YOUNGTALENTS PROJECT2017

SYMPHONY 924Young TalenTs ProjecT 2017

VICTORIA CONCERT HALLSATURDAY, 26 AUGUST 2017

MaiN SPONSOr:OrGaNiSEr: rECOrDiNG:OFFiCiaL CaTErEr: ParTNEr:

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PrograMMe OUTLINE4:50PM guests to be seated

5:00PM Welcome and competition begins

junior category Performances

Renee Yadav (Harp)

Joshuanne Yeh Su En (Piano)

Anju Nogiwa (Piano)

Meng YiRueXue Jessie (Piano)

Kayden Yap Shi Jie (Piano)

senior category Performances

Leong Yong Jun (Yang Qin)

Joanne Teo (Vocal)

Zhang Yifan Jem (Piano)

Loh Pei Yi (Piano)

Jarell Tang ZhiXian (Piano)

6:15PM Intermission

6:30PM Performances by the Young Talents Project 2016 winners

Chloe Chua (Violin), Junior Category Winner

Bian Tong (Dizi), Senior Category Winner

7:00PM announcement of results

7:20PM Post-event cocktail reception

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it is with great pleasure that i welcome you to Symphony 924’s Young Talents Project 2017 Grand Finals.

as Singapore’s only classical music station, Symphony takes immense pride in providing an annual national platform for the discovery of young classical musicians. it is extremely rewarding to be able to support these classical music stars of the future by encouraging them to showcase their talents.

The selection process began in april this year and we encountered many candidates of very high calibre. Our ten finalists are aged 8 to 17 and include pianists, a vocalist, a harpist and a yang qin player. Many thanks to our esteemed judges for their time and effort in helping us with this rigorous process.

We are thrilled to share the enduring and captivating world of classical music with you and we hope you have a wonderful time this evening.

Warmest regards,

Ms Debra SoonChief Customer OfficerHead, English audienceMediacorp Pte Ltd

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jason lai

Jason’s roots lie in Hong Kong but he was born in the UK and was a pupil at the prestigious specialist music school in Manchester, Chetham’s, where he studied cello. At Oxford University,

he studied both cello and composition, and went on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London where he was awarded a Fellowship in Conducting.

Jason Lai has been Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 2013, and he has been a prominent figure in Singapore’s musical life since 2010 when he was appointed

Principal Conductor of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra. Earlier this year he was appointed conductor of Singapore’s first professional chamber orchestra, re:SOUND. Jason is also building a unique reputation as a communicator with mass appeal through his television

appearances in both the UK and Asia. He has frequently appeared on BBC television as a judge in both the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and the classical talent show

“Classical Star”.

Education is an important part of Jason’s work in Singapore. At the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory he trains the next generation of conductors, many of whom have had many successes both at home and abroad, and with the SSO he spearheads the education and outreach programme,

helping the orchestra reach new audiences notably through his Discovering Music and Children’s concerts.

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nancy Yuen

One of the most outstanding singers from Asia, Nancy Yuen made her debut upon graduation from the Royal Academy of Music, London, with the Welsh National Opera, singing the title role of Madama Butterfly to great critical acclaim and has since, reprised this role countless number of times with renowned opera companies like the English National Opera, Scottish Opera, West

Australian Opera, Opera Queensland, Opera Northern Ireland, Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO), Bangkok Opera (BO), the New Zealand International Festival of Arts, the Barbados Opera Festival,

at the Royal Albert Hall for Raymond Gubbay Limited in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

A celebrated recitalist and versatile concert artist, she performs regularly with major orchestras and choral societies. Nancy has given masterclasses in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

She regularly sits as an adjudicator for international competitions and music festivals and ASEAN Vocal Competitions in Bangkok and Singapore. In 2015 she took on the role as Honorary Artistic

Director of the Singapore Lyric Opera and has been the Head of Vocal Studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts since March 2010. For her significant achievements and

contributions to music, she has been elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2014.

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low shao Ying

Low Shao Ying is a professional classical pianist, as well as a composer, songwriter and music arranger. A graduate of the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris – Alfred CORTOT in France, she

studied piano with the late Annie d’ARCO and the late Julien RIDORET, chamber music with Chantal DEBUCHY and harpsichord with Ilton WJUNISKI. Shao Ying has performed as soloist numerous times with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and many of her compositions have

won international awards and are performed worldwide.

She is a full-time piano accompanist at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and also a full member of Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS). In 2015, she was invited

to be one of 4 mentors and also part of 50 pianists together with superstar pianist, Lang Lang, for the Sing50 concert at the Singapore Sports Hub to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday.

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renee Yadav | Harp river Valley Primary school

Renee started harp lessons at Rave Harps when she was 6 and is currently under the tutelage of Ms Katryna Tan. Her recent accolades include winning 1st prize at the 2016 Young Artist Harp Competition (under 11 years category) in Atlanta, USA and performing at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall as the 2nd prize winner of the 2016 American Protégé International Competition (under 10 years category). Some of her most memorable performances include performing for the President of Singapore at the ChildAid Charity Concert in 2014 and 2016, Harp Fest 2015 and with the Rave Harps Ensemble at the Raffles Music Festival 2016.

joshuanne Yeh su en | PianoKuo chuan Presbyterian Primary school

Joshuanne started piano at the age of 3, with tutelage from her mother. She is currently learning piano privately under Mrs Rena Phua at the School of Music, NAFA and violin under Ms Ye Lin at the School of Young Talents, NAFA. Joshuanne’s achievements include the grand prize as solo pianist across category 3 to 18 years old at the 2nd Viva Music Competition in 2016. 1st prize as a piano soloist at the International Music Competition ‘Salzburg’ Grand Prize Virtuoso 2017, a gold award as a solo violinist at the Singapore Raffles International Music Festival 2016 and 2nd prize for solo violinist at the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. She has also performed at the Carnegie Hall, New York for the Winners Recital Programme 2016.

junIor FINALISTS

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anju nogiwa | Pianosingapore american school

Anju was born in Singapore and she started playing the piano at the age of 5. She won 1st prize at the 8th Beten Piano Competition 2014 in Japan and 3rd prize at the 11th Cecilia International Music Competition 2017 in Japan. Currently, Anju goes to the Singapore American School and loves piano and ballet.

Kayden Yap shi jie | PianoKong Hwa school (Primary)

Kayden Yap Shi Jie began playing the piano when he was 6 and is currently a student of the Gifted Young Pianists course at NAFA School of Young Talents, under the tutelage of Ms Vivian Cheah. He obtained his ABRSM Grade 8 practical with distinction in March 2017. He has performed at NAFA’s annual concerts and musical events at the Esplanade since 2015. Kayden is also passionate about Chinese music. He has attained a distinction in his Grade 6 Guzheng practical and is currently pursuing Grade 8 for the instrument.

Meng YirueXue jessie | Pianorivervale Primary school

Jessie Meng took to the ivories at the tender age of 4, under the tutelage of Ms Winnie Tay at Song without Words Music Studio and has never looked back since. Jessie has won a significant number of top prizes since her first participation. Among Jessie’s achievements are three 1st prizes at the Kota Kinabalu Music Festival 2014, the 2nd prize at the Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2014, and 3rd prize at the UCSI International Piano Festival and Competition 2014. She has also clinched the top award, platinum honor at the SMTA Performers Festival 2014 and was awarded a scholarship. Jessie was also invited to make her debut performance at Paris Opera Bastille in 2015. She has also performed at the President’s Star Charity 2014. In 2013, she was selected to participate in the prestigious Adam Gyorgy Island Academy in Bali and the Adam Gyorgy Castle Academy 2015 in Hungary.

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joanne Teo | Vocalschool of The arts

Joanne was inspired to start singing from a young age as well as through the exposure she had during her days in the choir. She began vocal lessons at a rather late age of 12, but has never looked back since. After her enrolment into the School Of The Arts through classical singing, Joanne has performed regularly at school concerts as well as the Esplanade. In addition to her passion for singing, Joanne holds a Grade 8 ABRSM and a Grade 5 ABRSM certificate for both violin and piano respectively. Intrigued by the power of art to communicate, Joanne hopes to use her performances to connect creatively with her audiences.

leong Yong jun | Yang Qinnanyang girls’ High school

Leong Yong Jun has been playing the yang qin since she was 6. She has participated in the 2014 and 2016 National Chinese Music Competition in the Junior Category and achieved 3rd and 2nd prizes respectively. Yong Jun has a strong passion for music in particular for the yang qin and enjoys sharing her performances with audiences.

jarell Tang ZhiXian | Pianoraffles Institution

Jarell started playing the piano at the age of 6. He is currently studying under Professor Boris Kraljevic. He has taken masterclasses with renowned professors in Hungary, Osaka, New York City and Vienna. Jarell has won 1st prizes in various international piano competitions. He has performed in Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2015, as well as in Musikverein-Vienna in 2015. He recently won the 1st prize in the 16th Osaka International Music Competition, and was the youngest participant in the post-graduate category. Jarell also won the 1st prize in the UCSI International Piano Competition 2016 held in Kuala Lumpur.

senIor FINALISTS

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loh Pei Yi | Pianonus High school of Mathematics and science

Loh Pei Yi is a student of the Gifted Young Pianists course at the NAFA School of Young Talents. She joined the school in 2009 and attained her Grade 8 (Distinction) in 2013 and Diploma ABRSM in 2015. She is currently preparing for LRSM under the tutelage of Ms Michelle Seah. She has performed at NAFA SYT concerts and has won 1st place in the Solo Piano Middle School Category of the Cheer Taiwan International Music Competition 2017. Besides playing the piano, Pei Yi is also a fan of literature, mathematics and science, which she says is an inspirational source for her musical insight.

Zhang Yifan jem | PianoVictoria school

Zhang Yifan is a student of the Gifted Young Pianists Course of NAFA School of Young Talents. He attained his ABRSM Grade 8 (Distinction) in 2013 and ATCL certificate (Distinction) in 2014 and LTCL certificate (Distinction) in 2017 under the tutelage of the Principal, Mdm Fang Yuan. He has won several awards, including 2nd prize in the Intermediate Category of the National Piano & Violin Competition 2015, 2nd prize in the Junior Category of the National Piano & Violin Competition 2013, 2nd prize in the Senior Category of the Yamaha Piano Competition 2013 and 1st prize in the F J Benjamin – NAFA SYT Music Competition 2014. Yifan sees performing as a way to share his thoughts and love for music with the audience. He aspires to be a pianist that can communicate with anyone through the piano and touch people’s hearts with melodies.

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sPecIalPerForMancesBY THE YOUNG TALENTS PROJECT 2016 WINNERS

junIor caTegorY WInner

senIor caTegorY WInner

chloe chuaViolin concerto in e minor op. 64 3rd Movement

Composed by: Felix Mendelssohn

Bian Tong行云流水

Composed by: 张维良

ABRSM supports the teaching and learning of music in partnership with the Royal Schools of Music.www.abrsm.org /abrsm

@abrsm ABRSM YouTube

World-class exams, inspiring resources, creative partnerships – everything we do supports participation, progression and opportunities in music.

Music is our passion

senIor caTegorY WInner

Bian Tong行云流水

Composed by: 张维良

john perry Ad (A4 FA).indd 1 8/18/17 5:50 PM

Breakfast with andrew lim

Weekdays, 7am to 10am

lunch Treats with Koh chieng MunWeekdays, 10am to 2pm

The Drive Home with gerald Wong

Weekdays, 5pm to 8pm

The jazz Hour

Daily, 8pm to 9pm

concert classicswith serene lim

Weekends, 12pm to 2pm

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YOUNGTALENTS PROJECT2017

Symphony 924congratulates all the finalists of the

Young TalenTs ProjecT 2017

We would like to thank all sponsors,partners and participants for your support.