Cheryl Mah Yiing Chiau
Lecturer
Academic Qualifications
Master of Arts in Performance
Bachelor of Music
Areas of Interest
Graduated from Elder Conservatorium of Music (Australia) with concurrent majors in Piano Performance and Music Education, Cheryl Mah completed Performance-based Master Degree in Conducting and Directorship from Salford University (England, UK) under tutelages of Professor Dr David King and the late Dr Roy Newsome, specialising in Brass Band Conducting.
An active music educator, Cheryl conducts UCSI University Orchestra (Malaysia) in regular concert performances, and has been the creative director and resident conductor of the award-winning ensemble Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) Symphonic Band since 2011.
Apart from directing various ensembles, Cheryl co-founded the Birdian Saxophone Quartet in 2000, based in Kuala Lumpur, where she plays the baritone saxophone. The quartet initiated the "Chamber Wind Project" since 2012, featuring distinguished chamber wind ensembles from the region. An up-to-date of five instalments have since received significant recognition in promoting the growth of wind chamber playing to the wider community.
Performances (as conductor)
- Music Play date, 2022-2024. As part of Audience Development & Community Outreach efforts, curated an interactive and family-friendly initiative, an outdoor Chamber Wind Music Series, three (3) instalments up-to-date. Roles played as moderator and performed as baritone saxophonist.
- This Is It: Tribute to Michael Jackson, 2024. Conducted three (3) out of four sold out concert performances@Pentas 2, klpac.
- The 31st Chiayi City International Band Festival, 2023. Conducted three (3) public performances, included Parade Opening Ceremony for the Festival, an evening open-air outdoor concert, and a joint concert titled “The Bands Gathering” in National Chiayi University, Taiwan.
- Childhood Revisited, 2023. Conducted three (3) public performances@Pentas 1, klpac/
- An Uncommon Journey II: Outreach Collaborative Project, 2023. 2nd instalment of Outreach programme, conducted two (2) public performances@Pentas 1, klpac.
- A Bit of This, A Bit of That Too, 2023. A charity concert, collaboration with Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra (Ipoh)
- Let’s Rock 3, 2023. Klpac & TAS’ Covid-19 Relief Fundraiser, four (4) public performances@Pentas 1, klpac.
- Christmas Extravaganza, 2022. Four (4) family-friendly concerts, in collaboration with klpac Orchestra, Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, and the Young Choral Academy Chorus@Pentas 1, klpac.
- Halloween Hantu Ball 2, 2022. Conducted and performed as baritone saxophonist three (3) public performances@Pentas 1, klpac.
- An Uncommon Journey: Outreach Collaborative Project I, 2022. Curated an outreach initiative, of reconnecting music educators and young band musicians of different states of Malaysia; conducted two (2) public performances@Pentas 1, klpac.
- Back to the Classics, 2022. Conducted four (4) sold out public performances@Pentas 1, klpac.
- October Pop, 2020.
- Ultimate Music Crawl, 2019.
- Let’s Rock, 2019
- Sunny Side Up, 2019. Curated Chamber Music series@Pentas 2, klpac
Award
- “Best of 2019” for the Ultimate Music Crawl at the 17th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, 2020.
Adjudication
- Young Musician of the Year Competition, The Alice Smith School, 2023
- World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE)
- Serve as Resident Conductor and Music Director in the Klpac Symphonic Band, 2011-present
