FIRST LIGHT.声起
(A Collaboration with Teng ENSEMBLE)
26 Feb 2026 7:30 PM TO 9:30 PM
First Light · 声起
As the first ray of sunrise stretches across the horizon, Qi begins to rise softly, steadily and awaken the consciousness of the day. Suspended between night and dawn, this moment carries the promise of renewal: life stirring, vision returning, sound emerging from stillness.
First Light is a collaborative sonic journey between Yantara Jiro, Samuel Wong (Pipa) and Johnny Chia (Guzheng) of The TENG Ensemble, a leading Singaporean Chinese music ensemble known for reimagining traditional music through contemporary expression. Together, they invite audiences to imagine light becoming audible where sound, breath, and vibration guide the transition from darkness to clarity.
Sunlight passes through precious metals, rare earths, and crystalline gemstones, transmuted into Yantara’s Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls. Each tone arrives like a beam of morning light, gentle yet penetrating, shaping an inner landscape of warmth, movement, and quiet illumination.
Interwoven with this sonic alchemy, TENG brings a contemporary voice to Chinese musical heritage, drawing from centuries-old traditions while remaining rooted in the lived rhythms of Singapore today. Traditional instruments converse seamlessly with crystal sound, allowing ancient sensibilities to flow into the present.
In this meeting of crystal resonance and Chinese musical spirit, the morning is not merely witnessed, it is heard, felt, and remembered.
A journey of first light, where sound awakens Qi, and silence gives way to possibility.
TIME & LOCATION
26 FEB 2026, THURS, 7.30 PM - 9.30 PM
SCCC Recital Studio, Level 6 (新加坡华族文化中心演奏室, 六楼)
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Everyone is welcome; no prerequisites are required.
TICKETING INFORMATION
SGD 120
Yantara Jiro is a visionary, singer and explorer of Sound and Consciousness. He has over 20 years of experiences in Sound Medicine and Quantum Healing and frequently performs with his Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls in major cities and power spots in the world.
He inspires to spread the message of love and harmony through music and the power of sound; supporting awakening for people to realise their true-nature. Yantara Jiro is dedicated to integrate science and spirituality through the discovery and learning of Quantum Physics and Natural Medicine.
Johnny Chia | Guzheng
Johnny, born and raised in Singapore, is a classically trained guzheng performer. His love for Chinese traditional music started from his primary and secondary school CCA being Chinese Orchestra. Johnny initially picked up the Chinese flute, but was soon drawn to the beautiful sound of the guzheng which he picked up later. Johnny started formal training in guzheng in 1994, under the tutelage of Mdm Chen Hui Lan, Mdm Yin Qun and Miss Xu Hui. In September 2006, he enrolled in the China Music Conservatory, under guidance of renowned guzheng performer Miss Qiu Ji and obtained his Bachelor of Performing Arts in Chinese Traditional Music (Guzheng) upon graduation in 2010.
As an active performer in Singapore and abroad, Johnny has participated in many music activities like: Millennium Concert in 2000 and Extravaganza of Strings in 2002 both held by Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Remembrance of Maestro Liu Ming Yuan Concert held by China Conservatory at Beijing National Theatre in 2007, Remembrance of Maestro Qiu Da Cheng Concert held by China Conservatory at China Conservatory Concert Hall in 2008, Chinese musical play "Xiao Er Hei" held by China Conservatory in 2009 and 2010 at Beijing National Theatre and China Conservatory Theatre. He recorded guzheng sections for the themed soundtrack of the Olympics in 2008, recorded guzheng sections for Subway Singapore’s 2014 new year advertisement etc. Also, he has performed with several local Chinese Orchestras and music organizations: Cheng San Community Centre Echoes of The Valley Chinese Orchestra, Braddell Heights Community Centre Chinese Orchestra, Singapore OmniArts, The TENG Ensemble, Guzheng Association (Singapore), Siong Leng Music Association.
More details: https://www.thetengcompany.com/johnny-chia
Samuel Wong | Pipa
Dr. Samuel Wong is a musicologist and a Pipa musician and visionary strategist whose work lies at the intersection of heritage, innovation, and social impact. Samuel holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Sheffield in 2009, and is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of The TENG Company. He has played a transformative role in shaping the organisation into one of Singapore’s most dynamic and respected arts groups.
He has led a series of pioneering projects at TENG that have redefined how music engages, educates, and uplifts communities, including: Stories from an Island City (2016): Reviving Singapore’s forgotten lullabies and folksongs through performance and recording. TENG Gives Back (2018): A social impact initiative bringing live music therapy to hospitals, hospices, and special needs environments. The Mapletree-TENG Scholarship (2018): Providing music education and mentorship for talented children from underprivileged backgrounds. The Forefathers Project (2019): Researching and reimagining Singapore’s vanishing dialect-based musical traditions (Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese), combining scholarship with performance. Music for Mindfulness (2023): An evidence-based music project integrating binaural beat technology and Chinese instruments to alleviate anxiety and promote mental wellness. SMRT Train Chimes (2023): Leading the creation of custom train and station chimes to enhance commuter experience and assist the visually impaired. The Singaporean Composers Series (2024): Commissioning new Chinese instrumental works by Singaporean composers to cultivate a distinctive national musical identity.
More details: https://www.thetengcompany.com/samuel-wong
The TENG Ensemble is a leading not-for-profit Singaporean music charity that harnesses the power of music for the greater good. TENG reimagines the possibilities of music, innovates within tradition, enriches the lives of the vulnerable and empowers lifelong learning.
The Chinese character 鼟 (pronounced ‘tēng’) is an ancient representation for the sound of the drum, symbolising our aspirations to bring cultures together and to foster social cohesion.
