintage Summer Concert 2006” on August 26, 2006 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts in Fresno, California.  His performance at the Concert made it not only a very successful one but also allowed UPAACC to share with the Filipino-American community an internationally acclaimed pianist. 

And, we know that his passing will not only leave a void in our lives but also in the hearts of all those who knew him.

Respectfully yours,

Rey A. Elizondo, PRO
UPAACC


May the good lord who started that good work in him receive his soul in Zion the beautiful city of God. I will live to remember you. I first met him at national theatre in Kampala Uganda. He is the greatest pianist I have ever seen in my life. Jovanni, may the good lord grant you eternal rest.

Jovanni’s friends and teachers from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London are extremely saddened to hear about his passing. 

He graduated from Trinity Laban with a MMus in 2008 having studied with Deniz Gelenbe, Yonty Solomon and Mikhail Kazakevich. He was a brilliant pianist and whilst he was here he won numerous competitions including the prestigious Trinity Laban Gold Medal. 

We are extremely proud of all his achievements since leaving - as a soloist, educator and philanthropist – and all his successes were very much deserved.

It is a tragic loss and our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.


Since I learned of Jovanni-Rey's passing, I find myself thinking of Jeremy, Jorena, all his friends and the entire family and how much we will all miss his Professional expertise, his exquisite talents, and his untainted sense of humor. I am comforted because I am one of the lucky ones whose life was touched by this very special man. I join you and the many others who will miss him, but I remain grateful still for having known him. The Entire Cherubim Chamber Chorale family and the Kampala children's / youth choir remain perplexed and heart broken by this unfortunate news. We continue to pray for the family and and friends to be strong and pray that his soul rest in peace.
REST IN PEACE FALLEN BROTHER.

I so much feel a lot of pain for such a big loss to the planet, I had been Motivated by him to hone my talent when he came to Uganda in the month of July this year (in conjunction with Cherubim chamber chorale) I was captivated with the way he played Liszt and Mozart piano pieces ! It was exquisite! May he rest in eternal peace ! 

From Rowena Asuncion - I was shocked to learn about his passing. I met him personally a couple of years ago—-very pleasant and humble. He gifted me with CDs of his performances. We were planning for him to perform and give a master class here in San Diego...Gone too soon...RIP Jovanni.

From Diana Dumlavwalla - Tito Roy, I didn't realize you were both related. This is such a tragic loss. We will miss Jovanni very much. May his soul rest in peace.

From Tony Antonio - Yes, I remember Jovanni. I interviewed him in your house. He was a well credentialed and successful pianist. His performance during his Michigan concert was amazing. It is really sad that he has already passed away. Condolence to you Roy and Jovanni's family.

From Blake Ray - So sorry to hear about this, Roy. I remember you showing me a video of him playing, I think it was Ginastera Sonata, and maybe some other things. Heartbreaking.

I am so glad The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Michigan ((UPAAM) was able to present the late Jovanni, (may he Rest In Peace) in concert at St. Hugo of the Hills here in Michigan. That was an awesome concert! Following is a news article by Tony Antonio about his concert:

 29-year-old Fil-American is an internationally acclaimed pianist.
This music genius is a scion of the De Pedro clan of Laoag City

At first glance, he looks like an easy-going young man who has no definite plan for the future. The truth, though, is that Filipino-American Jovanni-Rey Verceles de Pedro has already figured out what his future will be. In fact, to him, the future is now here. Only 29 years old and single, Jovanni is now an internationally acclaimed pianist. He has won prestigious international piano competitions not only in the United States but also in Europe.

Jovanni showcased his brand of piano music when he staged a concert on April 29, 2012 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, US.

Jovanni, whose parents hail from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, was given a little honorarium for doing the concert. “I do this every now and then to help people raise funds for good causes,” he said when he was interviewed recently by this writer in the house of piano teacher and former Ford Motor Co. employee Roy Coloma (who is also from Laoag City) in Plymouth, Michigan.

Jovanni, who is a nephew of the late Attorney and Laoag Councilor Nemi de Pedro, has been in Michigan for three years now, working on his doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Michigan. He graduated on April 27, 2012, two days before his concert on April 29. “It was my first performance as a doctor,” he said, beaming with a smile.

What types of piano compositions he had presented at the concert? “It was not all classical; it was a nice balance of different things,” he said. He performed the masterpieces of, among others, Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, Austrian composers ...

We are devastated by the sudden death of Jovanni, the pianist son of my cousin. Jovanni was presented by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Michigan in a very successful benefit concert several years ago and also gave a lecture at my piano teacher organization. Eternal rest grant unto Jovanni O Lord and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May he and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest In Peace. Our heartfelt condolences to Jovanni’s wife Jeremy, his parents Trina and Remi, his sister Jorena and the rest of the family. Our consolation is that Jovanni lived every second of his life to the fullest and he accomplished many things that would take a much longer life. He was also a church musician and is now praising the Lord with music in company of all the angels and saints. Carry on beloved nephew!

I was fortunate enough to have Dr. de Pedro as a professor for a few years at UofI. His sense of humor and excellence as a musician and teacher were insurmountable. I truly loved his classes, as did many others. He was able to make even he dullest course content engaging.  He will be deeply missed. 

I offer my heartfelt sorrow to Jovanni's family, wife and all the dear friends in his life.  He was not only talented he was a kind, loving person.  His contributions to the music world will be remembered and cherished.  I am truly sorry for this tremendous loss for all who knew and loved him.  Jody Graves

How very sad we were to hear of Jovanni's passing!  I got to know him only by chance and only for a short period of time last January and February, although I hoped it would be a long-term friendship and musical relationship.
  I accompany our high school's show choir, and last January realized I had a big conflict with playing one of the shows.  I knew that before I told our conductors I would need to find a good replacement, so I thought of Samford University's great music program and called Jovanni to see if maybe he had a good student he might recommend as a sub for me.  Because of the complexity of the show as well as the short time period, he could not think of a student,  but then said he himself would serve as my replacement.  
Immediately upon telling my conductors, both knew exactly who he was, and needless to say, were ecstatic with my choice of replacement.

He played several rehearsals and did a total of 4 shows (including one several hours away) with these high school students.  Granted, they are a very talented bunch at Vestavia Hills High School and have two very talented leaders in Meg Rudoolph and Gavin Dover, but let's just say it was like bringing in Tua Tagovailoa to quarterback your high school team.  Not only did he do a wonderful job, but told me again and again how much he enjoyed working with these kids and doing something outside of his normal playing and teaching.  After I learned of his death, I went through countless text messages and written notes between us, and his joie de vivre is evident in all of them.  He is a person with such love in his heart, such a zest and appreciation of music--- all kinds of music -- and also for people, whether old like me, or young people like the high school students.

I really hoped we would have a chance to collaborate again.  It was not until I read about him online that I even knew the breadth of his accomplishments.  Am so gratified that he was so loved.  God bless his wife and family.

I am a nine year old piano student, and I went to one of his concerts. He also was my teacher at a Guild performance and helped me play better. He will be deeply missed.

We were out there waiting for his arrival ....

I'm a pianist, teacher, and composer from Spokane, Wa.  Our music community grew to love Jovanni during his years at the University of Idaho. He was very generous in sharing his teaching tips, in performing for us,  in giving masterclasses to our students, and in sharing his love for music with the wider world.  We have all been devastated by this news, and send our deepest condolences to his wife and family. We grieve with you.

 I had a more personal connection with Jovanni as well. We shared a deep admiration for the music of Ginastera, and when I found that Jovanni was putting together a CD of music influenced by Ginastera, I offered him a composition of mine, a set of 3 Homages to Ginastera,  to look at. He liked them, recorded them, and played them all over the world, and sent me messages from time to time about how his audiences received them.  We worked together on them as he was preparing to record them.  Those memories are now very precious to me.  I'm so grateful to have had that one-on-one personal time with him and he lives on in a very special place in my heart. 

Jovanni-Rey meant a great deal to me. Many people may be able to claim this, but I was not and am not skilled at piano, not in the slightest. Yet, he’s the man I credit with teaching me how to play. Not as a professional or even as a proficient player, but as someone who can sit down and play a simple song, sight read with both hands and fake my way through Christmas carols. I found out about his passing by coincidence and it devastated me in a very profound way.  Every note I play for the rest of my life will be a prayer of love, admiration and gratitude to him and how he made my life brighter in Moscow, ID. Whether it was singing with him at St. Mary’s and listening to him sneak part of the Uidaho fight song into the mass, giving him a hard time in group class piano, badgering him for KitKats or getting a coffee at Starbucks together. The gift he gave me is one that I will have now forever and my appreciation is boundless. I did care for him greatly and I give thanks to God for the knowledge that we will cross paths again in another life because he is the kind of delightful person that you would want, to cross your path. I simply cannot comprehend the immensity of sorrow that is living in the hearts of his family and wife, but please know how beloved he is to me and to countless others. My heart goes out to all of you, peace and grace be with you. 

We sang - part of the Choir of St John the Baptist of Baldwin Park, at the Monastery of the Angels of El Pueblo de los Angeles ....

May we long remember all the joy and life Jovanni brought to everything he did and everyone he met. 

OBITUARIO

Jovanni-Rey V de Pedro

4 agosto, 1982 – 18 agosto, 2019

Funeraria del Angel West Covina

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