Sight-reading – reading and performing of a piece of written music that the performer has not seen before. All musicians are required to have good sight-reading skills as this makes learning new pieces much easier and quicker.

Just like learning to read words, learning how to sight-read music takes a lot of practice and discipline until it eventually becomes second nature. In each of our violin lessons, students are given a range of different tasks and activities to help them increase their sight-reading ability. Through all these training, students will learn to read and anticipate the changing dynamics in speed and volume as written.

Music Mood lesson focus on honing students’ short-term musical memories to allow them to read ahead while playing a piece so that they play it correctly when they get to that section. This is what we teach our students to master: the ability to read and play a piece of music upon first sight. As a result students are more likely to try learning new pieces of music by themselves, making them stronger and more well-rounded performers.

Music theory – the language used to talk about the music we hear and play. It is one of the most important things to learn as it helps musicians to not only become better performers, but also have a better understanding of the music they are playing.

Learning music theory also makes musical activities such as performing, composing, improvising, arranging, teaching music, or getting a music degree much easier once one gains a basic understanding of music theory. During our music lessons students will learn a range of different music theory subjects.

We will normally start the music theory lessons with notation which covers the staff, clefs, note names, rhythms, rests, intervals, meter and time signatures, key signatures, and dynamics. Students will also be taught about scales and chords (harmony), melodies, phrases, and musical forms.

Whether you are an absolute beginner or already know a lot about music theory our violin lessons are individually tailored to cover everything from the most basic scales to the most advanced notation. We also offer Music Theory Lessons for those who are just keen to learn it as a subject.

Explore new instruments and meet new friends over music!

While there is a good amount of music written for solo especially for violin, piano and cello; one of the most important and exciting parts of playing a musical instrument is having the opportunity to play music with other musicians. Playing in an ensemble means to play not just as a soloist, but as someone who collaborates with other musicians.

In our music lessons, students will learn how play duets and in other small ensembles to develop the skills needed to cooperate with other musicians. These skills include playing in the same tempo and style with others without a metronome or a conductor, listening to more than one musical line at once, and being able to express ideas and make decisions with another musician.

The skill of playing chamber music helps a student become more well-rounded and independent. Students also develop problem solving and communication skills that are necessary in becoming a strong musician.

Getting nervous over the upcoming exams or audition? Preparing for an ABRSM or Trinity exam takes careful planning and an awareness of the importance of including all aspects of the exam in the music lessons on a regular basis.

Whether you have an upcoming ABRSM or Trinity examination, our team of experienced music teachers are all familiar with the length of time it takes to prepare for each exam and the care needed to ensure that the most appropriate and appealing selection of pieces is presented.

Prior to any upcoming examination we help our students choose suitable pieces for the exam and make sure they have selected the right combination from the correct syllabus. We also incorporate at least a few minutes’ aural training and sight-reading into every violin lesson as well as giving them a mock exam well before the actual event.

Our students are also encouraged to perform the pieces to their family, relatives, and friends and to work through several sample papers before the exam so that they get used to the sort of questions that will be asked while staying within the time limit. Finally, we help students to develop their confidence in themselves and their abilities through practicing walking into a room and setting up to perform, as these are often the most nerve-wrecking moments before the actual exam.

Benjamin Wong graduated with honours from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music of National University of Singapore where he studied under Associate Prof. Zhang Manchin, Principal Violist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, after being awarded full scholarships. He also studied violin with Mr. Cheung Wai Lap, violinist from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Benjamin has taken masterclasses with many international artists such as Paul Silverthorne, Yizhak Schotten, David Erlich. As a chamber musician, he was finalist in the Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition and has participated in chamber music programmes and festivals in France, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong and Australia. An active orchestra player, he been performed under the baton of Eiji Oue, Philipe Herreweghe Mark Wigglesworth, Robert Spano, Tan Dun, and many other great conductors.

He was the Principle violist of the Hong Kong Baptist University Orchestra, Collegium Musicum Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Youth Strings. He was also Principle violist of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra, and was selected to be part of a collaboration concert with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 2012 and 2014. Benjamin is now performing with Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and Singapore Lyric Orchestra.

Besides classical music, Benjamin is experienced in other styles and genres. He recorded a pop song with Mag Lam and also performed with Jazz singer Laura Fygi. He also toured with the W!LD RICE theatre to perform the play ” The Importance of Being Earnest” in Macau.

As an Music educator, Benjamin was appointed as a Leader-mentor for Singapore National Youth Orchestra in the Lanxess-SNYO Classic Concert in 2014. He had also conducted music activities with students in SOTA (The School of the Arts, Singapore). He is now teaching at Coronation Music School and Anglo-Chinese School (International).