 Gerard is naturally associated with Lea throughout the length and breadth of her distinguished singing career, but had since successfully established his own stature and identity in the Philippine music scene.Gerard completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1994, and briefly studied music theory with the Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab.He subsequently went to the United States to pursue arranging studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he graduated summa cum laude and received Berklee's Contemporary Writing and Production Achievement Award.