In just 12 years since she began learning to play the piano, Jessie M. has risen to become one of Singapore's brightest young musicians.
After getting her first taste of playing competitively when she was just five years of age, she went on to build an impressive portfolio by clinching awards at competitions on home ground as well as abroad. These included the Singapore’s Performers’ Festival & Chamber Music Competition, 4th Steinway Youth Piano Competition, Taiwan International Maestro Piano Festival and Competition, Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, and Lang Lang Futian International Piano Competition.
Just last month, the 16-year-old added her induction into Steinway & Sons' prestigious Young Steinway Artist programme, which recognises and develops promising young musicians around the world, to her growing list of achievements.
The milestone is a significant one in Jessie's journey in that it can be seen as her coming of age as a musician. Having attained the title of Young Steinway Artist, the Raffles Girls' School alumnus has a better understanding of her role in the classical music scene and is poised to continue surging forward with this newfound purpose.
To Jessie, her inclusion in the programme is an indication of the "trust" that the music community has in her: "It represents not just a validation of my dedication to the craft, but more of a nod to the potential I hold as a performer and ambassador of classical music. Unlike winning competitions, which often emphasize individual achievement and prowess, this title carries with it a sense of responsibility and belonging to a prestigious lineage of musicians associated with the Steinway brand."
She also explained the responsibility that comes with her new title: "As a Young Steinway Artist, I am not just a pianist; I am a representative of excellence, innovation, and tradition in the world of classical music. It opens doors to unique opportunities that were only made possible with this title for collaboration, performance, and artistic growth, while also providing a platform to inspire aspiring musicians."
In an interview with Hear65, Jessie spoke about what it's like to be a part of the Young Steinway Artist programme, how she prepared for her debut solo recital, and how she hopes to inspire young artists like herself.
Hi, Jessie! A massive congratulations on becoming a Young Steinway Artist. What was it like finding out that you had been added to the programme?
Firstly, even now, I am still trying to comprehend how lucky I am to be nominated and given this prestigious title. So I was on my way home, I got to the front of my door and my phone rang, I saw the contact name - Ms Celine Goh, the General Manager of Steinway Gallery Singapore, and I thought she rang me to talk about my concert. But I had the shock of my life when I picked up the call. I really was not expecting the news of myself officially a Young Steinway Artist as I knew how difficult it was to achieve — the process is tough, and the sheer number of talented pianists all around the world. It had been months since I submitted the application, so I was truly overjoyed and speechless after finding out this news. I really can’t express how grateful I am for it.
You began learning to play the piano when you were just four years of age. Do you recall how you came to fall in love with the instrument? To you, what’s different about it compared to others?
I think that love for piano started off with curiosity and interest. I was a little kid and was very intrigued with how this object could produce so many sounds and I would often go to the piano to press and experiment with it. It was a gradual process for me to fall in love with the piano. As I progressed and had a deeper understanding of music and the piano, that was when I started to like it more and more, until I unconsciously fell in love with it and it has since become an indispensable part of my life.
Actually, playing on a Steinway piano has also played a crucial part in my love for music and the piano. My piano teacher teaches on a Steinway piano and that was how I first got to play on it. The sounds and tone quality it could produce were mesmerising and I wanted to keep playing, exploring what more sounds I could make with it. Though I have tried other instruments, both western and classical, like the violin, french horn, and guzheng, I am still most interested in the piano as it can express my emotions best and allows me to engage with the audience because of its physical and emotional capacities.
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"I was a little kid and was very intrigued with how this object could produce so many sounds and I would often go to the piano to press and experiment with it."
In the years that you have spent playing the piano since then, how have you developed your own identity as a pianist?
It initially started with interest, later developing into a love for music, and when the idea of being a concert pianist formed in my head, at that age, that was all I wanted to achieve. I watched countless videos of concert pianists performing on world stages — it was a scene that I wanted to be the main character in.
But recently and through the years, I have been on a journey of self-discovery, I’ve been exposed to a lot more and gotten inspirations from other artists, which have shaped my thinking ever since. Now, other than focusing solely on my individual aspiration, I really want to be a form of inspiration to other young pianists who are exploring the same path.
You’ve had opportunities to compete in competitions locally as well as represent Singapore at prestigious venues abroad, such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Paris Opera Bastille, and at overseas competitions. How different are these two kinds of experiences to you? What are some of your learnings from each?
Competing in local competitions and representing Singapore on international stages have been invaluable experiences, each offering unique insights. Local competitions provided me with opportunities to showcase my skills within familiar settings and connect with the local music community. These events helped me refine my performance techniques, adapt to different judging criteria, and develop resilience in the face of competition.
On the other hand, performing at prestigious venues abroad and participating in international competitions expanded my horizons in profound ways. They exposed me to diverse audiences, cultures, and musical traditions, pushing me out of my comfort zone and encouraging me to strive for excellence on a global scale, which are truly eye-opening experiences, to be able to learn from so many wonderful pianists of different cultures and to make valuable and lasting connections with them, it shows how music is a universal language. Both have been instrumental in shaping me as a musician and a global citizen.
Speaking of live performances, how does your approach to performing for an audience differ to your approach from playing the piano at home or in a closed setting? How do you ensure that your audience connects with the pieces you are presenting?
Playing the piano at home does not have that spark and special connection that only exists when there is an audience. When I play at home, it’s much more experimental, I can explore different nuances, but a live performance is really just putting together whatever I have been playing at home and adding some essence to the piece according to the audience, the setting, and how I feel performing in those situations.
To ensure that my audience connects with the pieces I am performing, I have a story or a certain character I have in mind for each piece, which will be told through my playing, and I am sure that the audience will be able to feel more than just notes.
"I have a story or a certain character I have in mind for each piece, which will be told through my playing, and I am sure that the audience will be able to feel more than just notes."
Lets talk about your debut solo recital, Dark Stories. What were your preparations for it like?
Organising my own solo recital meant I had to practice, to prepare the musical content of it, but it involved many other things as well. As a young pianist starting out my career, I had to do a lot of things on my own. Besides practising, there were marketing and logistics coordination and other huge aspects to make this concert possible.
This was something new to me as it was my very first time organising my own recital. I had never done this before, but I was thankful to have so many people to guide and support me along the way, without them, it wouldn’t have been possible to make this a dream come true for me!
Tell us a bit more about the recital’s theme. How did you decide on it and what do you hope your audience would come away with after your performance?
First, we put together the set of repertoires, which we then realised most of them weren’t all beautiful with a pleasant story, and then the idea came along to incorporate my own feelings about my own journey that would tie in closely with the pieces, hence “Dark Stories”.
I had hoped that after the concert, the audience could relate their own journey to the pieces and understand the beauty of classical music, how it conveys a story, and how it connects with our emotions.
"By sharing my experiences, both triumphs and challenges, I hope to impart valuable insights that empower aspiring musicians to navigate their own paths with confidence and determination."
Finally, how do you hope to inspire young musicians like yourself from Singapore?
Ultimately, I aspire to serve as a beacon of inspiration for young musicians in Singapore by embodying dedication, resilience, and artistic excellence. Through my journey, I aim to demonstrate the possibilities that arise from pursuing one's passion with unwavering commitment and perseverance. By sharing my experiences, both triumphs and challenges, I hope to impart valuable insights that empower aspiring musicians to navigate their own paths with confidence and determination.
Moreover, I seek to foster a supportive and collaborative community where budding talents can flourish, exchange ideas, and collectively contribute to Singapore's music scene, inspiring future generations to embrace their musical potential and show the world what our young talents have to offer on a global stage.
