Mitra Alice Tham’s first public performance was at the age of three and her international debut at the age of eight in Japan. Originally from Malaysia, she has won prizes at a variety of international competitions, including the Rosario-Marciano Preis for the most eminent artist personality, the Russischer Musikpreis for the best interpretation of Russian music, the coveted title ‘The Excellent Player Award’ at the prestigious Asia Oceania Festival held in Thailand and the ‘Young Millennium Pianist’ of Singapore.

She was the recipient of scholarships from the Purcell School, the Singapore Lee Foundation, the Singapore National Arts Council, the Shaw Foundation, and the Chiron Trust and received the ‘Gifted Young Musician’ Bursary. Mitra attended the Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music, where she studied under Patsy Toh. She obtained her Master’s degree at Mannes School of Music, New York where studied with the distinguished late Cuban-American pianist Jacob Lateiner.

Mitra was awarded the Blüthner scholarship to study at the International Sommer Musikakademie in Leipzig, during which she performed at the Göhliser Schloßer at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig. For two consecutive years she was awarded a scholarship by the Mozarteum Universität and was selected to perform there. Mitra was awarded a full scholarship to attend the 33rd International Workshop of the America Institute of Music Society (AIMS) held at Graz, Austria.

Her performances in Asia, Europe, United States and Great Britain include solo and chamber music concerts. Her performances exhibit her special talent of composing live on stage, and she has been featured extensively on television throughout Asia. She has performed to dignitaries such as the late President of Singapore in the Singapore President Charity Concert and HRH The Prince of Wales, in a performance at the Purcell School that was aired on national radio later that evening. Prince Charles in an interview described the performance as ‘brilliant and excellent’.

Mitra is a skilled composer and arranger, and commissions have included a transcription of ‘The Entertainer’ and other famous works for piano quintet and choir and other various ensembles. She gave a London premiere of Leroy Anderson’s Piano Concerto to a sold-out concert with the Wandsworth Symphony Orchestra. The Classical Music wrote of “…Tham’s flying about the piano with great bounce and gusto”. Mitra has also performed the complete Prokofiev Sonatas in a 3-concert series in London. She was specially invited to be a guest at a Reception “A Celebration of Young People in the Performing Arts” given by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Mitra was invited to Malaysia to give a Masterclass, Interview Forum and Concert where Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun, led a standing ovation.

In 2014, Mitra was commissioned to compose the anthem for the launch of a Malaysia national project: Melaka Gateway. This launch was presided over by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, with Mitra on the podium conducting. Mitra was also invited to give a recital in conjunction with the Ecuador Embassy in UK and to Malaysia to adjudicate in the MYO Festival. Mitra regularly gives recitals, masterclasses, seminars and adjudication in South East Asia and United Kingdom.

More information can be found on her website: www.mitraalicetham.com

Donations in aid of ASK Development Trust

Next Monday at 1.15 pm

Yoon-Seok Shin

(piano)