Deaf pianist takes the stage

SINGAPORE — When sceptics told him to “get off stage”, adamant that “a deaf person cannot play music, let alone pull off a concert”, passionate pianist Ron Tan (picture) proved them wrong by playing four different sets that night at the arts concert.

It was a humbling experience to be bombarded with “a lot of negative feedback”, admitted Mr Tan, who lives with 80 per cent hearing loss. He struggled to “pick himself up”, but was determined to “win the hearts” of these cynics.

That was two years ago and, today, Mr Tan, a student at Republic Polytechnic (RP), not only plays regularly at a bar in Changi Village Hotel, but is also working with a partner to set up a social enterprise that would help people develop their passions and match them with performing opportunities.

“Piano is my passion, and I want to help others find theirs,” said the 21-year-old. The self-taught musician started playing the piano seriously at 17. He would watch YouTube videos and try to mimic the songs or listen to how others play. While he wears a hearing aid, there are some keys he cannot hear or feel, in particular, keys of a higher pitch. “When I attempt to play higher keys, I will seek other peoples’ feedback ... in this way, I can know and control the loudness of the different sounds I play,” he said.

Together with his partner and classmate, Mr Muhammad Danial bin Hamdan, the duo first proposed their talent management agency, Inclusive Art Movement (I.AM), during a social innovation challenge hosted by RP. Mr Tan said the agency would be open to all types of “passions”, such as singing, dancing and even circus acts.

After their win, they submitted their business plan to the Singapore International Foundation’s Young Social Entrepreneurs (YSE) programme, where they are now being mentored and stand to win a chance to pitch for funding.

So far, the duo have reached out to those with, and without, disabilities. Response has been “very good, many positive”, said Mr Tan. “There is an aspiring drummer from our school who has a condition where his arms are slightly shorter, and was consequently turned down by (mainstream) drumming clubs, but we reached out to him, and he was very excited.”

Mr Muhammad Danial shared how disabilities can be overcome using certain equipment. During the social innovation challenge, his team visited the Singapore Association for the Deaf and interacted with students there. “During the music lessons, there is a TV that shows them the frequency of the sounds, there are lights to signal any changes in music, and the floors will vibrate,” Mr Muhammad Danial recounted. “It was here where we learned that each disability has a particular approach to overcome them.”

“We want to provide equal opportunities for those who have special needs and are, or want to be, in the performing industry,” said the aspiring singer and songwriter.

The 21-year-old also has a baby cousin who was born deaf. “I believe that through this venture, I can also learn how to help her even more,” he added. Together with his partner, Mr Tan hopes to disprove the “false perceptions” people have about those who live with disabilities. He said: “Encouragement is important ... and passion too, it is really what keeps a person going despite their setbacks or disabilities."

For more information, email: contactus [at] artsmovement.sg.