From Nostalgia to Illusion - Solo Piano Recital by Dr Elaine Yap

A captivating piano recital by Dr Elaine Yap, exploring the shifting landscapes of memory, emotion and imagination. Featuring works by Chopin, Brahms and Ravel, the programme journeys from the warmth of nostalgia to the dreamlike world of illusion, revealing the many colours and stories that lie within the piano.

Program

Chopin, Mazurkas Op. 30

Brahms, 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117

Ravel, Gaspard de la nuit

About Dr Elaine Yap

Elaine Yap Sin Yee has garnered attention as a remarkable pianist hailing from Malaysia, acclaimed for her musical finesse as noted by The Straits Times in Singapore. Her performances have graced stages across various countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Noteworthy collaborations with orchestras and chamber ensembles include Thailand Philharmonic, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC) Orchestra, Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra, and Singapore Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Virama Ensemble and Wicked Music People. In addition to her performance activities, she maintains a strong interest in piano pedagogy and performance research. She presented “Synthesizing East and West: Analytical and Pedagogical Perspectives on Zhou Tian’s Majestic Bells (2023) and Prism (2004, revised in 2005) at the Singapore International Music and Pedagogy Festival (SIMPeF) Conference (2026), “Ravel 150: Integrating Technical Mastery and Artistic Interpretation in Maurice Ravel’s Piano Solo Works” at the 4th UCSI University Piano Pedagogy Conference (2025). She has also served as a jury member for the 43rd Macao Young Musicians Piano Competition (2025), Muar Youth Piano Competition (2025), Gold Star International Music Competition (2024).Dr. Yap is currently Senior Lecturer at the Music Department of University Putra Malaysia. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from Michigan State University, where she was mentored by Margarita Shevchenko. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor's degree from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Master of Music and Graduate Diploma at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Throughout her educational pursuits, she has been guided by distinguished mentors such as Haesun Paik, Meng-Chieh Liu, Albert Tiu, and Dr. Nicholas Ong.