Jazz-lover, 10, to raise funds at ChildAid charity concert

He was so happy to be part of charity concert ChildAid that he would ask his parents to take him for rehearsals an hour earlier.

Isaiah Hui, 10, said: "I'm really excited about performing at the concert because I get to help other children with my music.

"I've made friends with the band and other performers, so I'm very happy."

ChildAid, one of Singapore's biggest annual children's charity concerts, was started in 2005 by The Straits Times and The Business Times. It raises funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, both of which help disadvantaged children.

This year, there will be more than 19 acts and a total of 123 performers aged seven to 19 years old from diverse backgrounds.

Music has been a big part of Isaiah's life since he was about three, when his parents Luke Hui and Zou Xiao Dong enrolled him in a Yamaha music appreciation course.

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Madam Zou, 41, a housewife, said: "We decided to enrol him in this course as we believe in exposing children to music at a young age.

"This course made him appreciate music and have an interest in it."

Isaiah picked up piano at age six and was introduced to jazz by a teacher at the school. He started composing jazz music soon after.

Isaiah, a Nanyang Primary School pupil, said: "I love jazz music because it relaxes me and I often listen to jazz music by George Gershwin, who is my idol.

"I want to be a jazz musician when I grow up."

Isaiah will be performing a piano solo, Novelette in Fourths by George Gershwin, tomorrow. (See report above.) He will also play and sing his own composition, Joy of Music.

He will be accompanied by the ChildAid Ensemble and a band.

YOUNG TALENT

Jazz maestro and Cultural Medallion recipient Jeremy Monteiro, 55, is ChildAid's music director this year.

"It was a wonderful opportunity getting to work with young talent, guiding them and at the same time being inspired by them," Mr Monteiro said.

"Isaiah's a very special and talented young boy who picks up things quickly and is self-motivated.

"Despite being a talented young musician, he's open to advice and shows maturity and humility beyond his years."

Mr Hui, 43, a private banker, said: "As (Isaiah's) parents, we're happy to support his passion in music, and whatever he does, we'll support wholeheartedly."