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SINGAPORE : She's played in famous concert halls, with world-class musicians, in some 20 countries over five continents, but for Singapore-born violinist Siow Lee Chin, there is no place like home.
The critically-acclaimed violinist is back to launch her debut album "Songs My Father Taught Me" as well as to perform in a charity concert by her former school Raffles Girls' School (RGS).
This concert is part of the RGS Alumni Tribute Series, which does not only serve to showcase the talents of those from RGS, but also to give them a chance to help the underprivileged. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to children’s charities under the President’s Challenge.
While the talented violinist says that Singapore will always be her home, she is not quite ready to leave her life in Charleston behind to return for good.
"I'm very, very happy in Charleston," she said.
"It's a beautiful place. I've got a great job and wonderful students that I’ve invited to come play with me in this tribute concert to RGS. It's such an honour for me to be able to do something for my alma mater," gushed Siow.
For almost two decades, Siow has been studying, performing and teaching in many cities across the US, including Chicago, New York and Cleveland. She has been living in Charleston, South Carolina, since 2001, where she is the Director of the Strings Program and Professor of Violin at the College of Charleston and also the founder and co-director of the Charleston Music Festival.
Her father, Siow Hee Shun, a former violinst with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, has been a great influence in her career. He not only taught her how to play the violin, he taught her some of life's valuable lessons.
"He instilled in me this Chinese Confucious saying which is loosely translated as ‘Do not worry about the harvest, just keep sowing’. And that really resonated with me, because so many young people are so worried about the outcome, they forget the most important thing is the journey," said the 43-year-old.
Apart from her performance at the Esplanade Concert Hall on Monday, Siow is also back to launch her debut album "Songs My Father Taught Me" which is dedicated to her father. As the title suggests, it consists of songs which her father taught her when she was young, and Siow says this CD is more than just music to her.
"This is my journey, with all these pieces, and what he had shown me, and the life lessons he taught me."
Siow told Primetime Morning that though she was exposed to the violin at a young age, it wasn't a case of love at first sight.
"But it evolved, and I saw what it did for me, for my self confidence, and for me to relate to people. It’s my medium. It was a gradual process," she said.
Now this talented musician hopes to inspire others through her music. "To me, what makes a good musician is when you communicate, you touch a person.
"It's not just playing, I believe one has to make a difference... that's my philosophy and I think it's very much driven from the lessons I learnt from my dad."
Catch Lee Chin & Friends: A Strings Extravaganza on April 27 at the Esplanade Concert Hall.
- CNA/ap
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