Mike Chiang, Principal and CEO of Capital College of the Arts, Management, and Technology, earned his Master of Arts (MFA) from the China Conservatory of Music.

Mike is a dynamic leader in education, boasting rich academic experience and exemplifying outstanding leadership in action. In his role as Principal of CCAMT, he is dedicated to crafting an invigorating and stimulating learning atmosphere for students through pioneering educational methodologies and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Recognizing the paramount importance of education, Mike is devoted to not only nurturing students’ academic prowess but also cultivating their creativity, leadership, and collaborative spirit. He firmly believes that by harmonizing tradition with innovation, students can excel in a constantly evolving world.

As an educator, Mike prioritizes not only students’ academic accomplishments but also their holistic growth. He encourages students to engage in diverse extracurricular activities to nurture their interests and broaden their horizons. Additionally, he inspires students to actively address societal concerns, participate in philanthropic endeavors, and cultivate a strong sense of social responsibility and civic awareness.

Under the guidance of Mr. Mike Chiang, Capital College of the Arts, Management, and Technology is advancing toward a brighter tomorrow. His vision is to foster exceptional talents with global competitiveness and a strong sense of social responsibility through education, thereby contributing to the development of Singapore and the global community.

Harris Jahim brings extensive experience in performing arts and educational management to Capital College. His academic journey includes a B.A. from Murdoch University, undergraduate studies at the University of Miami, graduate work at Ohio University, and an M.F.A. in Acting from Florida Atlantic University. He trained under Arthur Lessac in Kinesensic Body and Voice and is completing a Doctor of Education.

Mr. Harris’s expertise spans acting, education, directing, and fight choreography. He has held adjunct professorships at Florida Atlantic University (Florida), Central Piedmont College (North Carolina), Blue Lake Arts Academy (Michigan), and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore). He also served as Program Leader at LASALLE College of the Arts and Subject Head of Theatre at the School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA).

As Chief Academic Officer at CCAMT, he leads academic affairs and strategy. He champions equity, and innovation in education, understanding the challenges faced by diverse students. An accomplished artist and researcher, he has presented at numerous conferences and directed various productions.

Presentations/Publications:

• “Silat: A Gateway to Actor Training and Training the Actor” – SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2013, Singapore
• “Actors’ On The Cusp: Preparing actors for training” – IUGTE Performing Arts Training Today 2011, Vienna, Austria
• “Utilizing Lessac Kinesensic to heal the body, voice & spirit” – SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2011, Singapore

Memberships:

• Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA)
• Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP)
• International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)

Dr. Tay Teow Kiat holds several prestigious positions in the world of Chinese orchestral music, including Music Director of the East Zone Schools’ Chinese Orchestra Development Centre, President of the Singapore Chinese Instrumental Music Association, and Music Director of both the City Chinese Orchestra (CCO) and Dingyi Chamber Ensemble. Additionally, he serves as Resident Conductor of the Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra (DHSCO). Dr. Tay is often regarded as the pioneer of Chinese orchestral music in Singapore.

Since 1982, Dr. Tay has led the DHSCO on numerous international performance tours, showcasing their talents in countries such as Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, China, and many others. Furthermore, he has conducted the NAFA CCO in concerts in Beijing, Tianjin, Jilin, and Taiwan.

In a 1992 article by People’s Music, a Chinese music magazine, Dr. Tay’s conducting style was praised for its precision, sensitivity, and grace. His deep understanding of traditional music culture allows him to accurately interpret various styles, bringing out the true essence of each piece.

Dr. Tay’s impact extends beyond the orchestras under his direction, as he has also been instrumental in nurturing young musical prodigies in Singapore. Many have gone on to become professional musicians and conductors in their own right. Both orchestras and numerous students under his tutelage have earned accolades like “Best Performance Awards,” “Best Orchestra Awards,” and top prizes in national and Singapore Youth Festival Chinese Music Competitions. These accomplishments have elevated the standard of Chinese music in Singapore and laid a solid foundation for future excellence.

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Tay has received numerous awards, including the National Day Efficiency Medal (1989), the Commendation Plaque for music and dance activities (1991), the National Arts Council Cultural Medallion (1993), and the National Day Award-Long Service Medal (Education Service) (1997).

Dr. Tay’s influence extends across international borders, as he serves in honorary and guest roles for various Chinese music societies, associations, orchestras, and educational institutions in China.

Dr. Ling Hock Siang is an accomplished erhu performer with a doctoral degree in art studies. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the 2004 Young Artist Award and the Singapore Youth Award (Culture and Arts Team Category, The Huqin Quartet). In 2021, he received the Commendation Award by Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) and was recognized for his outstanding contributions by the China Yangtze River Delta National Orchestra Performance.

Dr. Ling’s musical journey began when he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1998. He continued his studies under the tutelage of Professor Wang Yongde, becoming the first Singaporean to achieve a Master’s degree in erhu performance in 2005. In 2012, he earned a doctoral degree in arts studies (theory) from Beijing Normal University, studying under Professor Zhang Xiaomei.

Dr. Ling joined the SCO in 1997 as an erhu player and is currently the Erhu Associate Principal. He has performed with the SCO in various European and Asian countries. He has also held several solo and group recitals, including “Hock Siang & Friends” and “Oriental Folk Music” with ex-SCO guan musician Han Lei. He has performed as a member of the SCO Silk String Quintet “5trings” and the Huqin Quartet.

Dr. Ling also holds several teaching positions, including Artistic instructor of the City Chinese Orchestra (CCO), Erhu Instructor of the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO), and Adjunct Instrumental Teacher (Erhu Performance) of the School of the Arts (SOTA). He has been an adjudicator for the National Arts Council’s biennial National Music Competition since 2006.

Dr. Ling has represented Singapore at international conferences on the erhu and frequently participates in workshops and arts meets in Asia. His passion for music and the erhu has taken him to various parts of the world, sharing his knowledge and skills with others.

Dr. Jay, an Oxford-educated anthropologist, has a deep-rooted passion for art, architecture, and design history. She previously worked as a researcher in the Ethnography and Oriental Antiquities departments at the British Museum in London and as an Editor for the Macmillan Dictionary of Art. Dr. Jay now resides in Singapore.

Her career in Singapore began as a Senior Editor for The Indonesian Heritage Series, followed by freelance work in various art and cultural capacities, including writing art reviews for The Straits Times and other publications. Since 2000, she has taught at LASALLE College of the Arts, leading Diploma and BA courses on the History of Art, Design, and Architecture, as well as teaching classes on theatre history and anthropology. Dr. Jay also teaches at NTU in a program focusing on Singapore’s creative and cultural industries.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Jay remains active in writing and publishing. She collaborated with the Singapore Institute of Architects on a book about the history of Singapore’s architectural profession and currently serves as Senior Editor for BAB, an Indonesian publisher that produces books on Indonesia’s art, culture, and archaeology. Her latest collaborations involve working with prominent Indonesian textile collectors from Lampung and the Batak people in Sumatra to explore the history, anthropology, and iconography of these endangered cultural heritages.

A dedicated traveler and researcher, Dr. Jay frequently returns to Europe to study art and architecture and explores new destinations in Asia and Africa whenever her busy schedule allows.

Kamini Ramachandran is a pioneer in storytelling in Asia. She founded Moonshadow Stories, which established performance storytelling for adult audiences in Singapore, and continues to lead The Storytelling Centre Limited, advancing the art form through mentorship programmes and producing StoryFest Singapore.

A specialist in museum-based learning and heritage interpretation, Kamini develops and conducts training programmes for institutions including the National Heritage Board, Founders; Memorial, and
National Museum Singapore. Her expertise in crafting site-specific experiences spans a decade, notably through her work with ARTWALK Little India and various cultural institutions.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Kamini holds a BA (Hons) in English Language & Literature from the University of Reading (UK) and an MA Arts Pedagogy & Practice from Goldsmith’s,
University of London (UK). She is a specialist lecturer at LASALLE College of the Arts and Singapore University of Social Sciences, teaching narrative techniques and storytelling.

As an executive committee member of the Singapore Drama Educators Association, she advocates for best practices in arts education and safeguarding in the arts. Her innovative approach to heritage
interpretation has led to significant consultancy roles, including The Singapore Pavilion at EXPO Dubai 2020 and Osaka 2025, and immersive storytelling director for attractions like ‘Avatar: Gardens by the Bay’ and ‘Harry Potter: Visions of Magic’ at RWS.

Kamini’s work as creative producer of StoryFest Singapore and board member of the Singapore Heritage Society demonstrates her commitment to making storytelling and heritage accessible for diverse audiences. Her contributions to arts education and cultural preservation continue to influence the next generation of storytellers and cultural practitioners in Singapore and beyond.