Spectrum Platform: Contemporary Chinese Music

Chen Ning started learning the erhu at the tender age of 10, under the tutelage of Xu Wenjing. Her keen interest in the instrument led to her joining the Nanyang Primary School’s Chinese Orchestra and thereafter, the Nanyang Girls’ High School Chinese Orchestra, where she was appointed sectional leader and concertmaster.

A graduate of the Bachelor in Music (Honours) programme at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) majoring in erhu performance, Chen has had extensive experience playing with a variety of ensembles and orchestras at various venues including Esplanade and the Singapore Conference Hall. She was a member of the Toa Payoh West Community Club Chinese Orchestra, is currently the zhonghu sectional leader of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra and is also a part-time musician with Ding Yi Music Company.

Chen holds a diploma in erhu performance (2015), awarded by the Central Conservatory of Music, in conjunction with NAFA. She has a DipABRSM in Piano (2019) and is currently pursuing her LRSM.

Sim Kee was admitted to Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 2018, under the tutelage of Xu Hui, Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s guzheng associate principal. She was also given the opportunity to learn percussion under the guidance of Shen Guoqin, a percussion musician in the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

2018 was the first time that Sim took part in the Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC), previously known as the National Chinese Music Competition, with the NAFA guzheng ensemble. The competition saw her and the team clinch the bronze award under the ensemble category. In the following year, she also participated in the second rendition of the Nanyang International Music Competition (NIMC), in the guzheng youth category. She competed with many participants from all over the world and was one of the few competitors that was awarded Gold.

In 2020, she returned to compete in the SCMC in the senior category for guzheng soloists and walked away as the first runner up. Most recently in 2021, Sim competed in the NIMC’s guzheng solo artist category. She secured a spot in the finals and finished fourth.

Sim is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music, Honours (B.Mus.) and is the guzheng principal with the NAFA Chinese ensemble.