Pianokungfu Academy

ion at age 9. Subsequently, it came as no surprise when Xiu-Min was offered a scholarship from the renowned Royal Academy of Music in London on the spot during his audition by Professor Christopher Elton, then Head of the Keyboard department. But life has its own plans. While Xiu-Min was brilliant with his fingers, he was equally brilliant with his mind: he was simultaneously offered a scholarship to Melbourne Medical School in Australia, which he accepted obligatorily. But medical studies could not stop him from honing his keyboard skills on the side. He took private lessons with the leading piano professors in Melbourne at that time, namely, Ronald Farren-Price and Frank Wibaut. He even travelled to Poland to seek the secrets of playing Chopin, and learnt the Chopin & Neuhaus Piano Method from Polish pedagogue Stefan Kutrzeba. Xiu-Min's performances there left such a strong impression that he was invited back to Poland for a series of recitals. In his later years, Xiu-Min had the privilege of being under the tutelage of such eminent Russian masters as Andrei Gavrilov, Elena Kuschnerova, Dmitri Bashkirov and Mikhail Voskresensky through masterclasses. This culminated in training with Boris Petrushansky in Imola Piano Academy, one of the most prestigious piano schools in the world. Today, Xiu-Min is a practising family physician who continues to impress audiences with his unique artistry. In 2010, he organised and performed a historic Chopin piano recital with two other doctor-pianists, with honorary patronage by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. This was followed shortly with his own recital, including Liszt’s Piano Sonata, to critical acclaim. As an avid chamber musician, he has also collaborated with violinist Oleksandr Korniev, as well as cellists Brandon Voo and Loke Hoe Kit. Once in a while, he would also give informal recitals at Alexandra Hospital and National University Hospital to bring cheer to patients and staff. In 2024, Xiu-Min released his debut recording of ABRSM Grades 1 to 8 piano exam pieces for 2023 and 2024. Shortly after, he launched his second album featuring the new ABRSM piano syllabus for 2025 and 2026. Xiu-Min has set up his own piano school called Pianokungfu Academy. He hopes to raise the standards of piano-playing in the country by imparting the secrets of his art to aspiring students, and guide them towards unprecedented achievements in the musical world.