Coach Jojo Acosta Shares Vocal Insights on Icheon Festival Performances

ICHEON, South Korea — Following the successful conclusion of the 2026 Icheon Young Artist International Music Festival, internationally recognized Filipino vocal coach Jojo Acosta shared his professional insights on the performances of the festival’s headlining artists during an interview with Korean media.

Acosta was interviewed during the festival proper at the request of the CEO of A.O Entertainment, the agency currently managing Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado in South Korea. Introduced to the press as Dorado’s vocal coach, Acosta was invited to provide a professional evaluation of the evening’s performances, which featured some of K-pop’s biggest names alongside international guest artists.

Drawing from nearly five decades of experience in vocal coaching and artist development, Acosta highlighted the high level of vocal discipline and musicianship demonstrated throughout the concert. He observed that while the production showcased spectacular choreography and visual presentation, the artists’ ability to maintain vocal stability, musical precision, and expressive delivery throughout demanding live performances ultimately defined the success of the show.

Among the performers discussed was Gwyn Dorado, whose appearance at the festival followed her historic second-place finish on JTBC’s Sing Again 4, making her the first non-Korean contestant to reach the competition’s Top 4. Acosta noted that Dorado’s preparation emphasized vocal consistency, emotional communication, and authentic storytelling—qualities he considers essential for connecting with a live audience regardless of language or culture.

Reflecting on the festival as a whole, Acosta emphasized that technical proficiency alone is not enough to create memorable performances. He pointed to the artists’ ability to combine solid vocal technique with genuine emotional expression and confident stage presence, describing these as the qualities that resonated most with the audience throughout the evening.

For Acosta, the interview represented another milestone in his decades-long career mentoring singers both in the Philippines and abroad. His participation in the Korean media coverage also underscored the growing recognition of Filipino vocal coaching and artistry within the South Korean entertainment industry, as cultural collaborations between the two countries continue to expand.