Managing Director
Stanley Chin completed his Bachelor of Music with Honours (Audio Production) and received Rector Award in National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy, LTCL Recital and was awarded a full scholarship by Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) to complete his Diploma in Music. He was under the tutelage of John Yong and Malgorzata Skrodzka-Ng. He also attended master classes conducted by Uros Dojcinovic, Josep Henriquez, Jose Maria, Phillip Hii, Gary Ryan, Isablelle Heroux and Maud Laforest.
Besides playing the guitar, he also learned conducting under the guidance of Dr. Takahisa Ota. As a guitarist, Stanley has appeared both as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a regular solo artist of Japan Club Kuala Lumpur and also served as the guest artist of Friend of Strings to perform at DPAC and Penang PAC in year 2013 and 2014 respectively. Apart from this, Stanley performed in Sabah, Johor, Alliance Francaise, No Black Tie, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and National Art Gallery since 2003. He is also an active chamber musician, performing frequently with various local vocalists and instrumentalists including the members of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). In 2007, Stanley was invited to join Fuegokoori, a guitar-cello group and performed extensively since then.
Stanley dedicates most of his time in teaching besides performing. In 2003, Stanley founded Ideal Music, a private music school located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the aim to nurture more musicians for the next generation. He was the conductor of MIA Guitar Ensemble and regular examiner of MIA since 2001. In 2014, he was appointed by the former Music Director of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), Dr. Takahisa Ota to be the manager of KLPAC orchestra. In 2007, he founded the Rafflesia Guitar Quartet, a classical guitar ensemble group, He was the Artistic Director of Asia Pacific Arts Festival in year 2017 to 2018. Production Manage of Japan-Malaysia Legacy Concerts 2017, Artistic Advisor of 2018 Taiwan 2nd International Classical & Traditional Music Competition.
Currently, Stanley is the President of Malaysian Association of Love for Ukulele Music (PPMUM), Managing Director of Ideal Music, Conductor of PPMUM Ukestra, Ukulele lecturer of University of Third Age, UPM, Guitar lecturer at Aswara and guitarist of CrossStrings Duo.
Principal & Music Director
The piano keys are no longer black and white the moment
you pour your emotions into them. – Nicole SL Yap
Nicole S.L. Yap, a native of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has completed her Bachelor of Music with Honours (Performing), awarded first class in Akademi Seni kebudayaan Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA), LRSM, LMusA, ATCL and Advanced Certificate ABRSM. She was under the tutelage of Mr. Chin Ying Soong, Ms. Ann Perreau, Ms. Geneviene Wong and Mr. Wong Chee Yean. She also attended master classes conducted by Mr. Matthias Kirschnereit, Mr. David Robinson and Ahn Sohyun.
During her study in aswara, Nicole received many honourable awards. These include the Dean Award, Best Student Award and Rector Award. She was interviewed for a television program, ‘My Dream, My Plight’ was awarded the Asia Golden Dragon Award under the Individual Achievement Category.
Nicole founded Ideal Music and Ideal Music & Arts Sdn Bhd. She also served as a part time lecturer of aswara. She was appointed by the former music director of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Dr. Takahisa Ota to be the secretary of klpac orchestra.
Currently, Nicole is the Principal of Ideal Music and Director of Ideal Music & Arts Sdn Bhd. She has successfully balanced the role of music educator, performer and entrepreneur. She involves herself in teaching, designs courses for early music education, aural training and group theory courses. She is a very active teacher and with her devotion to the growth of western classical music in Malaysia, she dedicates much of her time to teaching the younger generation pianists. Many of her students have won prizes in national and international piano competitions. She was invited to be the judge of Asia Pacific Arts Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Siem Reap, Cambodia in 2018. In the same year, Nicole was appointed as the overseas Art Consultant in 2nd Taiwan International Classical and Traditional Music Competition.
As a performer, Nicole is often heard in chamber music concerts and as an accompanist for instruments and voice. She is the resident pianist of “Guitno Piano Guitar Duo” Group. On the other hand, she organises events and managing the school. Recently, her music company has been appointed as the Malaysia Representative of Asia Pacific Arts Festival and Taiwan 2nd International Classical and Traditional Music Competition. Her music company also collaborates with Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to launch an art project called “Uncover Talent” in 2018 to feature and promote young musicians from all types of instruments including vocal. Apart from this, she initiates a Performing Arts Project, “Soaring” in 2018 to support passionate, potential musicians across the world by preparing enough platforms for these aspiring musicians to showcase their talents. She believes by nurturing these young generation of musicians, it will eventually create a positive impact to the future of the whole music industry.