To my JPS students: I have not abandoned you.

(after a gathering with the parents and students over great pizzas & delicious brownies)


To my JPS students, make no mistake, I have not abandoned you.

Although I no longer teach in Jurong Primary School, that doesn't mean I have forgotten the whole lot of you. We have been through thick and thin together for the past five years; I have watched you all grown. I have always believe in you kids - you are a righteous, hardworking and talented lot. That means....don't give up music even though I am not around!

And I thank you and your parents for your unwavering trust and support all these while. It is people like you that make the world a better place. Stay true and God Bless.

Here's to our happy time together.....

1st Anniversary of JPS New York Trip

In 2010, our string ensemble went on a music exchange program to New York after obtaining a Gold Award in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF). It was a wonderful trip that I am sure all the students, teachers, parent helper and myself will never forget. The bonding among us is very strong, even till today.



Celebrating 1st anniversary of Gold NY Trip



We had a mini celebration in 2011 at Jurong Primary School. The seniors came back to help out during ensemble practice and brought a cake with them. We had a fun time reminiscing about our sweat and hard work in getting the gold award and overcoming obstacles to perform in New York.

You can see that they are a cheerful lot and very close-knitted. The rapport was great - they worked hard together and played just as hard. In case you wonder, yes, that was how happy they were during every single lesson! It was a great pleasure to teach them. It is because of such students that the passion of teaching never dies.

 

Bonding Time with my JPS students (2011)

The P6s are leaving school soon, we had a get together before their PSLE. This is also my way of encouraging them in their studies. These were taken at Science Centre Cafe.

In the school garden ...

 With the card they made for me....

I am touched...

 

Erh....the power of music!



Mediacorp - shooting at Clarke Quay

29 September 2011

There was a request for my student to do a shooting with mediacorp, this is a good exposure for them so I jumped on the opportunity. Choosing the student was not easy, she must be free in the afternoon of a school day, of about the same height as the actress and can play the violin well. "Well", as in we don't know what to expect, so she must be able to sight-read with ease.

Rachel is the choice. She is confident, and she plays well - she is the High Scorer in her previous ABRSM Violin Exam.

We were given the music last night so Rachel only started learning the piece the night before the big day. I fetched Rachel from school and bought her McDonald for lunch to be eaten in the car, and we rushed to Clarke Quay. Here she is sight-reading the piece while waiting for her turn.

Some of my students like to do last minute work, so this is really a good chance to showcase their "last-minute" ability. We were told she is to play the music without the score! Rachel memorised the score while they're shooting the scenes!

That is the beautiful actress, Xiao Hui, that Rachel is playing double as.



    Rachel patiently waiting for her turn.

It's not easy to be an actor or actress. The weather is warm, and there are retakes sometimes through no fault of theirs, and they have to memorise their lines. It's hardwork but interesting.

I couldn't blog about this until now as they requested us not to until the show is out.

On another occasion, in early November 2011, I also brought Yuan Lin to Mediacorp's cadecott hill for similar shooting. It was much comfortable there as there's aircon.

As usual, my wife was there to help me with all the arrangement. She is a meticulous person, lucky me.