About Me:
Singaporean pianist Jonah Kwek is driven by the belief that music is a life-giving force—one that inspires, connects, and uplifts. With a deep commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance, he shares this vision through meaningful and multifaceted interactions with audiences. A passionate and accomplished musician, Jonah has garnered numerous accolades, including top prizes at the Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (YST) Concerto Competition, the Sugree Charoensook International Music Competition, and the Singapore Performers’ Festival. He and fellow Singaporean pianist Kennis Ang were also crowned National 1st Prize Winners at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition (USA). Jonah has appeared as a soloist with orchestras such as the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and the YST Conservatory Orchestra, performing under the direction of distinguished conductors including Grammy Award-winner Michael Repper, Jason Lai, and Lien Boon Hua. He has also taken part in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Arie Vardi, Richard Goode, Jerome Lowenthal, Stephen Hough, and Arnaldo Cohen.
Jonah takes great pride in collaborating with fellow musicians. A versatile and seasoned collaborator, he continues to perform actively as a piano duo with Kennis Ang. Their sold-out debut recital A Piano Odyssey at the Esplanade Recital Studio (Singapore) received glowing praise in The Straits Times (Jan 2025). He is also a core member of his chamber group Synthe6, which was selected to represent YST at the Musical Chairs Chamber Music Festival hosted by the Schulich School of Music. He has participated in chamber masterclasses with esteemed ensembles such as the Calefax Reed Quintet and Decoda. In addition to his work as a pianist, Jonah is an active harpsichordist and regularly performs with the Baltimore Baroque Band.
A multi-faceted musician, Jonah is enthusiastic about exploring genres beyond classical music – such as Asian cultural music, film scores, musical theatre, jazz, and pop. He has collaborated with ensembles including the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra (ACSO), the Orchestra of the Music Makers (OMM), and Ding Yi Music Company. An avid improviser and arranger, he transcribes and shares his own piano covers on YouTube and live events. He is also proficient in arranging music for a wide range of instrumental settings, including orchestras, chamber groups, and choirs. His orchestral and choral arrangement of Brian Littrell’s In Christ Alone continues to be performed at his alma mater, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), for chapel services and school celebrations.
Jonah earned his Master of Music from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Steinway Artist Dr. Steven Spooner and renowned American pianist Ann Schein. At Peabody, he was awarded the distinguished Clara Ascherfeld Award in Accompanying in recognition of his exceptional artistry and commitment to collaboration. He previously graduated with First Class Honours (Highest Distinction) from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), National University of Singapore (NUS), under the tutelage of Steinway Artist Dr. Thomas Hecht. During his undergraduate studies, Jonah was a recipient of the prestigious Steven Baxter Memorial Scholarship for his outstanding performance and achievements, and was placed on the Dean’s List every semester. Prior to that, he was part of YST’s highly selective Young Artist Programme, offered to students with exceptional performance abilities prior to their enrolment into the Bachelor of Music (Honours) programme.
Jonah will return to the Peabody Institute in Fall 2025 to pursue a Graduate Performance Diploma in Harpsichord, under the guidance of celebrated harpsichordist Dr. Adam Pearl.
