2004 AYO Singapore Alumni Reunion Dinner

For the first time in AYO history, Singapore AYO alumni finally got together for a mini gathering!

Many AYO alumni met up with Mr Pontzious and Keith Lau on 21 Feb 2004, Saturday, when they came to Singapore to conduct audition. We had a lively reunion dinner at the Lao Beijing Restaurant at Plaza Singapura.

A total of 16 alumni turned up! They were

• Inomoto Toko (1990-1993 and 2000 / 3 times Violin, 2 times Viola),
• Yeo Jan Wea (1990 / Viola),
• Ngoh Kheng Seng (1990 / Percussion),
• David Wong (1990 and 1991 / Bass Trombone),
• Wang Meng Ngee (1991-1993 and 2000 / Double Bass),
• Tan Ee Sin (1991 and 1993 / Violin),
• Judy Tay (1992 / Viola),
• Jenny Tan (1992 / Percussion),
• Yong Chee Ong (1992 and 1995 / Violin),
• Lim Chun (1994-1997 / Viola),
• Gerard Chia (1994 / Violin),
• Trinh Quang Thanh (1994 / Violin),
• Tan Wee Hsin Ernie (1996 and 1997 / Viola),
• Lin Ying Fong (1997 / Cello),
• Seah Huan Yuh (1999 / Violin) and
• Wong Yih Chyn (1992 / Violin)

Standing behind, from L to R: Judy, Ee Sin, Lim Chun, Gerard, Jenny, Jan Wea, Chee Ong, Huan Yuh, Yih Chyn, Quang Thanh
Sitting in front, from L to R: Kheng Seng, Toko, Meng Ngee, Keith, Mr Pontzious, Ying Fong

Toko came straight to the restaurant from Changi Airport. She flew from Kuala Lumpur where she is currently playing in the fantastic Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

And among the 16 alumni, Quang Thanh is from Vietnam, and he has been living in Singapore with his wife and daughter for the past 5 years! He is currently a full-time violin teacher at Yamaha. He and his whole family like Singapore.

Besides Quang Thanh, some of the AYO Singapore alumni are also married, and photos of babies and children were passed around the table for all to admire... Meng Ngee even brought her French husband and her "tummy" (5 months pregnant?)!!

And many alumni are currently either professional musicians or full-time music teachers. It is indeed heart-warming - We are ready to groom our children and students to be the next generation of AYO members!

The photo below was taken before Ernie and David had to rush to the Esplanade. Being SSO musicians, that evening they had a concert, so they only had time to pop down to say hi, but no time to sit down and eat dinner with us.

Standing behind, from L to R: Kheng Seng, Huan Yuh, Keith, Mr Pontzious, Judy, Jan Wea, David, Ernie
Sitting in front, from L to R: Ying Fong, Quang Thanh, Gerard, Jenny, Yih Chyn, Ee Sin, Lim Chun

Some shots of us chatting happily... Mr Pontzious and Keith shared with us about AYO's future plans. We also talked about the old days, gossiping about the latest news of other AYO friends in other countries, sharing news and info in the music scenes...

From L to R: Lim Chun, Chee Ong, Toko, Keith, Mr Pontzious, a bit of Kheng Seng

From L to R: Jan Wea, Lim Chun, Yih Chyn (standing behind.Think was checking the alumni namelist), Chee Ong, Toko

It was an enjoyable reunion. Many of us had not met for a long time, some for as long as 15 years. After the reunion dinner, some of us went on outside for tiramisu! We exchanged pointers on teaching music...

From L to R: Judy, Yih Chyn, Jan Wea, Toko, Quang Thanh