International Performing Arts and Cultural Organisation, Singapore
The International Performing Arts and Cultural Organisation (IPACO) was founded in Singapore to provide artistic support for performing arts while creating a global artistic network for meaningful cross cultural exchanges. Through organising arts-related events with other international music partners around the world, it aims to inspire a creative learning environment for performing arts to thrive and be nurtured. The goal is to expand positively life-changing experiences for all through music making and music performances.
As a performing arts organisation, we believe that both rigour and creativity forms the core of performance and that a well learned musical journey shall also consist of a life-time of personal discovery, continuous learning, meticulous understanding and re-understanding of musical knowledge, experience and appreciation.
Executive Director
Chen QU stands as an esteemed Finnish-Chinese classical pianist and music educator. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Singapore International Music Competition, Artistic Director of the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) Finland, and contributing to the boards of the International Artist Association Finland and the International Performing Arts and Cultural Organisation Singapore, Chen is a multifaceted leader in the musical arts and education field.
With a distinguished background encompassing performance, music pedagogy, and arts entrepreneurship, Chen has been instrumental in providing invaluable opportunities for talented young pianists worldwide to showcase their artistry on prominent global stages.
Chen’s Classical music educational journey is marked by excellence. Prior to going to Finland, she completed the Diploma in Music Performance from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore. Thereafter, she graduated with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, majoring in Classical Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, minoring in Chamber Music, and Singing. Her teachers include renowned Finnish pianists Teppo Koivisto, Juhani Lagerspetz. She has also completed the specialised teacher’s pedagogical qualification in Finland.
Having earned the highest-graded exam piano certifications from prestigious institutions such as Shanghai Conservatory, China Conservatory, and the Chinese Musician Association,
Chen’s international recognition includes accolades such as the Second Prize at the 3rd Irmler International Competition in Dalian, China. Third Prize in the senior section of the 7th International Piano Competition in Milan, Italy, and a Silver Prize at the Asia International Piano Competition in Korea. Her achievements extend to winning the First Prize at The North International Music Competition in Stockholm, Sweden, and being awarded the Third Prize at the International Grand Music Competition in Moscow, Russia. She is also a regular recipient of scholarships from the Sibelius Academy Foundation and Taiteen Edistämiskeskus grants.
In addition to her roles in academia and artistic direction, Chen is an avid performer, renowned for her mastery of both classical repertoire and Chinese folk music. Since 2015, she has graced major venues across Helsinki, captivating audiences with her virtuosic performances and emotive interpretations.
In 2023, Chen ventured into the realm of entrepreneurship, founding Bravori, an EdTech startup that seamlessly merges technology and music education. This initiative aims to revolutionize music practice through a unique app designed to enhance student practice and provide teachers with insights into their students’ progress, fostering more efficient and personalized instruction. The digital application, stemming from the UniArts Hub Helsinki, has garnered support and recognition from various international programs in Finland and the UK.
Artistic Director
Jeremy Wing Kwan Wong is an accomplished Singaporean concert pianist, chamber musician, composer, and music theorist. Based in both Finland and Singapore, Jeremy is a full time faculty at Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, the president of World Piano Teachers Association, Finland and an associate faculty at School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore. His versatile performance and teaching experiences led to regular appearances in music festivals, competitions and performance masterclasses in Asia and Europe.
As a young concert artist, Jeremy received an accolade of academic and performance awards. Under the tutelage of Professor Boris Kraljevic, he finished his Diploma in Performance as the “Best Graduate” of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 2009. Subsequently, he received the prestigious arts scholarship from National Arts Council Singapore to continue his Bachelor studies at the Royal College of Music London (UK) which he graduated with First class honors and the highest recital points. Thereafter, Jeremy completed his Masters of Music degree from Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki.
A laureate at international competitions, his compositions, “Variations and Theme” and “Miniatures for Duo Accordions” were premiered in Helsinki Music Center and were lauded with the ‘Vittoria Caffa Righetti Award’ at the 26th International Music Competition in Italy. At the same time, he was a top prize winner in the artist category of the 7th International Piano Competition in Milan. Jeremy has since performed extensively in Helsinki, Finland where he is also recently been appointed as artistic director of a Andreaskyrkan and East meets West cultural concert series.
Alongside his international performing career, Jeremy is a reputable piano and theory pedagogue. Having written and published numerous pedagogical works on teaching piano improvisation and performance analytical theses. His three-volume book titled Fundamentals with Theory & Improvisation: An Applied Improvisation Method was completed in year 2014 followed by the An Applied Improvisation for Adult in year 2018. His two academic research papers, Tonal organization of three Schubert Sonatas from a Schenkerian Perspective and Phrase structure and Formal Functions in the Opening Themes of Tchaikovsky’s Seasons op. 37, was published in 2013 and 2017 respectively.
The core of his teaching methods revolves around a constructivist approach to enacting musical meaning, inner hearing, and theory-led applied improvisations into one’s performance. Being a devoted and pedagogically driven teacher, Jeremy’s students have succeeded in international competitions as well as international music examinations and entrance exams.
Jeremy is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the MuTri doctoral school at Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki.
