Members

Our Members

The orchestra brings together professional Chinese-music performers from Malaysia and Singapore, alongside cross-disciplinary artistic partners.

Artistic Team

Artistic Administrative Director

Sia Huan Ping 謝煥斌

Sia Huan Ping holds a Master's in Musicology from the China Conservatory of Music, where he studied under Prof. Song Fei. He is the orchestra's Artistic Administrative Director, President of the Southern Chinese Musical Society (Nanyi) and Secretary of the Johor Bahru Music Association. He began the violin at nine and took up the erhu at thirteen with Patrick Cheong in the Foon Yew High School Chinese Orchestra, later continuing in Singapore with Jennifer Xu and studying composition and arranging with Prof. Huang Xiaofei; he also holds ABRSM Grade 8 in cello. He has taught and performed across Malaysia and in Beijing, Singapore and Taiwan, and conducts the Chinese orchestras of Foon Yew High School (all three campuses), Pei Chun Independent High School and Chong Hwa High School Simpang Renggam, leading them to many national and international awards.

Composer-in-Residence

Simon Kong Su Leong 江賜良

Simon Kong Su Leong is a Malaysian composer and conductor born in Sabah. He was the first foreign student to graduate with distinction in Chinese instrumental composition from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, studying with Prof. Zhu Xiaogu and conducting with Prof. Xia Feiyun. Devoted to the 'Wuxing' (Five Elements) approach to Chinese orchestral composition and orchestration, he works regularly with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Taipei Chinese Orchestra, and has won Taiwan's Ethnic Music Composition Award and the Composition Grand Prize of the Singapore International Chinese Orchestra Composition Competition. His works appear on BIS Records and other labels. He also wrote 'R&F Princess', the orchestra's first commission.

Principal Conductor

Dedric Wong De Li 黃德勵

Resident Conductor of Ding Yi Music Company and Music Director of the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra and the Nanyang Collective. A 2014 National Arts Council Arts Scholar, Dedric holds a Master's in Orchestral Conducting from the China Conservatory of Music under Prof. Yang Youqing, guided by Maestro Tsung Yeh, and a Diploma in suona from NAFA under Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Tay Teow Kiat. He has guest-conducted the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra String Ensemble, adjudicated the Singapore National Chinese Music Competition, and is Vice President of the Suona and Guan Society of Singapore.

Guest Concertmaster | Gaohu / Erhu

Fred Chan Hong Wei 陳宏偉

Concertmaster of Ding Yi Music Company and Lecturer and Chinese Orchestra Conductor at Singapore Raffles Music College. Penang-born Fred holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in erhu performance from the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, where he studied with Prof. Zhao Hanyang and Prof. Hu Yu on a Chinese Government Full Scholarship and played gaohu in the China Youth Chinese Orchestra. A first-prize winner at the 'Charm of Chinese Music' International Erhu Competition and the Malaysian National Chinese Music Solo Competition, he gave solo recitals in Beijing in 2015 and 2017.

Associate Concertmaster | Erhu

Lee Harng 李航

A graduate in erhu performance from the China Conservatory of Music, Lee Harng studied with Assoc. Prof. Ma Ke and also learned the art of standing huqin performance from Song Fei. Lee Harng is erhu principal of the Southern Chinese Musical Society orchestra in Johor Bahru and coaches erhu at several primary and secondary schools. Lee Harng has performed with the Beijing Chinese Orchestra, the China Conservatory Chinese Orchestra and Ding Yi Music Company, and won silver at the Nanyang International Music Competition and gold at the Malaysian Institute of Art Youth Music Competition.

Creative Strategist

Chen Min Suen 陳敏萱

Trained in philosophy and art, Min Suen graduated in Philosophy (Aesthetics) from Nanyang Technological University and holds an MFA from LASALLE College of the Arts, where she received the Winston Oh Travelogue research award. Her artwork has been exhibited across Singapore. She is a social media strategist and producer for a mainstream Singapore media outlet, handling the full cycle of video planning, filming, editing and publishing. In 2026 she curated the 'Moon Calling' exhibition presented alongside the orchestra's debut concert.

Musicians

Dizi

Germaine Ong Jie Ying 王袺盈

An active performer and educator in Singapore. After a BSc from the National University of Singapore, Germaine began serious study with Mr Ong Thiam Teck, then pursued an MA in dizi at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Prof. Tang Junqiao (2014), supported by scholarships from the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and the Shanghai Municipal Government. In 2016 a National Arts Council grant allowed her to train further with Singapore Chinese Orchestra dizi principal Yin Zhiyang. She has performed at the Esplanade, SOTA Concert Hall and the Shanghai Conservatory.

Soprano Sheng

Soh Swee Kiat 蘇瑞傑

Swee Kiat was sheng principal of his school orchestra in Malaysia before studying sheng at NAFA, Singapore, under Guo Changsuo, graduating in 2017. In 2013 he joined Hesheng, Southeast Asia's only all-sheng ensemble, as its resident bass sheng player. He won first prize in the sheng open category of Singapore's National Chinese Music Competition in 2014 and was invited to perform the winning work with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. He has represented Singapore at Uzbekistan's 'Sharq Taronalari' festival and has been a full-time musician with Ding Yi Music Company since 2015.

Suona

Poh Chee Boon 傅志文

A Johor Bahru native and mechanical engineering graduate of National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, Chee Boon learned huqin in the Foon Yew High School orchestra before taking up the suona, which he continues to study today. In Taiwan he led the NCKU Chinese Music Club and played with the Tainan Han Sheng and Tainan Chinese orchestras. Alongside two decades in mechanical design, he performs and teaches with orchestras across Singapore and Malaysia, repairs keyed suona, guan and sheng, and founded the Jin Long maintenance-free suona reed brand.

Yangqin

Tan Jie Qing 陳潔卿

Yangqin musician with Ding Yi Music Company and a NAFA graduate who studied with Singapore Chinese Orchestra yangqin principal Qu Jianqing and with Ma Yingjun of the Central Conservatory. Jie Qing began the yangqin at 13 as a member of the Foon Yew High School orchestra in Johor Bahru. She won the yangqin open category of Singapore's National Chinese Music Competition 2018 and a prize at the Nanyang International Music Competition, was principal yangqin of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra, plays as a guest with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, and has premiered many new works.

Pipa

Sim Teck Sing 沈得信

A young Malaysian pipa artist from Muar, Johor, Teck Sing began the pipa at 13 and led his school orchestra's plucked-strings section. He entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 2006, studying with Prof. Zhang Qiang, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 2010. He is pipa lecturer at UCSI University, director of the Muar Hua Xia Chinese Orchestra and coach to several school orchestras. In 2018 he toured Malaysia with his solo recital series 'Pipa Xing', and has represented Malaysia in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and beyond.

Ruan

Lam ZiPeng 藍子澎

Having learned piano and guzheng as a child, ZiPeng took up zhongruan in 1999 with Singapore Chinese Orchestra principal Zhang Ronghui and won third prize in the plucked-strings category of the National Chinese Music Solo Competition that year. He entered the China Conservatory of Music in 2002 under Prof. Wei Wei and Zhang Xinhua, gave his first solo recital in 2004 and graduated in 2006. He founded the Ruan Yu chamber ensemble in 2011 and has studied composition with Law Wai Lun since 2012; his arrangements include the Anita Mui and Faye Wong suites.

Ruan

Wong Wai Jan 王惠真

Wai Jan joined a Chinese orchestra in primary school under respected Kuala Lumpur pioneers, and later studied ruan and liuqin with leading players in Malaysia and Singapore, including Zhang Ronghui. A member of several Kuala Lumpur orchestras, she has also performed with Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia. She won second prize in the plucked-strings solo category of the 7th National Chinese Music Festival in 2005 and co-founded the Tian Di Ren He Chinese Orchestra in 2011. She has coached across the Klang Valley, Sabah and Pahang, and now teaches ruan and liuqin at Foon Yew High School (Seri Alam).

Guzheng

Cloud Teo 張雲翔

Cloud Teo holds a Master's in guzheng from the China Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Prof. Lin Ling. He is President of the Malaysian Guzheng Association, Principal of the Malaysia Guzheng Academy, and teaches guzheng at UCSI University and the Malaysian Institute of Art. A silver medallist at the 2007 CCTV National Instrumental Music Competition (overseas category), he released the album 'Zhi Yue', regularly adjudicates international competitions, and his students have won numerous awards.

Guzheng

Kaiji Lim Chuan Terng 林川騰

Kaiji studied guzheng from childhood, including with Cloud Teo, before entering the Guangxi Arts University under Prof. Wang Liping, graduating in 2025. As a student he performed at an international intangible cultural heritage festival and at Malaysia's National Day celebration in Nanning. His awards include overall champion of the 2026 'Zheng Cheng' Malaysia Guzheng Festival, gold in the youth category of the 2021 Macau Guzheng Invitational, gold at the He Le Cup International Plucked Instrument Competition, and an excellence award at the 15th China–ASEAN Arts Education Showcase.

Percussion

Tey June Da 鄭雋達

June Da holds a Master's in Music Education from the University of Taipei, where he majored in violin and also studied piano, percussion and conducting. At Foon Yew High School (Kulai) he joined the Chinese orchestra in 2007, leading the percussion in the classic 'Dragon and Tiger' and serving as student assistant conductor, and has played percussion with the Southern Chinese Musical Society orchestra. In Taiwan he took part in original musical productions and Taiwan–Japan exchange concerts, and in 2016 attended the international Orff seminar at the Mozarteum, Salzburg. He teaches violin, piano, percussion and eurhythmics.

Percussion

Eugene Toh 卓開祥

Eugene is a percussionist with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, active in performance and education. He began Chinese percussion with Quek Ling Kiong at Dunman High School and later studied Western percussion with Ngoh Kheng Seng and Tan Loke Chuah. He holds a BMus (Hons) conferred by the Royal College of Music, studying with Mark Suter at NAFA. A full-time musician with Ding Yi Music Company from 2015 to 2017, he has performed with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Orchestra, teaches at SOTA and NAFA, and studies South Indian and Middle Eastern percussion.

Erhu

Ryan Tay Ler Yan 鄭樂言

Ryan began piano at four and erhu at eight with Patrick Cheong, and now studies with Sia Huan Ping, having also received guidance from China Conservatory guest professor Zhu Lin. He joined the Foon Yew High School Chinese Orchestra in 2021, serving as concertmaster and assistant conductor through several national ensemble competitions. He won gold for erhu solo in the youth category of the 2024 International Children and Youth Chinese Music Competition and gold in the bowed-strings solo category of the 2nd National Secondary School Chinese Music Competition, and holds Grade 8 diplomas from the Central Conservatory (erhu) and Trinity College London (piano).

Zhonghu

Ng Xi 黃希

A NAFA graduate in erhu, Ng Xi studied with Zhang Yuming, a National Class One performer of China, having begun erhu at 13 in the Foon Yew High School Chinese Orchestra and studied with Sia Huan Ping from 17 as concertmaster and student conductor. In 2018 Ng Xi joined NAFA and the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra, performing with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and on tour in China, and was zhonghu principal of the NAFA Chinese Orchestra, and now coaches orchestras at Foon Yew High School (Seri Alam), Pei Chun High School Pontian and several other schools.

Cello

Francis Eng 吳鳴遠

Born in Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru, Francis began the piano at seven and the cello at fifteen. At seventeen he toured to a music festival in Australia with the National University of Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and that year won second prize in the youth category of the National Instrumental Solo Competition. In 2005 he was invited with his teacher to the 3rd International Cello Festival in Kobe, Japan, taking part in its thousand-cello performance. He founded the Alpha Harmonic Music Centre in 2006 and, as its principal, teaches cello and piano and coaches orchestras. He has also performed in 'The Sound of Music' musical in Singapore.

Double Bass

Lim Kai Xuan 林楷軒

Kai Xuan began cello and double bass in lower secondary school, studying with Sia Huan Ping among others. He joined the Foon Yew High School (Seri Alam) Chinese Orchestra in 2022, where he now serves as assistant conductor, and has won awards with the orchestra at national ensemble competitions. He has appeared on major stages in Singapore and Malaysia with professional and semi-professional ensembles including the R&F Opera House Symphonic Band and Ding Yi Music Company.

Guest Artists

Piano Soloist

Claudia Yang 張毓芬

Malaysian-born pianist Claudia Yang began playing at five and at sixteen went to Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts, studying with Dianko Iliew and Paul Badura-Skoda and graduating in 1997 as joint best pianist of her class. Since her Chinese debut at the Beijing Concert Hall in 1999 she has appeared as soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, China National Symphony Orchestra and many others. In 2013 she became the first Asian pianist invited by Valery Gergiev to the Vladikavkaz International Music Festival, and in 2014 received Hungary's Pro Cultura Hungarica Award.

Tenor

Wong Jun Wen 黃俊文

Tenor Wong Jun Wen studied with Robert Grayson at Louisiana State University. He won bronze at NTD Television's 9th International Chinese Vocal Competition in New York (2024) and first prize in the Young Professional category of the Bangkok Opera ASEAN International Singing Competition. He created roles in world premieres with the International Opera Theater of Philadelphia, and his repertoire includes Carmen, Falstaff and Eugene Onegin. Recent highlights include Beethoven's Ninth and Haydn's Nelson Mass with the Penang Philharmonic and the role of the Buddha in 'Siddhartha – the Musical'.

Administration

Consultant: Geoffrey Xie 謝澤浩
General Supervisor: Zhang Yanyan 張燕燕
Publicity: Ong Xuan Ning, Tey Zhi Qiang 王宣寧、鄭志強
Lighting Designer: Hiew Fook Yung 邱富嶸
Sound Designer: See Phooi Yi 施佩如
General Affairs: Chia Jia Hou, Lee Le Han 齊家昊、李樂涵
Artistic Advisory Board: Moses Gay En Hui, Tan Guang Yu 倪恩輝、陳光裕