Phang Yin Wai | Music Coach

“Enjoy music not only through technical mastery, but by immersing yourself in the nuances of phrasings, rhythm, and allowing your body’s reflexes to flow sensitively.”

Yin Wai: A Harmonious Journey Through Music
Yin Wai, a passionate musician and a graduate architect, has intricately woven his experiences across both disciplines. His musical journey is a testament to dedication, creativity, and a lifelong pursuit of excellence.


Early Musical Exploration
From the tender age of 5, Yin Wai’s love for music blossomed as he tinkered with an electric keyboard. By 12, he had explored the organ, but it was the piano that truly captured his heart. Self-taught using his sister’s piano and sheet music, Yin Wai discovered the magic of creating melodies.


Architectural Awakening and Classical Guitar Discovery
At 18, Yin Wai entered architecture college, where friends introduced him to the classical guitar. This instrument, so different from the keys he was accustomed to, intrigued him and opened a new world of musical exploration.


Guided by a Master
Fate smiled upon Yin Wai when he met Mr. Ang Tiam Siew, his first and only classical guitar teacher. Under Mr. Ang’s guidance, Yin Wai discovered the beauty of classical guitar, mastering its nuances and proper techniques. Mr. Ang’s teachings, influenced by greats like Mr. Lam from Penang and Mr. Eric Ang of Yamaha Malaysia, profoundly shaped Yin Wai’s musical journey.


Notable Achievements
Yin Wai’s dedication to the classical guitar bore fruit early on. At 19, he won first prize in the Yamaha classical guitar competition with a mesmerizing performance of Isaac Albéniz’s “Mallorca.” While studying architecture in Scotland at 22, he remained connected with Mr. Ang, continuing his musical education. At 23, he secured first runner-up at the Tarrega classical guitar competition with Leo Brower’s “Le Decameron Noir.” By 26, he claimed first prize again in the Yamaha classical guitar competition, performing Carlo Domeniconi’s “Koyunbaba.”


A Lifelong Passion
Even as Yin Wai married, started a family, and pursued a career in architecture, his passion for music endured. In 2012, he temporarily set aside the guitar to immerse himself in the piano, exploring musical phrasing and interpretation.


Resurgence and Mastery
2015 marked a turning point for Yin Wai. He acquired a luthier-grade concert guitar and recommitted to the classical guitar. Delving deeply into right-hand techniques and nail shapes, inspired by legends like Segovia, Julian Bream, and John Williams, Yin Wai tirelessly experimented for over seven years. He meticulously honed his technique, emphasizing precise finger angles and compression strength. His dedication resulted in strings that resonated fully, allowing for broader expression dynamics and a deeper connection with the instrument.


The Unending Quest
Yin Wai emphasizes that playing an instrument, especially the classical guitar, is a lifelong pursuit. He continues to explore left-hand phrasing and fingering arrangements, always hungry for growth and new discoveries.