Livin my Dream

Daniel was recently awarded the Founder President’s Award for Excellence at the International College of Music’s 2008 Graduation ceremony. The award is the highest achievement conferred to a graduate who has met all of the college’s stringent criteria for educational excellence. This is his story.

I started playing accoustic and electric guitars mainly for church when I was 15yrs old. I was a self-taught musician, although there were a few helpful friends that gave tips and pointers along the way while I was learning the instrument. I also watched and listened to a lot of concert dvds, cds, the radio and of course, the internet was also a great source.

When I was in secondary school I used to travel all the way to KL from Klang just to watch jazz performances by musicians like Jose Thomas, Farid Ali and Lewis Pragasam. These performances were very inspiring and thus, music became a very natural interest for me and I had never thought of doing anything else even though I was in the science stream. The only obstacle I faced were relatives and friends giving negative comments about not being able to make money in music. That did not stop me from pursuing what I was really passionate about.

I wouldn't trade anything in the world for my experience studying at ICOM.  All the challenges I faced has helped build my character to what it is today. It was during my first year at ICOM that I decided to pick up the bass guitar and in the same year, I won the Best Bass Player Award in the National Finals of the Yamaha Asian Beat Band Competition. Needless to say, I have been playing the bass guitar for a living since then. For this I have to thank a particular ICOM and Berklee Alumni who is also a bass player himself, Rozhan Razman who encouraged and motivated me.

My other fond ICOM memories include the weekly Friday Performances which are part of the curriculum, recording sessions in the studio, practicing daily for hours to prepare for class, jamming with friends in the ensemble rooms, doing gigs at night  (and having to wake up for 9am classes the next day! )  and hanging out with friends and lecturers at the  mamak stall just outside of the college building.

During my 3rd year in ICOM, I was appointed as the bandleader for the Beatles Tribute, an annual event held at ICOM where students put together a show to pay tribute to established and renowned musicians in the music industry. Being bandleader, one learns how to manage and work in a team and calls for strong leadership and decision making skills. There were many other opportunities that came along the way; the outside jobs and college academic activities just complimented each other and really prepared me for what was to come in the working world.

 I have been performing a lot since I graduated, from small venues to international music festivals. I've had the opportunity to perform at the ZJJ World Music Festival in Shanghai recently with Farid Ali aka Mr Gambus’ Accoustic Project. I’ve also been doing gigs with Jose Thomas and Groove Junction as well as corporate and private functions. I am also currently conducting some music performance classes at ICOM.

To high school graduates looking to pursue music, my advice is that you have to know what you really want and put the glamour, fun and hype aside first.  If you're truly passionate and can see yourself doing music down the road for the next 10 to 20 years, then go for it. It's not easy and can be discouraging at times but choosing a good school, meeting the right people and being disciplined will definitely give you a rewarding and fulfilling career in music.