Grace Nono

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Grace Nono is a female folk music vocalist from the Philippines. Nono was embraced by an alternative rock subculture in the 1990s that viewed her ethnic folk as offering something different from the mainstream.

In 1993, her album Tao Music was rooted in traditional Filipino rhythms and instrumentation, but was also given modern touches. Although it was critically praised, the album sold poorly. Nono's follow-up LP, Opo, was released in 1995 and was further influenced by indigenous Filipino music.

In addition to recording music, Nono opened a store, Living Cultures, which promotes traditional Filipino arts and crafts.

[edit] Awards

In 1998, Nono, along with her collaborator and husband Bob Aves, dominated the Katha Awards in the Philippines, receiving 21 nominations. She won the Katha award for Best World Music Album three times.

[edit] Education

A product of the University of the Philippines where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Humanities and master’s degree in Philippine Studies, Grace has taught Philippine Traditional Arts at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and Philippine Oral History at Miriam College. At the moment, she prepares to print her book, the Shared Voice: Oralist Narratives from the Philippines, as she embarks on a new research on the interface of music, spirit, and healing among Philippine shamans and other ritual specialists.