Meet the Sisters: XJ and XY
Xin Jie, Violin Instructor
My students call me Ms Cheong too.
Having picked up the violin at the age of 8, Xin Jie fell in love with the instrument and pursued it thereafter. Upon completion of her ABRSM Grade 8 at the age of 12, she participated in various competitions ranging from solo, trio and ensemble categories. Xin Jie has 14 years of experience up till date, and 5 years of teaching experience. She was under the tutelage of renowned violinist Cindy Yan Mun (NAFA School of the Arts Young Talent Educator) from 2012 and served as the Concert Master under the baton of Maestro Lim Soon Lee in the NUS Symphonic Orchestra and the Concert Master/Violin II Principal Player under the baton of Mr Chan Wei Shing in the CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls String Orchestra.
Some prestigious awards she has received are the First Prize of the N7 Inter-school Solo Competition 2011, First Prize (as Soloist) in N7 Inter-School Ensemble Competition 2012, Gold Award (as Soloist of the Ensemble) in the Singapore Raffles International Music Festival 2014. She was also invited as a Guest Player for Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) in 2015. XJ then served as the Concert Master and Violin II Principal Player of her former secondary school, She later served as the Concert Master of NUS Symphonic Orchestra, having the opportunity to perform as Soloist with NUSSO in March 2021. She was also recently awarded with the Second Prize of the International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition in Oct 2022 and First Prize of the American Protége (Competition of Romantic Music) in 2023.
Also having studied a second major in Psychology from the National University of Singapore, Xin Jie studies about the Psychology of Music Performance too. She understands the art of teaching and holds the patience and encouragement needed to keep her students going. She also takes in students with dyslexia, ADHD, and students with learning difficulties and all these have made her love teaching even more.
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Xin Jie currently teaches the violin privately at her place in the North side.​ She also conducts violin enrichment programmes at schools (Mayflower Primary School, Greenwood Primary School, and more) to help to nurture young talents and discover their music potentials. Xin Jie also served as the music conductor of Fuchun Primary String Ensemble, achieving a Distinction in the recent grading exam.
"Playing the correct notes is easy but what I'd like my students to achieve musical and stylistic playing from each and every student." - XJ
Teacher Xin Jie's certifications:
-ATCL (Associate of Trinity College London) in Violin
-ABRSM Piano Grade 8
-ABRSM Theory Grade 8
Theory & piano accompaniment for lower grades are covered in her lessons.
Xin Ying, Cello Instructor
My students call me Ms Cheong too.
Xin Ying picked up the cello at the age of 10 after she fell in love with the deep and warm tone of the instrument, she pursued the cello thereafter under renewed cello mentor Natasha Liu (NAFA School of the Arts Young Talent Educator). Xin Ying also has put to 8 years of experience on various stages and competitions, serving as the Principal Player for most orchestras. She has attained various awards such as the Silver Award (as Cello Leader) in the Singapore Raffles International Music Festival 2013 and also served as the Cello Section Leader of former secondary school, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls Secondary School
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Xin Ying has been working with students to hone their practical and theoretical skills. She is also currently teaching in schools and served as the cello instructor in Fuchun Primary String Ensemble.
Xin Ying enjoys teaching students and be nit-picky about their playing. Students have commented on her high expectations for their playing. Engage with a cello lesson with XY to get the experience.
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Teacher Xin Ying also holds a Grade 8 in Piano and Grade 8 in Theory. Theory component is covered in her lessons.
