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May 7th, 2010
Jon Paul Puno is a talented musician cross-trained in classcial and pop music. He is currently working on his debut album and has dedicated a song for Haiti Earthquake. Jon is also a director and has been involved in making short films since the age of 16.
CelebrityDialogue: What is the title of your debut album?
Jon: The album is tentatively titled, Horizon.
CelebrityDialogue: When is it going to be released?
Jon: The projected release date is sometime around 2010 - 2011.
CelebrityDialogue: What kind of music can people expect from this album?
Jon: People can expect a good blend of classical, pop and theatre. The great thing about the classical crossover genre is that there is a lot of room for creativity and it‘s fun trying new things while mixing things up a bit.
CelebrityDialogue: Where can your fans buy this album from?
Jon: Distribution details will be available closer to the release date.
CelebrityDialogue: Do you have any of your songs available on net?
Jon: My singles are currently available on iTunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody and other major online music outlets. Fans can also listen to my music on my official website at http://www.jonpaulpuno.com
CelebrityDialogue: You have dedicated a song on Haiti Earthquake in your debut album. Tell us about that song and why did you decide to do it?
Jon: Yes, I recorded a crossover version of “We are the World” as a prospective track for the album a few months before the tragedy in Haiti. I felt it was appropriate to release it at that point to help create awareness about the charitable organizations sending aid to the quake victims.
CelebrityDialogue: How would you define your passion for music?
Jon: I can honestly say that I’ve had a passion for music since an early age. I could remember performing and singing as early as age 4 and among the things saved from my childhood are boxes of cassette tapes recorded of my music.
CelebrityDialogue: Tell us about your formal training in music?
Jon: I received vocal instruction in college and continue to the present time.
CelebrityDialogue: The fact that you are cross-trained in classical and pop makes you unique or at least different from most other debut artists. Don’t you think?
Jon: I think so. It definitely gives me flexibility in my material. I can go from a classical song like “Panis Angelicus” to something more modern, like let’s say an Enrique Iglesias song. I can even try using the different vocal styles in the same song.
CelebrityDialogue: You are a director as well. Tell us about the short films and documentaries that you directed.
Jon: I started doing music videos when I was a teenager and made my first short film, Water, which screened at various film festivals, at the age of 16. I also directed a documentary titled, Peace Grows, which is still in worldwide distribution and used in educational workshops. Among the films I directed while at the university is Valle de Lágrimas, which was my first foreign language film.
CelebrityDialogue: Which international festivals were your films featured at?
Jon: Some of the festivals my films have screened at include the Mill Valley International Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Anchorage International Film Festival, International Festival of Human Rights Barcelona, Ojai Film Festival, Orinda Film Festival, Hermosa Beach Film Festival, Nosotros Film Festival, Imperial Beach International Film Festival.
CelebrityDialogue: Do you fund your films yourself?
Jon: Yes, I do.
CelebrityDialogue: Do you plan to go back to direction after your album is released?
Jon: I think that the music and film sectors within the entertainment industry are so closely intertwined, that I will be doing a little bit of both in whatever I decide to do.
CelebrityDialogue: Tell us about your education.
Jon: I majored in Cinema-Television at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. With names like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg attached to the school, it was certainly a wonderful experience.
CelebrityDialogue: Who is your favorite singer?
Jon: Josh Groban is one of my favorites.
CelebrityDialogue: Who is your favorite director?
Jon: Steven Spielberg.
CelebrityDialogue: Any plans for a feature film?
Jon: Not at the moment.
CelebrityDialogue: Is there anything else you want your fans to know about you?
Jon: I want my fans to know that I am thankful for their support. It’s wonderful to hear from fans all over the world and to know that they appreciate my music.
CelebrityDialogue: Thank you so much for the interview Jon. Best of luck with your debut album.
Jon: It was my pleasure.
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