Young Singaporean talents shine in the 6th Overseas Performers Festival | Steinway Gallery Singapore
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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.

Amateur Solo Category Period Category Popular Category Overall Winners (Period) Overall Winners (Popular)
Age Definition Duration Baroque Classical Romantic Contemporary Theatre/Broadway Film Jazz/Blues Anime Pop Songs
6 and below Born 1 Jan 2019 or later 5 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
8 and below Born 1 Jan 2017 or later 5 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
10 and below Born 1 Jan 2015 or later 7 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
12 and below Born 1 Jan 2013 or later 7 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
14 and below Born 1 Jan 2011 or later 9 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
16 and below Born 1 Jan 2009 or later 9 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize
18 and below Born 1 Jan 2007 or later 11 mins Best Baroque Best Classical Best Romantic Best Contemporary Best Theatre/Broadway Best Film Best Jazz/Blues Best Anime Best Pop Songs +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize +1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize

Competition Requirements

Categories

  • Category 1 – Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2011)
  • Category 2 – Ages 12 to 14 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
  • Category 3 – Ages 15 to 17 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007)

Repertoire requirements

  • Participants must present 3 contrasting selections.
  • Repertoire must include the first movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, or Schubert.
  • No concerti or transcriptions are allowed.
  • Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
  • Auditions will be conducted in a continuous, live-recording manner. Re-takes are not allowed.

Duration
Maximum 20 minutes

Entry Fees
$250

Competition Requirements

Categories

  • Category 1 – Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2011)
  • Category 2 – Ages 12 to 14 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
  • Category 3 – Ages 15 to 17 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007)

Repertoire requirements

  • Participants must present 3 contrasting selections.
  • Repertoire must include the first movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, or Schubert.
  • No concerti or transcriptions are allowed.
  • Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
  • Auditions will be conducted in a continuous, live-recording manner. Re-takes are not allowed.

Duration
Maximum 20 minutes

Entry Fees
$250