RALPH McDONALD
DipMusEd DipRSAMD(Perf)

was born in 1955 and at age of 11 became a Junior Student at the Royal Scotish Academy of Music and Drama. His full-time studies at the RSAMD lasted from 1972-76, during which he won the Governors’ Recital Prize, the Hugh S Robertson Prize for vocal ensemble work and the General Good Work Prize awarded in the 3rd Year of the Dip Music Ed course. Scholarships from the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Scottish International Education Trust enabled him to continue his studies with John Carol Case and Derek Hammond Stroud in London.

From 1980 to 1992 he was Singing and Flute tutor at Uppingham School, a school which is renowned for its music and drama. As freelance soloist he also worked closely with the Hilliard Ensemble and as a member of the Western Wind Choir toured with the group all over Europe and Japan. As a soloist he has worked with such names as Sir Peter Pears, Linda Finnie and Neil Mackie and has a flourishing recital partnership with the pianist Andrew Plant.

As a member of the Trinity College London examining panel he has toured worldwide. Presently his educational and performing commitmnets are evenly split between the UK and his second base in Taiwan.

Swimming, bridge and the novels of E F Benson help to keep him occupied during his spare time.

Thomas Ling Swee Chin
B.Mus LRSM

was a pupil of Mrs. Catherine Chiew and Mr. David Wong in piano and guitar respectively before going abroad to study in New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music in Sydney (1981-85), under Miss Eunice Gardiner and graduated with Bachelor of Music in piano performance. During 1981-82 he was the Musical Director and pianist for a Broadway group called Statent Island Heatwave which performed every weekend.

Upon returning home to Sibu, he began his teaching career. He also performed with various local and oversea artists in concerts and recitals throughout Sarawak, Kota Kinabalu, and Brunei. In 1989 he was selected by the ABRSM in conjunction with its centennial celebration and won a travel grant to study for a term at the Royal Academy of Music under Miss Jean Harvey, Chief examiner of ABRSM then, and awarded The Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in piano teaching. He was appointed as the local representative of the Trinity College of Music London in 1994.

Currently he is running a music centre at Thomas' Music Studio, giving piano and music lessons. He has composed and arranged many theme songs for retreats and special occasions and has recently published an album called "Just for Fun" - a collection of 24 original pieces by him in the pop, rock and jazz styles.

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