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 Bertram Wee. A number of former guests on YPAW, so if you’ll like to find out more about them, do check out the show notes!

Christoven shares in depth about his creative process in this project and what you can expect from the show.
To find out more about Apollo you click HERE and for tickets you can fill up THIS FORM.

2.       Having a clear idea and approach towards new music

3.       The timing of this project

4.       Finding like minded collaborators and what does he look for in a fellow collaborator?

5.       Having a curious and open mind

6.       “Being perfect vs Being Yourself”

7.       Relating to New Music

8.       Starting his art studio and practicing other forms of art

9.       Teaching philosophy

10.   Future Artistic project

11.   Music for “enjoyment” vs Performances that is relevant and thought provoking

To find more about Christoven and his art works:
Website

Anna Quenlin Speech
Website

Xi Jie's film "Singapore Minstrel"
Website

Episodes of former guests:
Emily Koh
Derek Koh

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 Quartet @ Home. Both projects were performed in real time remotely, where musicians are playing from their respective homes or separate rooms. Distanced but at the same time maintaining the spontaneous element of music making.

In this episode, we spoke about:

1. How he navigates objectivity vs subjectivity in writing music reviews.

2. The origin story of Resound Collective.

3. The challenge of introducing chamber works to the wider audience.
 
4. His musical journey.

5. How Music Camps/Festivals has allowed him to open his eyes to a higher level of music making.

6. Breaking new grounds at the height of the Circuit Breaker.
 
7. How his expertise in technology and music inspired creative ways of concert presentation.

8. Music patronage and the recent creation of the OKK Wind Prize at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Do check out Concordia Quartet's upcoming concert "Soaring with the Wind" HERE, featuring the works of Mozart and Greig.
Tickets are available for puchase in HERE

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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 me and in this episode we spoke about:

1.       Performing for a learned audience and revisiting Concierto de Aranjuez 

2.       Moving to the UK at the age of 12 to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School

3.       Defining family support in his early musical developments and how music became a family bonding activity.

4.       The importance of consistency and compounding progress.

5.       Performing alongside his father and how it helped to working through his performance anxiety.

6.       His time spent in the refugee camp in Calais, France and the profound impact music has on people and different communities.

7.       His quote “There is more to life than Music” and how it has informed him on his decision making.

8.       His hopes for future contribution towards the Singapore guitar development.

9.       How we are fortunate to be working as musicians.

10.   Identifying the motivation behind music.

Find out more about Kevin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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 music that represents the personality of the group

9. Their approach to being the ensemble in residence at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory 

10. Writing text and music for operas and musicals

11. His fiction reading list

The 1819 Suite is commissioned and presented by Resound Collective, produced by Chamber Music and Arts Singapore, and is available in The Glasshousewith FREE access for a limited time: 7 Aug – 19 Sep 2021 in celebration of Singapore's 56th National Day.

The 1819 Suite can still be accessed in The Glasshouse after 19 Sept, with their membership subscription. 
The Glasshouse is offering a National Day discount of 20% off the first month of subscription with the code "NationalDay20".

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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
YouTube
Spotify

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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) and the former Singapore National Youth Training Orchestra on him

5. Coping with self imposed pressure

6. Perfection VS Excellence

7. Audition Preparation Tips

8. His time in The Julliard School

9. Tips to staying in the present and so much more

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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 him.
4. Composition is a bespoke "service".
5. His creative process, using City of Dreams as an example.
6. How his love of teaching made him walk away from an overseas scholarship.
7. The changes in Music curriculum in schools.

And much more about his love for teaching, current career and the guiding principal that he believes in.

Find out more about Benjamin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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 Aesthetic Department
• The Music Elective Programme vs the IB music syllabus
• How he never intended to join the school band
• How he fell in love with the art form that is Concert Band
• How a particular brand of mineral water jump started his composition career

And much more about his musical journey and thoughts regarding music education and band programmes in Singapore.

Find out more about Benjamin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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://embodiedinpsych.wixsite.com/website

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

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.facebook.com/Embodied-InPsych-2112377532140176/

https://embodiedinpsych.wixsite.com/website

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!