16th March 2023, BANGKOK – On 14th – 16th March, the highly anticipated 6th Overseas Performers Festival (OPF) was held in Bangkok at the Sala Sudasiri Sobha Hall. This is the 6th iteration of the festival organized by The Musique Loft.
55 STAR Award winners (aged 6 – 24 years old) and 17 teachers from Singapore and Thailand engaged in an immersive 3-day experience in Bangkok where they participated in masterclasses, workshops and a grand gala concert towards the end. A 2-day piano festival took place last year in Singapore at the SOTA Studio Theatre where the 55 STAR Award winners competed among 200 others by performing on a Steinway grand in front of an adjudicating panel consisting of chamber musician, Ksennia Vokhmianina & French pianist, Aimo Pagin.
Over the years, Steinway Gallery Singapore has been the Official Piano Sponsor for this festival, by providing the young pianists with the opportunity to play on a world class concert instrument as well as sponsoring a scholarship for the Most Outstanding Performer. This collaboration with The Musique Loft is important in order to bring the best to musicians and teachers.

From left: Ms Angelyn Aw, Mr Pana Yontararak, Mrs Pawongduen Yontararak, Mr Nat Yontararak, Ms Celine Goh & Ms Winnie Tay
This year, the gala concert played host to Steinway Artist Nat Yontararak and family along with composer Pornphan Banternghansa and San Jittakarn who acted as masterclass coaches.
Workshop speakers Onpavee Nitisingkarin, Pin Aramwittaya and Lukasz Kurzydlo also shared their knowledge with the young talents on subjects such as applying body movement in piano playing using the dalcroze approach, coping with the spotlight and even having a drum circle!

Guest-of-Honour Ms Celine Goh, giving a speech before the concert.
Steinway Gallery Singapore General Manager Ms Celine Goh was also present at the gala concert as the Guest of Honour.
“It was an amazing three days filled with inspiring masterclasses, Dalcroze sessions, and wrapping up with a gala concert, all in the gorgeous Sala Sudasiri Sobha venue, featuring Steinway grand pianos chosen by the school’s founder.” says STAR Award Teacher Pan Hui Jie. “Much gratitude to The Musique Loft and Nat Studio, for creating the most heart-warming and memorable experience in Bangkok to celebrate everyone’s music success!”

From left: Jasmine Zhu, Newman Tong, Winston Ong of No Front Teeth
The closing act of the gala concert showcased the amazing trio No Front Teeth consisting of Jasmine Zhu, Newman Tong and Winston Ong who played a 6 hands piece: Escualo by Piazzolla, arr. by Michelle Francisca. “Performing at the OPF music gala concert was an eye opener. It was amazing to see how music can connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. Certainly, it was an unforgettable experience.” says the trio. “Overall, our trip to Bangkok was a huge success. For the fifth year running our group gets to come together and perform. After the much-dreaded Covid period we finally are able to travel and play to a live audience. We feel grateful to Musique Loft, Steinway Gallery Singapore and Nat Studio for the opportunity to share our music with a new audience, and we can’t wait to see where our music will takes us next!”
In closing, The Musique Loft founders Ms Angelyn Aw and Ms Winnie Tay had this to say: “2023 has been amazing so far and we treasure the opportunity of having this year’s Gala Concert held overseas after a 2 years hiatus. We are very grateful to have the support of all our teachers, parents, students and all our loved ones.”


About the Overseas Performers Festival
The Overseas Performers Festival is the brainchild of The Musique Loft founders Ms Angelyn Aw and Ms Winnie Tay. The festival provides a platform for pianists to showcase talents and receive constructive written commentary from an international adjudicating panel. STAR Award winners and teachers from this festival go on to perform at the gala concert held annually.
Past versions of the festival saw STAR Award winners and teachers performing at the Brunei Expression Music in Brunei, the Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition in Chengdu and the KHS Hall in Taiwan.