Mike Chiang is a young talented homegrown musician formerly with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO). He is also a member of The Huqin Quartet that was conferred the distinguished Singapore Youth Award (Team) in 2004 for their pioneering efforts and musical excellence.
Mike started learning erhu from Zhang Bing Zhao during his secondary school days. In mid-1995, he was awarded the Zubir Said Scholarship by the National Arts Council (NAC) and went China to pursue a short-term music study in Beijing and Shanghai under the tutelage of erhu masters, Maestro Chen Yao Xin and Maestro Min Hui Fen where he established a strong foundation in erhu performing.
In 1998, he received a study grant from the SCO to further his music study in erhu and gaohu performing techniques with Maestro Chen Yao Xing and Maestro Yu Qi We in Beijing and Guangzhou respectively between May 1998 and August 1998.
Upon invitation by the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centre, he travelled with The Huqin Quartet for concert tour to Sydney Opera House, Victorian Arts Centre, The Edge Brisbane Festival and Adelaide Festival in September 2000. The Quartet travelled again in 2002 to three main cities in Mexico to participate in the 30th Festival International Cervantino as well as the Asia Pacific Music Festival in Korea, Seoul.
Mike won the 1st prize in the erhu senior category of the 8th National Music Competition in 1991 and in 1992; he was awarded the 1st prize in the National Chinese Instrumental Solo Open Category. He holds a Licentiate Diploma of the London College of Music in Conducting LLCM from Thames Valley University and further improves his conducting skills under the guidance of Maestro Hu Bing Xu, first Music Director of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
As the Music Director and Conductor of Cheng San Echoes of the Valley Chinese Orchestra, Mike led the Orchestra in winning the 1st prize in the National Chinese Instrument Ensemble Open Category in Year 2002, 2nd prize in Senior Ensemble Category in 2000 and 2nd prize in 1996.
A concertmaster of Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company Chinese Orchestra (SAFCO), Mike has been invited yearly by SAFCO since 2004 as the main speaker in their Conductor's workshop as part of a leadership camp organised by Ministry of Education.
Mike's active participation in the local arts scene has been widely commended by the local arts scene and the general public. He is currently the band leader of a promising new band, SZINC, which was invited to showcase in 2011 LIVE Singapore - a global performing arts trade fair.
