Claire Lam
Cello, Music Theory

Claire Lam is a patient and dedicated cello educator who combines strong technical training with musical understanding and enjoyment. She has been teaching since 2021, and has experience across a diverse range of students, from young children to adults. Over the course of her teaching career, Claire has taught more than 50 students and achieved a 100% pass rate, with all of her students attaining either Merit or Distinction in their graded examinations.

Claire holds a Certificate of Higher Education in Music Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), where she studied under the tutelage of Robert Irvine and David Watkins. She also holds an ATCL Diploma in Cello Performance from Trinity College London, having studied under the tutelage of Wang Yan, Song Woon Teng, and Wang Zihao. These qualifications have provided Claire with a strong foundation in cello performance, repertoire, technique, and musical interpretation.

In addition, Claire holds ABRSM Grade 5 in Piano and ABRSM Grade 5 in Music Theory, giving her a solid foundation in both practical musicianship and music theory.

From a young age, Claire has actively pursued her passion for classical music and has performed at numerous public events and prestigious occasions. She participated in the Performance Festival Chamber Music Competition held at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music as a cellist in a performance trio, where the ensemble was awarded First Prize.

In the same year, Claire was honoured to be selected to perform at ChildAid’s annual charity concert, A World to Imagine, where she contributed to fundraising efforts for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. She was subsequently selected by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) to perform at the launch of then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s book, Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going.

Claire has also performed as a cellist in Edvox Music School’s annual year-end concerts, Talento and Quintet, further expanding her experience in ensemble performance and collaboration with fellow musicians.

As an active musician in both the Western and Chinese music scenes, Claire brings a diverse range of musical experiences to her teaching. She has demonstrated musical leadership as the principal cellist of the SIM String Ensemble and at the annual Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) alumni concerts. She has also performed in various chamber ensembles and orchestras.

Claire is well-versed in the ABRSM syllabus and specializes in preparing students from the Initial Grade through Grade 8, as well as teaching students who play for leisure. She believes that developing as a cellist requires both a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of music. She therefore tailors technical exercises to each student’s individual abilities and needs, with particular emphasis on developing finger strength, dexterity, and control—essential skills for effective cello playing.

To nurture students’ musical understanding, Claire exposes them to a variety of musical genres through active listening and the study of notable works performed by renowned musicians. Besides that, she frequently plays alongside her students during lessons, providing support and demonstrating appropriate technique, particularly when working on technical pieces and exercises. By playing together with her students, she seeks to make music lessons more engaging and enjoyable while giving students opportunities to experience ensemble playing with accompaniment. This helps them develop a stronger sense of rhythm, ensemble awareness, musical expression, and confidence.

Claire also believes that a strong foundation in music theory enables students to develop a deeper understanding of music and become more confident, independent musicians. She incorporates music theory into her lessons to help students understand the structure, harmony, and musical ideas behind the pieces they play. This allows them to approach their repertoire with greater musical awareness and expression, rather than simply focusing on technical accuracy.