Shawn Moh

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Biography

Shawn Moh is a Singaporean concert pianist currently based in Singapore and Vietnam. A piano graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, Shawn has significantly impacted Vietnam’s classical music scene through his leadership at SOLO Music, which he founded in 2013. As Founder and General Director of the SOLO Music Group, Shawn has spearheaded initiatives across Singapore and Vietnam. In Vietnam, he established SOLO Concerts & Events, including the SOLO International Concert Series—the country’s first concert series presenting internationally renowned classical musicians, many of whom performed in Vietnam for the first time. He also launched Vietnam’s first Young Musicians Concert Series, providing vital platforms for outstanding young talents to perform at major venues nationwide and in the region.

In 2020, Shawn founded SOLO Music Bookstore, now Vietnam’s largest and most comprehensive music bookstore, serving conservatory professors and students with scores and essential resources. The bookstore is an official distributor of ABRSM publications in Vietnam and regularly supports events such as the ABRSM High Scorers’ Concerts and conservatory performances. SOLO Music Bookstore is also an official partner of Henle Verlag and Naxos. More than a decade ago, Shawn established SOLO Piano Academy, Vietnam’s first piano school to teach primarily in English, training local teachers in English-language instruction. The academy has nurtured students who have progressed to top institutions including the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts (Michigan).

Upcoming projects include the SOLO Music Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to music-related charity work and collaborations with international organizations and competitions to provide scholarships and bursaries for young Vietnamese musicians. Shawn serves as an adjudicator at international and local piano competitions. He is the Regional Development Consultant for ABRSM Vietnam, and the Official Representative and Distributor for Naxos in Singapore and Vietnam. Shawn holds a Master of Arts (Distinction), a Bachelor of Music (Hons), and the LRAM, all conferred by the Royal Academy of Music, London. Aside from music, Shawn is also passionate about business. He has founded a small Vietnamese restaurant and is also active in the real estate industry.

• What sparked your passion for music?

  Ever since I was a kid, music has always been a part of my daily life. My dad loved to listen to jazz and bits of classical music. But the moment that truly sparked my desire to pursue music seriously was when I attended a live concert by David Helfgott in Singapore when I was 10. I was completely captivated, and from then on, I knew that music was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

• Do you have a favourite piece or a composer?

  It’s hard to choose just one, but I have a deep love for Rachmaninov. The emotional depth in his music always moves me. His 2nd Piano Concerto and his preludes hold a special place in my heart.

• Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?

  I feel most connected to the Romantic repertoire, particularly works by Ravel and Liszt!

• Which performance are you most proud of or resonates with you the most?

  Surprisingly, it wasn’t the bigger concerts that I did, but a mini concert in Wales that left me the biggest impression. I remember I played a mixture of solo works and chamber music with a countertenor!

• Which musician do you like the most, or are you most influenced by?

  I would say most definitely Evgeny Kissin. He has always been an inspiration. His intensity, musical masculinity, and raw emotion in his live and recordings have definitely left a huge influence in my playing.

• What do you do offstage that inspires your musical artistry onstage?

  Most recently, I find that deep meditation has often left me musically energized and reinvigorated. I believe that seeking within through silence and meditation has enhanced my receptiveness to new musical ideas and inspiration.

• Do you have any unique practice techniques or routines?

  I often advocate practicing in ‘slow-motion’ rather than ‘slow.’ This notion of ‘slow-motion’ allows for the individual notes to be meticulously cared for while maintaining the connectivity of the line and phrase, thus allowing for more linearity and technical ease when eventually practising/performing at the desired final tempo.

• Are there any exciting performances you’ve planned?

  None at the moment, although I have plans to actually record all or most of the ABRSM pieces from grade 1 to diploma in collaboration with Steinway Vietnam.

• What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far and how did you overcome them?

  Self-doubt has been one of the biggest challenges. In such a competitive field, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But through supportive mentors, continuous learning, and reconnecting with why I love music, I’ve been able to push forward.

• Have you ever made a mistake on stage and pretended it to be intentional?

  Many times! Just pretend that it was a part of the actual music, because once a mistake happens, it already is a part of the music! As the saying goes, ‘There is no such thing as a mistake, just notes played in a different order!’

• What’s the weirdest or silliest thing you’ve done while practicing?

  Pressing right in the middle of every single key!

• What do you think is the most important goal when introducing music to children?

  To fall in love with music together with them. That’s my one and only goal.

Stay tuned for any exciting updates on SOLO Music and its students here!