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Institute of Music
Institute of Music

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Associate Professor Dr Cheong Ku Wing

Head of Research and Postgraduate Studies

Academic Qualifications

PhD
Master of Arts
Bachelor of Music

Areas of Interest
Music education and pedagogy
Creativity and improvisation in music
Emotional and social development through music
Musical creativity and higher-order thinking skills
Music and well-being Rhizomic thinking in research
Music performance research and practice-led inquiry
Early childhood and children’s music development
Posthumanism in music education and performance studies
Music entrepreneurship (Women entrepreneurs)
Music gerontology (Music and aging, Music, Health and Later Life)
Biography

Assoc Prof Dr Cheong Ku Wing is a distinguished scholar in Music Education at UCSI University, Malaysia, where she serves as head of Research and Postgraduate Studies. She holds a PhD in Music Education, an MA in Music Education and a BMus in Music. Her research spans creativity, improvisation, emotional and social development through music, and music performance studies. She has published extensively indexed journals. Her work in music performance research has been presented at international symposia, reinforcing her role as a leading voice in practice-led inquiry. She is also pioneering scholarship in rhizomic thinking in research and posthumanism in music education and performance studies, advancing innovative theoretical and methodological perspectives. Dr Cheong’s excellence in mentorship was recognised with the Doctoral Supervision Award (2025), underscoring her impact on postgraduate scholarship.

As a piano pedagogue, she has guided students to international acclaim, with protégés winning the Weinman Prize and the Hedy King Robinson Award for outstanding performance. She also received the UCSI University Research Excellence Award (2022) and has secured multiple grants on music and well-being. Through her scholarship, leadership and mentorship, Dr Cheong Ku Wing advances music education, pedagogy and performance studies, inspiring future generations of musicians and educators.

Research and Publications, Concert Performance and Creative Works

Journal Articles

  • Yan, J., Cheong, K. W., & P’ng, T. H. (2026). Performativity of national identity: A reflective study in performing Yellow River Piano Concerto. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 26(1), 1–15.
  • He, W. J, Wang, I. T., & Cheong, K. (2025). Harmonizing Tradition, Algorithm, and Innovation: A Bibliometric Study on AI in Traditional Music. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 10(6), e003437.
  • Wang, T., Wang, I. T., Cheong, K., & Wang, Y. G. (2025). Students’ self-efficacy in online vocal learning: Perspectives from college vocal teachers. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(4), e003314
  • Jiang, H., Wang, H., Cheong, K. W., & Tan, W. H. (2025/2026). Enhancing children’s creative practical ability through emotional motivated music teaching. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 54(1).
  • Education is Growth: Exploring the Effectiveness and Practicality of Pre-service Music Teacher education in Northern China through Dewey’ Lens (DOI: 10.1177/21582440251395198/ ID: SO-25-2187.R1)
  • Yang, X., & Cheong, K. W. (2025). Geographical resonance: A narrative review on the geographical influence in Northern and Southern Chinese folk songs. SAGE Open, 15(4), 1–15.
  • Cheah, P. N., & Cheong, K. W. (2024). Listening to sad music: A narrative review. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 24(1). (Q1 SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Bao, N. X., Chang, Y- L, Cheong, K. W. (2024). The differences in 21st century 4C skills among diverse university choirs in China. Malaysian Journal of Music 13(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.37134//mjm.vol13.1.1.2024
  • Lu, H., Tan, W. H., Cheong, K. W., & Cong, Y. (2024). Unlocking sound: New trends and innovations in intonation education over the past decade. International Journal of Music Education, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614241237528
  • Wang, X.; Poon, C.H.; Cheong, K.W. Intrinsic Factors Influencing Career Choice of Music Graduates in Fujian, China. Educ. Sci. 2024, 14, 256. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/educsci14030256
  • Jiang, H., Cheong, K. W., & Tan, W. H. (2024). Development and validation of a measure assessing children’s creative practice ability in music. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 51, 1-14. (WOS/SCOPUS Cited Publication) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101446
  • Hanwei He, Poon, C. H., & Cheong, K. W. (2023). Influence of Music Engagement and Movement on Daily Living Skills in Children with Down Syndrome. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 8(11), e002580. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i11.2580
  • Xin, J., Hwa, P. C., Cooper, S., Wing, C. K. (2023). Teaching Piano to Blind Children: An Analysis of Positive Perceptions Based on Perma Framework in Qingdao, China. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 23(2), 415-428 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v23i2.43468
  • Jiang Xin et al. (2023). Special needs in music education from an inclusive perspective: A bibliometric review. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 8(8), e002481. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i8.2481
  • Jiang, H., & Cheong, K. W. (2023). Developing teaching strategies for rural school pupils’ concentration in the distance music classroom. Education and Information Technologies https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12056-1 (WOS/SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Jiang, H., Cheong, K. W., & Tan, W. H. (2023). The cultivation of children's musical creative practical competency: A literature review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 48, 1-7. (WOS/SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Ow, S. S., Poon, C. H., Cheong, K. W., & Cooper, S. (2023). Cultivating 21st century learning skills: The effect of song-based music and movement on elementary-age children’s kinesthetic skills. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 8(3), p. e002216. doi: 10.47405/mjssh.v8i3.2216. (MyJurnal, MyCite indexed)
  • Ow, S. S., Poon, C. H., & Cheong, K. W. (2023). Cultivating 21st-century Learning Skills: The Effectiveness of Song-based Music and Movement for Improving Children’s Social Skills. Pertanika Journal of Social and Humanities. (SCOPUS Cited Publication, In Press)
  • Ow, S. S., Poon, C. H., Cheong, K. W., & Cooper, S. (2022). The effect of music-based intervention on linguistic skills: A systematic review. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 22(1), 1-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v22i1.36313. (SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Chen, Y. Y., Cheong, K. W., & Chua, Y. P. (2022). Individual Differences in Responses to Rhythmic Entrainment in Music and Movement Intervention Among Individuals with Autism. MIER Journal of Educational Studies Trends and Practices, 12(1), 133–149. https://doi.org/10.52634/mier/2022/v12/i1/2237. (WOS/SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Yong, P., Cheong, K.W., & Poon, C.H. (2021). The effect of music listening and progressive muscle relaxation on the stress level of novice music teachers during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Malaysia, Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education. 21(1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v21i1.29679. (SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Lee, S.P., Ooi, C.H.R., & Cheong, K.W. (2021). Bach and Busoni essentials in a chaotic world. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education. 21(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v21i1.30152. (SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Yong Abdullah, F. P., Cheong, K. W., Alizadeh, F., & Poon, C. H. (2021). The role of instructional scaffolding to facilitate problem solving skills in music improvisation. MIER Journal of Educational Studies Trends & Practices, 11(1), 103-117. https://doi.org /10.52634/mier/2021/v11/i1/1763. (WOS/SCOPUS Cited Publication)
  • Wong LP, Alias H, Md Fuzi AA, Omar IS, Mohamad Nor A, Tan MP, et al. (2021) Escalating progression of mental health disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a nationwide survey. PLOS ONE 16(3): e0248916. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248916. (ISI Cited Publication

Consultancy

Seminars/Guest Lectures

  • Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Thailand. 4-5 August 2025.
  • Guest lectures for the Doctoral programme - Lecture 1: The Power of the Question: Structuring Research through Inquiry
  • Guest lectures for the Doctoral programme - Lecture 2: Building the Blueprint: Understanding Theoretical Frameworks in Dissertation Research;
  • Guest lectures for the Doctoral programme - Lecture 3: Tracing Artistic Journeys: Longitudinal Studies in Artistic Research
  • International Online Guest Lectures 1: Chengdu Vocational University of the Arts/Sichuan, China. 22 May 2025. (Title; Music Education Research: Insights and Innovations).
  • "International Online Guest Lectures 2: Chengdu Education Research Institute, 10 June 2025. (Title; Music Education in Action: Sustainable Teaching and Learning Strategies)."

Adjudication

  • Universiti Malaya Undergraduate Ideas Festival (iFEST) 2025 on 24-26 June 2025
  • International Transdisciplinary Research Conference Invitation as an Industry Judge at Universiti Malaya's INTRAC 2025

Networks / Industry Linkages / Memberships

  • Persatuan Chopin Malaysia, Lifetime member.
  • Malaysian Journal of Music: Sub-editor, 2019-2026
  • UCSI Newsletter Appointment: Editorial Board, 2024-2026
  • ISME: Member, 2024-2026

Awards

  • Doctoral Supervision Award (2025)
  • UCSI University Research Excellence Award (2022)

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