The name “Leggiero” is an Italian musical term meaning “light touch”.

Organized in 1993, the Leggiero Strings & Chamber Orchestra is a group of professional musicians with genuine love for fine music performance.

The members of the Leggiero Strings & Chamber Orchestra are accomplished chamber musicians & soloists; talented & highly trained. They have performed not only in Manila, but also in various parts of the country and abroad.

They have gained many years of experience playing in church weddings & receptions, cocktails, birthday parties, anniversaries, concerts, recordings, TV shows & corporate events. They have performed at the events of prestigious brands & companies and affairs of celebrities & high- profiled personalities. They have played in all the major hotels & restaurants, country clubs, beaches & gardens, and other glamorous places.

The group offers a vast musical repertoire which includes love songs, standards, bossa, broadway, classics, filipino & current / modern songs. Clients may choose from a variety of string ensembles ranging from Quartet to 20-piece chamber orchestra consisting of violins, flute, cello, bass, accordion, sax & piano.

With the music ensemble’s commitment to render excellent music at all times, the group has been highly acknowledged by its satisfied clients. Indeed, a performance of the Leggiero Strings & Chamber Orchestra will add a touch of class & elegance to your event.

Hi. This is Merl, the pianist for Leggiero Strings and so is my husband, Jack. Both of us create a mutual appreciation for playing music. Let me share some tidbits on how music played a vital role in our lives.

I met Jack way back in 1990 at the concert hall of the Philamlife Theater in UN avenue. Right after my performance in a musical opera, he asked and insisted a common friend to introduce me to him; for he said, he was impressed with my pianistic skills. Wow!

A courtship ensued. And naturally, music enhanced our romantic relationship. Wedding bells rang merrily in 1992 at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

When our children started coming, we immediately exposed them to instrumental playing. Blessed with three musically gifted children; they now play part of the chamber orchestra. We are all wrapped-up in music, like angels heavenly singing psalms endlessly like a music symphony.

Imagine a wedding made in heaven. With the country’s best string ensemble, any occasion can be made into a divine celebration.

Merlie Abrajano-Yapchulay

Merlie was born in Angeles City, Pampanga. She began her piano studies at age 10 and later studied with the highly regarded Prof. Carmencita G. Arambulo of Greenhills Music Studio. By the age of 12, she competed in the prestigious NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists), the Yamaha Electone Concours and the GMS Best of the Year Piano & Organ Competitions.

A recipient of Battig Scholarship for 4 years, she graduated in 1985 at St. Scholastica’s College with the degree of Bachelor of Music, major in Piano Performance and Music Education, and garnered the Sr. Baptista Battig Award for her outstanding achievements in the field of music.

Her early teaching experience started at Holy Family Academy Angeles City. Then, she became a faculty member of St. Scholastica’s College of Music from 1986-2004.

As an accomplished chamber musician, she accompanied various chorale groups in competitions and concerts. She was the musical director of the H.F.A. Glee Club Concert ‘88, Letran College Chorale Concert ’90 and Himig Kalikasan Chorale Concert ’90. She was an assisting pianist to many St. Scho music graduates in piano, voice, and violin in their college graduation recitals held at St. Cecilia’s Hall & Cultutal Center of the Philippines. She accompanied classical artists in concerts, broadway musicales, operas & ballets. She was the official accompanist at NCCA Intramuros Kundiman Competition 2010.

As a performing pianist, she played for Alliance Francaise ’90 @ CCP, Tribute to Levi Celerio ’92 @ Philamlife, P.T.G.P. Piano Festival @ CCP and S.S.C. St. Cecilia’s Concerts ’92, ’93 & 2001.

As lounge pianist, she performed regularly at New World Hotel Mkt from 1994-1996, San Francisco Steakhouse Mkt 1995, and Manila Diamond Hotel 1998.

Currently, she is a music consultant for weddings & social events and plays for Leggiero Strings & Chamber Orchestra.

Jack Yapchulay

“Jack” hails from Pasay City, Mla. He is a B.S. Civil engineering graduate from Adamson University and passed the board exam in 1982. He then worked at Brunei, Darussalam 1984-86 as chief & supervising engineer.

Way back in college, he also took piano & music classes at Sta. Isabel College and was under the tutelage of Prof. Cecil B. Roxas.

Jack started his music career as choirmaster & liturgical music director of Sta. Clara Parish in Pasay. He also played as lounge pianist in Century Park Hotel 1978-1981, L’orangerie Resto. 1988-89, Intercontinental Hotel Seoul, South Korea 1989, Ilustrado 1989-2000, New World Hotel 1994-2001, and Terry’s Spanish resto 2006-2009. 

Currently, he also plays for events of Leggiero Strings & Chamber Orchestra.