Magdalene Wong is one of Singapore’s foremost harpists and an influential figure in the local music scene for over three decades.
Magdalene’s musical journey began early — first as a youth choir member, then as a guitarist and harpist
As a youth, she was a chorister in the Singapore Youth Choir, which took first prize at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in Wales (1974). At 18, she attained the ABRSM Grade 8 in Guitar along with a Yamaha Grade 4 Certificate for Guitar Performance and Teaching. Her competitive spirit led her to become a three-time winner of the Singapore Guitar Festival and runner-up at the South East Asian Guitar Festival at the early age of 22. She was also a guitar instructor at Yamaha Music School for 20 years. In her early thirties, to further explore her musical capabilities, she learned the harp, earning ABRSM Grade 7 in Harp with Distinction after just two years of study.
Magdalene is a frequent presence on the conductor’s podium
In 1985, The Ministry of Community Development sponsored her to attend the prestigious Paco Pena Guitar Festival in Cordoba, Spain, where she studied under the tutelage of world-famous guitarist Manuel Barrueco. The Yamaha Music Foundation of Japan also selected her to attend a key instructor’s seminar in Japan. Whilst in Japan, she also studied conducting at the world-famous Niibori Guitar Academy. She has conducted for a variety of groups which include the choirs of Anglo-Chinese School and Methodist Girl’s School, the Niibori Guitar Orchestra at Yamaha Music School, two harp ensembles in Singapore (Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School, and Nan Hua High School), and Hwa Chong Junior College Guitar Ensemble. In 2008, Magdalene arranged a piece of music which was performed by a 100-strong guitar ensemble backed by a 250-strong choir in a concert honoring cultural medallion winner Alex Abisheganaden.
As a performer, she has given concerts both as a soloist and an invited guest
She has performed with the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Classical Guitarist John Mills, and at the Singapore Harp Festival. As a harpist, she has delighted audiences from all over the world, including state events at the Istana and private functions attended by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Prince Andrew, and other dignitaries. Known for her personal and distinctive style of playing classical and popular pieces by ear, she served as resident harpist at several hotels including The Oriental, Singapore (1992 -1993), Hyatt Regency (1995 -1996), The Inter-Continental, Singapore (1997 - 2003) and The Regent (2004 - 2006) and The Fullerton Hotel (2015-2017).
As an educator, she has nurtured a new generation of harpists
Magdalene has coached dozens of private students and continues to instruct two harp ensembles (Paya Lebar Methodist Girl’s Secondary School and Nan Hua High School). Under her direction, both ensembles have received multiple Gold and Distinction Awards at the bi-annual Singapore Youth Festival, with several of her students going on to become professional harpists. Magdalene also conducted the Harp Appreciation Programme in collaboration with the National Arts Council, bringing harp music and education to schools across Singapore.
As a composer and arranger, Magdalene has recorded 3 studio recordings.
Angel is a collection of original compositions for solo harp. Her second album, A Harpist’s Dream, showcases harp arrangements of classical and popular songs. Her third album, Two Harps for Christmas, is a collaboration with her harpist sister, Wong Kae Chee. These albums are available for streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.
