Magdalene Wong
Magdalene Wong is a professional harpist in Singapore. As one of the pioneer harpists in Singapore, she has been an influential figure in the music scene here for the last four decades. Her role as educator, conductor, arranger and composer has had a dramatic impact on audiences acceptance and appreciation of both guitar and harp music.
Magdalene began her musical journey on the piano and guitar at a young age. To further her musical capabilities, she took an interest in the harp, becoming one of the pioneer harpists in Singapore. Her musical achievements have been nothing short of astounding. To name a few, she was a member of the award winning Singapore Youth Choir that won 1st prize in the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Wales in 1974. She was also a three time winner of the Singapore Guitar Festival, and runner up at the South East Asian Guitar Festival at the early age of 22.
Cultural Medallion recipient Mr. Alex Abisheganaden was Magdalene’s first guitar teacher. He was asked to coach her to enhance her self taught guitar skills to get her vocal group ready for the RTS (Radio Television Singapore) Talentime Finals. After which he took her under his wing and the rest was history. Her skills as a performer and conductor have been enhanced by participations in masterclasses with concert guitarists throughout the world. She was sponsored by the Ministry of Community Development to attend the prestigious Paco Pena Guitar Festival in Cordoba, Spain. Yamaha Music Foundation of Japan selected her to attend a key instructors seminar in Japan, where she went on to the world famous Niibori Guitar Academy to be trained in conducting.
Throughout her career, she has also appeared on the conductor’s podium for the likes of groups such as the Anglo-Chinese School and Methodist Girls School choirs, the Niibori Guitar Orchestra at Yamaha Music School, and two award winning harp ensembles in Singapore.
Magdalene has always rejoiced in opportunities to pass on her knowledge to young musicians and anyone with interest and love for music. Apart from maintaining her private teaching studio over decades, she is at present the conductor, instructor and music arranger of two performing harp ensemble groups in Singapore - Nan Hua High School and Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School. Her efforts in this area have garnered Gold and Distinction Awards at the bi-annual Singapore Youth Festival for several years. It is through this medium that she is further delighting audiences and growing the harp community.
She has given concerts as a soloist and as an invited guest, having performed with the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Classical Guitarist John Mills, and at the Singapore Harp Festival.
Her public performances today have led her to delight foreign dignitaries visiting Singapore, State functions at the Istana, and at various other private and public venues. Her continued involvement with the youths of Singapore is reflected in the “Harp Appreciation” programmes endorsed by the National Arts Council Arts Education Programme that she conducts in various schools throughout the country. Her three albums, “Angel” (original compositions), “A Harpist’s Dream” (arrangement of classical and popular songs) and “Two Harps for Christmas”, showcase her versatility, musicianship, and development as an artist.
Magdalene is the official distributor of Aoyama Harps in Singapore, having worked closely with Aoyama for more than 20 years.