Malaysia Preliminary Round
马来西亚预赛












Date & Venue of Competition:
Miri - 30th May 2026
Susie's Piano Studio
Kuala Lumpur - 31st May & 1st June 2026
Jaz & Ro Auditorium
Penang 6th June 2026
Sunray Odeum
Categories:
Physically in the cities mentioned above:
Piano, Violin, Cello, Voice, Ensemble
Video submission direct to organiser in Singapore:
Flute, Percussion (Solo & Ensemble), Choir
Contact:
Telephone : +6012 287 4560 (WhatsApp)
Email: musicsgmalaysia@gmail.com
Meet The Judges for Malaysia Preliminary
KUALA LUMPUR

PIANO
Datin Dr. Kathryn Ang
Datin’ Dr. Kathryn Ang is an internationally respected musician, pedagogue, and adjudicator with over four decades of distinguished experience in music performance and education. She holds a Doctorate in Music from North-West University, a Masters in Music (Piano Didactics) from the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Edinburgh. Renowned for her expertise in piano pedagogy and performance, Dr. Ang has trained generations of pianists and teachers whose achievements include top competition prizes and successful admissions to leading conservatoires worldwide. She is regularly invited to serve as an adjudicator at prestigious international competitions and festivals, and is an active researcher and published author in music education. A sought-after speaker at global conferences and symposia, Dr. Ang’s work reflects an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, educational leadership, and the advancement of international music standards.

PIANO
Assistant Professor Ysan Suit Yin
Assistant Professor Ysan Suit Yin is the Head of the Classical Music Degree at UCSI University. A highly dedicated educator, her academic achievements focus on teaching, including ATCL, LTCL and LRSM (Teaching). She was among the first in Southeast Asia to be awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music (FRSM) in Teaching. She also serves as an examiner for the Classical and Jazz panels at Trinity College of London. While based in London, Suit Yin studied with Professor Vanessa Latarche, the late Professor Dr. Colin Kingsley, the late Dennis Lee, and Toh Chee Hung. She received an undergraduate exemption and was awarded a bursary to pursue her Master’s Degree at the London College of Music under Professor Andrew Zolinsky. An active adjudicator, she has served at international competitions across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and China, and continues to present masterclasses and performances internationally.

VOICE
Mak Chi Hoe
Chi Hoe enjoys a dynamic career as an award-winning choral conductor, singer, adjudicator and clinician. He is Artistic Director of Young Choral Academy, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Penang Philharmonic Chorus, and Principal Artist and Resident Chorus Master of Kuala Lumpur City Opera. A co-founder of the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod, he has led choirs to numerous accolades. In 2010, he became the first Asian conductor awarded a fellowship with the London Symphony Chorus, launching his UK career, followed by key roles at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and leading choral institutions across the UK. Since returning to Malaysia in 2013, he has conducted the acclaimed Young KL Singers and was invited to lead the Asia-Pacific Youth Choir in 2023. A two-time Cameronian Arts Award winner, he performs widely as a soloist and operatic artist across Asia and Europe. He is also a sought-after vocal coach whose students have gained entry into leading international conservatoires.

VOICE
Sun Jia Yao
Mezzo-soprano Sun Jiayao is an opera, chamber music and musical theatre singer who performs over 50 concerts internationally each year, spanning baroque, romantic and contemporary repertoire. She has appeared in productions including Così fan tutte, The Fairy Queen, La Calisto and Dido and Aeneas with leading orchestras and institutions in Australia. She has also performed with the Selangor Symphony Orchestra in a landmark Malaysian project supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in 2022. Sun holds a Bachelor of Music from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. She received multiple prestigious scholarships during her studies. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Fairview College University, Malaysia, she serves as vocal faculty at Dominus Arts. Her accolades include top prizes at major Australian aria and eisteddfod competitions.

VIOLIN
Lim Zhi Hsuan
Malaysian violinist Zhi Hsuan Lim is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, where she completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) and Master of Music in Performance with Distinction. She studied with Mathilde Milwidsky, Detlef Hahn and Kathron Sturrock, with piano as her second study, and was awarded the LTCL Performance Diploma with Distinction at age 16. She has performed widely as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician across the UK and internationally, appearing at venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cadogan Hall and Snape Maltings. Highlights include performing with the RCM Symphony Orchestra at the Aldeburgh Festival and co-leading the RCM Opera Orchestra for Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Her achievements include prizes at the Euroasia Strings Competition and the HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition. An active educator, she has taught and presented workshops in the UK and Malaysia.

VIOLIN
Dr Chang Yi-Li
Dr Yi-Li Chang is an acclaimed baroque violinist praised by Boston Musical Intelligencer for her confident virtuosity and warm ensemble sound. A founding member of early music ensemble Incendium Novum, she performs widely across Asia, the United States and Europe, appearing at major festivals including the Boston Early Music Festival and Macau International Music Festival. She has presented recitals at leading venues such as Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS and Taiwan’s National Concert Hall, and has toured with ensembles including Rumbarocco and Formosa Baroque. As an orchestral musician, she has performed with ensembles in the US and Taiwan and served as concertmaster for several early music projects. A versatile musician, she is also active as a harpsichordist, composer and continuo specialist, performing Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in Malaysia in 2022. She holds a PhD in Violin Performance and degrees in Early Music, and is currently Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya.
PENANG

PIANO & VIOLIN
Tammy Lim
Ms Tammy Lim is a passionate Malaysian pianist and educator dedicated to inspiring musical growth through performance and teaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Professor Richard Ormrod, and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music) under Dr Kim Bo-Kyung. Beyond performance, she is active in teacher training and adjudication, and was awarded the Malaysia Influential Educator Award in 2022. She currently serves as Artistic Director of J Music Studio, where her students have achieved outstanding results, including Malaysia’s Top Scorer for the LTCL Piano Performance Diploma in 2022. Ms Lim has received prizes at international competitions including the HK Asia Pacific Piano Competition and the AIPAF Music Festival in Korea. In 2016, she was invited to perform at Steinway & Sons in London. Through her work, she continues to nurture young musicians and promote a deep appreciation for classical music.

PIANO
Dr. Yumi Yoshioka
Dr Yumi Yoshioka is a distinguished piano pedagogue, researcher and adjudicator, and currently serves as Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia. With over two decades of experience, she has trained students from beginner to advanced levels, many achieving success in competitions. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana State University, and an Associate of Science in Music Performance from Vincennes University. Her studies were guided by Dr Charles Fugo, Dr Scott Price, Dr William Hughes and Dr Carlyn Morenus. Her research focuses on innovative teaching methodologies, instructional module development, and professional training for piano educators. An active adjudicator, she regularly serves on competition panels and conducts workshops, masterclasses and teacher-training sessions. She is also the founder of the USM Community Music Programme, through which she organizes festivals, concerts and community-based music education initiatives.

VOICE
Tan Jin Yin
Tan Jin Yin is a Malaysian soprano, choral conductor, and music academic, currently serving as Chairperson of the Music Department, School of the Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from Nanjing Normal University, China, and a Master’s degree in Music Pedagogy and Performance from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her professional training was shaped by Chin Loke Chun, Khoo Hooi Lay, Lu Qi, and the late internationally renowned vocal consultant Loh Siew Tuan. She is the Artistic Director of the Penang Philharmonic Chamber Choir and a committee member of the Penang Arts Council. She has been appointed as a jury member for vocal and piano competitions including the USM SEJiwa Voice Competition, Yap Xiang Fatt Cup Singing Competition, Piano Achievement Day, the Penang Children’s and Youth Mandarin Art Song Singing Competition, and the Penang Swimming Club Karaoke Competition. As a performer, she has appeared as a soprano soloist in performances - works by Chin Yong Music Society, and with the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra.

VOICE
Estee Pook
Estee Pook is a Malaysian vocalist and educator whose journey reflects resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to nurturing future generations through music. Beginning her career while supporting her family through multiple jobs, she later devoted herself fully to singing after being discovered through competitions in the 1990s. Over the years, she has performed extensively with orchestras, jazz ensembles, and at major concerts and official events across Malaysia and internationally, including appearances in Singapore, China, the United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In 2024, she presented her solo symphonic concert Listening to You · Listening to Me, marking an important milestone in her artistic journey. Beyond performance, Estee founded the Estee Pook Academy of Vocal Arts in 2012, where she focuses on holistic vocal training, confidence building, and real-stage experience. Her students range from young beginners to aspiring professionals, reflecting her belief that music education is not about creating copies, but helping each individual discover their own voice.

VIOLIN
Peter Lo
Full-time musician and music teacher Peter Lo holds multiple music diplomas for the violin, piano, and flute. He was the valedictorian of his Bachelor of Music graduation from the University of Southern Queensland. Born and bred in Penang, Peter regularly performs with ensembles including Mostly Mozart, Elysian Ensemble, and The Music Makers. In 2011, he founded his teaching studio, producing competition winners. In his free time, Peter maintains his YouTube channel, peterlomusic. His life is dedicated to music and inspiring young musicians.
MIRI

PIANO & VIOLIN
Tammy Lim
Ms Tammy Lim is a passionate Malaysian pianist and educator dedicated to inspiring musical growth through performance and teaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Professor Richard Ormrod, and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music) under Dr Kim Bo-Kyung. Beyond performance, she is active in teacher training and adjudication, and was awarded the Malaysia Influential Educator Award in 2022. She currently serves as Artistic Director of J Music Studio, where her students have achieved outstanding results, including Malaysia’s Top Scorer for the LTCL Piano Performance Diploma in 2022. Ms Lim has received prizes at international competitions including the HK Asia Pacific Piano Competition and the AIPAF Music Festival in Korea. In 2016, she was invited to perform at Steinway & Sons in London. Through her work, she continues to nurture young musicians and promote a deep appreciation for classical music.

PIANO & VOICE
Lily Chiam
Lily Chiam is an internationally respected pianist, composer, author, and senior music educator with over two decades of leadership in arts education. She holds a double Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Alberta, Canada, and a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Oikos University, California, USA. As Founder and Director of Expression Music Academy, she is a franchise developer and curriculum architect of the EMGenius and Fun Programs, recognised for blending excellence with engaging pedagogy. Lily has adjudicated and performed across Asia, Europe, and North America, and has served as a judge for Steinway & Sons–affiliated competitions, esteemed for her refined musical discernment, pedagogical rigour, and artistic integrity.

VIOLIN & VOICE
Lisha
Lisha Wong is a music director, conductor, arranger and educator with over a decade of experience developing young musicians and high-quality ensemble programmes. She is Music Director of Claviera School and Founder of Virtuosi Strings, an award-winning youth string ensemble for children aged 5 to 12. Under her leadership, the ensemble has grown to over 60 members and is recognised for its structured training system that nurtures musicianship, confidence, emotional intelligence and artistic expression. A versatile violinist and pianist, Lisha is widely respected for her pedagogically informed arrangements, including the orchestral arrangement of Catherine Rollin’s Concerto Romantique presented at the 2019 Putra International Piano Concerto Winners’ Gala Concert. In 2024, she was commissioned to arrange A Million Dreams for a major international concert series. She remains actively involved in international performances, educational productions and ensemble development, and is frequently invited as an adjudicator across Southeast Asia
Competition Co-Organiser

Competition Venue & Partners



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