EVEN to me, she really is one of Brunei’s most estimable and inspirational public figures…
Here is a real lady – sensational in her own right – who has greatly paved the way for the nation’s aspiring, mostly young musicians to arise and generally grow, as well as providing them with much needed education, exposure and encouragement, through a big number of her ongoing business yet personal projects or investments, of which there is a great variety.
Without digressing too much, and lest I be accused of shameless self-promotion, I would like the readers to know, purely for the win of trust yet with the promise of non-bias herewith, that Lily Chiam and I – though having lost contact with each other for a long time – actually go a long way back; I as a previously registered vocal / theory / piano student and her the auditioning principal of Expressions Music.
Given that we live in a very small country, our recent reunion was also caused by some interesting circumstances that I choose now to keep private, but especially by our interests and involvements – separately – in some big events this year, one of which was the Sounds of Hope concert to help raise money for people in poverty. Some would call it purely coincidental; I consider it wonderful serendipity, or quite simply fate.
Among her many wide-ranging achievements are the aforementioned music school’s strong establishment, a series of breakthrough charity shows, the international release of her first CD album entitled ‘Together’ with the help of a New York Broadway creative producer, as well as the repeatedly air-played and highly popular duets or collaborations with the Sultanate’s R&B superstar, Zul F…
She has indeed come a long way since I last met her years ago. It was therefore an honour, a privilege and somewhat fortunate for me that Lily Chiam and I found some time in our busy schedules to get together in the past few days and talk a little bit about the Expression Music Band Concert, which was held just last weekend at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.
The programme was a confirmed, resounding success, with the attendance of over 400 people, inclusive of the performers and an incredibly supportive audience. “I personally do give ratings to each performance,” said Lily Chiam.
“I would say that the intensity, the energy, the arrangement of the scoring, the stage presence and the way each performer (as young as seven years old) carried themselves were more than enough to build the event’s highlights. To see that each performer just wanted to offer and do their best in trying to deliver a good show together is a level or standard expected when you join Expressions Music. It’s like… there is this understanding among them that they need to push themselves, especially beyond their comfort zones, and so-called limits.
“They worked hard to be good instrument players and singers. I could see their faces ‘sparkle with joy’, and they were really ambitious. In their performances, they were serious and determined. I am still so delighted… I have received very positive feedback from everybody involved. They cheered, applauded and screamed with so much excitement that night. I thought that it was both unbelievable and encouraging!”
At this present time, Lily Chiam is still and already busy, among others, gearing up for another big showcase to be tentatively held in May or June next year, but out of curiosity and for the benefit of many aspiring local musicians out there, I asked her to give some ‘motivational thoughts of encouragement to leap further in the world of creativity’ – that I’ve learnt she is ever so fond of…
“‘You can do it’ is my favourite quote, also ‘Nothing is impossible’, ‘You will be the product of what you think’, `There is this seed of greatness inside of you’, ‘You are unique and special, there is no need to imitate someone else’, and lastly, ‘The world is your stage’,” she replied. For more information, or for contacts and inquiries, visit www.lilychiam.com and / or www.expmus.com.
In addition, Lily Chiam would like to publicly convey her highest appreciation and acknowledgement for the following people / cooperative team members: Josue Pineda, Sheila Calzado, Carem Lemence, Arthur J Menguito, Lim Syn Nee, Franz Lanzaderas, Regie Parajes, Michelle Menciano and Jose Bonocan.
Before we parted ways, Lily Chiam – and perhaps this partly came from her recollection of my days as a part-time student at her school, or mere acute observations of myself as well as my published feature articles so far – surprisingly, out of the blue, remarked to me, “You are a star.”
While I was deeply moved by that kind comment and would not completely agree with it, I’d like to respond here and now, regardless of whether that last statement is true or not, to Lily Chiam, “But YOU are The Superstar!” To conclude, I wish Lily Chiam the very best for all her future endeavours, and may her enviable success also continue – for a very long time.
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