Nicole Yap | Academy Director Cum Chief Executive Coach

“Discover your full potential in life.”

Nicole SL Yap is a successful entrepreneur, musician, and educator with a passion for empowering others to reach their full potential. she is a highly accomplished and motivated individual who has excelled in both academic and musical pursuits. She completed her Diploma in Economics with distinction at the London School of Economics, University of London, in 2001 with full scholarship. She continued her passion for music and earned a First-class Bachelor of Music with Honours (Performing) degree from Akademi Seni Kebudayaan Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) in 2012, where she was consistently on the Dean’s List for all six semesters, awarded the Best Student of the Faculty of Music for three consecutive years (2011, 2012, 2013), and received the Rector Award. Currently, Nicole is pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Information Technology and Management (UiTM) in Rzeszow, Poland. Nicole is convinced that a solid grasp of business administration will foster the development of the music education and music industry, leading to positive impacts on human well-being.


In addition to her academic and musical pursuits, Nicole has also achieved exceptional results in piano performance qualifications. She completed the Advanced Certificate with Associated Board Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in 1998, Associate Trinity College of London (ATCL) with Trinity in 2000, Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) with Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) in 2000, and Licentiate of The Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) with Associated Board Royal School of Music (ABRSM) in 2002.


Nicole SL Yap is the co-founder and Academy Director of Ideal Music, a music school in Malaysia that has been operating since 2003. Her dedication and contributions to the music industry have been recognized through numerous accolades and awards. In 2013, she received the Asia Golden Dragon Award in the Individual Entrepreneur Achievement Category. Ideal Music was recognized as one of Malaysia’s top 10 music schools in 2016 and one of Malaysia’s Top Ten Music Classes for Kids in KL and Selangor in 2018 by TallyPress.


Nicole has also been involved in various music events and competitions, both nationally and internationally. She was appointed as the production company for Legacy Project: A Cultural Exchange Between Japan and Malaysia organized by Min-On Association, Japan in 2017. In addition, Nicole was a co-organizer and judge of the Asia Pacific Arts Festival (APAF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2018), APAF Siem Reap, Cambodia (2018), APAF Singapore (2019), and APAF Malacca, Malaysia (2020). In 2023, she served as a judge of the Pop Music Composition Competition “心音乐24小时无限循环创作比赛” organized by Mind Music, Malaysia. Her continued commitment to the music industry will undoubtedly inspire future generations of musicians and music educators.


Nicole SL Yap is a highly accomplished and experienced music coach, known for her exceptional coaching skills and unwavering commitment to her students’ success. She has been featured in various media outlets, including the RTM2 television program “My Dream, My Plight” in 2013, and was interviewed and nominated for the first edition of the British Encyclopedia “Successful People in Malaysia” by the British Publishing House Ltd and Britishpedia Media Group Sdn Bhd in 2019. Nicole was a guest speaker on the Ai-fm radio program “听最好的别人，做最好的自己” from 2019-2020 and featured on the Astro Program “企业帮帮忙II” in 2022.


In addition to her media appearances, Nicole has a proven track record of producing outstanding results with her students. She has coached numerous students who have won prizes in national and international piano competitions since 2012. Furthermore, Nicole has experience in teaching music to the blind and stroke patients, showcasing her versatility and dedication to making music accessible to everyone.


In summary, Nicole SL Yap’s impressive academic record, coupled with her outstanding musical achievements, is a testament to her dedication and perseverance in pursuing her dreams. Her mantra to “Discover your full potential in life” is a reflection of her own personal philosophy and serves as an inspiration to others to achieve their own dreams and goals.