Music Academy

AISM Instrumental Music Academy

Music Tutor Programme

The Australian International School Malaysia provides the opportunity for your child or children to learn a musical instrument with professional music tutors during school hours

Instrumental lessons involve private tuition on an instrument of choice. Woodwind, string, percussion, piano and guitar tutors provide specialised instrumental tuition and music reading skills.

Being involved in music making requires participation with others therefore students will be invited to join AISM’s music ensembles when they have reached a suitable standard.

Introducing your tutors

Ms Ciao Chin Poh

Piano Tutor

Mr Albert Loo

Guitars & Woodwind Tutor

Ms Yee Jian Gan

Piano Tutor

Mr Lau Yew Hann

Strings Tutor

Mr Matthew Wong

Drum Tutor

Ms May Huey Lai

Vocal Tutor

AISM Music Academy Fees and Policy:

AISM is acting as an agent between the parents and the tutors. As an intermediary, AISM offers the service of enrolling students, arranging schedules, invoicing and collecting payments, which are then paid directly to tutors.

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Fees:

RM65 / lesson, RM1,040 / Semester = 8 x 35 minute lessons

Payments to be made at the Accounts Office in advance.

Cheques to be made out to Australian International School SDN BHD

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Enrolment and Procedure:

Please complete the enrolment form and submit the form to the Performing Arts Department before week 1 of the term.
Fees will be included into the school term invoice
Schedules will be sent by week 1 of every term
All schedules will be made on a strictly rotational basis. Special requests for times such as, before or after school hours etc, will not be considered, apart from students in the ELC in consultation with their teachers.
Students in the Junior School and Year 6 will be collected from their classrooms by the tutor. Students in the Middle and Senior Schools (Year 7 to Year 12) will be expected to make their own way to the studio as per the schedule.
There will be no lessons in lieu for student sickness or absence. Schedules are created based on the school calendar. If there are changes to the calendar such as excursions, lessons in lieu can be arranged or the school will bear the cost for the additional lesson. Lesson in lieu will be provided in the case of tutor absence.
Discontinuation of lessons can only be made for the end of term. Fees will also be charged up until the end of term.
Students will not need to submit an enrolment form for continuing lessons into the following terms or new calendar year. They will be automatically included in the schedule. For discontinuation of lessons, please email the Performing Arts Faculty or the Music Academy Co-ordinator.
Payments for books and materials are to be made directly to the tutor.
All communication should be made to the Head of Whole School Arts, the Music Academy Co-ordinator, or a member of the Performing Arts Faculty and not directly to the tutor or the Finance Department.

Ms Ciao Chin Poh

Piano Tutor

Ms. Poh holds qualifications from The Associate Board of the Royal School of Music and Trinity Guildhall. She is currently the longest serving music tutor at AISM with a tenure that has spanned more than two decades. She has experience in conducting school choirs and bands, as well as years of teaching experience at music schools and private tutoring across the Klang Valley. She also organises concerts and showcases for her students to give them a chance to perform in front of a live audience.

Mr Albert Loo

Guitars & Woodwind Tutor

Albert Loo started playing the classical guitar at the age of 9, as far as he remembers at least! Back then, 9 out of 10 guitarists were good guitarists, and the other one was outstanding. As a child back then, there were not as many things to do compared to today, so the guitar became an obsession that he continuously worked at for hours on end.

During his teens, he studied music composition and harmony with a local music producer. He then began to play in bands. “We used to go to the record shop to record songs onto a cassette tape. We transcribed music by repeatedly playing back and rewinding the tape. It was a tedious process to learn songs, especially difficult guitar solos. The tape may get worn out or even eaten by the cassette player. Thankfully, Youtube has sorted that out in today’s environment!”

The Internet arrived in his 20s and Albert began to explore the keyboard focusing on efficient practice techniques that can be applied across all instruments.

In his 30s, Albert took up the Saxophone. He was curious after hearing someone mention that a Saxophonist’s brain is wired differently. Soon, he found out what it meant. “The notes that one chooses to play on the saxophone has to be meaningful and has to be given a certain amount of thought. You have to think of the phrasing. It does not sound good just running up and down the scale. The wind instrument is as close as you can get to imitating a singer on an instrument.” This thought process is helpful to any instrumentalist looking to improve their phrasing and musicality.

Albert got into music education and began using his experiences of performing, recording and composing to deliver lessons that are practical in real on stage situations. His knowledge in guitar, piano, saxophone, flute and clarinet gives him a different perspective on how to approach an instrument, and his students will learn techniques and musical fundamentals and concepts that will not only be applicable to the guitar, but across all instrumental playing.

Ms Yee Jian Gan

Piano Tutor

Gan Yee Jian graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from University Putra Malaysia (UPM), where she majored in piano and minored in flute. She has vast teaching experience, having taught in Cempaka International School and Chinese Taipei School and has also provided accompaniment for the choirs in those schools. She also teaches privately in many music academies in the Klang Valley. She has taught and prepared many students for graded certification exams for both ABRSM and Trinity examination boards.

Besides teaching she is also an active performer and has performed with the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) and UPM Symphony Orchestra amongst others. She believes that music is not just about learning to play an instrument, but also fostering a love and appreciation for music. She strives to create a supportive learning environment, where students feel confident and inspired to explore their music ability.

Mr Yew Hann Lau

Strings Tutor

Yew Hann Lau is a passionate educator and an active musician in the KL music scene. Having studied music in Vienna, Belgium, and London, he is now based in Malaysia.

He frequently performs with top international and local artistes, among them Siti Nurhaliza, Jacky Cheung and Richard Clayderman. Within the classical music scene, he often performs with the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia and Kamerata Kuala Lumpur among others. He is also a regular substitute and is on trial with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. He also performs regularly at klpac, Istana Budaya, and Esplanade Concert Hall.

As an educator, he has taught in many institutes of higher learning such as Aswara music faculty, University Putra Malaysia and UITM Music Faculty. He has also given masterclasses at Wawasan Open University Penang, Ann Perraeu music studio, Allegro Music, and Presto Music among others.

Mr Matthew Wong

Drum Tutor

Matthew Wong is a drummer hailing from Miri, Sarawak. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Music (Hons) at UCSI University on a scholarship, majoring in contemporary drums under the tutelage of Choong Hueyuen and Ong Chong Han.

He stays active in the local music scene and has played with major artists and companies such as Nathania Ong, Aina Abdul, Yise Loo, Axel Lee, Mercedes, Pictet Banking, Royal Canin, Jumuro Music, Lotus etc.

In May 2023, he was also invited to play in the house band for 18th BOH Cameronian Art Awards. In December 2023, he also performed for Nathania Ong’s Homecoming Concert in Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, Nathania being a West End Theatre star who played Éponine in Les Misérables.

Matthew also actively performs in the local musical scene. Some of the works that he has performed include Fortune Kooky, a musical comedy by KuLT production in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in 2022, and Once On This Island, a musical with Monday Show School.

Matthew works closely with Bachfest Malaysia as a working committee member since 2023. He was the event manager, project manager and executive director for “All Things New”, “Hello, Mr. Bach!” And ‘’St. John Passion (1725 Version)’’

Matthew, being a highly sought-after drum instructor from East Malaysia, is now teaching at AISM

Ms May Huey Lai

Vocal Tutor

May Huey Lai is a talented musician, graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from the University of Malaya in 2019. Her passion for music also led her to earn a Diploma in Music from the Malaysian Institute of Art in 2014, specializing in vocals with a minor in piano.

Since her graduation, May Huey Lai’s soulful voice has graced many local events, captivating audiences in performances like “You Shall Have a Song” by Yin Qi, UM music showcases, Kuala Lumpur City Opera’s studio recital “Amore, Amore, Amore,” and the esteemed Intercontinental Champagne & Opera Launch.

Beyond her solo journey, May Huey Lai actively contributes her talent as a chorister, lending her captivating voice to respected groups like Bachfest Malaysia, KLCO, Yin Qi Choir, and MIA Ladies Chorus.

As an experienced teacher with over 8 years of teaching, May Huey Lai generously shares her expertise in classical, musical theater, and pop singing genres. Committed to continuous growth, she attends Australian Kodály teacher training, conferences, and workshops, ensuring her students receive exceptional and comprehensive instruction.

May Huey Lai’s musical journey is a testament to her dedication and unwavering pursuit of excellence, both as a performer and as a mentor to aspiring voices. Her talent and passion continues to enrich the world of music with every note she sings and teaches.

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AISM Instrumental Music Academy