Instructor Spotlight: Christine Sham
2024 has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding year for Christine. She has been actively touring in China and Southeast Asia with prominent artists such as Angela Zhang 张韶涵, Stefanie Sun 孙燕姿, Sam Lee 李聖傑, and Kelly Yu 于文文. Additionally, she served as the assistant music director for Kelly Yu’s 3×3 concert in Changsha.
Christine has also made significant strides in production. She recorded a score with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra for a Singapore tourist attraction, which is set to debut later this year. She produced library music for Universal Music Productions and composed the score for renowned director Eric Khoo’s upcoming film, Spirit World, in March.
In the realm of education, Christine remains dedicated to teaching diploma programmes at both SOMA and Lasalle. She was also invited to mentor the SYF Youth Station Songwriting Project, where she guided students from over 50 government schools in their songwriting.
We caught up with Christine amidst her busy schedule for a quick chat:
How do you balance your time in terms of teaching and performing/ producing? Do you have any advice to share with students on finding this balance?
To stay organized and ensure timely delivery, it is crucial to manage your calendar diligently and set regular milestones. Avoid procrastination, as being responsible and punctual builds a strong reputation.
What advice would you give to the next generation of musicians to prepare them to be for the music industry?
It typically takes around ten years to establish a solid career and another ten to make a significant impact in the music industry. There are no shortcuts; commit to learning and diversifying your skills. For instance, mastering the ability to identify and recognize music genres and styles from various eras, countries, and cultures will enhance your effectiveness as a producer. This knowledge will enable you to curate music for TV programs, streamline your arrangements, and elevate your overall work. Above all, maintain a deep passion for music and ensure it remains vibrant and uninhibited over time.
