OUR STORY
Who We Are
Traditional Chinese music alludes to something outside itself… a story, a great literary work, a poem, a painting or an emotion or aspect of nature. To us, composing, interpreting and performing Chinese chamber music transports us to realms – from the historic to the contemporary and avant-garde, from places exotic and familiar, from the sensual to the surreal.
At Ding Yi, it is not only about the sounds we make, but also the journeys we take. Each piece is carefully crafted to take you with us, from the cloistered chambers of an imperial age to the expansive imaginations of our modern collective soul, to touch, entertain, understand, inspire and unite.
It is this passion and our commitment to artistry that has won us accolades and support of patrons, arts institutions, and chamber music fans across Asia. The journey begins with us, and continues with you. Won’t you join us on this journey as we explore and create a distinctly Singapore sound?
Our accolades:
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2019, 2016, 2013: National Arts Council Major Company Scheme Recipient
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2019: Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award (Organisation) Recipient
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2011: National Arts Council Seed Grant Recipient
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2011: Silver Award at the 28th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival
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2009: Champion at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in Wales, United Kingdom
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2008: First Prize at the Singapore National Arts Council Chinese Music Competition
We had the privilege to:
• Premiere many compositions by award winning composers such as Eric James Watson (UK) and Chen Yi (USA)
• Collaborate with prominent musicians including Gu Guan Ren, Min Hui Fen and Lu Chun Ling
• Pioneer two iconic major events for the Chinese music industry: biennial Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival since 2013, which had acclaimed Chinese chamber music ensembles from China, Taiwan, and Macau participating, and the Composium since 2012, a triennial composition competition and symposium festival which encourage new Chinese chamber music works from composers worldwide
• Conceptualise iconic multi-disciplinary concerts Of Music Series which showcases Chinese music with various art forms and genres, from calligraphy to contemporary dance, sand art to ceramics, elevating audience’s senses beyond music
We were honoured to represent Singapore at many overseas
festivals and performances:
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China – ASEAN Music Festival 2019
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Hong Kong International Youth Chinese Music Festival 2018
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Canberra International Music Festival, 2017
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In 2016, we were invited by the Consulate-General of The Republic of Singapore in Hong Kong to stage a concert titled Resonance, at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Drama Theatre
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In 2016 and 2015, we were honoured to perform for Vietnam’s President Mr Tran Dai Quang and China’s President Mr Xi Jinping respectively at the state banquet hosted by Singapore’s former President Dr Tony Tan
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Taoyuan Traditional Music Festival 2016, 2014
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In August 2015, we staged a concert in Suzhou and Wuxi titled Remembering Lee Kuan Yew– A Tribute to Singapore’s Founding Father and Celebration of SG50
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In conjunction with SG50, we were invited by the Singapore Embassy in Berlin to present a concert titled Sights and Sounds of Singapore at the Heilig-Kreuz Kirche in June 2015
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10th World Music Festival Sharq Taronalari at Samarkand, Uzbekistan 2015
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Jogja International Performing Arts Festival 2014
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Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2014
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Borneo World Music Expo 2014
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ASEAN Arts Festival 2012
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Philippines Arts Festival 2010
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Shanghai World Expo 2010