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The Malaysian counter-tenor, Chia Wee-Kiat, studied at the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) from 2006 to 2009, graduating with Diploma in Music Performance with distinction in 2009. He continued his sties there from 2009 to 2011, obtaning his Bachelor of Arts (First-Class Honours) in Music (validated by University of Wales), and was awarded the Embassy of Peru Award in recognition for his outstanding achievements in various musical disciplines. He was also one of the recipients of the Best Graduate Award. From 2010 to 2012, he studied at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), graduating top of his batch with Master of Music in Performance at with distinction. He has studied voice with soprano, Nancy Yuen.
Chia Wee-Kiat made his debut as a soloist in Abendmusiken, a concert organized by the Singapore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) in 2007 singing Dietrich Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri. He was invited in 2009 by the opera company OperaViva (Singapore) to perform in their inaugural concert.
In 2010, Chia Wee-Kiat won first prize in the Tan Ngiang Kaw/Tan Ngiang Ann Memorial Vocal Competition in NAFA. He was also a semi-finalist in the Competizione dell’opera 2009 held in Bremen, Germany. In 2011, Wee Kiat was admitted into the Salzburg Voice Festival (SVF) and was awarded the Singers’ Award. As a laureate, Wee Kiat participated in the SVF 2012 and his exceptional artistry was once again recognized by the Singers’ Album Award from the organization. In 2013, he won first prize in the 8th Yin Qi Singing Competition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In recent years, Chia Wee-Kiat has sung leading roles in operas including Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea (Ottone), Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon), excerpts from George Frideric Handel's Giulio Cesare (Tolomeo and title role), Rinaldo (title role), Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus (Orlofsky), and W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflöte (Third Attendant) and Mitridate, re di Ponto (Farnace). He has also sung as the alto soloist in W.A. Mozart's Requiem, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, J.S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243), Saint John Passion (BWV 245) and many of his cantatas.
Chia Wee Kiat has worked with conductors Nicholas Kok, Stuart Stratford, Perry So, Alan Cumberland, Volker Hartung, Ashley Solomon, Zechariah Goh Toh Chai, Rev. Lee Chong Min and David Chin, and directors Andrew Sinclair, Ceri Sherlock and Javier Andrade Córdova.
Currently, Chia Wee-Kiat is the vocal instructor and choir director of several churches, Christian music organizations and choirs. He has also been actively involved in events in different countries as a guest vocal trainer as well as a performer: Vocal Teacher (Junior Music Programme) at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (September 2010-May 2012); Vocal Trainer at Kids Performing Academy of the Arts (November 2012-March 2013); Counter-tenor - Vocal Trainer - Choir Director at Home Studio (August 2006-Present); Vocal Trainer at Johor Bahru Chamber Choir (JBCC) (June 2013-Present); Conductor at Johor Bahru Taiwan Alumni Choir (JBTAC) (July 2013-Present); Vocal Trainer at the Bintulu Chinese Christian Music Association Singers (The BCCMA Singers) (August 2013-Present); Conductor at Cana Christian Church (Plentong) Choir (January 2014-Present); Vocal Trainer at Johor Bahru Chinese Methodist Church (February 2014-Present); Guest Vocal Trainer & Performer at International Christian Choral Conductor Society (ICCCS) (March 2014-Present). |
