My Violinist's Journey
I am a violinist and a diploma student in Singapore. I have been playing violin since 7 years old.
Mar 2012
Started my violin lessons every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30pm after school.
2013
At 8 years old, I have taken my very first violin exam. From the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), I am tested on grade 1 music pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and aural.
I also attended the school violin showcase in front of my parents. Each of us had to play solo the songs we had learnt. After a couple of friends went, I had my turn and played the pieces calmly.
2015
At 10 years old, I took my 3rd grade ABRSM exam. Moreover, three of my friends and I got to play two of the pieces during the 2015 Teachers’ Day Performance.
2017
Grade 4 violin exam -- I had to practice in the mall before entering the room for the examination. Somehow performing in the mall is scarier than performing in front of the examiner. Luckily, my violin senior happened to be taking the exam on that day as well.
2019
Taking a break from violin exams by learning Progressive studies violin pieces as well as other songs such as The Music of the Night from the Phantom of the Opera, Avengers Theme as 2nd violin and Concerto songs by F. Seitz.
Apr 2021
Took the Grade 6 violin exam and have it as an online submission due to the ongoing pandemic. This is my first time playing 4 pieces recorded without learn scales, sight reading and aural.
Due to O Levels, I also had to record in the first half of the year so that I could focus on my studies.
2023
Due to grade 8 exam's rather difficult pieces, I took almost a whole year to practice and get the pieces right for the exam recording.
After beginning my K-pop phase in Nov 2022, I started finding K-pop songs and sight read many of the songs and arranging piano arrangements to violin arrangements.
In June, I plucked up the courage to submit a proposal to my Guided Learning subject for me to gain confidence and play publicly in front of people.
In Oct, my proposal was accepted, and I have created and continue growing as a violinist. Moreover, I left my CCA to focus on schoolwork and violin activities.
In Dec, I have finished recording my Grade 8 pieces and auditioned into Singapore National Youth Orchestra.
2025
Since 2024, I have curated a list of songs to transpose into violin. These scores are created by people all over the world and they use Musescore to create the music. They tend to create music for piano players so I had to find time and transpose them. I currently transposed many Kpop songs.
In May, I did a online audition into Orchestra Music Makers Singapore. However, due to the short time frame for their onsite audition, I have to wait for their next auditions dates. In Oct, I tried applying for Royal College of Music, but was unsuccessful. Though, it made me more motivated to audition andapply for more music schools.
2011
One of the teachers brought my parents and me around the school basement to watch the enrichment lessons available for students.
Due to flat feet, I was unable to attend ballet lessons. At six years old, the instrument that I was interested the most was the guitar. However, there weren’t any guitar lessons available. Instead, violin lessons were offered.
I remember peeping into the classroom and seeing students learning the violin. Without much thought, I agreed to attend violin lessons.
2014
At 9 years old, I took my 2nd grade ABRSM exam.
During the prize presentation ceremony in Primary School, I got to perform with several violinists around my age. We played together like an orchestra where half of us played a piece while the others played another piece.
2016
Taking a break from the grades, my violin teacher has taught me other songs to improve my violin skills and musicality. Songs I get to learn Gavotte in D Minor by Bach, Musette by Bach and The Puppet Show by Josephine Trott.
It was also the last year learning violin in school before switching to a home tutor.
2018
Took the Grade 5 violin exam.
2020
Experienced online violin lessons. It was rather difficult trying to correct the mistakes due to the audio being slower at the receiving on zoom -- though it was a rather interesting experience and my first time learning violin on screen.
2022
I had to take at least a grade 5 theory exam so that I could continue the grade 7 and 8 practical exams. Thus, I jumped straight to taking that exam.
After listening to Lindsey Stirling's songs as well as discovering Karolina Protsenko’s brilliant performances, I became interested in playing songs outside the classical world. My mum bought five violin books for me from Hal Leonard so that I could play other pieces.
In Dec, I started practising grade 8 pieces.
2024
Also known as my concert year, I had so much fun in all the concerts and became more inspired to play on stage in the future. Some of the concerts include Chloe & Isaac Go Baroque, Twoset Violin & Harry potter and the Half Blood Prince in concert.
I also start learning more advanced pieces (eg: Vivaldi Summer) during violin lessons and completed my websites and videos for Guided Learning in February.
After making a couple of videos, I stop releasing my YouTube videos due to schoolwork and internship. There was a period of time when I was buying lots of Kpop albums and auditioning for SM Girl Group.
Other passions
Besides violin, I also have other hobbies that took up some of my time as well.
Where did this project come from?
Guided Learning is an alternative module from Sustainability in Climate Action in my course in Temasek Polytechnic where students can submit a proposal on a project they would like to do and if they are selected, they self paced themselves in the learning, research, delivering and reflecting on their project with the help of their selected learning facilitator.
