Composer Syafiqah 'Adha is currently a second year student at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore.

Syafiqah 'Adha

Composer Syafiqah 'Adha is currently a second year student at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore. She studies with A/P Ho Chee Kong, Head of Composition at the conservatory.

Syafiqah distinguishes herself as the first and by far the only Malay-Muslim Singaporean student at the conservatory. In September 2010, she was awarded the Goh Chok Tong Promise Youth Award by MENDAKI in recognition of her talents and her potential to excel in the discipline of music.

Syafiqah started playing the piano at the tender age of 4 years old. Her interest in music composition began at the age of 8 while studying at Yamaha Music School in its Junior Special Advanced Course. As a composer, Syafiqah has worked with Singapore's Ministry of Education to compose children's songs for educational purposes. In addition, she has had experiences in directing and composing live music for staged events and drama productions.

Having a strong sense of rootedness in her culture, Syafiqah has cultivated a deep passion for traditional Malay music. She picked up the accordion at age 16, playing in its stylistic genre. She is also able to play the rebana, a traditional Malay drum. Currently, she is the leader and music director of her own traditional Malay music ensemble called Gendang Akustika, that was formed in 2009.

Along with her involvement with the ensemble, she is also a grassroots leader in which she is an active Malay Activities Executive Committee (MAEC) member at Bishan North Community Club, serving to promote cultural activities for the benefit of the community.

It is greatly her aspiration to incorporate ethnic sounds and elements of her culture into her music. She also seeks to promote and preserve the traditional music of her culture.