Abigail Sin
Encyclopedia
Abigail Sin Si Ern (born 26 May 1992 in Singapore
) is an award-winning Singaporean
concert pianist
. She was hailed by TIME Magazine as one of Asia's Small Wonders when she was ten years old.
, as a twin, in 1992. She also has a younger brother (born in 1995). She started reading at age 2 and stumbled across her first piano in her grandmother's basement at the age of 4 and a half. Sin was educated at Methodist Girls' School
(MGS), where she excelled academically, particularly in Mathematics and Creative Writing. She was also the top Primary School Leaving Examination
(PSLE) student in MGS in 2004 and was awarded the MGS Scholar Award. At the age of 14, she became the youngest student in history to enter and graduate from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore
as a National Arts Council scholar, where she studied with Dr Thomas Hecht and was placed on Dean's List
every semester.
From September 2010, Sin will be embarking on a postgraduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
, where she will be under the tutelage of Joan Havill.
in Singapore.
Soon after, she made her concerto debuts performing with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra
, Singapore Symphony Orchestra
and London Soloists Chamber Orchestra.
Since winning the Honourable Mention award at the 2003 Pinnault International Piano Competition, Sin has won several prizes including first prize at the 2005 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition(Junior Concerto Category), Most Outstanding Performer award at the 14th International Festival of Young Musicians 'Kaunas' in Lithuania, first prize at the 17th Ibiza International Piano Competition (Young Pianist Category), first prize at the 3rd International Independent Music Competition 'Individualis' in Ukraine (11–14 years old), second prize at the 1st Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior Piano Competition in Arizona, USA (13–15 years old), second prize at the 8th International Krainev Competition for Young Pianists in Ukraine (Junior Section) and first prize at the Viardo International Piano Competition in Texas, USA (17 and Under Category).
In 2003, she was award the HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Musical Excellence. The year after, she gave her Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
debut performance with her own solo recital and a concerto performance to a full house of nearly two thousand. This gala concert rose over S$
200,000 for the The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
.
In 2006, Abigail was invited to give seven-concert tour of Ukraine, Lithuania and Germany. The same year, she recorded a number of pieces by Frank Zappa
.
In May 2009, Abigail was honoured at the inaugural President’s Command Performance at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore alongside prominent Singaporean artists such as legendary avant-garde pianist Margaret Leng Tan and pop sensations JJ Lin and Stephanie Sun. Abigail has also performed at numerous state functions, including a state banquet at the Istana for HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
In December 2009, Sin was named the region's first Young Steinway Artist.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
) is an award-winning Singaporean
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
concert pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. She was hailed by TIME Magazine as one of Asia's Small Wonders when she was ten years old.
Early life
Sin was born in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, as a twin, in 1992. She also has a younger brother (born in 1995). She started reading at age 2 and stumbled across her first piano in her grandmother's basement at the age of 4 and a half. Sin was educated at Methodist Girls' School
Methodist Girls' School
Methodist Girls' School is a girls' independent school, consisting of two sections - the Primary School and Secondary School, located in Bukit Timah, Singapore. It is affiliated to the Anglo-Chinese School family and the Methodist Church in Singapore...
(MGS), where she excelled academically, particularly in Mathematics and Creative Writing. She was also the top Primary School Leaving Examination
Primary School Leaving Examination
The Primary School Leaving Examination is a national examination taken by all students in Singapore near the end of primary six in primary school, which is also their last year in Primary school before they leave for secondary school. It is administered by the Ministry of Education...
(PSLE) student in MGS in 2004 and was awarded the MGS Scholar Award. At the age of 14, she became the youngest student in history to enter and graduate from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
as a National Arts Council scholar, where she studied with Dr Thomas Hecht and was placed on Dean's List
Dean's List
A Dean's List is a category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. In secondary schools, or high schools, the term Consistent Honor List or Honor Roll is more common, but Dean's List and Consistent Honor List are...
every semester.
From September 2010, Sin will be embarking on a postgraduate degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
, where she will be under the tutelage of Joan Havill.
Early career
In 2001, at the age of nine, Abigail Sin gave her debut solo recital at CHIJMESCHIJMES
CHIJMES is a historic building complex in Singapore, which began life as a Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus and convent quarters known as Caldwell House...
in Singapore.
Soon after, she made her concerto debuts performing with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra
Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra
Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra is an amateur orchestra founded in 1986 based in Singapore. The music director and conductor is Yan Yin Wing who prepares musicians from all different backgrounds for concert around four times a year...
, Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is a 96 members professional symphony orchestra. Its main performing venue is the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore although it has also toured widely in Asia, Europe and the United States...
and London Soloists Chamber Orchestra.
Since winning the Honourable Mention award at the 2003 Pinnault International Piano Competition, Sin has won several prizes including first prize at the 2005 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition(Junior Concerto Category), Most Outstanding Performer award at the 14th International Festival of Young Musicians 'Kaunas' in Lithuania, first prize at the 17th Ibiza International Piano Competition (Young Pianist Category), first prize at the 3rd International Independent Music Competition 'Individualis' in Ukraine (11–14 years old), second prize at the 1st Schimmel USASU Young Artists International Junior Piano Competition in Arizona, USA (13–15 years old), second prize at the 8th International Krainev Competition for Young Pianists in Ukraine (Junior Section) and first prize at the Viardo International Piano Competition in Texas, USA (17 and Under Category).
In 2003, she was award the HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Musical Excellence. The year after, she gave her Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a waterside building located on six hectares of waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, purpose-built to be the centre for performing arts for the island nation of Singapore...
debut performance with her own solo recital and a concerto performance to a full house of nearly two thousand. This gala concert rose over S$
Singapore dollar
The Singapore dollar or Dollar is the official currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
200,000 for the The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
The Straits Times
The Straits Times is an English language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore currently owned by Singapore Press Holdings . It is the country's highest-selling paper, with a current daily circulation of nearly 400,000...
.
In 2006, Abigail was invited to give seven-concert tour of Ukraine, Lithuania and Germany. The same year, she recorded a number of pieces by Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
.
In May 2009, Abigail was honoured at the inaugural President’s Command Performance at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore alongside prominent Singaporean artists such as legendary avant-garde pianist Margaret Leng Tan and pop sensations JJ Lin and Stephanie Sun. Abigail has also performed at numerous state functions, including a state banquet at the Istana for HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.
In December 2009, Sin was named the region's first Young Steinway Artist.