Vocal Focal: A Cappella – A Southeast Asian Perspective

Cherie Chai is the first full-time female vocal percussionist (VP) in Singapore, and the music director and resident arranger for award-winning a cappella group, 1023.

Chai has also worked with fellow Singaporean performers and put up multi-dimensional shows featuring collaborations between musical instruments and vocal percussion. Regionally, she has been featured as the guest vocal percussionistVP with the Young Kuala Lumpur Singers, and Malaysian vocal quartet Caipifruta.

During the pandemic, Chai conducted virtual workshops both in Singapore and internationally, teaching workshop participants how to best use the sound equipment that they already have so as to enable them to be clearly understood during online meetings, as well as to be able to continue making music during lockdowns. Chai also edited and mixed audio tracks for several virtual performance video productions ranging from individual multi-tracked songs to vocal ensembles and choirs.

As an educator, Chai is the conductor of several Singapore school choirs, and coaches tertiary a cappella groups SUTD Vocomotives, NTU Harmonix & SIT Just Singers. She frequently conducts a cappella and vocal percussion workshops for schools, sharing her love for the art form with youths.