5-6 June 2025 – 9am to 12pm
Fees:
$220 per student
$200 per student for Early Bird registration
$170 per student for groups of 4 or more
Venue:
Vocalise Studio
5A Pahang St, Singapore 198606
Requirement:
Min. ABRSM Grade 5 Violin, Viola or Cello performance
If not, submission of videos on selected repertoire may be required
Known for his exceptional chamber music skills, James Ng is a prominent figure in the music scene, collaborating with renowned groups such as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Resound Collective, and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. As a founding member of Bossa Celli, Singapore’s premier cello quartet, James has not only contributed to their acclaimed debut album, The Bossa Collection, but has also showcased his talent through premiering his own arrangements for the ensemble.
In the realm of music education, James Ng is a respected figure, having served as an MOE teacher and conducted masterclasses across the region. With a passion for nurturing young talent, James has mentored many students over the years, guiding them to excel in their musical endeavors. His commitment to teaching extends beyond the classroom, as he serves as a leader-mentor with OMM in Singapore and a section tutor for various groups, where he imparts his knowledge and experience to inspire and cultivate the next generation of musicians. James’s impact as an educator is far-reaching, with his students achieving distinctions in their ABRSM examinations and making significant strides in their musical journeys under his guidance.
Thantakorn graduated with the Bachelor’s degree (First Class Honour) from the Royal College of Music (London) in collaboration with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore).
Thantakorn is an active violist in chamber music in Singapore and Thailand. He was selected to premiere the chamber piece ‘Tenon’ by William Mival, written specially to celebrate 10th Anniversary of NAFA-RCM Collaboration. He has been playing actively with Vocalise String Quartet in various occasions, including Candlelight Concerts. In 2023, Thantakorn was invited to be the guest violist for the 2nd Collaborative Piano Camp Thailand, performing various works by Schubert, Mozart, and Schumann. Upcoming, he will be in Thailand to perform Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht alongside his esteemed colleagues and friends.
Thantakorn was a viola instructor of Kid’s Philharmonic between 2021-2023. Believing that music has the power to change ones’ lives in a better way, Thantakorn has been teaching violin and viola since 2020. Since then, a number of his students has received distinction and merit awards from The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
In string quartet playing, intonation and rhythm are like the heartbeat that keeps the music together and makes it sound amazing. On the first day, we’ll work on these key skills, focusing on listening carefully and getting the intonation and rhythm. We’ll use fun exercises and explore the music in a deeper way so everyone can improve their musical expression and performance.
We’ve picked the music from your favourites like Disney, and Studio Ghibli songs! The difficulty of the songs have been picked carefully to make sure it’s just right for everyone while you can still be very much engaged with your favourite tunes! This will help each participant understand the pieces and their role in the quartet, making the experience enjoyable and rewarding for all.
In string quartet playing, phrasing and articulation are important because they show how well you understand and express the music. On the final day of the workshop, we’ll have some fun with exercises that will help you improve your musical sensitivity and listening abilities.
We’ll explore the chosen music thoroughly, aiming to get to know your favourite songs better! By working closely on these songs, you’ll enhance your interpretative skills, technical abilities, and how well you play together as a group. Most importantly, we want to make learning enjoyable, so everyone has a great time and finishes the workshop by performing their favourite tunes together.