16. SUNDAY EASTERN TIMES. FEBRUARY 11, 2007

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Miri pianist

Yiaw achieves

rare feat

OUTSTANDING PROTEGE ... Siwen Piano Studio in-charge Siwen Wong (back) with Yiaw Siew Hui (Note: Original photo of this photo was positioned on the right)

KUCHING: A 16-year-old pianist Yiaw Siew Hui from Miri has been nominated for an Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) International scholarship. Considering that only four international scholarships are awarded each year in the South East Asian region, her feat is all the more amazing.

      Most music teachers would have heard of the existence of an ABRSM scholarship but to be directly offered and nominated as a candidate is extremely rare and hardly happens in Malaysia.

      To be nominated, a candidate has to emerge as the most qualified in the whole ABRSM South East Asian regional examinations and must be recommended by a prominent ABRSM examiner.

      Yiaw, who is studying in Siwen Piano Studio in Miri, scored both distinctions in her ABRSM Grade 8 piano and music theory examinations in 2006, said the officer-in-charge of the studio, Siwen Wong.       

      Wong herself scored seven Grade 8 distinctions in the 2000 examinations and she is the only Malaysian who has ever studied in the world famous Warsaw Academic of Music in Poland.

      “Yiaw has achieved a balanced top score. If an examination candidate gets full marks in all tests but fails in an aural test, he or she might be rejected for the scholarship consideration. Since the minimum age criteria to enter the Royal Music School in London is 17 years old, it means Yiaw can still apply to study there when she reaches the age if 17 as there is no expiry date on the scholarship offered to her.” Wong added.

      When first contacted, Wong could not believe that one of her stude3nts had been nominated for the ABRSM International Scholarship.

      ABRSM examiners are from London, England and they have no idea how old the examination candidates are.

      The name of the nominated candidate is sent to the Educational Department in Kuala Lumpur and the Department will then trace down the student (in this case Yiaw, through the Siwen Piano Studio in Miri).

      It is extremely hard just to get admitted to study in any one of the Royal Music Schools in England and while there are Sarawakian ABRSM graduates, most of them are admitted through self-applications with distinctions in their Grade 8 results.

      Thus, for Yiaw to get recommendation and nominated for the ABRSM International Scholarship to study in the Royal Music School of London is indeed a rare feat.

(Note: Specially used for publishing in this blog, thus this article has been retyped from the old newspaper Sunday Eastern Times. Dated February 11, 2007)

Siwen Wong's Profile

Siwen Wong's Profile

Wong Siwen

      Siwen earned her Bachelor of Music in Applied Piano from USA, her piano technique and Chopin studies in Poland and done her post graduate music studies and diploma in Creative Writing, Dist. in New Zealand.

      She specialized in teaching and training Piano Technique, Dexterities & Aesthetic to advance diploma piano students, involved in Consultation, Instructional Design & Planning and worked years as adjudicator, pianist, accompanist, composer, arranger & speaker.

     Siwen formed pro tem Miri Orchestra and Choir Society (MOCS) with a group of loyal orchestra enthusiasts and before MOCS approval she acted as its president, one of its sponsors, directors and conductors (Since 1997 to 2002)

      Siwen was the creator and writer of Kinder Virtuoso Program (Since 1996), a well round music appreciation program specially designed for very young chilkdren. Siwen finally retires after teaching piano and working actively in music developments for more than 25 years in M'sia, Brunei, USA, Poland and N.Z.

      She was the proprietor of Siwen Piano Studio (April 1993 to Sept 2009) and Miri Kawai Musc Co, a sole authorized Kawai dealer in Miri (1995 to Sept 2009)

REMARKS:

“You handle the technical demands with great deal of authority, discipline and ease.” – Adjudicator/Concert pianist

“This pianist has done excellent work and good approach to the instrument.” - Adjudicator/Symphony Orchestra Conductor

“She has had exceptionally fine training in keyboard studies, had excellent preparation in Music theory, Literature and History courses.” – Composition professor/Symphony orchestra conductor.

“To say the least, her academic experience coupled with her service to the University has guided her in gaining a broad based undergraduate education and distinctions as a student.” - Dean of College of Art and Science

“Very good playing.” – Adjudicator/Concert Pianist/Professor (Julliard School of Music)

AWARDS:

1st Prize Music Awards in All-University Level and Chopin's Workshop Competitions.

The Winner of Staff Accompanist and Texas Competitive Scholarships.