g-rays

GAMMARAYS

GammaRays uniquely combines the gamelan's exotic sounds with jazz, pop and rock elements. It's exciting repertoire will give a new perspective on what the ancient gamelan can do and get the audience dancing.
PERFORMERS' PROFILE
   

 
stan  

SERENE “Stan” TAN (Gamelan/Keyboards/Vocals/Composer)
Co-Artistic Director for GammaRays

Stan started playing the gamelan 7 years ago under the tutelage of Joyce Teo. She has since also studied with Pak Midiyanto, Pak Supardi and other teachers from Indonesia. She holds a Diploma in Music from LASALLE College of the Arts and is currently teaching classical piano as well as Angklung and Gamelan ensembles in schools. As a pioneer member of Gamelan Asmaradana, she has performed in numerous shows in Singapore and overseas. She also sings for three local bands. Her composition entitled “Cascade” was composed in 2006 and premiered at the NUS Arts Festival in the same year. It was inspired by the lush sounds of lounge music popular in the nightclubs of Singapore.
     
amran  

AMRAN “Ouch” BIN AHMAD SOWYAN

Amran holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore. He started learning gamelan in 1992 when he signed up for a course conducted by Joyce Teo at Kembangan Community Club. He has participated in various events such as the Thailand Cultural Festival in Udon Thani in 1995 and the Yogyakarta International Gamelan Festival in 1996. As a pioneer member of gamelan asmårådånå, Amran had also participated in the Opening Festival of Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay in October 2002 and KidsFest in 2004. Amran is also an experienced gamelan instructor and is teaching the gamelan in several primary and secondary schools.
     
Joyce  

JOYCE “Hot Mama J” TEO

Joyce has an MA in Ethnomusicology, and is currently Module Coordinator for the Diploma in Technology and Arts Management at Republic Polytechnic. As the Artistic Director of Gamelan Asmaradana, she has directed and performed in numerous local and international events as well as composed for the gamelan and other ensembles. Her research interests include composing for gamelan with western instruments and experimenting with computer music, improvised music and soundscape. As the first qualified gamelan teacher in Singapore.
     
ting  

TING HSIANG “Siong Chye” NG

Ting Hsiang is currently pursuing a Degree in Music Technology at LASALLE College of the Arts. He started learning the gamelan with Sophian Hoe in 2004. Ting Hsiang has developed a strong interest in playing and performing gamelan music and joined gamelan asmårådånå a year after studying gamelan. A versatile musician, Ting Hsiang also plays the French Horn in West Winds, a wind band based at the Bukit Batok Community Club, as well as the Alumni band of Singapore Polytechnic and Shuqun Secondary School. He also teaches the French horn at some local secondary schools. He is also a member of the Singapore Jazz Orchestra.
     
lim  

LIM WEI

Wei holds a Diploma in Music Technology from LASALLE. He started learning the gamelan under Joyce Teo in 2005 and is currently preparing for his ABRSM Diploma in Music Performance (Pianoforte). An active member in numerous Chinese Orchestras, including the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra, Lim Wei has experience in performing both orchestral and fusion ensemble works. He also plays keyboards for local bands. He has done projects related to the recording and arranging of music, with clients such as Nokia (Singapore) and Singaore Red Cross Society. His most recent project with Gamelan Asmaradana involved the performance of live gamelan music to a Japanese Silent Film.
     
Jenson  

JENSON “Bozz” KOH (Drums/Gamelan)

Jenson is currently completing his BA(Hons) in Jazz Music majoring in drums at LASALLE College of the Arts. Jenson started playing drums professionally with a homegrown band Music House which was under music company Backstage Production. He has been involved in Esplanade performances at the Waterfront and Huayi Festival. Jenson also has experience performing in musicals such as Snow queen by The Little Company in Esplanade and Lychee De Francaise musical The Boyfriend(2005), Viva Mexico(2006) and Fiddler on the Roof(2006). He recently performed in Dubai in March 2007 for the opening of the International Meydan Racecourse.
     
Zai  

MOHD HUZAIMI “Zai” BIN LIMRAN (Drums/Gamelan)

Huzaimi is currently a student of LASALLE College of the Arts, majoring in Music Technology. He started learning the gamelan with Joyce Teo in 2006. He is also a member of Singapore Malay Orchestra and an accomplished adventure camp trainer. Zai has performed and sound engineered for various local shows in schools and public events.
     
Josph  

JOSEPH “Soap” CHIAN (Drums/Gamelan)

Joseph is currently a student of LASALLE College Of The Arts majoring in Music Technology. He started learning the gamelan with Joyce Teo in 2006. But had been playing the drums from the age of 16. His influences include Latin, Rock, Jazz and Fusion. He had participated in competitions such as Singapore Battle of the Bands and emerged finalist. He has also played in festivals such as the annual Chingay 2007 in Singapore.
     
Isaac  

ISAAC TAN

Isaac is currently studying at LASALLE College of the Arts majoring in classical piano and voice. He started learning the gamelan with Joyce Teo in 2006. A versatile musician, Isaac has performed all different genres of music. Apart from Gamelan Asmaradana, Isaac is also a member of the Singapore Lyrical Opera (SLO).
     
Ivan  

IVAN “BoyBoy” THONG (Saxophone)

Ivan has a Grade 6 in ABRSM theory, and has been playing the saxophone for 4 years. He first picked up basics of playing the saxophone from Yamaha school, while in secondary school at St Patricks military band, he learnt the classical repertoire. Later, he did a short stint at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and then moved on to LASALLE College of the Arts to embark on the jazz programme. At LASALLE, Ivan studied with renowned Australian saxophonist, Timothy O’Dwyer. He is a versatile musician, able to play all  genres from classical, to pop and jazz. His jazz influences include Sanborn, Rollins, Kenny G and Dave Cos.
     
riduan  

Guest Artist:

MUHD RIDUAN “Uan” BIN ZALANI (Drums/Pandiero)

Riduan is one of the top young percussionists in Singapore today. He holds a Diploma in Music from LASALLE College of the Arts. Riduan started playing the drums as a child and is now proficient in a wide range of drums from the Malay kompang to Indonesian Kendang, as well as Latin American, Middle Eastern and Indian drums, as well as the drum kit.. He is a sought after musician and has performed in festivals around the world, including the WOMAD circuit. Riduan is a member groups such as Wicked Aura Batucada, Al Bedouin and the Singapore Malay Orchestra. He has also invented his own instrument, an electronic pandiero.
     
Kasay  

Guest Artist:

K “Casey” SUBRAMANIAM (Bass)
Casey is one of the most sought-after bassist in Singapore and Malaysia. A member of local arts company Tribal Tide, Casey has played for top Asian pop and artistes.
     
For more information about artistes' management, refer to LARAS ETHNO

updated, 2007.