NUS Centre For the Arts is proud to announce that the recipient of this year’s Paul Abisheganaden Grant for Artistic Excellence is pianist and NUS alumni Azariah Tan.

“Azariah is one of Singapore’s finest young musicians,” says Sharon Tan, Director of the NUS Centre For the Arts, “Not only are his academic achievements across two continents outstanding, but his commitment to community and sharing the gift of music truly makes him an excellent recipient for this important grant.”

Azariah is just 25 years of age and has completed a Degree in Music (First Class Honours) from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (NUS) along with two Masters Degrees in Music and a Doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan.

Not only is Azariah one of Singapore’s youngest Doctors in the musical arts, he has achieved this immense success with just 15% of his hearing.

Alongside his academic work, Azariah has consistently “played it forward” over the past decade, with performances for ChildAid, the Disabled People’s Association, the Singapore Association for the Deaf and at numerous other charitable engagements, sharing his love of music and raising funds for worthy causes.

“Music is my passion,” says Azariah. “Though hearing aids help tremendously, they cannot reproduce many of the subtleties in music. I am constantly working with others on how to more accurately perceive sounds and make up for it.” He credits his teachers in playing a big role in this.

Having been awarded the Paul Abisheganaden Grant for 2017, Azariah plans to participate in the renowned Sarasota Music Festival in Florida. This festival gives a short list of the best musicians access to a private faculty of masters, challenging them to expand their collaborative music skills.

Azariah will then fly to the Karlovac Piano Festival in Croatia, where he will engage in master-classes and private lessons to hone his skills in solo performance. Founded in 1804, the Karlovac Music School is one of the oldest music institutions in the region.

“I have aspired to attend these festivals for many years,” says Azariah. “They will help me further develop my playing and my ability to coach and mentor other players.”

“I want to help further develop the local collaborative music scene, starting with the Centre For the Arts at NUS.”