Instructors

Xu Zhong Hao - Conductor

Mr. Xu Zhong Hao's first achievement came at a young age of 8, where he clinched Third in Canton Provincial Violin competition (China). Thereafter, he became very much involved in the local music scene. He was the leader of Singapore National Youth Orchestra (1993-1997). He also led the orchestra of the musical, "Chan & Eng"(1999) and was also involved in the world reown musical, "Miss Saigon" (2001). Prior to his current NTUSO conductor appointment, he was the conductor for Victoria Junior College String Ensemble (1998-2000).

 Ye Zhi, Jessie - Beginner and Training Orchestra Violin 1 Instructor

Born in China, Ms. Ye Zhi Jessie took her first violin lesson at the age of 5 in Guangzhou with Mr. Chang Lin. Since then, she had taken violin lessons with Ms. Li LeYi and Mr. Zhu XiongZhen. She was the 2nd runner up in Guang Dong province violin competition (senior category) in 1995. Under the tutelage of SSO violinist Mr. Foo Say Ming, she was awarded distinction for Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL). Jessie has played in several orchestras, including the Guangzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and the National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO). With SNYO and NUSSO, she took part in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in 2000 and 2005 respectively. And she is now an active member of the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of Singapore.

Gerard Chia - Violin II Instructor

Mr. Gerard Chia, a Prize Winner of the 1993 National Music Competition (Violin-Open Category) graduated from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester , New York with Bachelors and Masters Degree in Violin Performance under the tutorage of Oleh Krysa, Ilya Kaler, Mikhail Kopelman and Yehonatan Berick. Gerard also received master-classes from Sergei Kravchenko, David Fagan, Charles Haupt, members of the Ying and Cleveland Quartets. He has represented Singapore in the Asian Youth Orchestra Tour (94), Spoletto USA Festival (01) and Opera At The Ozarks Festival (01). Gerard's post graduate studies was made possible in part by the National Arts Council of Singapore.

Eric Lim - Viola Instructor

Mr Eric is a versatile string player, he plays violin, viola and cello. He has been a violin teacher since 1993. Besides having private students, he teaches in schools like Nan Chiau High School and was once the conductor of Victoria Junior College String Ensemble (2001-2003); and both had won awards in SYF competitions under his tutelage. He was also involved in famous musicals like "Chan & Eng". Currently, he is the Yew Tee Primary School String Orchestra Conductor.

Goh Chin Hong - Cello Instructor

Mr. Goh is currently the Staff Advisor for Republic Polytechnic String Ensemble, he is tasked to set up the music infrastructure for the school and be in-charge of all music development matters. He is the founding member of Grace Notes - A freelance String Quartet formed primarily for Christian service and arts outreach. He was the principal cellist for National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra (1995-1999, 2001-2003) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Chamber Ensemble & Chinese Orchestra (1993-1995).

Dr Yeo Jan Wae - Viola Beginner Instructor and Training Orchestra Conductor 

Violist Dr. Yeo Jan Wae received a scholarship from the Loke Cheng Kim Foundation to study viola performance at the Eastman School of Music in 1990. He graduated in 1994 and subsequently earned Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Michigan State University School of Music. While at Eastman, Dr. Yeo was invited to participate in the Heidelberg Castle Festival in Heidelberg, Germany as principal violist for two summers. Dr. Yeo was also a member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has worked with conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Neeme Jarvi and Michael Tilson Thomas. Since his return to Singapore, Dr. Yeo has been a much sought after teacher and performer. He is currently the viola instructor at Anglo Chinese School (Independent), Hwa Chong Institution, NUS Symphony Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Orchestra, and the conductor of the string ensemble at Republic Polytechnic.