Singaporean pianist Jonah Kwek is driven by the belief that music is a powerful, life-giving force capable of inspiring and connecting people. With a deep commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance, he shares this vision through meaningful and multifaceted interactions with his 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 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra, under the direction of 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 collaborative pianist, he continues to perform actively as a piano duo with Kennis Ang. The duo recently gave their sold-out debut recital, A Piano Odyssey, at the Esplanade Recital Studio in Singapore, which received a glowing review in the national press, The Straits Times (Jan 2025). Jonah also performs with 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 performs with the Baltimore Baroque Band.
About Me:
A multi-faceted musician, Jonah is enthusiastic about exploring genres beyond classical music – such as Asian cultural music, film music, musical theatre, jazz, and pop. He has frequently collaborated with ensembles such as the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra (ACSO), the Orchestra of the Music Makers (OMM), and Ding Yi Music Company. An avid improviser, he transcribes and arranges his own piano covers, sharing them on YouTube and performing them at various 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 celebrations and chapel services.
Jonah graduated with First Class Honours (Highest Distinction) from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), National University of Singapore (NUS), in 2023, under the tutelage of Steinway Artist Dr. Thomas Hecht. He was a recipient of the prestigious Steven Baxter Memorial Scholarship, awarded for his outstanding performance and achievements, and was placed on the Dean's List every semester throughout his undergraduate studies. Prior to this, Jonah was part of YST’s Young Artist Programme, offered to students with exceptional performance abilities before their enrolment into the Bachelor of Music (Hons) programme.
Jonah is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studies with Steinway Artist Dr. Steven Spooner. He also continues to pursue piano duo under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Hecht.
