Music exerts a powerful influence on humanity. Studies have shown how music boosts memory, lifts spirits, reduces anxiety and even induces pain reduction.

Pain reduction aside, jazz pianist Alton Wong Xian Rong can testify to the evocative power of music. After bringing audiences to their feet, he has seen it first-hand.

Delving deeper, he experienced it himself at UCSI University’s Institute of Music (IMus) - one of the world’s top 20 performing arts institutions in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 and Malaysia’s foremost music school in classical and contemporary music.

Alton Wong performing his graduation recital at UCSI University.

Musically inclined, Wong was exposed to many different music genres in his early years. And when he decided to pursue his musical affinities as a career, he turned to UCSI.

“I came to UCSI to challenge myself,” said Wong, who graduated in 2021. “They set a high bar here, I wanted to learn from the best and I sought a dynamic learning environment that was both competitive and supportive. 

“Looking back, my lecturers brought out the best in me and helped me realise my potential. I learnt from many leading musicians and I practised with talented peers from other nations.”

The diverse mix of talent and cultures enriched Wong’s campus life. And while there are many notable highlights from his time at IMus, he singles out his participation in international jazz festivals as his coming of age.

Representing Malaysia for the first time, Wong made it to the final of the Singapore International Jazz Battle and the semi-finals of the Thailand International Jazz Competition.

These experiences saw Wong and his peers, Tasneem Bolhassan and Lim You Cheng,  competing against other talented musicians from around the world. And Wong’s musical tour de force convinced him that he could perform on the grandest stages.

Before long, Wong became a regular feature at local and regional jazz festivals and he even went on tour with Gabrille Stravelli, as part of a week-long educational outreach programme by the US Embassy in Malaysia.

Wong excelled in his studies, receiving a scholarship from the US Department of State that saw him taking up an exchange programme at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

He was also invited to participate at the Commonwealth Youth Dialogue Conference in 2019 before being selected as valedictorian of his graduating cohort.

Alton Wong performing his graduation recital at UCSI University.

At IMus, precocious talents like Wong benefit from one-to-one weekly lessons for instrument studies, masterclasses conducted by renowned musicians and access to leading figures in the music industry like Grammy Award nominees.

This immersive setting inculcates a culture of excellence. IMus students and alumni have performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, some of the world’s best conductors like Benjamin Zander and Andreas Delfs and toured with famous singers like Jacky Cheung.

Established in 1990, IMus offers music programmes from foundation-level studies, all the way to postgraduate programmes. It is widely accepted that the who’s who of Malaysian music teach, taught or once studied at IMus.

Famous artists such as singers Quek Shio Yee and Aina Abdul, violinists Dr Joanne Yeoh and Dennis Lau, as well as music composer Onn San, to name a few, are IMus alumni.

UCSI is Malaysia’s joint top private university in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Ranked 284, UCSI is classified in the top 0.9% of the world’s universities. It is the only university in the world to receive the QS Recognition for Improvement Award.

For more information, please visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my or contact 03-9101 8882/ 011-3591 5021.