Meet our Centenary Music Scholars 2026-27
Adeline K (Year 10)
I am a Year 10 student and play electric bass, electric guitar, double bass, and piano. I started piano at the age of five. Although I initially disliked it whilst working through my ABRSM exams, I eventually discovered the joy of playing after learning to play Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. I had never experienced such a sense of beauty and challenge at the piano before. Having said that. I still have other instruments that I enjoy more! I started guitar when I was seven. My first teacher introduced me to something that has shaped my playing ever since: improvisation. By listening to and imitating solos, I gradually developed my own approach to improvising, while learning about different musical structures helped me learn and sight-read solos more quickly. Since then, I have achieved a Merit in Grade 8 guitar, and my band has won Battle of the Bands three years in a row. I began playing electric bass at nine, after my dad suggested I give it a try as I was already playing guitar. I initially wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly discovered how much depth and creativity the instrument offers, particularly through techniques such as slap bass. I have since achieved a Distinction in Grade 8 bass and was named overall Musician of the Year for my bass playing. Through the Music Scholars Programme, I also began learning double bass, which introduced me to classical music and led to my joining the Symphony Orchestra. I currently play in Senior Bands, the Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band. I chose to become a Music Scholar because I wanted to share my passion for music with my peers.
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Ahaan N (Year 11)
I have been playing the piano and saxophone for the past seven years and have recently attained Distinction in my ARSM Diploma on both instruments. I regularly perform at community events organised by my River Valley Neighbourhood Committee and have participated in various piano competitions, including securing First Place in the La Pianista Intermediate category in 2023. These experiences have been highly rewarding. At Tanglin, I’m actively involved in the Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, and Jazz Collective, and I also perform piano duets with the Senior Piano Ensemble. My commitment to music has been recognised through the Outstanding Contributions to Arts Award, which I have been honoured to receive for the past two years. I have recently started to learn the clarinet so that I can be involved in even more orchestral-based ensembles. I aspire to inspire my fellow students at Tanglin and nurture a greater passion for music within our community.
I started my musical journey at the age of six and have since achieved distinctions in Grade 8 ABRSM for flute and Grade 5 theory. I am currently working towards a Diploma and Grade 8 theory. In 2024, I took part in the 11th Flute Festival and was awarded silver. At my previous school, I performed regularly in orchestras, bands, and as a soloist; I am continuing to do so (and much more) at Tanglin.
Amy C (Year 10)
Although I started learning the flute many years ago, I had not attended performances during my time in China. However, over the past few years in Singapore, I have discovered a deeper interest in music and started joining ensembles. I gained more confidence and experience as a soloist and an ensemble player. I’m really looking forward to performing on stage and, in particular, to the Italy Tour in October. As a Centenary Music Scholar, I hope to inspire others to express their own passion for music.
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Anne Y (Year 13)
Having been at Tanglin since Reception, the Music Department has been a second home to me, starting with the Infant Choir. I began learning the piano at the age of five, and violin at seven years old. The Music Department has provided countless opportunities to perform at Tanglin. I achieved Grade 8 ABRSM piano with Distinction at age 11, alongside ABRSM Grade 5 theory. While I don’t hold formal qualifications for violin due to my dislike of exams, I have nonetheless reached a Grade 8+ standard. I’m actively involved in the Chamber Orchestra, Chancery Quartet, Senior Choir, and the Tanglin Philharmonia. These activities have earned me the Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award for three consecutive years. Since Year 3, I’ve taken part in ‘Musician of the Year’ or its equivalent. In 2023, I won the Advanced Piano category, an experience that strengthened my confidence and deepened my enjoyment of performing on stage. I was also chosen as one of the final four in the 2025-26 Concerto Competition, who were given the chance to play a concerto accompanied by the Tanglin Philharmonia at SOTA. As a member of the Chancery Quartet, I have also represented the school at public venues including Eden Hall, the Tanglin Club, and various Open Days. As a Centenary Music Scholar, I hope to inspire others to discover the joy of music - not as a chore, but as a source of escape and relaxation. I also aim to highlight the connections between music and the wider arts, so it can be more deeply integrated into school life.
Born in China and raised in Malaysia, I began playing the piano at a young age and was first recognised as a "piano prodigy" at the age of five after performing Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy for my entire school. By age nine, I had achieved Merit in both the Grade 6 ABRSM Practical and Theory examinations, and I am currently preparing for Grade 8 and Diploma-level studies.
Austen Z (Year 9)
I have had the privilege of studying with Professor Snezana Panovska, Chairman of Persatuan Chopin Malaysia, and have benefited from masterclasses with distinguished pianists including Ng Chong Lim, Lilya Zilberstein, Kathryn Stott, and Stephen Kovacevich. At nine years old, I was the youngest pianist selected to perform in Lilya Zilberstein's masterclass at Malaysia's Dewan Filharmonik Petronas. My recent performance highlights include piano duets such as Rossini's La Gazza Ladra and Schubert's Marche Militaire, as well as solo performances of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 8 and Haydn's Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major. My competition achievements include Gold at the Chopin Malaysia Competition (2022), Silver Awards at both the Hong Kong Chopin Memorial International Piano Competition and the Singapore International Music Competition (2024), the Grand Golden Lion Prize in the Piano Category at the Singapore Golden Lion Music Festival, and Third Prize in the Amateur Category of the 7th Singapore Steinway Piano Competition (2025). As a proud Music Scholar, I am committed to sharing the beauty and emotional power of music with audiences and inspiring others through performance.
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Charlotte T (Year 12)
I was six years old when I had the privilege of performing a cello solo with my school orchestra on the stage of the Sydney Opera House. In 2022, I achieved a Distinction in Grade 8 cello ABRSM and had the honour of joining the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO), with the opportunity to be the principal cello in some performances. Winning the Senior Young Musicians award at Tanglin in 2022 and 2024 significantly boosted my confidence as both a cellist and musician. Outside of Tanglin, I have earned several awards at the Raffles International Music Festival, and most recently, I was awarded a Platinum prize at the Forté Cello Festival. I have performed with the Tanglin Symphony Orchestra / Tanglin Philharmonia twice as a soloist at SOTA, first playing Haydn’s Concerto in C Major and more recently Variations
on a Rococo Theme by Tchaikovsky. I also took part in the Music Tour to Spain in October 2024. In late June and early July ’25, I toured with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra to Macau, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, performing wonderful repertoire such as Dvořák's Symphony No. 6, Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with the renowned Ning Feng, as well as a commissioned piece by Tony Makarome. I also achieved my ARSM Diploma cello exam with a high distinction in the summer of 2025. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I started playing piano when I was 5 years old, and over the past 11 years, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering what it means to devote myself wholeheartedly to something I truly love and care about. I have since achieved Distinction in my ABRSM Grade 8 exam and am now working towards my ARSM diploma. I also picked up the flute three years ago, a decision motivated by my desire to engage more holistically with the wider music community at Tanglin. Ella D (Year 12)
I am now a member of various ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Flute Ensemble, and Piano Ensemble, and have had the opportunity to participate in music trips to both Spain and Italy. I am currently working towards my ABRSM Grade 8 in flute and am excited to expand my horizons even more as a musician. As a Centenary Music Scholar, I am looking forward to being able to further develop my passion for music, as well as share that passion with the rest of the community. I hope to help other musicians recognise their own musical potential and support others in finding the same fulfilment and joy that music has given me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I started playing the violin when I was six years old and have since passed my ABRSM Grade 8 exam. Tanglin has been a big part of my violin journey; I have had the privilege of participating in various ensembles, such as the Junior String Quartet, String Sinfonietta, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra over the years, all of which have further sparked my passion for music.
Genevieve T (Year 7)
As a Tanglin Centenary Music Scholar, I hope to support younger students on their musical journey just as Tanglin has helped me develop into the musician I am today.
I was born in Shanghai in 2015 and began my music journey on the violin when I was four and a half. I achieved Distinction in ABRSM Grade 8 at age 7. I have been studying at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Junior Music Programme for both violin and composition since 2022, before recently moving to Singapore with my family. In addition to solo performances, I actively participate in chamber music and also play the flute as my second instrument. Gisele Z (Year 7)
I have won awards in both local and international violin competitions and received guidance from soloists and renowned violin professors from top music conservatories including Julia Fischer, Ning Feng, Prof. Qian Zhou, Prof. Stephan Picard, Prof. Nora Chastain, Prof. Hagai Shaham, Prof. Pavel Vernikov etc. I was the youngest finalist in the 2025 Ysaye International Music Competition and was recently selected to compete in the live rounds of the prestigious 11th International Louis Spohr Competition for Young Violinist, which will take place in Weimar, Germany this autumn.
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Isabella E (Year 13)
I play both the violin and the piano. Over the years, these instruments have given me many opportunities to grow, perform, and connect with others. Having achieved an ARSM diploma in violin, I passed my piano ABRSM Grade 8 with Distinction last year. While these exams reflect the hours of practice and dedication behind the scenes, the real reward for me is sharing the joy of music with others. Since joining Tanglin in Year 7, I’ve been actively involved in many ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Piano Trio, String Quartet, and various other ensembles. Each one has taught me something different: from the commitment that rehearsals require to dealing with both the excitement and nervous anticipation performances bring. Playing in ensembles has shown me how powerful music can be when shared with others, and I love the way individual parts blend to create something much more intricate and rich in quality. Overall, these extracurriculars have allowed me to grow as a musician and collaborate with other talented individuals. During my final year at Tanglin Trust School, I hope to meet many more talented people and partake in new activities. Music has shaped so much of my life already, and as a Centenary Music Scholar, I am thoroughly enjoying exploring new opportunities to grow as a musician.
At the age of four, I began learning piano, completing my Practical Grade 8 in 2023 and my Grade 8 Theory in 2026. I am currently working towards LRSM. At the age of seven, I picked up the trumpet when I joined my primary school brass band and have continued playing ever since. Performing in a variety of school bands and orchestras has developed both my musical ability and my passion for music. Iris Y (Year 13)
I joined Tanglin in Year 10 and have since become actively involved in multiple music ensembles. I am proud to take on the role of lead trumpet in Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Collective, Wind Band, Brass Quintet and the Tanglin Philharmonia. I am currently working towards Grade 8, and my commitment and contribution to the Music Department were recognised with an Outstanding Contribution to Arts Award in Year 11. My passion for music extends beyond performance. I enjoy composing and producing music in my free time. I find it really interesting how composers can write such brilliant pieces based on stories. After listening to movie soundtracks and performing in the band for the school musical Sister Act, I became particularly interested in film composition. The Spain Music Tour in 2024 was a very valuable experience, which is why I decided to participate in the Italy Music Tour this year. Outside of music, I also enjoy sailing and kayaking. As a Centenary Music Scholar, I hope to meet many more talented musicians and take part in larger concerts and masterclasses offered by the school.
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Maho F (Year 13)
Although I began learning the violin at the age of three, it wasn’t until I was about seven or eight - thanks to TwoSet Violin - that I truly began to enjoy it. I completed my ABRSM Grade 5 violin when I was 9 but paused taking exams for several years due to my aversion to music theory. After joining Tanglin in Year 10, I decided to resume my exams. Following a Distinction in Grade 5 theory, I went on to achieve a Distinction in Grade 8 violin and even earned the highest score in the school! At Tanglin, I am involved in many ensembles, including the Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, and since last year, I have also participated in the Tanglin Philharmonia. I also enjoy performing in smaller chamber groups, such as the Chancery Quartet, and a violin-piano duet with my friend. In addition, I really enjoy supporting younger musicians by helping out with the String Sinfonietta. Taking
IGCSE and A Level Music deepened my appreciation for the pieces I was playing, and although I was initially hesitant, I eventually grew to love composition. Music has always been a source of relaxation for me, and I enjoy listening to songs and analysing what makes them great. Although I play a classical instrument, my personal taste leans more toward rock, and I recently joined a band as a bassist to explore a wider range of music in a practical, creative way. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Y (Year 13)
My musical journey began at the age of four when I started learning the piano. In Year 4, I had the opportunity to learn the cello through Tanglin’s Strings Programme, which I will forever be very grateful for. I am now in Year 13 and have achieved Grade 8 in both piano and cello, as well as Grade 7 in music theory. This year, I am working towards achieving a diploma in cello. As a Centenary Music Scholar, I enjoy sharing my love of music with others, contributing to the school’s music programme, and continuing to develop my skills as both a soloist and an ensemble player. I look forward to the opportunities that being a Music Scholar will bring, and I am excited to see how these experiences will help me grow as a musician and as a person.
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Ruth Z (Year 12)
I have been playing the clarinet since turning 10 before taking up the piano a year later. Since then, I have participated in a few competitions such as the Hitmaker competition in 2023 and the Singapore Raffles International Music festival in 2024, as well as achieving a distinction in Grade 6 piano last year. Most recently, I attended the Interlochen Arts Summer Camp in Michigan for a 6-week Wind Symphony programme. One day I would love to play Rigoletto by Verdi, Weber’s Alla Polacca, and Krommer’s Concerto for Two Clarinets. Having joined Tanglin at the beginning of Year 10, I’ve strived to take part in different ensembles to deepen and broaden my understanding of music. I was also fortunate to have been given the opportunity to learn the tenor saxophone with the Music Department’s support, which has enabled me to play in Jazz Collective and the Sister Act band. I eagerly look forward to playing more fantastic repertoire alongside other passionate, talented musicians, as well as the exciting performing opportunities and guest musicians who will join us. I hope to inspire others to develop a lifelong love of music and experience the magic that has enchanted us throughout the ages.
Stanley Y (Year 11)
I started playing piano at the age of 4, which sparked a lifelong passion for music. Later, I started singing at nine and violin at 13. Now, I am a Year 11 student who has achieved an ATCL piano diploma, ABRSM Grade 8 in violin and voice, and ABRSM Grade 6 music theory. I am greatly involved in music both in and out of school. At Tanglin, I am in the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Senior Choir. I also perform regularly for school as a soloist: most notably, I played the main antagonist role in the school’s rendition of Sister Act last year, I sang the British National Anthem at Eden Hall representing Tanglin, and I sang a solo and duet with the Tanglin Philharmonia. Additionally, I won last year’s interschool Musician of the Year for the Advanced Singing Category. I also frequently participate in music outside of school: I have been part of the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir, a choir affiliated with the SSO, for the past two years; I have received the 1st prize for the PREMIA International Young Musician Festival, and the 2nd prize in the Music Singapore International Competition in my age group for singing; I play piano parttime in the lobby of the Conrad Hotel; and I am currently enrolled in YST (Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music) in their Young Artist Programme. When I perform, I always strive to give the highest quality performances, not just in terms of technique or the notes themselves, but by expressing the deeper message or meaning of the song through the way that I play or sing. I also believe that enjoying yourself and having fun whilst performing is also a key aspect of a performance that would not only impress an audience but also live up to your own expectations and reflect the effort you’ve put into practising.
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Sue P (Year 8)
I play the trumpet and am currently preparing for my Grade 8 exam, with hopes of achieving more. The instrument has been incredibly special to me, helping me build confidence and develop teamwork skills. When I first became interested in music, I explored many different instruments until my dad suggested the trumpet. I decided to give it a try, and now I find myself performing in numerous bands and concerts, which has been an amazing journey. I have been playing music since I was six years old and performing since the age of eight. At my previous school, there were limited opportunities to join bands or orchestras, but when I arrived at Tanglin, I was amazed by the wide range of co-curricular activities and musical opportunities available. I signed up for a band right away and I’m still proudly playing in my very first band today.
Tasuku E (Year 12)
I started my musical journey at a music school in West London, UK, at the age of five, where I learned to play the piano and violin, and found joy in playing music. I continued playing the violin in Tokyo, joining various orchestras, including the Tokyo Junior Orchestra Society and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. I had the privilege of meeting the most respected conductor, Mr Keitaro Harada, and performing under his baton at one of Japan's most prestigious venues, Suntory Hall. I was also a finalist in the 40th All-Japan Junior Classical Music Competition. After coming to Singapore, I have performed regularly as a solo violinist, including at the Opening Ceremony of the 14th Singapore Middle School Model United Nations. I recently passed my ARSM diploma exam with Distinction in 2026 April. The experience of performing in London, Tokyo, and Singapore (where my performances have been appreciated and touched people across different cultures) has not only deepened my fascination with the power and potential of music but also revealed to me the joy of inspiring and moving others through my violin performances. As a Sixth Form Music Scholar at Tanglin, I look forward to performing on many stages, both solo and in ensembles, inspiring other students while bringing positive energy to the community.
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Trevor W (Year 12)
I first started my trombone journey at the age of six, inspired by my seniors in Hong Kong who performed the Imperial March from Star Wars, which I thought was very cool. Soon after, I started lessons with Mr Yip, who was a Trombone tutor at my previous school. At the age of seven, I began taking ABRSM exams, steadily progressing through the grades and achieving Grade 8 by the age of 12. I’m now working towards a diploma, which I hope to complete whilst I’m in Sixth Form. I moved to Singapore and joined Tanglin when I was 13, where I successfully auditioned for the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO). I’m extremely grateful to my parents for supporting and encouraging me throughout my music journey. This term, I have also joined the Tanglin Philharmonia, again performing full symphonic repertoire. I am really enjoying exploring a wider range of music styles, such as Jazz and Latin, alongside the more classical style. I look forward to inspiring more Tanglin students to begin their own music journey, just as I was once inspired to start mine.