PETALING JAYA: From the city of cats to the bright lights of London, Bridget Yee (pic) has her mother and former music director to thank for her musical journey.
Currently a university student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Yee’s recent solo recital in London has earned positive reviews, with the Sarawak-born pianist thanking her mother and former music director for providing the life-changing opportunity to study music in the United Kingdom at the tender age of 11.
Yee, who recently performed as a “Successful Sarawakian from Overseas” at the Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (Sifma) on Dec 3, said her mother encouraged her to audition for the Wells Cathedral School, an act which kick-started her musical career.
The 19-year-old said she was in a lucky situation when Wells Cathedral School, famous for its specialist music programme in the United Kingdom, came to Kuala Lumpur to hold an audition for Malaysians interested to study in the school.
“I was lucky to pass the audition and receive a full scholarship for seven years from the age of 11 to 18,” Yee said when contacted.
She also thanked former director of Music at Wells Cathedral School, Dorothy Nancekievill, for giving her the scholarship and recognising her talent before anyone else.
Yee is currently a university student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she has secured another full scholarship for the Bachelor of Music programme.
“I auditioned for the academy in my final year at school in 2022 and worked very hard for it.
“I was so nervous waiting for the results and the moment I got it, there was just an enormous sense of relief and joy,” said Yee, who was overjoyed to have good friends in her classes but added that she was only one of two Malaysians in the entire university.
“Although there aren’t many Malaysians, I feel glad to mix with an international crowd of students from various countries.”
Yee’s most recent solo recital in London has been positively reviewed by acclaimed music critic Christopher Axworthy, who described her as having an “intellect and keyboard command of breathtaking audacity”.
She said it was her final solo recital of 2023 and with the positive review, “it’s a great way to end the year”.
“It was the first time Christopher heard me play and I was just very grateful that he gave up his time to be there,” she said.
When asked about her recent performance at Sifma, she said it was a special experience playing for her home crowd, and she was thankful to Sifma chairperson Dr Geraldine Law-Lee for inviting her to perform.
“I had a wonderful few days in Kuching, where the festival was held. It was a very special experience, particularly because I was playing for my home crowd,” said Yee, who harbours the intention of playing for a global audience.
“I want to travel the world and collaborate with various talents who share the same passion in music as me.
“I look forward to having concerts in Sarawak and providing music education for children who love music.”When asked if she had any word of advice for young people looking to build a path in life, she reminded them to always take the leap of faith.
“I’ve learned to always listen to my guts as the answer is always within, never outside,” she said.
