Panel of Judges
Kuala Lumpur Round
Piano Judge
Datin Dr. Kathryn Ang
Datin Dr. Kathryn Ang, has over 40 years of experience in music education and performance. Holding a doctorate from North-West University and a master's from the University of Pretoria, she has trained top musicians in Malaysia. Her students excel in competitions and enter leading global institutions. A sought-after adjudicator, speaker, and researcher, she conducts masterclasses and presents at international symposiums, demonstrating her commitment to advancing music education and nurturing future generations.
Piano Judge
Dr. Poom Prommachart
Steinway Artist Poom Prommachart is a Thai pianist and lecturer at Sunway University. A Doctor of Music graduate from the University of Montreal, he also studied at the Royal College of Music, London, receiving the Tagore Gold Medal from King Charles III. Winner of the 5th Isidor Bajic Competition and 2020 Orford Music Grand Prize, he has performed with leading orchestras worldwide. In 2023, he won Best Solo Performance at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards.
Violin Judge
Angel Lee, DTM
Angel Lee is a musician, educator, and arts advocate dedicated to advancing music education in Malaysia. As founder of the Euroasia Association of Performing Arts, she created platforms like the Euroasia Strings Competition and The Malaysian Piano Competition. She has taught at institutions including the University of Malaya and ASWARA while working with Trinity College London. She is a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian Award in 2022 and was conferred with the Darjah Tuanku Muhriz (DTM) Award in 2025.
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Violin Judge
Dr. Chang Yi-Li
Dr. Yi-Li Chang, a renowned baroque violinist from Taiwan, has been praised for her “confident virtuosity” by Boston Musical Intelligencer. A founding member of Incendium Novum, she has performed at prestigious festivals, including Macau International Music Festival and Boston Early Music Festival. With performances in top venues worldwide, she has also served as concertmaster and guest lecturer at leading institutions. Currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya, Dr. Chang brings exceptional expertise to Music Singapore contestants.
Voice Judge
Mark Chi Hoe
Chi Hoe is an award-winning choral conductor, singer, adjudicator, and clinician. He is Artistic Director of Young Choral Academy and Penang Philharmonic Chorus, and Resident Chorus Master of Kuala Lumpur City Opera. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, he has led prestigious choirs, collaborated with major orchestras, and conducted internationally. A sought-after vocal coach, his students have gained entry into top conservatories. He is an Honorary Member of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and a key figure in the Asia-Pacific choral scene.
Voice Judge
Sun Jiayao
Mezzo-soprano Sun Jiayao is an accomplished opera, chamber music, and musical theatre singer, performing over 50 concerts annually worldwide. She has appeared in Così fan tutte, The Fairy Queen, Dido and Aeneas, and La Calisto with major orchestras and opera houses. A recipient of multiple prestigious scholarships, she holds degrees from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Malaysia, she teaches at Dominus Arts and performs with Selangor Symphony Orchestra.
Penang Round
Piano Judge
Tammy
Ms. Tammy Lim is a passionate pianist and educator with a Master’s in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. She has won awards, including Malaysia Influential Educator 2022, and served as a competition judge. As Artistic Director at J Music Studio, she nurtures young talents, with one student earning Malaysia’s LTCL Piano Top Scorer in 2022. A Steinway guest performer in London, she aims to inspire a love for classical music through teaching and performance.
Piano Judge
Dr. Yumi Yoshioka
Dr. Yumi Yoshioka is a distinguished piano pedagogue, researcher, and adjudicator, serving as a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Holding a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, she specializes in innovative teaching methodologies & educator training. She regularly adjudicates competitions and conducts workshops, masterclasses, and teacher training. As founder of the USM Community Music Programme, she fosters a vibrant musical community through festivals, concerts, and piano instruction, inspiring students of all levels.
Violin Judge
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.
Violin Judge
Tammy Lim
Ms. Tammy Lim is a dedicated violinist, pianist, and educator with a deep passion for music. She holds a Master’s in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and is a qualified violin educator. A recipient of the Malaysia Influential Educator 2022 award and a competition judge, she nurtures young talents as Artistic Director at J Music Studio. Through teaching and performance, she inspires a lifelong appreciation for classical music.
Voice Judge
Joydce Khoo
Madam Joydce Khoo Siew Gim, an acclaimed soprano from Penang, Malaysia, has performed lead opera roles worldwide, including La Traviata and The Magic Flute. A winner of multiple international vocal competitions, she has also judged prestigious events like the Belt and Road International Children's Voice Art Festival. Now a sought-after vocal and choir coach, she nurtures young talents, leading choirs to international success. Contestants have the rare chance to be judged by her expertise.
Voice Judge
Vivien Ling
Mezzo-soprano Ling Ai Ying honed her vocal skills under Mdm. Tung Gak Hong before pursuing music studies in Dublin and London. She has performed in churches, charity concerts, and opera highlights while mentoring award-winning singers and organizing the Malaysian National Vocal Championship. Founder of the Penang Fingerprints Chamber Choir, she has led ensembles to international success. A sought-after adjudicator and conductor, she trains school choirs, including the award-winning Chung Ling High School Choir.
Miri Round
Piano Judge
Tammy
Ms. Tammy Lim is a passionate pianist and educator with a Master’s in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. She has won awards, including Malaysia Influential Educator 2022, and served as a competition judge. As Artistic Director at J Music Studio, she nurtures young talents, with one student earning Malaysia’s LTCL Piano Top Scorer in 2022. A Steinway guest performer in London, she aims to inspire a love for classical music through teaching and performance.
Piano Judge
Dr. Karen Yong
Dr. Karen Yong, a Malaysian pianist, educator, & researcher, is an Assistant Professor of Music at Albany State University. An award-winning pedagogue, she has trained students who excel regionally and nationally. A sought-after adjudicator and performer, she has appeared internationally and serves as principal keyboardist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her research in piano pedagogy and Eastern music is widely published and presented at major conferences. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina.
Violin Judge
Mukhammadyor Tulaganov
Dyor began his violin education in Uzbekistan, winning top national prizes. In 2017, he placed second at the Golden Classical Music Awards in New York. He trained at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan & received a full scholarship to Yong Siew Toh Conservatory under Professor Zhang Manchin. He has performed and adjudicated globally. His YouTube channel, @diorviolin, has over 100,000 subscribers, showcasing his passion for music.
Violin Judge
Tammy Lim
Ms. Tammy Lim is a dedicated violinist, pianist, and educator with a deep passion for music. She holds a Master’s in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and is a qualified violin educator. A recipient of the Malaysia Influential Educator 2022 award and a competition judge, she nurtures young talents as Artistic Director at J Music Studio. Through teaching and performance, she inspires a lifelong appreciation for classical music.
Voice Judge
Dr. Karen Yong
Dr. Karen Yong, a Malaysian pianist, educator, and researcher, is an Assistant Professor of Music at Albany State University. An award-winning pedagogue, she has trained students who excel regionally and nationally. A sought-after adjudicator and performer, she has appeared internationally and serves as principal keyboardist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her research in piano pedagogy and Eastern music is widely published and presented at major conferences. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina.
Voice Judge
Terrence Ling
Terrence is an Assistant Professor at UCSI University and founder of the Malaysian Voices Collective. He has led choirs to international victories and won awards for his conducting. A sought-after adjudicator and educator, he has judged competitions like the Jean Sibelius International Choir Competition. He collaborates with international musicians across genres and performs at major festivals. Holding advanced degrees in music, he continues pushing artistic boundaries, earning accolades like “Best Art and Creative of the Year” by UCSI University.