About
Gemalene Acupan
Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, Gemalene (“Gemi”) Rae Pacleb Acupan is a first-generation, Filipina-American conductor based in Southern California. She has received orchestral training across the globe, studying with Venezuela Symphony conductor Rodolfo Saglimbeni, London Conducting Academy founder Denise Ham, Eastman School of Music conductor Neil Varon, and Pacific Symphony conductor Carl St. Clair. Acupan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BM in Conducting and Trumpet Performance, as well as a minor in Leadership Studies, from Chapman University. At Chapman’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, she was named the university’s inaugural Presser Scholar, studying with Daniel Wachs and Tim Hall.
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Acupan also enjoys a career as an educator and trumpet player. She has presented numerous educational concerts with the Orange County Youth Symphony and the Huntington Brass Quintet, served as a teaching assistant at Idyllwild Arts Camp, and organized the Chapman University Honor Band.
Acupan received her MM in orchestral conducting at UCLA, where she conducted UCLA Symphony and guest conducted UCLA Philharmonia, studying with Neal Stulberg. She currently teaches a private trumpet studio in Kern County, serves as music director for Bakersfield Christian HS, orchestra director of Valley Baptist Church, and manages the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra.