Chew Jun Ru

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Chew Jun Ru (Chinese :周俊如) is a Singaporean musician known for his contributions to the country's erhu scene. In 2013, he became the first graduate of the Royal College of Music (RCM) to play a Chinese traditional instrument. [1]

Contents

Early life and family

In his early life, Chew was already an avid player of the erhu . He attended Rosyth Primary School, [1] Nanyang Junior College and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. [1] Born to a working-class family of four children (Chew being the eldest), his father Sin Hwa is a business person [2] and founder of ICO Music and Culture Consultancy [3] while his mother is a homemaker. [2]

Career

Pursuing his interest in the erhu, Chew applied to study at the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) validated by the London-based Royal College of Music (RCM) in collaboration with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. [4] He managed to take up erhu as an instrument, despite RCM not having a Chinese traditional instrument department. Graduating in August 2013 at his alma mater (NAFA), he became the "first graduate [of RCM] specialising in a Chinese traditional instrument".

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Keeping the family in tune".
  2. 1 2 "S'porean makes history at Royal College of Music". The Straits Times . 11 August 2013. pp. 8–.
  3. Leong, Weng Kam (2 May 2008). "More private patrons work to promote Chinese arts". The Straits Times . pp. 1–2.
  4. "拿中国奖学金保送读硕士,他是新加坡华乐界第一人". Yan.sg. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2018.