One of Southeast Asia`s best Pipa players

THE TENG ENSEMBLE
CURRENT
I N N O VAT I V E
VISIONARY
URBAN
The critically acclaimed TENG Ensemble bridges the traditional and
contemporary with the use of technology and a sound that is current,
innovative, visionary and urban—guided by Asian aesthetics.
Their works take inspiration from Singapore’s heritage and are presented in
a way that is accessible and representative of Singaporean culture and a
Southeast Asian musical language. They have been invited to perform at
several prestigious events such as the Youth Olympic Games, Shanghai
World Expo, Gastech 2015 Singapore Launch in Seoul, Travel Business
Leaders Award jointly organised by Singapore Tourism Board
and CNBC, 35th Speak Mandarin Campaign Launch, 20th World Orchid
Conference, 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, 5th ASEAN Culture &
Arts Ministers' Meeting, Singapore Heritage Festival, Singapore Night Festival, and
for the South African and Australian High Commissions. The ensemble’s major
concerts in 2012 and 2013 at the Esplanade Recital Studio were both fully sold out,
and they are slated to be back at the Esplanade Concert Hall in 2016.
THE TENG SOUND
We are a Singaporean sound
that is current, innovative,
visionary and urban—guided by
Asian aesthetics.
Our music is a unique, cultural blend
of sounds from the East and West,
traditional and contemporary styles,
showcased in an energetic and
exhilarating performance.
As music specialists with over 10
years of experience, our programming
is sharp, exact and discerning, catered
to today’s audience and today’s taste.
MEDIA CLIPPINGS
QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA
让⼈人不知如何归类 却⼜又似乎
扣住了听者⼼心⾥里的某个地⽅方 想继续
听下去
While one cannot pinpoint the exact
genre of the ensemble’s music, it stirs the
heart of the listener, making them yearn for
more.
[I] was treated to delightful
music at yesterday's
Business China Awards by
Chinese instrumentalists
from the TENG Ensemble.
...gave the enthusiastic
audience much to
cheer about
The ensemble's sense of
adventure has led them to
incorporate sounds from
daily life into their music
– often in enigmatic ways.
Enjoyed the
performances by The
TENG Company. The
sheng player was
particularly expressive.
THE ALBUM
Launched in 2013 to
celebrate The TENG
Company’s eighth
anniversary.
The album is distributed by Japanese record label
S2S and is available for purchase on
www.sensemusicstore.com
The TENG
Ensemble’s debut
album 八 Eight
features eight
tracks that draw
references to
diverse musical
styles and
various genres of
popular music
such as film, TV,
anime,
electronica and
soft rock.
PROFILE: YANG JI WEI
笙
SHĒNG
Recipient of the Singapore Youth Award 2015,
the nation’s highest accolade for outstanding
youths
Other achievements and leadership roles include:
• Recipient of the prestigious Shell-National Arts Council Scholarship in 2005.
• Co-founder and Executive Director of The TENG Company.
• Multiple-award winning Sheng performer.
• Executive Committee member of the Singapore Chinese Music Federation.
• Director of the Musicians Guild of Singapore.
• President of the Singapore Sheng Association.
• Music Director and Founder of the first and only Sheng ensemble in South East Asia, "Resonance".
• Music Director and Conductor of the Chinese orchestras of Raffles Institution, Raffles Junior College,
Catholic High School (Primary), Elias Park Primary School and Temasek Polytechnic.
Three-time Sheng champion at the
National Chinese Music Competition
Ji Wei read music at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China under renowned Sheng
masters Professor Yang Shoucheng and Feng Haiyun. He started learning the Sheng since he was 10,
under Guo Changsuo and has received guidance from Professor Xu Chao Ming (Shanghai
Conservatory) and Weng Zhen Fa. In 2004, he won the first prize at the First Solo Combined Category
for Guanzi, Suona and Sheng in Singapore’s National Chinese Music Competition. In the same
competition, he was also twice a first-prize winner in the Ensemble Category (2000, 2004).
PROFILE: SAMUEL WONG
琵琶
PÍPA
Recipient of the Outstanding Young Persons of
Singapore Award and the JCCI Singapore
Foundation Culture Award
Samuel obtained his PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Sheffield in 2009 and is the Artistic
Director and Pipa player of The TENG Company. Other achievements and leadership roles include:
• Author of the books “Impressions of a Pipa Player” (2003) and “QI: An Instrumental Guide to the Chinese
Orchestra” (2005).
• Recipient of the Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore Award 2009, the JCCI Singapore Foundation
Culture Award 2009, the Henry Worthington Scholarship, the Singapore Institute of Management Teaching
Excellence Award 2012 and the Ngee Ann Polytechnic 50th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Award for
Arts & Culture.
• Member of the Music Education Programme Advisory Committee of SIM University
• Head of Research at the Singapore Chinese Music Federation.
• Mentor for the Artist Mentor Scheme (2013 & 2014), an initiative helmed by the Singapore Teachers’
Academy for the aRts (STAR) and supported by the National Arts Council.
• Adjunct faculty at University at University at Buffalo-Singapore Institute of Management and LASALLE
College of the Arts.
One of Southeast Asia’s best Pipa players
In his youth, Samuel was described by the Singapore Business Times as “one of the best Pipa players in
Singapore” and was a two-time Pipa champion at Singapore’s National Chinese Music Competition (2000,
2002). He has performed in the capacity of soloist and chamber musician in Melbourne, Shanghai, Beijing,
Bangkok, Copenhagen, London, Dublin, Mayo, Wales and Vientiane among other cities. An advocate of
contemporary work, he premiered the works of renowned local and international composers, as well as
collaborated with several Singaporean arts groups and international artists. In December 2013, Samuel was
officially invited by the Chulaborn Research Institute on a concert tour to China with Her Royal Highness
of
Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol of Thailand. In 2013, he set up The Pipa Quartet with three of his
award-winning students and revolutionised the instrument, creating the world's first electo-acoustic pipa,
which was also supported by the National Arts Council’s Creation Grant.
PROFILE: GERALD TEO
革胡
GÉHÚ
/
CELLO
Award-winning Cellist and two-time 1st Prize
Winner at the National Chinese Music
Competition
Gerald obtained his Honours and Masters Degrees from the University of New South Wales, Australia along
with a Licentiate from the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in Cello Teaching. In 2010, he graduated with
a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from the National Institute of Education. As an established
educator, Gerald is currently engaged to coach in the Chinese Orchestras & String Ensembles at Temasek
Polytechnic, St. Margaret’s Secondary, Nanyang Girls High School, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road),
Anglo-Chinese School (International), Catholic High Primary, Sembawang Primary. A two-time 1st Prize
Winner (2004 and 2000) and Merit award recipient (2002) in the Senior Ensemble Category of the National
Chinese Music Competition, Gerald has had extensive engagements with numerous ensembles such as the
University of New South Wales Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Singapore National
Youth Orchestra, Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra and The Singapore
Indian Orchestra amongst others. His appointments as principal cellist in these orchestra and ensemble
groups have enabled him to perform in Beijing, Shanghai, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia
throughout his career.
PROFILE: HUANG PEH LINDE
Scholar with the prestigious Yong Siew Toh
Conservatory of Music at NUS
Peh Linde graduated in Recording Arts (Hons) at the prestigious Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of
Music, National University of Singapore on a full scholarship in 2015. Awarded the COMPASS Silver
Award (2010) for outstanding performance, Peh Linde’s works draw from a vibrant palette of colours
and she experiments widely with genres ranging from pop, urban and electronic, to orchestral and
musicals, and mixing a unique combination of orchestral and ethnic sounds into modern pop
arrangements
As a Music Arranger and Producer, Peh Linde has worked on various theme songs and productions
for Chingay Parade, W!ld Rice, Mediacorp Channel 5 and Channel 8, xinmsn.com, Capital 95.8FM,
UFM 100.3FM, HSR International Realtors Pte Ltd and City Developments Limited. She has also
worked alongside renowned local producers such as Iskandar Ismail, Elaine Chan, Bang Wenfu and
Eric Ng, and created Sound Designs for product and campaign advertisements for Wing Tai Asia and
Ministry of Defence, Singapore.
To date, Peh Linde’s discography includes soundtracks for theatre production ‘Monkey Goes West’
and Dick Lee’s musical ‘Hot Pants’, Mando-pop artiste Kenny Khoo’s debut album and Maestro
Guitar ambassador Neil Chan’s debut guitar EP. Her portfolio spans 1 award-winning instrumental
album (10th Hi-Fi Album Awards, China), 3 musical soundtracks, 2 Mando-pop albums, 1 solo guitar
album and 1 single release.
PROFILE: DAVID KHOR
Guitar whizz with the gift of perfect pitch
David is a self-taught guitarist who has been playing the acoustic guitar since he was 15.
Possessing the gift of perfect pitch, David plays primarily by ear rather than score and has
developed a unique technique of playing the guitar that allows for both melodic and percussive
elements to be performed concurrently.
He began his education in music on the piano at the age of 5, obtaining ABRSM Grade 5 in
Theory of Music and on Piano at the age of 11. David then picked up the acoustic guitar at the
age of 15, learning through a mix of theoretical knowledge, listening and practical
experimentation. Between 2007 and 2011, David was involved in numerous local music
productions such as Emerge by NUS CAC Voices, Campus Superstar Reunion Concert, Shatec
Graduation Exam Event and Earth Hour at NUS. In this period of time, he was also appointed
Vice-President of the Singapore Institute of Management Guitar Club, worked as an instructor
teaching workshops for ukulele and guitar in primary and secondary schools for The Eighth
Note Music School, and was invited to give a talk at the TEDXNUS event in 2010.
David obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University at Buffalo in 2013.
PROFILE: PHUA EE KIA
Rare type of classical male singing
voice that is equivalent to a female
mezzo-soprano
Ee Kia made his public solo debut at the age of 17 with the role of 'Cobweb' in the
Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO)'s production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1997). At 18, he topped a nationwide audition to sing the treble solo in Bernstein's
Chichester Psalms (1998) with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO). Other notable
solo performances include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Pie Jesu’, at the televised 2010 YTL
Concert at the Botanic Gardens featuring Andrea Bocelli and the world premiere of Mark
Chan’s operetta ‘Flight of the Jade Bird’ commissioned as the opening item for the
Singapore Arts Festival 2012, where he originated the role of the Jade Bird. Ee Kia then
reprised the role in the Hong Kong New Vision Arts Festival held at the Hong Kong
Cultural Centre Studio Theatre in December 2012.
PSC Scholar with the Ministry of
Education, Singapore and First-Class
Honours Music Graduate from the
University of Birmingham, UK
A familiar face in the local classical music scene, Ee Kia was invited to speak at the
inaugural prestigious TEDx conference held at the Singapore Management University in
September 2013. Ee Kia is at the same time a sought after vocal instructor and choral
conductor, and has directed various exemplary choirs, including the Singapore Lyric Opera
Children’s Choir, the Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (STAR) choir, the
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) choir, the Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
choir as well as the Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) choir to name a few. Ee Kia currently
serves on the Artist-Mentor Scheme, an initiative helmed by STAR and supported by the
National Arts Council. Ee Kia is also a former presenter with Mediacorp’s radio station
Symphony 92.4FM.
+65 9726 6438