You Play A What?

This week I am joined by the enigmatic Christoven Tan. Christoven is a champion of new music for viola and in recent years, he has been pushing the possibilities and boundaries of viola playing. Apart from music, he is a practitioner of multiple art forms and doing remarkable work that is that is true to himself. I am really glad to have the opportunity to speak to him. 

In this episode, we spoke about: 

1.       His upcoming show Apollo which is happening on Saturday, 09/10, where he performs alongside percussionist Derek Koh the music of Emily Koh and Be...

This week I am joined by Mervin Beng, Chairman of Resound Collective, an arts charity organization that promotes chamber music in all its glory. Mervin wears many hats, apart from his role with Resound Collective, he is a music reviewer with The Straits Times, involved previously with music organizations driven by educating young aspiring musicians such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

With his professional expertise in technology coupled with his deep passion for music, saw the creation of 2 ground breaking projects entitled re:Sound is Live and Concordia...

I am back after a 3-week hiatus with superstar guitarist, Kevin Loh. Kevin was spotted at the age of 12 by the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK through his YouTube channel which he still keeps up to date till this day with over 300 videos and over 4 million views! He has since went on to win competitions, premiered concertos and has garnered international repute within guitar scene. Kevin is currently a student at the University of Cambridge is one of the leading young guitarist in the international guitar scene. He was generous enough to take time out to speak with...

This week I am joined by Jonathan Shin, pianist, composer, hardcore bookworm and a fantastic guest!

In this episode, Jonathan and I spoke about:

1. Pursuing his doctoral studies remotely

2. Developing his people-centric approach to music and life in general

3. His relationship with practice, piano and the cane

4. His tip for getting into improvisation
5. His creative process behind The 1819 Suite commissioned by Resound Collective 

6. Composing fast music vs slow music

7. Who are the Lorong Boys and what do they do?

8. Creating m...

This episode is a riff on the ups and downs that I have felt in the last few months.
About six months ago, my motivation was at an all time low. Practice has become labourious and requires large amount of effort. But it was rather helpful to have some space to think about what my life and work would look like if everything was based on my value rather than my belief and views. I am interested to hear what all of you have to say about this episode!

The Knowledge Project Podcast:
Website
...

This week I am joined by Lau Wen Rong, Wen Rong is a prize winner in multiple competitions and is currently part of the trumpet section in the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Apart from his busy performance schedule and his ability to rise up against any high pressure situation, Wen Rong is an active teacher and have been inspiring students of various age group.

1. Our Chung Cheng stories

2. Why he was a vegetarian for such a long time

3. His musical and career developments

4. The impact of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO...

This week we pick up from where we left off from my conversation with Benjamin Yeo. Benji is an avid contributor to multiple facets of the local music and band scene taking on roles as an educator, composer, conductor.

In this second part of a 2 part episode, we spoke about:
1. The impact music and arts practice and the development of intangible qualities in a young person.
2. What is the former Music Talent Development Centre (MTDC) and the importance of programmes designed to develop the youths.
3. The importance of composing music that is true to...

This week I am joined by perhaps the most prolific contributor to the Singapore Wind Band Repertory, Benjamin Yeo. Benji is an avid contributor to multiple facets of the local music and band scene taking on roles as an educator, composer, conductor.

In this first part of a 2 part episode, we spoke about:

Welcome back to this part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Andy Sim we spoke about:

A quote that has significant meaning to him

Building resilience

Addressing the fear of failure

The Heart and Brain relationship

ANTS vs APES

Fight and Flight response

The power of Deep, Light and Paced Breathing

The importance of staying in the present

To find out more about Andy and his work you can visit the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/Embodied-InPsych-2112377532140176/

https...

This week, I sat down and spoke to conductor turned psychologist, Dr. Andy Sim. A practitioner of the HeartMath System. 

We talked about his career in music and how it eventually transformed into psychology.

Navigating stress

How did stress come about if we are pursuing something we love

The 3 main contributors to burnout

This was a highly informative session that I really enjoyed! Tune in to find out more!

To find out more about Andy and his work you can visit the links below:
https://www.f...

This week's episode, I'm joined by Ron Tan, the founder of the Inclusive Arts Movement, an organization that aims to inspire and promote equality between the differently & generally-abled through the performing arts. Ron himself is a self taught pianist and he is 80% deaf, but it hasn’t stop him from performing and composing. I really enjoyed this chat and the energy and passion Ron brought to the conversation. In this episode we spoke: 

The work and services provided by the Inclusive Arts Movement which includes performances, team building workshops and pivoting into a more digital landscape.

H...

Continuing from the previous episode, in this second part of the conversation with Adrian, we spoke about:

His decision to take on leadership positions with BDAS and NICA, the difference these organizations seek to create.

The launch of the Singapore Band Solo Virtual Championships by BDAS

Creating environment for like-minded students to meet each other.

How assuming these leadership roles have impacted his life.

Where and what does Adrian invest his time and energy in.

What this 3 groups mean to him:
The Philharmonic Winds, The Philharmonic...

I should have had this guest on way earlier but I finally set it up and its with Adrian Chiang. If there is ever a Singapore Band Director’s Hall of Fame, he would definitely be in it. Adrian is a well-known figure in the Singapore Music scene and has a portfolio that encompasses music education, conducting and management roles. 

In 2017, he took on leadership roles and became the President of Band Directors’ Association Singapore and the National Instructors and Coaches Association know as (NICA) founded by NTUC. Providing a voice to freelance instructors and coaches, restoring digni...

This week on YPAW, I am joined by Jazz songstress, Dawn Wong. Dawn is no stranger to the spotlight, appearing on prime-time television as a participant of Project Superstar 2. Since then she was continued to take her career on an upward trajectory, receiving the Music Scholarship offered by the Jazz Association (Singapore) and graduating top of class at La Salle College of the Arts. The work that Dawn has created and put up over the years have been truly remarkable and adding on to her already diverse portfolio, Dawn took on the role of Project Director of The One...

I have recently enrolled myself in a Freelancer's Workshop, a part of a series under the Akimbo Workshops. I have found this course to be extremely helpful in allowing me to distill my thoughts regarding my work and redefining what freelance work is all about.

In this episode, I share what this course is about, how it works, a particular story that really resonated with me, working through why I have always felt stuck with my work and some takeaway from the course that I think everyone will benefit from!

My apologies on the late...

This week on YPAW, I am joined by Benjamin Thia, rugby fanatic, drummer, teacher, percussion repair technician, custom drum maker. I have known Ben for a number of years but never had the chance to speak to him about his career developments over the years and how he now has his hands in almost all aspects of percussion.

In this episode, we discussed his love for rugby, entering fatherhood, his love for all things DIY including renovating his current workspace, his musical journey, how he started his repair services from his own home, Colbern drums and what...

This week, I am joined by violin extraordinaire Loh Jun Hong. Jun Hong is the co-founder of More than Music, More than Music is a concert series that aims to revolutionize the classical music concert experience by bringing both the music and the performers to the audience in an informal and intimate manner. More Than Music concerts present the top young classical music talents in the region, bringing world-class chamber music performances to new audiences, up close and personal.

Jun Hong has a long list of accolades which includes first prizes in international and local solo competitions...

Welcome back to the second part of my conversation with Jinjun, in this episode, we picked up where we left off regarding some of his thoughts about the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation. We spoke about an alternative to the current festival and question and if things can be changed to assess the band programme apart from just performing two pieces.

We spoke about competitiveness in music, his job as a teacher in School of The Arts and what its all about, how blue tack helped him cope with his braces when he was 15 and his thoughts...

This week on You Play A What? I'm joined by fellow Liverpool supporter, Lee JinJun. JinJun is current a teacher in School of the Arts and is well-known name in the Singapore Band scene, having composed the set piece ‘festival on earth and Party in Space’ for Concert Band for the 2019 Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation.

On this first part of the conversation, we spoke about some of his favourite pastime, his involvement in other arts group apart from being performer and composer, his career development over the years. His creative process behind the set pieces he wrot...

What is your relationship with offering and receiving feedback? Do you enjoy the process of it? Some questions for all of us to think about regarding feedback:

On this episode we speak about the relationship between the mind and the body. The effects of Placebo and Nocebo and how it affects our ability to get into peak performance mode.

Does chicken essence make you feel more alert and energetic for your exams? Does a $200 bottle of wine taste better than a $20 bottle?

Apologies on the delay this week, but there is going to be an episode!!

From last week's episode with @cokohnut where we spoke briefly about career burnout, made me think about "serious" hobbies or a side hustle and how it can help us with our primary pursuit.

On this episode we will talk about what is considered a serious hobby, the difference in mentality between an Athlete and a Nerd, and how the choice of hobby can help us do our primary job better.

Thank you so much for tuning in to this...

In this episode of YPAW I spoke with Singapore Chinese Orchestra's 阮 (Ruan) musician, Koh Min Hui. One would argue that Min Hui's career trajectory is as smooth as it can be, winning her job with the orchestra at the age of 21, straight out of her Bachelors degree course at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Apart from her work with the orchestra, Min Hui is also a passionate teacher that works with students of various age groups and is a tutor for the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra.

We spoke about:
1. Some of the non-music related sk...

It is the event that keeps my job relevant, the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation just around the corner, I have decided to dedicate this episode of YPAW to all my students who are participating in SYF AP 2021. Due to the pandemic, the SYF this year is unlike any of the previous SYF, and I hope to share with all participants that it is usually unlike it this year.

In this episode, I spoke about the changes that I have observed in the Singapore Youth Festival over the years, my personal experiences of participating in the Singapore...

My guest today is indeed the man that puts on his pink uniform every morning and delivers your favourite bubbletea or McGriddles. Yes, it’s the Famous Amos, the man himself, Amos Chiya (probably enough food items for now).

Prior to his return to Singapore in the late 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic, Amos was living in Russia and was working as a guest conductor with several orchestras in the region. Having spent a good number of years away from Singapore, he has found it challenging to navigate a volatile arts scene and has started working as a...

This is yet another rant, and today it is regarding the recent announcement pertaining to the formation of the first ever Singapore university of the arts. In this episode, I am not discussing what sort of curriculum will benefit the students because I feel like at this point in my life I am still figuring this out.

What I would address in this episode is how we react to negativity that surrounds our work, such as internet trolls, people with conflicting ideologies to you, people who do not understand what is it that you do and why...

This week on YPAW, I am joined by long time friend Clement Lim who is currently based in Berlin, Germany. The relationship between Clement and I haven't always been cordial, he have had our differences when we were a few years younger. But I would say it is mostly me who took offense to his words and actions...

Fast forward a couple of years, loads has happened and we continued to stay in touch whenever we can. Clement has spent the last 6-7 years in Germany, living in Hannover, Nurnberg, Essen and recently relocated to Berlin. In...

This week on YPAW I am joined by long time friend, Lim An Chun. A larger than life character that seems to draw people to him, An Chun possess fantastic rapport with most people. He might even bump into a friend in London, that is how far his network would stretch. 

An Chun has had a really interesting musical journey that is full of ups and downs, but for those who know him well, one thing is for sure, and that is he is not one to give up easily. He has suffered plenty of setbacks, but I...

On this episode, I talk about the topic of regarding Fear of Failure in students that we interact with on a regular basis. How did this mindset of fear (in general, not just in failure) manage to get instilled into us? As CCA instructors and coaches, what can we do to add value into the student's lives and allow them to explore these other skill sets that are not always required in the world that judges student on individual performance in an exam? Happy to hear from my fellow coaches and instructors!

Stop Stealing Dreams: https://www...

Welcome back to the continuation of my interview with Nicholas Ong and Terrence Wong, co-host of the Crafting Musical Lives Podcast. In the previous episode, we spoke about the the living situation in the UK and how it has affected the arts and their day to day life. They also shared their musical journeys and the difference between university and conservatory education.

On this episode we spoke about detaching ourselves from our work, how they conceived Crafting Musical Lives and the work that goes on behind each episode, interacting with experts in a subject matter. Finally, can...

This week I am pleased to be joined by Nicholas Ong and Terrence Wong, co-host of the Crafting Musical Lives Podcast. Both of them are currently based in the UK, Terrence in London and Nicholas in Oxford. Amongst the three of us we share a good amount of similarities as alumni of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, having furthered our studies in respective cities in the UK and of course podcast host.

On this first part of a two part interview we spoke about how they have been coping with current situation in the UK, their individual...

On this episode of YPAW, I am joined ME2 Sanche Jagatheesan from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Band. Sanche currently serves as the Principal Bassist of the SAF Band and occasionally dabbles on the electric bass as well as percussion and has been in service since completing his studies.

Join us on this episode, as Sanche shares his work as a military musician, how the SAF Band continues to engage with the general public when live performances are put on hold, his experiences abroad with the SAF Band and some tips for student bassist.

Videos...

This first episode of YPAW for the year of 2021 is the second part of my interview with Daniel Bonaventure Lim! If you have not listened to the first part of this interview you can find it here: 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bwPVgnKeBdBmb7Y1wy0sj?si=JQFldVaqS6Cf-Pddtew3KA

Daniel and I spent 3 years living in Manchester in close vicinity as students of the RNCM. Since returning to Singapore, Daniel has kept himself involved and active in various music activities and organizations, he brings along a refreshing take on the music industry. On this episode, w...

Currently working as a Management Consultant, I am joined by Daniel Bonaventure Lim on the first part of a two part episode that brings us into the new year! Daniel and I spent 3 years living in Manchester in close vicinity as students of the RNCM. 

Since returning to Singapore, Daniel has kept himself involved and active in various music activities and organizations, he brings along a refreshing take on the music industry. On this episode, we spoke about how has 2020 been for himself, his thoughts on digital concerts and engaging music communities as well as his musical j...

I am lucky to the worst boss, I would not trade it for most things in this world. On this episode of YPAW, join me as I go on a riff to talk about the reason I would congratulate you for being the worst boss, poor manager of career and the inability to organize your day. Trust me, you might not be in such a bad situation as you think!

Time Ferris Show feat. Seth Godin: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Z7zsYnjFDxGDNWFYlW0sB?si=W5ynhDabTLO_CBmT5KLvsg

Akimbo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50...

Composer, Polyglot, Multi-instrumentalist are just some of the words you would describe my guest, Wang Chenwei. Chenwei is currently based in Singapore, he is currently the Composer-in-Residence with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the co-author of "The Teng Guide to the Chinese Orchestra" the only comprehensive Chinese Orchestra text that is in English. 

Chenwei's skillset as a musician is a unique combination of composition, ethnomusicology and audio engineering, making him a thoughtful musician that tries to use his art to engage others to understand and learn about other cultures through music. We also spoke about exam grading a...

On this episode and I breaking out norm of YPAW, this particular topic that I am addressing today has been on my mind for quite some time. Tune in to this episode as I share my story of a $4 haircut and a $70 haircut. What I thought was an act of generosity and the reflection on the 3 courses I completed over the last 14 days. 

Well versed in both Western and Chinese musical language and performance, I am joined by Cheng Jin on this episode of YPAW. She uses her compositions to tell a rendition of Asian mythology and fables with a vivid soundscape. In this episode we spoke about her relationship with music from a young age. We spoke about her passion to bring music to the less privileged communities, her emotional struggles as a composer and the different roles in music that she has explored over the years. And of course, what is it like to be a foster cat owner for...

Fellow coffee lover Lee Jia Yi, is my guest for this episode of YPAW. Currently a student at the Peabody Conservatory and based in the USA, spending her first semester break abroad with the short days and cold weather that is associated with winter. Join us on this episode as Jia Yi paints us a image of Baltimore, she speaks about her compositional process, her thoughts on appealing to the mass media and what is she truly passionate about as an artist.

Check out her work here: https://soundcloud.com/lee-jia-yi-composer

On this episode of YPAW, I am joined by Likie, a current student of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore and have been composing and producing her own music (she even sang!!!) over the last few years! A musician that takes on multiple roles and is never afraid to wander in to the unknown, one can only imagine what is her future beholds! On this episode we spoke about her idea of what makes a good EDM track, the importance of putting her work out there and her unique way of designing her biography!