OUR TEACHERS & MENTORS

Mr. Kerim Vergazov obtained his master’s degree from the Leningrad State Conservatory in Russia. He has achieved first prize in several prestigious competitions, including the All-Soviet Union Piano Competition (1979), the Sergei Rachmaninov Competition (1985), and the International Music Competition in Kiev and Lvov, Ukraine (2000). Even as a conservatory student, he was invited to legendary studios taught by Ilya Musin, Yuri Temirkanov, and Valery Gergiev.

Kerim is a solo pianist, has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony of Kazakhstan, and the St. Petersburg Opera House. He has collaborated with esteemed conductors like Nikolai Gribanov, Andrew Vasilevsky, and Tugan Sohiev.

In addition to his performances, Kerim served as an official piano accompanist at the St. Petersburg Conservatory for 18 years. His professional journey includes appointments at the Mariinsky Theatre (Russia), Komische Oper Berlin (Germany), and Theatre du Chatelet (France).

Since 2004, Kerim has been a senior lecturer at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, for over 20 years. He taught accompaniment, sight-reading, and chamber music while also leading the Violin studio. His outstanding ensemble was awarded the best ensemble at the 1st Singapore International Violin Competition.

At the same time, he pursued his musical activities both domestically and internationally. One noteworthy achievement is his organization of the chamber music concert series, “From Russia with Love,” featuring the SSO’s Russian principals. Their exciting performances made a significant impact on the Singapore music scene. Furthermore, Kerim has actively mentored as the artistic director of concerts organized by a group of professional musicians named “Viva la Musica Tokyo” in Japan since 2009 to the present day.

Kerim’s musical journey extends beyond performances. He has been invited as a judge for competitions and has conducted master classes in various countries, including Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Japan, Greece, and Singapore.

With 35 years of teaching experience, Kerim is an exceptional music educator. His instruction goes beyond piano playing, focusing on enhancing sight-reading skills and improving technique tailored to each student. Many students who have received his guidance have achieved outstanding results in competitions, grade tests, and admissions to prestigious music universities overseas.

Beyond exam and competition preparation, Kerim passionately conducts masterclasses in both piano performance and chamber music, consistently receiving high praise for his teaching.

Mr Yeo Tiong Kiat received his Undergraduate Diploma with majors in Composition and Guitar Performance and minor in Piano Performance from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). He studied composition with the eminent Singapore composer Leong Yoon Pin. Upon graduation, he was invited to join the faculty. He later obtained a Graduate Diploma in Classical Guitar Performance from the renowned New England Conservatory in Boston. From College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Ohio he obtained a Master of Music Degree majoring in Classical Guitar and Orchestral Conducting. Subsequently he engaged in Doctoral studies at the University of Southern California (USC). He was awarded numerous scholarships from the institutions he attended. During his academic career he was tutored by many world-class performers, including classical guitarists David Leisner, Pepe Romero, Oscar Ghiglia, conductors Richard Hoenich and Christopher Zimmerman.

As a recitalist, he has given many concerts both as soloist as well as a chamber musician in various kinds of ensemble in the U.S. and in Asia. While in Singapore, he served as the first guitarist of the Singapore Guitar Quartet.

His teaching experiences include tertiary teaching positions at NAFA, CCM, USC, where he taught classical guitar, sight reading, aural training and chamber music.

As a conductor he has worked with many guitar and instrumental ensembles. His conducting appointments include being the Assistant Conductor of Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra, L.A. Chamber Players, and XinPin Orchestra.

In his spare time he volunteers at non-profit organisations to promote music learning, singing and music appreciation.

Marianne Huang Yueyin is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). She studied the piano with Graham Scott, Head of Keyboard Studies. Prior to this, completed her undergraduate studies at the Royal College of Music (RCM) under the tutelage of Leon McCawley and Gordon Fergus-Thompson. Her studies were supported by several scholarships, including the William Mealings Scholarship (RCM) and the Margaret Allen Piano Award (RNCM).

An  accomplished  performer and  passionate  chamber musician, Marianne made her London Wigmore Hall debut in 2024, showcasing  works by John Adams (solo) and Cheryl Frances-Hoad (piano quintet). She also performed at Singapore’s Victoria Concert Hall atrium during the ‘NPVC Talents & Friends’ concert at the Light to Night Festival 2023. Another highlight was performing Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, with the RNCM Concert Orchestra, conducted by Sir Mark Elder in 2022. Marianne has given numerous solo and chamber recitals across the UK, and has benefitted from masterclasses and lessons with renowned musicians such as Dmitri Alexeev, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Philippe Cassard, Juan Lago, and Jackie Jaekyung Yoo.

She was awarded with many prizes: First Prize in the 3rd Hong Kong Pacific Piano Open Competition, the RNCM Chopin Prize and 3rd commendation in the RNCM Beethoven Competition later in 2023 as well as the Avril Coleridge-Taylor 2nd Prize and the Amanda Ira Aldridge 3rd Prize in the RNCM Williams-Howard Prize in 2024.

Marianne is a dedicated teacher, incorporating the principles of Alexander Technique and Dalcroze Eurhythmics into her piano instruction. She emphasizes the importance of body awareness and effective movement, enabling her students to achieve optimal results with ease.

Bobur was born in a family of musicians from Tashkent, Uzbekistan and started his violin journey at the age of four (4). He won the Gran Prix winner in “Blue Bird” International Competition 2013 (Ukraine) and winner of the “individualis” International Violin Competition 2014 (Ukraine).

Since then, he participated in many international competitions in Ukraine, Russia, Singapore, France, China, Poland and Belgium etc. His talent was globally recognized. He is the Finalist of E.Ysaye International Violin Competition (Jul 2023 in Belgium) and Semi-Finalist of Qingdao International Violin Competition (Sep 2023 in China).

Bobur also actively involved in numerous concerts and performance. He is constantly playing solo, involved in chamber ensemble as well as orchestra and charity concerts. One of the few are the Concert with Aleksey Igudesman & Joo (Singapore) and the Project “United in Music: A virtual charity concert to aid  UHCHR’S coronavirus response” by The UN Refugee Agency.

Graduated with Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree in Violin Performance from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore under the tutelage of Professor Qian Zhou. He joined Music Salon Emmanuel to share his passion in music and violin.

Carrie is a dedicated piano teacher who creates a supportive and encouraging environment, enabling students to explore their musical talents and develop a lifelong love for the piano.

She began teaching piano part-time before travelling abroad to pursue her degree. After an enriching nine years in the US, where she studied and worked, she returned to Singapore to pursue a full-time career in the corporate high-tech sector.

Despite her extensive career in the Technology industry, her passion for the piano has remained strong. Later in her career, she made a deliberate shift from Technology to the enriching field of Music Education.”

Carrie is currently engaged in private classical piano instruction, studying under the guidance of distinguished teachers trained internationally. Concurrently, she is pursuing an Advanced Certificate Program at Berklee College of Music. Her credentials include music certifications from The Royal Conservatory of Music (Teaching Elementary Piano, Teaching Intermediate Piano), Berklee College of Music (Professional Certificate in General Music Studies), ABRSM (Grade 8 Piano, Grade 8 Theory), University of Oxford: Analyzing Classical Music: (An Introduction).

Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University East Bay, with dual options in Computer Information Systems and Telecommunications.

Alvaro obtained his Doctorate in Music Education Sciences from the National Pedagogical University of Colombia with Best Music Pedagogy Teacher Award for his research on the music methods of Kodaly, Dalcroze, Suzuki, Martenot, Willems, Montessori, and Orff. Subsequently, based on his teaching experiences in the United States, France, Israel, Spain, and Italy, he developed his own methodology.

He was a special guest artist who presented a programme of classical guitar and harp music when the late President of Singapore S R Nathan staged a State Presidential Banquet at the Istana Palace in honour of President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines. When the Mexican Embassy in Singapore held its Bicentennial of Independence Celebration at Fairmont Convention Centre he was invited to conduct a full music programme which was attended by ambassadors from all over the world.

An accomplished conductor, guitarist (classical as well as flamenco), harpist, and ukulele player, he has made recordings that won him a worldwide following.

Jessie Chua, a winner of the 2012 Young Pianists’ Competition and 2016 Vivace piano ensemble competition, achieved second prize at the prestigious Singapore International Classical Piano Competition in 2018. A distinguished Kenneth and Violet Scott scholar at the Royal College of Music, she graduated with First Class Honours under the mentorship of Professors Dina Parakhina and Dinara Klinton. Notable for her performances in masterclasses with Martin Bartlett and Dr Kenneth Hamilton, Jessie has graced esteemed venues in Singapore such as the Esplanade Concert Hall and  Steinway  Gallery,  as  well  as various concert halls across the UK, including London, Birmingham, and Cardiff.

In addition to her solo endeavors, Jessie has thrived as a collaborative pianist, contributing to events like Piano Concertos In Perspective at the Victoria Concert Hall and the Singapore International Band Festival. Her versatility extends to working with local musicians, school choirs, and external choirs as an accompanist and repetiteur, showcasing her talents at venues like the Esplanade Recital Hall and Tanglin Club.

Beyond performance, Jessie’s passion for music education shines through her role as an educator. She has successfully taught a diverse range of students, including those with physical impairments like blindness. Drawing from two years of experience under Dr Adam Ockelford, she has also enriched the lives of children with learning difficulties such as autism and ADHD. Jessie ardently believes in the inclusivity of music education, consistently striving to make the joy of music accessible to everyone.

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