From The Straits Times    |

What it's like to be a songwriter and music teacher to the stars.jpg

LIN SI TONG, 27
She writes – and sings! – our favourite drama-serial theme songs

You may not recognise her face, but you might have heard her music on television – especially if you’re a fan of Channel 8 drama serials like Gonna Make It (2013) and Against the Tide (2014). Here’s the rundown:

She’s a singer-songwriter… and a boss.
The theme song she composed and sang for Against the Tide was nominated for Best Theme Song at this year’s Star Awards. “After it was nominated, my parents started to look out for my name in the papers. These days, my dad also nags me to post updates about my music on Instagram and Facebook!” says Si Tong, who runs her own artiste management and events company, Haha Music & Entertainment, and is a songwriter under Warner/Chappell Music Taiwan Ltd.

Her parents were not in favour of her musical pursuits.
“I wanted to take singing lessons in secondary school, but they wanted me to focus on my studies, so I waited until I’d completed my A levels,” says Si Tong, who obtained a diploma in pop vocals from the London College of Music while she was at university. The multi-instrumentalist also plays the keyboard, guitar, ukulele, violin and bass guitar.

She’s a music teacher to the stars.
She taught actor Xu Bin how to play the harmonica and gave actress Kimberly Chia singing lessons. Earlier this year, she coached actor Pierre Png and TV host Dasmond Koh, who performed and recorded three of her compositions for the drama serial Life is Beautiful.

Photography: Winston Chuang, Styling: Evon Chng, assisted by Gracia Phang, Hair: Dorene Low/Athens Salon, Makeup: Amy Chow, using Make Up For Ever, Jacket & Top: The Kooples

This story was first published in Her World Magazine July 2015.

Want to read more about talented Singapore women? Find out how Munah Bagharib feels about being a female YouTube comedian in Singapore and why singlish is so important to this playwright.

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