MICHAEL TONG

In the 1980s, Michael Tong formed the Singapore bands “Merlion” and “Heartbeat,” where he served as the drummer and music producer, becoming a key figure in the development of the xinyao (Singapore folk music) movement.

For many years, he has been dedicated to planning and organizing large-scale events such as the Xinyao Festival, Dance Arena, and Very Singer (非常歌手), helping to cultivate local talents in the entertainment industry.​

After founding and managing the Ocean Butterflies Group, Michael was responsible for planning numerous artist training projects both locally and internationally, overseeing the training of artists, including big names like Kit Chan, A-Do, JJ Lin, and By2.

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He holds professional certification as a teacher of electronic keyboards from Japan and has served as a drummer in various Xinyao Festivals. He is also skilled in guitar and piano, as well as composing and arranging, making him a music maestro who bridges classical and pop music.​

With over 10 years of experience in running music academies and instrument businesses, Michael has been involved in classical music education in Singapore since 1994. In 1995, he established Symphony Music School, hoping to pass on the gift of music to the next generation. Today, Symphony Music School is an exam center for internationally recognized classical exam systems such as ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), LCM, and Trinity.

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Michael holds the regional agency rights for well-known brands like YAMAHA and CASIO in Asia. Additionally, he owns several exclusive musical instrument brands, including the piano brands Hermann and Evanston, as well as guitar brands such as Symphony, M&E, and Cuenca.

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Michael Tong’s extensive contributions to the music industry, both in nurturing talent and advancing music education, continue to leave a lasting impact on Singapore’s music landscape and beyond.