Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra
The Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra (SFACO) was established in 1983. Currently, the 70-member orchestra comprises of students, young working adults, and professionals. It is led by conductor and Bowed Strings instructor, Mr. Zheng Kaiwen, who took over in August 2014. The orchestra’s sectional instructors include Ms Yao Xing and Mr Ng Weixuan for the Woodwinds, Mr Chan Jing Wen Kenny for the Plucked Strings, and Ms Nancy Ong for Percussion.
SFACO held its first public performance,《琴韵乐扬 86》at the Singapore Conference Hall in 1986 and has since organised concerts annually. In addition, it has also participated in several gala performances and cultural activities hosted by the Singapore Foochow Association.
In 1993, SFACO invited Professor Huang Xiaofei from the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music as Guest Conductor for its 10th-anniversary concert titled《腾飞》. In 1994, under the leadership of renowned conductor Mr Qu Chunquan, the orchestra made its overseas debut in Penang. Mr Qu continued to lead the orchestra in 1995, 1996, and 1998 in its《琴韵乐扬》concert series. In 1995, SFACO dedicated a concert to present Mr Zeng Jiaqing's compositions, with the composer himself invited to Singapore to guide the orchestra.
Under the leadership of Mr Yeo Siew Mong, SFACO went to Beijing, China, for an exchange programme with local Chinese orchestras in 2008. The members gained much knowledge through the five-day program, broadening their musical horizons while growing as an orchestra. On top of various large and small performances, the orchestra also took part in the biennial National Chinese Music Competition organised by the National Arts Council and achieved 3rd prize in the open ensemble category.
Since 2015, SFACO has held annual sold-out concerts titled《榕琴缘》across various venues such as the National University of Singapore’s University Cultural Centre Theatre, the Singapore Conference Hall, and the Victoria Concert Hall. SFACO is committed to the promotion of ethnic Chinese music and culture in the local community, and will continually work hard to improve the performing skills and music appreciation level of its members.
Zheng Kaiwen, conductor
Zheng Kaiwen started learning the erhu when he was in Manjusri Secondary School at the age of thirteen under the tutelage of the late Mr Lee Hou Koon Kenneth, during which he was the Chairman and Concertmaster in 1997 and 1998 and led the school orchestra to attain the Gold Award in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Central Judging.
Zheng decided to turn his passion for the Chinese instrument into a professional career by taking a different path from most of his peers by furthering his studies in erhu at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). In 2011, he graduated with a Diploma in Music Performance (Chinese Instrumental Studies) under the tutelage of Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) Concertmaster Mr Li Bao Shun and SCO zhonghu musician Mr. Neo Yong Soon Wilson.
Zheng has been a key strings musician in various orchestras including the Cheng San Chinese Orchestra, which he joined in 1999. He was the principal erhu player of the Cheng San Chinese Orchestra that won 1st and 2nd prize in the open and senior ensemble categories respectively in the 2002 and 2004 biennial National Chinese Music Competition organized by the National Arts Council. He has also participated in various major Chinese orchestral performances such as the National Chinese Orchestra Marathon in 2012, which involved over 1200 musicians. In the same year, Zheng successfully staged an erhu concerto, “The Great Wall Capriccio”, with the Cheng San Chinese Orchestra.
In 2014, Zheng became the conductor of the Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra, which has held multiple sell-out concerts in the orchestra’s《榕琴缘》concert series. Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra’s members also grew exponentially from 8 to 70 to date. He has also nurtured many student musicians to reach greater heights in the Chinese orchestral scene. To improve his conducting and musical skills, Zheng is currently understudying Mr. Lum Yan Sing. Zheng is presently the Conductor and Erhu instructor for various schools.
Lim Jun Jie, dizi
Jun Jie began learning the Dizi at the age of 11. He first participated in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Central Judging with Boon Lay Garden Primary School Chinese Orchestra and achieved the silver award. Following his graduation from primary school, Jun Jie continued to pursue his passion for Chinese music by joining Fuhua Secondary School Chinese Orchestra (FHSSCO), where he later served as both vice-chairperson and student conductor.
After obtaining a Certificate of Merit in Dizi (Grade 7) under the NUS Centre for the Arts (CFA), Jun Jie represented FHSSCO at the MOE-CCAB National Chinese Orchestra Music Camp in 2009, and once again at the 2009 SYF, where the orchestra achieved the gold award.
In 2004, Jun Jie joined Yew Tee Community Club Chinese Orchestra, actively performing in numerous community events for residents, including performances at the Istana, Dover Park Hospice, and River Hongbao.
Jun Jie also collaborated with SIM Guitar Club as a guest performer, where he explored a variety of musical genres through the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), including Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Electronic music.
Throughout his years of playing the Dizi, Jun Jie has performed a wide range of works, including Song of the Herdsmen, Gada Meilin, Affection for the Loess Plateau, and Liu Sanjie Capriccio.
Zhu ZhongHong Andy, cello
Andy's musical journey began at the age of seven under the tutelage of Ms. Hu Tao Jia Zi, where he first studied the violin. His passion for strings flourished when he discovered the cello in his primary school's Chinese orchestra. At 11, he began formal cello training with Mr. Ji Hui Ming from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), whose mentorship became instrumental in shaping his technical and artistic foundation.
During his time in Chung Cheng High School (Main), Andy further refined his artistry under Mr. Eddie Sim, another Singapore Chinese Orchestra cello musician. Andy contributed to Chung Cheng High School (Main) by attaining the Certificate of Distinction during the 2021 and 2023 Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation. Under the combined guidance of Mr. Ji and Mr. Sim, he honed his musicianship, deepening his expressive interpretation and performance skills.
In 2023, Andy participated in the UK Elizabeth International Competition and won the Gold Prize in the Young Artist category. That same year, he joined the Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra as a cello tutti player.
Loo Tong Cheng, Leonard, suona
Loo Tong Cheng, Leonard began learning the suona at 13 under Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) musicians Liu Jiang and Boo Chin Kiah in secondary school. At 16, he began private studies with Liu Jiang, and successfully auditioned into the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO). He was subsequently appointed the Suona/Guan Principal of SNYCO the very next year.
Leonard began his competition debut in the biennale Singapore Chinese Music Competition in 2020, where he clinched the 3rd prize in the Suona Intermediate Category. He continued to excel in subsequent editions, competing in the Suona Senior Category and securing the 2nd Prize in 2022. He won the 1st Prize in 2024 with his rendition of Dance of Fire by Luo Maishuo. His performance was held to great acclaim.
During his time in SNYCO, Leonard represented Singapore internationally through SNYCO overseas tours in China and Malaysia. He was also selected to represent SNYCO in the Hsinchu Chinese Music Camp 2024 in Taiwan. Additionally, Leonard was also featured in SNYCO’s educational video project Music Chatterbox: Singapore as a youth ambassador of Singapore’s diverse local music community.
A rising young talent in Singapore’s music scene, Leonard has performed for the SCO as a guest musician. He also recently performed with the NUS Wind Symphony as a guest-invited soloist for Marco Polo, the Cathay Years by Luis Serrano Alarcón.
An active contributor to the local music community, Leonard currently serves as the vice-president of the Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra (SFACO), which he joined in 2019. He is also a member of MOJO and the NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO), and guest-performs with many various orchestras. Since 2023, he has been teaching as an CCA instructor in schools on an ad-hoc basis, and he currently serves as the Music Director for the Raffles Hall Musical Production 2025/2026.
Leonard dedicates his achievements to his mentor Liu Jiang, whose unwavering guidance has shaped his musical journey. He also dedicates his concerto to the late Tiang Chuan Cheng, a cherished friend and fellow musician in the SFACO, whose passion and friendship left a lasting impact.
