Rachelle Lu Yan

Rachelle Lu Yan is renowned dancer. From a young age, she received professional training within a performing arts troupe, studying under Yao Xiaoming, a nationally recognised first-class dance choreographer in China, while also receiving training in traditional Chinese musical instruments. Her strong artistic foundation led to multiple awards in dance.

In 2016, she joined the Tampines Art Troupe in Singapore. She currently serves as the Chairperson of Tampines Art Troupe, leading this non-profit arts organisation in promoting Chinese culture, engaging in community cultural initiatives, performances, and international artistic exchanges.

Melissa Queck 

Melissa Quek is Head, School of Dance and Theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore. She is a choreographer, performer and educator whose interest lies in creating a visceral experience for the audience.

She also makes works for young audiences from birth to 12 years with The Kueh Tutus (a Collective dedicated to creating dance for young audiences). Her most recent performance in August is a collaboration with an occupational Therapist presented by contemporary dance company Raw Moves.

Karst de Jong

Karst de Jong is a Dutch pianist, improviser, and music theorist. He is internationally recognized in the field, and has published research on music theory, improvisation, and collaborative music creation.

With 35 years of teaching experience, he has held positions at top institutions in the Netherlands and Barcelona.

Since 2023, he is a full-time professor at NUS YST Conservatory in Singapore.

Neil Gautier

Neill Gautier is a performer, teacher and composer driven by a passion for spontaneous composition.

The founder of Neill’s Jazz Lab, he is an award-winning drummer and instructor with over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. Through his travels, he has explored diverse styles—from jazz and funk to Afro-Cuban and electronic music.

In Belgium, he delved into contemporary jazz, while in Cameroon, he immersed in traditional African music. These experiences enriched his artistry, allowing him to blend influences and transcend genres.

Chen Yifan

Chen Yifan is a Singapore-based guzheng musician. A first-class honours graduate from the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS-NAFA) in collaboration with the Royal College of Music London, she studied under Madam Yin Qun.

A prizewinner of the Singapore Chinese Music Competition and Nanyang International Music Competition, Chen was the first musician in Singapore to present the Butterfly Guzheng on stage (SCMC 2022).

Beyond performance, she pursues her interest in contemporary music and experimental theatre. As a director, playwright and performer, her recent project, a multimedia monodrama “As It Was, As It Turns, As It’s Fated” positions the guzheng at the intersection of traditional and contemporary practice through extended techniques and interdisciplinary stagecraft.