Audio Engineer & Video Producer
As an audio engineer, Neil holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours in Recording Arts and
Sciences from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM), National University of Singapore (NUS). Neil was awarded the full Yong Siew Toh Scholarship in 2011 to pursue his degree and continues to work closely with the conservatory in recording concerts, recording and facilitating orientation programmes, creating videos, and with upcoming plans of collaboration with the professors and students.
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Neil Chan
Neil Chan is a Singaporean fusion fingerstyle guitarist, blending traditional music cultures with modern techniques in his interpretations of folk music and biblical scripture. His work focuses on cultural diversity and community outreach, using interdisciplinary art forms such as visual art and spoken word alongside music to share the lived experiences of everyday individuals.
Neil has conducted numerous music education programmes in Timor-Leste, frequently working with Timorese schools and churches while performing and composing music in Tetun. He also actively hosts participatory music-making sessions with persons-with-dementia, guest lectures on ethnomusicology and professional development at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is the key tutor of NUS Fingerstyle Guitar.
What is fusion fingerstyle?
It's blending musical cultures around the world and adapting them to my own unique hybrid style on the acoustic guitar.
The acoustic guitar's versatility as a melodic stringed instrument and a giant wooden box enables me to fuse Indian drum rhythms with flamenco strumming techniques and jazz harmonies.
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Focusing on the four musical cultures below, I also compliment my playing with my voice and the siku (Andean Panflute).
WARNING:
MUSIC GEEKS ONLY!
Jazz
Carnatic
Flamenco
Andean
Inward to outward
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
That was my ultimate goal when I first decided to pursue music.
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However, as I delved deeper into music I realised its potential to express emotions in ways words simply could not. I discovered this in the most personal way - fighting my own emotional demons in the darkest of times.
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I had a revelation - my initial ambition was all about myself. I sought the admiration I would achieve as a RESULT of music, and not music itself.
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That's when I decided to humble myself and acknowledge my own selfishness.
Now I choose to use my passion for music to bless others through sharing inspiring life journeys, biblical scripture, and educating guitarists around the world.
Music outreach
I believe that doing good unto others is essential to one's flourishing as a human being.
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Not only that, it inspires those you impact to continue giving and showing kindness to others.
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I've been blessed to be able to engage with communities all over the world through music, and in the process build meaningful relationships and immerse myself in their cultural practices.
WARNING:
intense reading!
Multicultural Singapore
Born and raised in Singapore, my experiences growing up on this multicultural island greatly influenced my musical style and appreciation of cultural differences.
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I've had the opportunity to work alongside the various ethnic communities here, studying their musical practices and engaging in cross-cultural collaborations.