My mom was teaching in church choir when she was pregnant with me. I guess just like how the Kobe cows are able to absorb classical music to give better beef, there was some notes that seeped into my blood.
I started piano at 5 when I was in the United States. There was no exams or grading, just a recital before a balding man that judge you. When I came back to Malaysia, I continued my piano lessons through the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music till Grade 8. In Malaysia, just like any Asian country, your parents expect you to be either a Doctor, a Lawyer or an Engineer. Fortunately for me, my parents are quite supportive of my passion.
In primary school, there was no band. I only managed to join a concert band in Tshung Tsin, my secondary school. I started off with the clarinet and then I move on to the percussion.
I am quite proud of my secondary school achievement. I was 18 when I formed a band with my schoolmates and we won the National Jazz Band Competition. It was a big deal to me.
After my A-levels, I convinced my parents to allow me to study music. I enrolled myself into UCSI. I got a classical degree majoring in piano. That was the place where I met the mother of my two children. We just hit the right key. She is quite often featured in my videos.
During college days, I am exposed to music presentation. I participated in recitals, concerts, productions in and out of campus.
I always thought that being an educator is a pretty noble thing to do. I have no dreams of owning big cars or to holiday in the Bahamas but I do have dreams of playing in the Royal Albert Hall or to be part of the musical crew of the Broadway or the West End. I took the mantle of being a teacher in music in various kindergartens. I find that I work quite well with kids because I find them entertaining. I had performed in many parts of Asia and it includes countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Phillippines, Hong Kong and China.
I have no idea that passion is such a strong driving force. I am always upbeat about a new event or a project. I have taken part in P. Ramlee the musical as a rehearsal pianist. I had the opportunity to work with music greats in my country such as Siti Nurhaliza, Atilia and Erwin Gutawa. Although I took composition as my minor, it was more towards classical composition. I haven’t been good at writing pop songs. I have 2 songs in my name and 1 was the song that I composed for my proposal.
“Love is the greatest gift from Heaven,
Love is a give it can’t be earned,
No matter rich or poor, whoever young and old,
We all want to love and to be loved back in return.”
My second original is this place I now call home, Kuala Lumpur. It’s called “I’m so Thankful, Grateful for Kuala Lumpur”.
Nowadays with my family expanding, I teach during the day and I perform on the weekends. Since I am now also involved in Steemit, I find more time for flexibility in earning some extra dough, allow my creative juice to flow and to interact with people within my sphere of practice.
Apart from knowing music my entire life, I have not been exposed to the corporate world and I hear that it is a rat’s race and everyone is out to get everyone. I do music and I work with kids. I have my own utopian belief, I think that everyone can find their tune and there is no better medium to unite than through music. We saw how music transcends race, gender, and religion. We saw how Woodstock influenced America during the 60s when the entire nation was healing. I can’t promise that we will be great but I can promise that I can at least make 1 life better through my music and that alone means the world to me.
I hope that you guys will continue to support #steem-music in whatever ways that you can. You do not have to be a singer, composer or an instrumentalist. Your support carries a lot of weight to us. I want to make a difference.
