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So as a second feature of the upcoming Basso Canaries concert (starring ME!!!) I though I'd put up bios of the four performers. Hope it'll be interesting to you.
About the BASSO CANARIES
Founded in 2011, The Basso Canaries are two young local baritones Xiao Chunyuan and Steven Ang. These two vocalists have known each other when they were private students of Madam Elena Ng Choy-Luan, a famous Singaporean vocal educator, and perform together often in duets and as section leaders of choirs. As both aspire to professional careers in the arts, they have decided to form a performing duo with the moniker of The Basso Canaries.
Andrew Xiao Chunyuan
Born to a family of artistic culture, Chunyuan graduated recently from Singapore Raffles Music College with a Foundation Degree, equivalent to the UK’s Higher National Diploma as certified by the University Of West London.
Xiao became interested in singing during his secondary school days and this led him to come to a decision to learn singing in 2005 with Madam Elena Ng Choy Luan, a Singaporean soprano, notably famous for educating good singers. Under her tutelage, Xiao was awarded Grade 5 Merit by ABRSM that year.
Xiao was chosen to record the theme song for the Adidas China commercial advertisement in 2008. He was part of the pioneering batch of music students at the Singapore Raffles Music College, studying for an Advanced Diploma in Classical Singing.
Late 2009, Xiao was transferred to Mr. William Lim, well-known opera and oratorio singer in the Asia region. In 2010, Xiao was awarded 2nd prize at the 4th Zhong Sin International Music Competition, Male Vocal Open category. He also received a Diploma in Singing by the London College of Examinations Board, Thames Valley University. In late December 2011, Xiao received the honour of being one of the vocalists chosen to perform all new vocal works by Singaporean composers. In addition to singing, Xiao is also a composer and arranger. Two of his new works, Ding Dong Bells and The Ring That Left Behind have received their world premieres on 12th February this year. His music is available at free-scores.com and scoreexchange.com
Steven Ang
Steven Ang is an up-and-coming performer and arts journalist in the region. Currently studying classical vocal music in Taipei’s Soochow University, his main teachers are Singaporeans Reuben Lai, Elena Ng and Taiwanese Sun Ching-Chi.
Steven is active in the theatre, classical music and choral scenes and has performed in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Mainland China. Companies he has worked with include the Singapore Broadway Playhouse (ensemble actor), Echo Philharmonic Society (bass section leader and soloist), Musical Theatre Ltd (supporting role, undertaken in only two weeks), Singapore Symphony (chorus member), Taipei’s Cherubim Singers (vocal ensemble) and YinQi Symphony Chorus. Recent performances include recitals in Taiwan and Singapore, charity performances and chorus member for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Verdi’s Aida (co-production by the Taipei Symphony and Opera di Roma, undertaken in only 18 days).
In addition to performing, Steven is also the founder and editor of local opera e-zine The Mad Scene (http://the-mad-scene.blogspot.com) and Classical and Opera columnist for Time Out Singapore. His writings have also been featured in 8 Days and The Straits Times.
Beatrice Lin
Born in Singapore, Beatrice is sought after as a chamber musician and accompanist. She has worked with many instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors from Singapore and abroad. She is also actively involved in orchestras as a violinist and keyboardist, having performed with the Chamber Orchestra of Geneva. She has also been a répétiteur for many years, working closely with numerous local school choirs, the Singapore Dance Theatre, Singapore Lyric Opera, Opera Holland Park, London and Geneva Competition in 2008. She has performed as a concert soloist in the Czech Republic, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Beatrice graduated from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Of Music under full scholarship, supported by the National Arts Council where she studied with Albert Tiu and Khoo Siaw Sing. She then took on postgraduate studies at Royal Academy of Music with grateful support from the National Arts Council and Lee Foundation and completed her Masters in Piano Accompaniment under the class of Jean Jacques Balet at the Geneva Conservatory Of Music. Beatrice is also a member of piano trio The Incursion Trio, Singapore’s only professional piano trio ensemble.
Iris Koh
Iris Koh started learning music from young and received her ABRSM Grade 8 in Piano during her secondary school days. Soon after finishing her junior college at Raffles Junior College, she went to the University Of Adelaide to study for a Bachelor of Music, specializing in Musicology. Upon her graduation in BMus with Honours in Musicology, Iris continued her post-graduate studies and attained a Masters in Music at the University Of Queensland.
During her years with the Singapore Music Association, she was Vice-President in 2004 and was their Honorary Secretary from 2001 to 2002 and again in 2006.
Iris is also a vocal coach and choral conductor as well, with her choir receiving The Most Promising Choir award during the International Choral Festival held in 2005.
Iris is the founder of AthenArts which specialises in teaching vocal, piano and violin music as well as staging music events.
Recently she founded the Singers Club All Girls. The group recently performed at the TEDx Women Singapore Showcase on 8th Dec 2010, featuring her song Shoes. Subsequently this video was showcased in www.TED.com, a prestigious international website that promotes cutting edge ideas, innovation and world class speakers.
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Phew that's quite a chunk to get through. Once again the Basso Canaries concert takes place on 6 February 2012. Tickets are available at The Arts Houses's box office but you can also email themadscene@gmail.com or call 9180 9453 for tickets. Hope to see you there!
