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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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: How it is perfectly ok to call him Benji instead of Benjamin His obsession with the Thai culture Challenges he faced over the last one year being a Music Teacher and the Dean of the...

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...

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...

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...

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 a leadership roles have impacted his life. Where and what does Adrian invest his time and energy in. What this 3 groups...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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: What kind of feedback are you looking for from this community? What kind of feedback are you not looking for from this community? What kind of feedback do you commit to giving others? What kind of feedback do you not want to give?

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...

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...

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...