DR. VINCENT JONES-CENTENO
Vincent’s music venture began when he was six years old and started taking piano lessons in Manila, Philippines. At the age of nine, the family moved to Chicago. He received both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Music at DePaul University and began teaching piano and music theory classes in a small Catholic College. Soon, he became the Music Director of the choir of the Philippine Performing Arts of Chicago; and later served as the Artistic and Education Director of the People’s Music School.
In 2009 Vincent moved to Eugene, Oregon and worked on his PhD in Piano Performance at the University of Oregon (UO). There, Dr. Centeno served as the Interim University Orchestra conductor for one year and then as the assistant conductor of the University Symphonic Band, as well as the conductor for the Opera Workshop. During this time, he was also appointed as the conductor of the newly founded the Cascadia Chamber Opera.
Dr. Vincent Jones-Centeno completed his PhD in Music Theory and Conducting at UO in 2015, and moved to Astoria. Since receiving his Teaching License and a second degree in Education, he teaches music for the Astoria School District at Lewis and Clark Elementary. In addition, he teaches private piano and organ at the Astoria Conservatory; Vincent has served as the organist for the historic Grace Episcopal Church; as the pianist for the Astor Street Opry Company’s 2022 production of Shanghaied in Astoria; as after five years as the accompanist for NCC, is now the happy Artistic Music Director of the North Coast Chorale.