Marife Biares

Marife Biares was born in the Philippines and grew up in a family of musicians. Her experience in orchestra performance began at the age of six as a violinist in the children’s orchestra Pasaknungan Philippines, and she is a graduate of the University of the Phillipines College of Music with a major in music education.

From 2000 to 2014 Marife taught violin at the University of the Philippines, College of Music extension program. She also taught violin class for beginners at the International School Manila. She was a mentor at the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth “Ang Misyon”, was is inspired by El Sistema with the vision of excellence in music performance.

In 2015, Marife joined the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) led by Musical Director Robert Shroder, with which she has performed at many venues and events across California.

For the past twenty-two years, Marife has been shaping the lives of children and young adults through music. She has been a long-time teaching artist with San Diego Youth Symphony, working with students throughout SDYS’ programs. In addition to her work with SDYS’ Opus Project in Chula Vista, Marife teaches at Sunnyside Elementary School. She is an advocate for all students to receive high-quality music education including students who attend school online.