Fred Chan Hong Wei is an accomplished erhu musician, orchestra conductor, and educator, currently serving as Concertmaster of Ding Yi Music Company in Singapore. With over a decade of professional experience in Chinese music, he is widely respected for his artistic versatility, ensemble leadership, and long-standing dedication to music education.
Fred holds both Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Erhu Performance from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. During his studies, he was awarded the Chinese Government Full Scholarship and the Beijing Outstanding Foreign Students’ Scholarship in recognition of his academic and artistic excellence. He studied under renowned erhu virtuoso Professor Zhao Hanyang and banhu Professor Hu Yu, and further received mentorship from erhu virtuosos including Yan Jiemin, Tian Zaili, Wang Ying, and Zhou Lingyan. He was also selected as a gaohu musician with the China Youth Chinese Orchestra.
Born in Kedah and raised in Penang, Malaysia, Fred began his musical training under the mentorship of Lim Soon Huat and Lim Soon Lay. He quickly assumed leadership roles within local youth orchestras before pursuing professional training in China.
As a performer, Fred has appeared at major concert stages and international festivals across Asia. He is a prize-winner of several international competitions, including First Prize at the Hua Yue Zhi Yun International Erhu Competition and the Malaysia National Chinese Instrumental Solo Competition. He has presented two critically well-received solo recitals in Beijing (2015 and 2017). Since joining Ding Yi Music Company in 2014, he has been actively involved in numerous Chinese chamber music and cross-disciplinary performances and has premiered several significant new chamber works.
Alongside his performance career, Fred is an established conductor and educator, having mentored numerous students who have achieved top prizes in major domestic and international music competitions. He works extensively with youth orchestras and chamber ensembles. His educational contributions include leading workshops, conducting music leadership camps, and regularly serving as an adjudicator for national-level Chinese music competitions.
Through his performing, conducting, and teaching, Fred continues to shape the next generation of musicians while contributing meaningfully to the ongoing evolution of Chinese music in the contemporary arts landscape.
