EXCLUSIVE: Vivoree, Ina Raymundo, and Pepe Herrera share how Jade Riccio helped them grow as performers

Actors and singers Vivoree Esclito, Ina Raymundo, and Pepe Herrera shared how their training with Coach Jade Riccio at RMA Studio Academy has helped them develop their skills and become more confident performers. 

Founded by the soprano singer and vocal coach, RMA Studio Academy recently held its Destination: World Stage concert at the Proscenium Theater, showcasing the talents of its trainees through a series of live performances. 

Speaking with PUSH ABS-CBN before the concert, the celebrity students looked back on their experiences under Coach Jade, highlighting how the training has helped them improve their techniques and overcome challenges as performers. 

For Vivoree, one of the biggest changes she experienced through her training was the improvement of her confidence, particularly when performing in front of a crowd. 

“I think more than the vocal training, mas nag-improve talaga ‘yung confidence ko when it comes to performing on stage,” she said. “Kasi as ironic as it sounds, I have stage fright. I have like anxiety in performing in front of a huge crowd, but it’s always been a dream of mine.” 

During the concert, Vivoree took on a solo performance of Dua Lipa’s “Training Season,” putting her vocal and stage training into practice.

She credited the formal training for pushing her to explore her capabilities as a performer, from using her voice more effectively to incorporating body movements into her interpretation of a song. 

“Training with RMA Studio Academy talaga really helped me, pushed me to really do my best. Pushed me to really use my body, my voice…[and] use the tension to push my voice.” 

Through her lessons, Vivoree also discovered that she could reach notes she previously thought were beyond her vocal range. She explained that her fear and anxiety often caused her to hold back, but Coach Jade taught her to project her voice and use her body to communicate the emotions of a song.  

Moving forward, Vivoree hopes to learn how to “let go” more whenever she performs, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. She also wants to take on more performances, believing that consistency will help her build confidence and further develop her talent. 

“It doesn’t have to be grand stages. Okay lang sa akin ‘yung mga gigs [or] mga small crowd. Just to build my confidence,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Ina continues to pursue her love for music through her training at RMA Studio Academy, which she said has helped her become more confident and technically prepared as a singer. 

“They are very effective teachers, especially Coach Jade. She’s really an excellent teacher [and] performer. The fact that she’s passing it us on her students, it’s a huge blessing for us.” 

Known for her sultry image, the actress, now 50 years old, shared that singing has always held a special place in her heart.  

Ina said that she has been taking lessons with Coach Jade for the past year, with her husband noticing how much she has improved. 

“My husband would say that I [have] improved a lot. I’m so happy. Singing is my first love. Before I became an actress, I really wanted to be a singer,” she maintained. “At 50, I’m happy that I get to do the things I really really love doing, which is singing.” 

During the concert, Ina performed Madonna’s “Like A Prayer,” another opportunity for her to showcase her passion for music. 

Her connection with Coach Jade, however, goes beyond their teacher-student relationship. The two have been friends for a while now, with Ina recalling how the vocal coach had long encouraged her to pursue formal singing lessons.  

“Gusto niya akong turuan,” she recalled. 

Ina also said that her eldest daughter, Erika, was among Coach Jade’s first mentees. Seeing how much her daughter benefited from the lessons eventually inspired her to become a student herself. 

“Jade helped Erika a lot. So after that, ako naman. Sabi ko, ‘Why not?’ It’s very inspiring na at my age, I can feel na I have the confidence to sing with technique which is so important.” 

The actress recalled that she had already been singing and had even released two albums. However, she felt that proper vocal training was something she had missed out on at the time. 

“Ever since naman, I would sing in the 90s. I have two albums, would you believe that? Pero before kasi papakantahin ka without really training you…parang ‘yun yung kulang, ‘yung technique, for me. Pero nandoon ‘yung awra, ‘yung stage presence, pero syempre you want to sing perfectly. I’m so happy with RMA. I’m so thankful,” she said. 

Aside from her own experience, Ina also expressed admiration for the younger students of the academy, praising their talent and fearlessness despite their age. 

While she admitted that she still gets nervous and sometimes worries about forgetting the lyrics, she said that consistent practice and proper training help her overcome these challenges whenever she takes the stage. 

For Pepe, his lessons with Coach Jade have made a significant difference in his vocal stamina, allowing him to sustain longer performances without tiring his voice. 

During the concert, the actor-musician showcased his musical abilities by playing the drums and performing The Dawn’s “Salamat” alongside Coach Jade, who he has known for more than a decade, as they both studied music at the University of Santo Tomas during college. 

When asked how the academy has helped him as a performer, he pointed to one particular improvement. 

“Stamina,” he said. “Kasi ever since, insecurity ko ‘yung stamina eh. Struggle for me na kumanta nang ilang kanta, after three songs napapagod na ako eh. May naturo sa akin technique si Jade para makakanta ako ng ten songs in a concert na dire-diretso na hindi napapagod ‘yung boses ko.” 

He also credited the lessons for helping him prepare for his first-ever solo show, Pepe Shows, which was staged at the PETA Theater on April 21. 

Aside from Vivoree, Ina, and Pepe, RMA Studio Academy has also welcomed several other celebrities as students, including Michelle Dee, Maymay Entrata, Rhian Ramos, Chloe San Jose, and Rain Celmar, among others. 

The academy also provides a platform for young performers, with celebrity children Dahlia Heusaff, Scarlet Belo, and Zia Dantes among those who took the stage during the recent concert.