Journey From East to West

Ong Gim Dee burst into Singapore’s music scene as a harmonicist with his debut performance at Victoria Concert Hall in 1985. In the following years, he continued to perform at various concerts and events organised by the Ministry of Cultural Development and the Radio Station. Returning from his hiatus, 2008 saw his triumphant return to the stage with performances in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Since 2010, he has been acting as a judge at the annual Asia Pacific Harmonica Competition.

Ong’s passion for the harmonica began at a very young age. As a student, he spent his days practising and performing at school concerts and festivals. In his later years, he apprenticed under Mr Soon John Kwang, and Mr Ho Chong Wing—a protege of the famous harmonicist Tommy Reilly. He has continued to reach new heights under the tutelage of Mr Joe Sakimoto—the pride of Japan, and Norway's celebrated harmonica master, Mr Sigmund Groven. Ong has also contributed to the growth of Singapore’s music scene in many other capacities. In 2019, he worked with the Harmonica Aficionados Society and Hohner to organise a concert featuring Mr Sigmund Groven at Esplanade. He is currently hard at work increasing the presence of the harmonica within Singapore’s music scene.

Kho Chek Hin started playing the harmonica under the tutelage of harmonica virtuoso Yew hong Chow while in primary school. He later became the leader of Chinese High School's harmonica ensemble. In 1978, he joined and learned from Mr Ho Chong Wing’s Harmonica Ensemble. Three years later, he joined the Ho Tat Chiew Harmonica Ensemble and has since been active in performances organised by HAS. In the recent years, he attended master classes conducted by Japanese harmonica virtuoso, Joe Sakimoto and Norwegian harmonica virtuoso, Sigmund Groven. Last year, he won the Championship of the Chromatic harmonica Solo in the 13th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival held in China.