Adjudication Panel

Dr Nicholas Ong is the recipient of many international prizes, including First Prize at the Yvonne Lefébure International Piano Competition in France and finalist at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland. The New York Times praised him for his “firm rubber-ball touch and bounce” and Le Figaro for his “astonishing virtuosity.” He has performed in numerous concert halls across the United States, Europe, and Asia. As a versatile chamber musician, he has collaborated in chamber concerts with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts faculty chamber concerts, and concert tours with principals of major orchestras and young talented musicians. He received a Doctorate in Piano Performance at the Juilliard School in New York. Prior to that, he studied at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris under a French Government Scholarship, and Master of Music degree at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.

Dr Nicholas Ong is Head of Keyboard at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore. He is on the jury for many International Piano Competitions, and in demand for masterclasses, including the Asia International Piano Academy Festival (AIPAF) in South Korea.

Hailed as a performer with an “artistry of the highest order” by Straits Times and “maturity of musicianship and virtuosity” by Pianomania, Kseniia Vokhmianina has gained critical and audience attention as a concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. Her latest performances have taken her to prominent international venues, including the Seoul Arts Centre (South Korea), the Auditorium Olivier Messiaen (France), Institut Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie (Belgium), Mendelssohn-Haus Leipzig, and Schumannhaus Bonn (Germany), Yunduan-Tianfu Music Hall (China), Guarnerius Concert Hall (Serbia), Österreichisches Kulturforum, and Notre-Dame de Sion Istanbul (Turkey).

Kseniia began her music training at a young age in her native Ukraine. She studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts under Prof. Boris Kraljevic as a recipient of the Lee Foundation Scholarship. Her studies then took her to the Royal College of Music (UK), Kharkiv National Pedagogical University (Ukraine), and Zurich University of the Arts (Switzerland), where she was mentored by Prof. Konstantin Scherbakov.

A prizewinner in numerous piano competitions across France, Australia, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Germany, Kseniia has been a guest artist at various international music festivals. These include “Convivium Musicum” (Serbia), “International Piano Festival” (Vietnam), “Days of Music” (Montenegro), “George Town Festival” (Malaysia), “International Holland Music Sessions” (Netherlands), and the “Pablo Casals Festival” (France). She opened the 27th edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival in 2021 with a grand display of pianism in the tradition of great classical artists from her birthplace, such as Shura Cherkassky, Emil Gilels, and Sviatoslav Richter. Kseniia has performed as a concerto soloist with international symphony orchestras, including the Kaunas Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (Lithuania) and Sichuan Symphony Orchestra (China).

In addition to her performing career, Kseniia is a dedicated music educator, having worked for several years at the Music Faculty of the School of The Arts (SOTA)  and recently joining Madison Academy of Music.  She is frequently invited to serve on juries for regional and international piano competitions, including the Steinway Youth Piano Competition, Le Magnifique Music Competition, the Overseas Performers’ Festival, WPTA Finland International Piano Competition, and the Indonesia Virtuoso Music Award. Since 2018, she has served as the President of the World Piano Teachers’ Association (Singapore affiliate).

Hailed as a “highly musical personality” by The Straits Times, Donald Law is a distinguished solo and collaborative pianist known for his expressive performances and technical mastery. A prizewinner in numerous national and international competitions, including 1st prize at the 7th Lucien Wang Piano Competition (2016) and 2nd prize at the Nanyang International Music Competition (2017), Donald has earned widespread recognition for his musicality and versatility.

Donald’s performance career has taken him to prestigious music festivals and concert halls across Europe and Asia, where he has shared the stage with renowned international artists in both solo and chamber music performances. He has received critical acclaim for his performances of works such as Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor Op. 15 and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C K. 503 as a soloist with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Wind Ensemble. He was invited to perform in Ru Gao, China, as part of the Musikschule Kirn-Meisenheim-Bad Sobemheim’s cultural exchange programme in 2018 and has performed at high-profile events such as a recital at the Beijing Kerry Center Hotel, marking Kerry Oils & Grains Co. Ltd.’s announcement as a supplier for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Donald’s participation in the Art of Healing series at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) also brought comfort and joy to patients and visitors through his piano recitals in the hospital atrium.

A dedicated scholar, Donald has received numerous prestigious scholarships, including the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) Undergraduate Scholarship, Ngee Ann Kongsi Merit Award, and Tay Chay Bing Bursary. He graduated with distinction from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) with a Diploma in Music and went on to earn a First-Class Honours in Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London. He furthered his studies with a Master of Music in Performance at RCM, where he was awarded the Henry Wood Trust Fund. Donald’s mentors include Lena Ching, Boris Kraljevic, Ashley Wass, and Dina Parakhina, and he has worked with renowned pianists such as Ivan Klánský, Hüseyin Sermet, Noriko Ogawa, and the late Dennis Lee.

In 2020, Donald signed with KNS Classical label and released his solo album Evolution, showcasing his ever-evolving artistry. As both a performer and educator, he continues to inspire audiences worldwide and is dedicated to advancing the art of music, sharing his expertise as a juror for competitions and masterclass instructor. Donald's passion for nurturing future generations of pianists remains at the heart of his career.

Singaporean pianist Jie Ying holds a Master’s Degree with Distinction from the University of Otago, a Bachelor’s Degree with First-Class Honors from the Royal College of Music (RCM), and a Diploma in Music Performance with Distinction from NAFA. She also attained Distinction for both her ATCL and LTCL from Trinity Guildhall. Jie Ying began her piano studies at the age of five under her father’s guidance, later studying with Ms. Alice Yap and Mr. James Yap at Musikinder Artskool. By seven, she was performing as a soloist and with the Musikinder Ensemble.

During her time at NAFA, Jie Ying studied under mentors such as Dr. Paul Liang and Prof. Boris Kraljevic. She furthered her Master’s degree in Music under Prof. Terence Dennis in New Zealand, receiving guidance from distinguished mentors like Heleen Du Plessis, Peter Adams, and others. She has won numerous awards and competed internationally, achieving notable successes such as performing Beethoven’s Concerto No. 3 with the Central Otago Orchestra and Mozart’s Piano Concerto K.488 with the Collegiate Orchestra.

In addition to her performance achievements, Jie Ying has also excelled in competitions, including Third Place in the NAFA Essential Competition and First and Second Place in the Dunedin Performing Arts Society Music Competition Recital Classes. She was invited to perform at the NAFA BMus High Scorers Concert in 2013 and served as an official piano accompanist at NAFA from 2013 to 2014. During her time in New Zealand, she also played for The Melrose Singers and taught at Able Music Studio in Auckland, where she gained more than 15 years of teaching experience.

In 2020, Jie Ying founded Musik Artz Studio in Admiralty, specializing in individually tailored piano courses for all ages. The studio offers students opportunities to attend masterclasses with world-class pianists, such as Italian pianist Niccolo Ronchi. She was invited to judge the Happy Music Festival Piano Category in 2021 and 2023, and in 2022, she and her duo partner, Ms. Shi Xuan, won First Prize in the festival’s Four-Hands Piano Category. Her students have also won top awards at the Happy Music Festival and Musique Loft Overseas Performers Festival.

Her most recent accolades include the Outstanding Teacher Recognition in 2022 from the World Piano Teachers Association Singapore, and the Star Award Teacher 2023 & 2024 from Musique Loft, recognizing her excellence as an educator.

Evelyn Handrisanto is an accomplished pianist, known for her versatility as a recitalist, chamber musician, concerto soloist, and repetiteur. She has performed at prestigious venues including Esplanade Concert Hall (An Afternoon in Paris), Esplanade Recital Studio (Trout), NAFA-Lee Foundation Theatre, Yale-NUS College (Singapore), Erasmus (Jakarta), the Opening Gala of the 6th ASEAN International Chopin Piano Competition (Malaysia), Fryderyk Chopin University of Music (Warsaw, Poland), International Piano Academy and Competition (Korea), and the Royal College of Music (UK).

Born in Indonesia, Evelyn began her piano studies at the age of 4. Her musical talent was soon recognized, and at 18, she received the NAFA Entry ASEAN Grant, NAFA Scholarship, and the Singapore Ministry of Education Tuition Grant to pursue a Diploma in Music Performance at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). She graduated with Distinction and was awarded the prestigious Leong Yoon Pin Scholarship to continue her Bachelor of Music (Hons) at the Royal College of Music, where she studied with Mrs. Rena Phua and Professor Gordon Fergus Thompson, graduating with First Class Honours.

Evelyn’s success in competitions spans the region. She was the Grand Winner of the 4th UPH Chopin Piano Competition (Jakarta), receiving multiple special prizes including Best Etude Performer, Winner of Impromptu and Rondo categories. She also won Gold Prize and Most Promising Artist Award at the 4th ASEAN International Chopin Piano Competition (Malaysia) and 2nd Prize at the inaugural International Chopin Piano Competition in Singapore. In Singapore, she won First Prize at the Lucien Wang Piano Competition and emerged Grand Winner of the Music Essential Concerto Competition.

Evelyn made her concerto debut in 2014, performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor with the NAFA Orchestra under Maestro Lim Yau. In 2015, she was selected to perform a specially commissioned work by Dr. Kelly Tang for 50 pianos and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra at the Sing50 concert — a grand celebration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

Beyond performance, Evelyn is a sought-after accompanist, serving as resident accompanist for the Singapore Symphony Youth Choir and official accompanist at NAFA. Her students have achieved success in both national and international competitions and several have continued to pursue professional music studies.  In 2019, Evelyn founded Quatre Music Organization, promoting music education and performance opportunities. Recently, she was invited as a jury member for the Yamaha Competition in Indonesia and the Haydn Music Piano Competition in Malaysia, further cementing her reputation as a respected figure in the regional music scene.

Felix Rajali is a distinguished pianist and educator with a deep passion for nurturing young musical talent. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Royal College of Music in London and a Diploma in Music from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore. Felix’s musical education has been shaped by esteemed mentors such as Suriani, Lisi Julianto, Lena Ching, Dr. Nicholas Ong, Rena Phua, Prof. Boris Kraljevic, and Prof. Ruth Nye.

Felix has actively participated in numerous prestigious competitions and festivals, both locally and internationally, including the Lucien Wang Piano Competition (Singapore), NAFA Concerto Competition (Singapore), JCoM Piano Competition (Indonesia), Medan International Piano Competition (Indonesia), International Piano Academy & Festival (South Korea), and the Albeniz Summer Music Festival and Competition (Spain). His extensive experience in these events has influenced his versatile teaching approach and performance skills.

Recognized for his exceptional teaching abilities, Felix received the Teacher’s Excellence Award in 2019 and was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for his students’ remarkable achievements. Felix’s commitment to sharing his knowledge is reflected in his involvement in organizing and spearheading internal concerts, festivals, and competitions at Musical Mindset Academy. He continues to provide students with invaluable opportunities to perform, both in Singapore and abroad.

In addition to his teaching, Felix has organized significant performance events for his students, including concerts at the Victoria Concert Hall, where his students have showcased their talents in a professional setting. Felix is also actively involved in organizing outdoor performance events, such as the Great Christmas Village at Orchard Road in Dec 2024. These events provide students with exposure to different performance environments, helping them grow as artists.

Felix’s students have consistently excelled in various competitions, including the Batam International Open Piano Competition (Indonesia), the 7th Singapore Performers’ Festival & Chamber Music Competition (Singapore), and the International Piano Academy & Festival (South Korea), among many others. His students have also achieved distinctions in grade exams from ABRSM and Trinity College and diploma-level exams and have been selected to perform with prestigious ensembles, such as the Kids Philharmonic Orchestra at Esplanade.

Lisa Sia is a highly respected music educator born in Malaysia, with over 25 years of experience teaching piano and voice. Her musical journey began at the age of 3 when she first started playing the piano, igniting a deep passion for music that would guide her career. Fueled by this passion, Lisa pursued full-time music studies at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore, where she earned a Diploma in Music with a major in piano performance and vocal studies. 

Throughout her academic career, Lisa studied under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as Mr. Leong Oon Pin, Mdm Lim Geok Chu, Mr. Poon Yew Tien, and Mr. Benjamin Loh. Her vocal talents flourished through her involvement with the Singapore Symphony Choir, where she was mentored by the renowned conductor Lim Yau. Lisa’s education has shaped her into a highly skilled performer and a knowledgeable educator.

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Lisa has built a reputation as a highly respected instructor, imparting both practical and theoretical knowledge to students of all ages. Her students consistently achieve distinctions, and many have gone on to pursue careers in music, with some becoming music educators themselves. Lisa’s teaching encompasses a broad range of musical elements, from foundational piano skills to advanced vocal techniques, ensuring that her students are well-rounded musicians.

Lisa’s students have competed and excelled in various prestigious competitions, including the UCSI International Piano Festival & Competition (Malaysia), the 7th Singapore Performers' Festival & Chamber Music Competition (Singapore), the Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards International Piano Competition (Singapore), the Singapore International Classical Piano Competition (Singapore), and the Asia International Piano Academy & Festival (South Korea), among others. These achievements highlight her ability to prepare her students for success on both local and international stages.

As a passionate advocate for musical exposure and education, Lisa actively spearheads and organizes a variety of concerts, competitions, and performance events. She plays a key role in providing her students with opportunities to perform at high-profile venues such as the Victoria Concert Hall. Lisa’s dedication extends to organizing masterclasses and workshops to further enhance her students’ learning experiences, and she regularly attends seminars and overseas summer camps to stay current with the latest developments in music education.

Lisa’s outstanding contributions to the field of music education were recognized in 2019 when she received the Teachers’ Excellence Award. This accolade is a testament to her caring, impactful teaching style and her unwavering commitment to her students’ growth and success. Through her nurturing guidance, Lisa continues to inspire her students, leaving a lasting impact on their musical journeys and shaping the next generation of musicians.