Tusa Montes is a percussionist, ethnomusicologist, and educator who specializes in the musics of the Philippines, Asia, West Africa and Latin America. She graduated in 2012 with a MM (Master of Music) Musicology degree at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music. She taught at the University of Santos Tomas Conservatory of Music for 10 years. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the UP College of Music.

Tusa has performed and recorded in various projects, events, and festivals in the Philippines and abroad. Some events include “Gongster’s Paradise” Kulintang festival in the USA, “Rain Motions: Connecting (with) the Skies of Southeast Asia” Festival in Thailand, “Padyak Hamburg” in Germany, and Virtual PASIC. She has performed with notable local and international music artists such as Joe Bataan, royal hartigan, Edsel Gomez, Leonard Eto, Bob Aves, Grace Nono, and Bo Razon.

Tusa is currently pursuing her PhD Music degree at the UP College of Music.