Based in Singapore, Vanessa Caralyn Tan started the violin at 16 and obtained her ABRSM Grade 8 in violin after one year. Vanessa has graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Singapore in May 2016 and obtained a Diploma in Music Performance as a violin major. She has studied with former violinist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Chua Lik Wuk, Ang Chek Meng from the T’ang Quartet, and Berent Korfker, faculty member of the Royal College of Music London.
At NAFA, she has performed in masterclasses conducted by visiting artists such as violinists Uto Ughi, Kam Ning, and Nguyen Huu Nguyen and in various string platforms. She also performed in the NAFA Orchestra under Maestro Lim Yau, NAFA Project Strings with Foo Say Ming and NAFA New Music Ensemble where she worked with Singaporean composers Dr Zechariah Goh and Liong Kit Yeng.
Despite having a late start on the violin, Vanessa has been actively performing in orchestras such as re: mix, The Philharmonic Orchestra, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Pocket Opera Theatre, Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, NUS Symphony Orchestra, NUS Alumni Orchestra, The Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra, Kids’ Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kids’ Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. She is currently the concertmaster of the NUS Alumni Orchestra and also performs in outreach concerts such as the Pipe Organ Education concert in collaboration with The Sacred Singers where she was leader of the orchestra.
Vanessa also started the piano at the age of 4 and has attained ABRSM Grade 8 in piano and music theory. As a music educator, Vanessa teaches violin, piano and music theory at music schools and privately where she aspires to spread the love and joy of music making. To date, she has more than ten years of teaching experience and more than 90% of her students have achieved at least a merit or distinction in graded music exams.