Singapore witnessed five of the world’s youngest and greatest musical prodigies create magic on a single stage in a celebration titled “Prodigies of the World”.

The young ones performed at a Charity Gala Dinner Concert at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore with Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister of Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts as the guest-of-honour.

Their performance benifitted the “Kids On Stage” (KOS) Fund.

KOS is a Corporate Social Responsibility outreach program by Kids PerformingTM, which supports children from financially disadvantaged homes by providing valuable performance training.

This musical affair was one of the exciting highlights of the second Great Eastern International Kids Performing Festival (Great Eastern IKPF), an event that creates opportunities for young and aspiring talents to perform with gifted artists from all over the world.

The prodigies are exceptional young musical talents ranging from seven to sixteen years of age.

While classically trained in their respective genres, these kids’ gift of music is 100% intrinsic.

An award-winning ensemble, they have individually travelled and performed around the world and have inspired millions of people with their music.

Click here to view the photos of the gala concert.

The prodigies are:
 
Simone Porter, Violinist
Age: 13
Country: USA

Simone made her orchestral debut when she was eight.

After soloing with notable orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, she has been featured in Emmy awardee Live from Carnegie Hall and the BBC documentary The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies.

Taking violin studies at the age of three and a half, Simone honed her craft with music scholarships.

She was the recipient of the Dorothy Richard Starling Scholarship for six years and was admitted into the studio of the renowned pedagogue Robert Lipsett in 2008.

In 2008, Simone enjoyed the privilege of opening a Seeds of Compassion-sponsored ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama in Seattle.
 
Shuan Hern Lee, Pianist
Age: 7
Country: Australia

With music in his veins, musician’s son Shuan Hern learned to play the piano at the tender age of 2 and a half.

The youngest ever to pass the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) piano performance exam at the 8th grade level at the age of 7, he has already composed 10 piano musical pieces and received accolades for his own compositions.

Due to his exceptional talent, this award-winning boy is the youngest member of the renowned St Georges Cathedral Choir, which normally only takes choristers from nine to twelve years old.
 
Michael Province, Violinist
Age: 14
Country: USA/Canada

One of the world’s most outstanding musicians, Michael Province debuted with the Treasure Coast Symphony at the age of 10, after receiving the Young Artist Scholarship playing Mozart’s G Major Concerto.

He recently soloed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and won rave reviews for his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring “The World’s Smartest and Most Talented Kids”.

In 2008, Michael was granted the Irene Muir Award for his mastery of the violin strings, which he has been playing for eight years now.

This young violinist keeps a busy schedule: he’s got a full line-up of concerts to do for the whole year.
 
Nathan Chan, Cellist
Age: 16
Country: USA

Nathan Chan impressed the world when he debuted at the age of three with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, conducting a set of variations by Mozart.

Preferring the cello over the double bass, he began formal cellist lessons at five years old.

Now 16, this cellist has performed as a soloist for various orchestras like The London Royal Philharmonic.

His more commercial endeavors include a collaboration with singer Roberta Flack on her Beatles album project and performing at a gala honoring international sitar legend Ravi Shankar in 2008.

A “musical philanthropist of sorts”, he won the Peninsula Arts Council’s Ray Lorenzato Diamond Arts Awards for his contributions to the community in 2007.
 
Julia Abueva, Vocalist
Age: 14
Country: Singapore

At 14, Singapore’s vocal child prodigy Julia Abueva has performed in more than 300 concerts.

She burst into the Singapore music scene six years ago as the youngest member of the JazzKids.

At nine, she performed for the opening of 23rd SEA Games, a feat she reprised recently.

Julia has starred in nine musicals, released two singles, voiced on an animated film (Sing to the Dawn) and held her sold-out first solo concert at the Esplanade Singapore.

The Oprah Winfrey Show’s “one of the world’s most talented kids”, this Precious Management talent recently released her first single, “I Believe”.

Photos: Plush, Royston Neo