On 13 October 2020, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) launched the new Kris Foundation Viola Masterclass Fund – an endowment fund from the Kris Foundation supporting masterclasses by visiting artists in viola held at YST.

Visiting artists are a key presence at YST, sharing their rich insights as leading practitioners with students and with the public who are able to attend these open masterclasses. The Fund thereby creates valuable opportunities for viola players and enthusiasts to further their passion, and contributes to the vibrance of Singapore’s artistic landscape. Recent viola artists who have visited YST include Ms Hsin-Yun Huang and Ms Nobuko Imai.

Ms Kris Tan, who received the 2019 NAC Distinguished Patron of the Arts award, said, “Kris Foundation is delighted to support viola performance and education at YST. We believe in the importance of giving young musicians platforms to work with top mentors and to share their craft with wider audiences.”

Since 2009, the Kris Foundation has supported a range of organisations across the arts landscape in Singapore, and extensively presented classical musicians as well as new compositions by Singaporean composers through its concert platform.