Dr. Samuel Tan earned his Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music) from the University of Malaya with First Class Honours, followed by a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Accompanying, and an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance, both with distinction, from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. While at the Conservatoire, he won multiple awards including the Delia Hall Accompanist Prize, the John Ireland Solo Piano Prize, the Burke Trophy for Piano-Playing, and the AdvPgDip Course Prize.
Since returning to Malaysia in 2011, Dr. Samuel has enjoyed a varied career as a collaborative pianist performing in opera, musical theatre, chamber music, and contemporary music both locally and internationally. He serves as pianist and arranger for the National Choir and Genius Seni Koir under the Malaysian Department for Culture and Arts, and as a music examiner for Trinity College London.
Dr. Samuel’s academic career includes positions at the University of Malaya, the National Academy of Arts Culture & Heritage, International College of Music, and currently as Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader at Sunway University. His contributions to higher education span both classical and popular music, from curriculum development to programme leadership.
His research interests include the intersection of music and culture, particularly Malaysian Chinese musical traditions, music education in multicultural contexts, and music preservation through arrangement and documentation. Samuel holds a PhD in Creative Arts and Media from Sunway University, with research focused on ethnomusicological approaches to understanding how musical practices reflect cultural identity and heritage.
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