About the musicians:
MP3rio (Malaysian Piano Trio) comprises three eminent musicians from Malaysia, and is one of the foremost proponents of chamber music in Malaysia. Formed in 2002, MP3rio originally consists of violinist Fung Chern Hwei, cellist Jonathan Oh and pianist Loo Bang Hean. After Chern Hwei left for the United States, Yap Ling joined the group as violinist.
Yap Ling is a well-known violinist, conductor and pedagogue. Jonathan is an active performer and member of the National Symphony Orchestra. Pianist Bang Hean appears regularly as soloist and chamber musician, and is a keen educator giving frequent seminars around the country.
Since the forming of the ensemble, they have performed locally and abroad, appearing in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, and have also performed in Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu, Sibu, Kuching and Miri.
Yap Ling - violin
Yap Ling has performed extensively as soloist and as chamber musician. His performances have taken him to Germany, Italy, France, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Moscow (Russia), China, Unite States, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Hong Kong,.
Awarded the Royal Academy of Music's Alec Templeton Scholarship and the Sarawak Foundation Scholarship, Ling studied violin with Clarence Myerscough at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He also received tutelage on chamber music from the Amadeus Quartet. Whilst in London he was Concert Master for Chelsea Symphony Orchestra, Chelsea String Quartet, and London Chinese Ensemble.
Yap Ling was conferred Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in 1997 for his notable contribution towards classical music in Malaysia. As a keen music educator, Ling was invited by the ABRSM to conduct violin seminars and masterclasses throughout Malaysia. He is also conductor of Kota Kinabalu Symphony Orchestra, Miri Orchestra and Miri Choir.
Loo Bang Hean - piano
Winner of the First Malaysian National Mozart Piano Competition in 1987, Loo Bang Hean performs regularly in solo recitals and chamber music concerts. Among his numerous performances, he has appeared as soloist in the Royal Gala Evening at St. James's Palace, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. He also collaborates regularly with the National Symphony Orchestra in concerto performances.
Bang Hean was awarded full scholarship from ABRSM to study at the Royal College of Music, London. He studied piano with Yonty Solomon, John Blakely and Dennis Lee, winning numerous prestigious prizes at the RCM. Awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Anthony Saltmarsh Prize enabled him to further his studies with the renowned Hungarian teacher Professor Ilonka Deckers in Milan, Italy.
As a keen supporter of local music talents, he and fellow pianist Ng Chong Lim and soprano Cecilia Yap founded a series of concerts, La Serenata Musicale which provides performing opportunities for young talented musicians.
Jonathan Oh - cello
Jonathan Oh is principal cellist of Penang Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Penang State Symphony, Kota Kinabalu Symphony Orchestra and the Simfoni Orkestra Negeri Sarawak.
Jonathan studied with Simon Cobroft, Nasran Nawi and Laurentiu Gherman. He was awarded a scholarship to study cello with renowned French cellists Valerie Aimard and Jean Marie Trotoreau at the festival in Academy of St. Geniez, France.
Jonathan is an active chamber musician, and was also invited to be tutor of the Penang State Symphony Orchestra.
