THOMAS TAN, MASTER TEACHER
Thomas has a distinguished teaching career and had been with the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore for over 40 years as a Music Specialist. He was Head of the MOE Music Unit (Curriculum) and was the Assistant Director of CCA Music. Trained in Paris, France, Thomas has been instrumental in designing and developing the Music Curriculum for Primary and Secondary schools as well as the Syllabus for the Music Elective Programme (MEP) leading to the GCE “O” and “A” Level Music. He was also involved with the organisation of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and the development of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO).
In conjunction with MOE and in collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE), he has conducted numerous courses and workshops on music teaching for school teachers. He has also worked with agencies such as the National Arts Council (NAC), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), La-Salle College of the Arts and other national and international bodies on the promotion of music and the arts. He is currently teaching at Seimpi School of Music, conducting workshops for teachers and parents on Music in Early Childhood Education and is also preparing candidates for the Associate Diploma in Music Pedagogy (Assoc Dip MP). Thomas holds a Master of Education and has also completed a Specialist Diploma in Pre-School Education (Teaching & Leadership).
MARIA TERESA E. GERVASIO, TEACHER
Maria serves the school as a teacher for Piano and the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses.
Maria has been teaching for the past 18 years in various capacities as a music and piano teacher in prestigious primary school institutions in the Philippines and as a private piano tutor. She graduated with a Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts, Major in Piano, minor in Ethnic Instruments with the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1988. She is a trained educator with several courses in Music Education such as Kodaly and Early Childhood Methodology with the UP as well. She has also vast performing experience as both Pianist and Accompanist in her career. She has also obtained her Associate Diploma in Music Pedagogy (Assoc dip MP).
MARCIA, TEACHER
Marcia serves the school as a teacher for Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, specialising in Voice at the Conservatory of Music, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines. While in University, She actively participated in Christmas Cantata (Concert) (1993 & 1994) and the 100 years of Dr. Jose Rizal (Play) (1996) as a choir member . Her vocal repertoire includes Classical, Broadway, Ballad, Contemporary and Pop songs. She has 11 years of extensive teaching experiences in well-established music schools in Manila and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Marcia has also conducted classes for individuals or groups from hobbyist to performing artiste of different age groups (4 to 65 years). Apart from teaching, Marcia also has some performing experience as a Lead / Back-up singer at Functions or Dinner shows.
SHIELY, TEACHER
Shiely serves the school as Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor in Elementary Education, majoring in Music at University de Sta Isabel, Philippines. She has been a music teacher for the past ten years in one of the primary schools and served as cultural coordinator of the whole district. As cultural coordinator, she conducted trainings/workshops in music instruction and organised music and art performances as well as competitions. She served also as private piano/keyboard tutor, especially to young children. Shiely believes that teaching is her calling and the meaning of her life.
SHANTY CHAN, TEACHER
Shanty serves the school as a Piano teacher and as an instructor of the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She started learning piano at 5 years old in Rhapsody Music School, and has achieved her ABRSM Grade 8 piano qualification. She is currently working towards her Diploma qualification.
Shanty has been teaching for 11 years at several Music Schools and Primary (Private and International) Schools. She is experienced in teaching children of different ages, teenagers, and adults. She was a pianist and organist in her school and church. In 2007, she was invited as an organist to Stephen Tong’s Gospel Rally - Surabaya. As a teacher, Shanty’s commitment is to always do the best for her students and upgrade herself. Her motto is "Good Foundation produces Good Musician".Shanty is also a graduate in Information Technology from Petra Christian University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
WENDY ONG, TEACHER
Wendy serves the school as a teacher for Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses and piano. She holds a Certification in Piano and is currently pursuing her classical (piano) music education from ABRSM (Association Board of Royal School of Music) and pop piano playing/ improvisation from a local music institution. During her primary and secondary schools days, Wendy was an active member/ sectional leader for the percussion section and held the position of drum major when she participated in several competitions like SYF (Singapore Youth Festival). She also attended the Conductors Symposia and Instrumental Technique by Prof Shuichi Komiyama (Singapore) focusing on the concept of orchestra instrumental (Winds, brass, percussion) technique.
As a music educator, she has experience teaching children from the primary to secondary level and working with school teachers in the choreography of music and dance for concerts, public performance, and charitable events. She also has experience in private teaching and developed a teaching programme that specially caters to students’ needs. She is passionate about teaching young children and constantly improves her musical knowledge/ techniques in order to benefit her students and hopes to inspire them through their musical journey.
ESTHER TEO, TEACHER
Esther serves the school as a teacher of Piano and the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She graduated from the University of Queensland with a BEng (HONS) and holds a Certification in Piano and is currently pursuing her classical (piano) music education with ABRSM (Association Board of Royal School of Music). During her secondary school days, Esther was an active member of her school band, playing the E-flat clarinet. She participated in several competitions such as the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), performed in public and also took part in the National Day Parade in a military band.
Esther first discovered her passion for teaching whilst giving private lessons to her neighbour, and ever since, she has been teaching students from children to adults. As a teacher, she is constantly learning to further improve and upgrade herself in order to impart her knowledge and skills effectively to her students. Ester strives to bring out the best in her students and nurture their interest and passion for music.
JESSLYN TEO, TEACHER
Jesslyn serves the school as a teacher of Piano and the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She started her musical journey when she was 4 years old and has achieved her ABRSM Grade 8 piano qualification. She is currently pursuing her Diploma in music performance with Association Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM).
During her secondary school days, Jesslyn joined the concert band playing the Flute and Piccolo. Being an active member of the band, she was appointed as the Section leader and Student conductor. She led the band to many public performances, including one held at Victoria Concert Hall. She also organised activities for the band and participated in several competitions such as Singapore Youth Festival. After experiencing an interesting musical journey, she hopes to inspire other young children through theirs too.
REGINA HO, TEACHER
Regina serves the school as a teacher for the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She has attained her Trinity College practical and theory Grade 8 in piano, Fundamental Grade 5 in organ as well as a teaching Certificate in music.
She has been an organ teacher since she was 19, teaching courses for 6 year olds to adults at Yamaha Music School for 21 years. During her employment, she was also an examiner for the Yamaha organ graded examination and involved in the students’ annual concerts and Teachers’ Concert.
Regina taught IT music and theory for 2 years in primary schools before joining Learning Horizon to deliver the programme at Learning Vision childcare centres. Regina’s love for children led her to take up the Certificate in Pre-School Teaching and make teaching music to young children her career choice.
ONG RUIQI, TEACHER
Ruiqi serves the school as a teacher for the Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She has been giving private violin lessons for the last 7 years to children of all ages. In addition, she conducts violin lessons at various local primary schools for their String Ensemble CCA and SYF (Singapore Youth Festival) competitions. Since 2002, she has been conducting the Junior Music Programme at Learning Vision centres and acquired a Certificate in Pre-school Teaching (CPT) from Learning Capital in 2005. She also received a Diploma in Violin Performance from London College of Music with distinction.
Whilst pursuing her studies, she was an active member in her School's String Ensemble Group, performing annually for school events and throughout Asia. Ruiqi still plays the violin for various orchestra group performances as a guest or alumni during her free time.
MARIA ANA MARGARITA REYES, TEACHER
Marga serves the school as a teacher of Piano and Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She has a Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts (DCPMA Music Education) and Bachelor’s degree in Music, majoring in music education (piano, voice and viola minor) from the University of the Philippines College of Music. Marga has had experience teaching music to children from various age groups both in private and public schools as part of her course requirements in college. Aside from being a student-teacher, she was also able to handle and conduct a boys’ choir which performed successfully during their culminating activity at the end of the semester.
While undergoing her studies, Marga also worked as a private piano and voice tutor. She was also hired by My Masterpiece Arts Centre as a piano, voice and music and movement teacher and by East Bay Centre for Music and Arts as piano and voice instructor. She trained and performed with the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA) under Mr. Ed Manguiat, and also performed as a violist with the UP (University of the Philippines) Orchestra. Her diligence and hard work paid off when she graduated as an honour student (cum laude) in April 2009. It was during the same time when she passed the Philippine Regulation Commission licensure examination for secondary MAPEH (music, arts, physical education, health) teachers. After graduation, she was employed as a full-time primary and secondary music teacher at Southville International School and Colleges (SISC). Her experience handling children of different nationalities brought her to understand a lot more about music and multiculturalism.
Marga keeps herself updated with the current trends in teaching methods by attending seminars and workshops related to her field of expertise.
WANG EIGENE, TEACHER
Eigene serves the school as a teacher for Piano and Music for the Intelligent Mind (MIM) courses. She started her musical journey at a tender age of 4 and has gradually progressed as she ventures through discovering her musical talent. She was a Section Leader playing the Pianica in the Instrumental Ensemble in her Primary school, and was a Student Conductor and Section Leader of the Flute, Oboe and Bassoon Section in her Secondary School Band. She learnt to play the oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone and guitar in her Secondary School years and also attained a crash course Drums Certificate.
Her teaching experience includes teaching music to children as young as 2.5 years old through to adults at 60. Eigene also had the opportunity to conduct classes for Intellectually Disabled Children; and under the arm of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), she was asked to hold a one-on-one private piano lesson with a child diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a children’s home. Both she and the child even held a performance at an event held to showcase his talent and were featured on CAN Get Real! in October 2008.
She has staged various performances for events such as Singapore Airlines (SIA) annual Christmas celebration party, Lion City Club Christmas celebration party and Singapore Arts Cafe Open-Mic Performance. She was also involved in playing for and producing a Chinese oldies album for the elderly and a recording for the keyboard parts of a musical, "Silver Dreams". At the moment, Eigene is pursuing her Diploma in Piano (Education) from the Associate Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM) and continues to enhance her learning with Jazz Piano and violin classes.
JACENA DE GUZMAN, TEACHER
Jacena de Guzman serves the school as a teacher of Music for the Intelligent Mind®(MIM)®. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Music from Saint Louis University, Philippines. She was a recipient of a full scholarship as a band member trained by Prof. Macario G. Fronda. In addition, she completed educational units in Masters in Educational Management and Master of Science in Physical Education and Sports, Saint Louis University, Phillipines. She has been a member of a church choir and the college choir and alto singer with several local performances. She also has a recording under the theme, ‘ Huwarang Pamilyang’, conducted by Carmencita Juquiana-Zuniga and composed by Prof. Macario G. Fronda . As a trained music teacher, she has vast training in methodology and theory. Jacena keeps herself updated with the latest methodology because she believes a good teacher should never stop learning.
APRIL DAWNENA MERCED, TEACHER
April serves the school as a piano teacher. At the early age of 4, she began playing pieces on the piano by ear. she began formal lessons in her hometown a year after. She started competing when she was 9 years old and since won top prizes in all regional, university and national competitions she took part in. She was accepted with a full scholarship at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling, Laguna under Prof. Avelina Manalo in 1999.
In 2008, she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance at the University of the Philippines College of Music under the tutelage of Prof. Nita Abrogar-Quinto. She was a consistent University and College scholar, and a scholar of the College of Music Extension Program. On that same year, she won 1st place at the Centennial Concerto Competition of the University of the Philippines College of Music, where she played Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor. April is currently pursuing her master's degree in Piano Performance under Prof. Agot Espino at the University of the Philippines College of Music, while teaching at the Extension Program of the said school. She has also been teaching young beginners at an International School in the Philippines.
STEPHANIE CHAN, TEACHER
Stephanie serves the school as Music for the Intelligent Mind, MIM(R) teacher and piano teacher. She studied Music Performance at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and did Music at ‘A’ Levels. She is also certified by the Ministry of Education to be a music instructor under the Art and Music Instructors Scheme (Amis). Stephanie studied under Ng Chong Lim, Benjamin Loh and Connie Chung. She appeared in a master-class with Shane Thio and performed at various concerts too, such as Schubert Mass in G Minor (2005), Mozart Mass in B Minor (2006), Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (2008) and Chingay (2008).
Besides music performance, Stephanie also received a certificate of attendance from the English Radio Academy, Singapore Media Academy, Mediacorp in 2009. Stephanie also teaches music appreciation to teachers and students at various primary schools, using instruments such as keyboards, xylophones, chimes and boom-whackers. She has also worked with school teachers in the choreography of music performances for school events. She hopes to inspire students in music-learning with her passion and love for music.