Graduate Associate
Doctoral Candidate
Graduate Programme in Music, York University
Research Keywords:
Filipino diaspora; identity; post-colonialism; hybridity in music; alterity
Research Region(s):
Philippines
Research Diaspora(s):
Filipino Diaspora
Antoniel Roca is an Ethnomusicology doctoral candidate researching the impact of popular Philippine music on the country's identity by understanding the the thought and composition process of musicians living in Metro Manila. His study has touched on the colonial occupation of Spain and America, the music genre kundiman, and the ways in which it was utilized as propaganda during both the Spanish and American-Filipino revolutions.
Antoniel holds a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Burman University and a Master of Arts in music specializing in composition and piano pedagogy from Andrews University.
Most recently he traveled to the Philippines to interview musicians to further his dissertation research. His investigation was supported and funded by YCAR's Philippine Studies Group. He was also a member of Patrick Alcedo’s dance exhibition as part of Toronto’s interuniversity CRAM festival. Antoniel has worked in a variety of music disciplines that include classical and gospel choral ensembles, liturgical and contemporary church music, Filipino rondalla and angklung groups as well as jazz and independent/alternative bands.