Bio

Clarissa Baquiran (she/her) is a Filipino American composer and violinist, born and raised in New York. She earned her B.A. in Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music via the Macaulay Honors College program @ CUNY Queens College and her M.M. in Music Composition from New York University. She studied under Peter Calandra, Irwin Fisch, and Chris Hajian.

Clarissa has scored for storytellers of various disciplines; she has worked with animators, dancers, journalists, and filmmakers, hailing from institutions such as the School of Visual Arts, Tisch School of the Arts, Carter Journalism Institute, and Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2019, she was commissioned by the Golden Williams Duo to compose “Singkil,” a piece written for viola & cello that draws elements from the filipino folk dance.

Clarissa also has a passion for teaching and for the past 7 years, she has given private violin and piano instruction throughout Nassau County and Queens. Through an approachable teaching style, she hopes that her students (ranging from elementary school to high school) persevere as they learn their instrument and cultivate their love for music. Clarissa is also a licensed Zumba instructor of 10 years, and is known for her enthusiastic energy and eclectic playlists. Previously, she served as music director of the Pater Noster Youth Ministry and provided music for the evening mass at St. Ladislaus Church. On her free time, she likes to discover new music, watch drag performances, bake sweet treats, and bike around the neighborhood.