Kimberly Tan

During my previous role as Head of Strings at Epsom College of Malaysia, I was responsible for designing exciting and enriching strings and instrumental music curriculum for students at Epsom College. In addition to that, I created several new concerts and competition series for the Epsom College Music Department. During my time at Epsom, I coordinated the first Epsom College’s Symphony Orchestra Concert held on February 3rd 2017. During the time that I held the position as Head of Strings at Epsom College, I had the privilege of contributing to Key Stage 3 and 4 classroom teaching through collaborative teaching practice used in the music department. Besides teaching responsibilities, I have helped streamline the music department administrative and communication procedures to ensure the delivery of a world-class music program and enhance communication between teachers, students and parents. As the Head of Strings, I was a leader of a team of eight instrumental teachers and two music department staff members. I bring with me invaluable experience in teaching, leadership and management skills that will further enhance the music program at your school. 

After completing my role at Epsom College, I have gained valuable experience at St Joseph’s Institution International School of Malaysia as the Secondary Music Teacher. At St. Joseph, I was given the role to teach Year 7-9 classroom music as part of the preparation for GCSE music curriculum. During my time at St. Joseph, I have helped introduced and implemented music online learning tools to allow particularly the Year 7 students in particular in accessing learning and record keeping throughout the band music program through the use of online interactive learning tools. Students were able to access learning easily through the help of online tools and have made promising progress. During my role as Secondary Music Teacher, I helped organized and coached students in successfully performing in the premier of the first high school’s musical- Shrek Musical. In addition, during my role at St Joseph, I was actively involved in the after school CCA program both in coaching and organizing concerts for junior strings ensembles and high school orchestral ensembles.

I had the privilege of working closely with the amazing SAIS music department team since I joined the faculty in 2021. I enjoyed working closely and collaborating with the middle and high school music team. During my role as the long-term music substitute teacher, I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the school reporting system, involved in communications with colleagues, parents and students and last but not least the ability to help implement and support the music curriculum at SAIS. In addition, I was also given the role as an advisor during my role as a long-term cover teacher for a Grade 7 class which allowed me to work closely and provide pastoral care to Grade 7 students. In addition to the long-term cover position, I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to hold the position of Music Director of the Stamford Orchestra at SAIS. As the music director of the Stamford High School Orchestra, I have designed exciting music program for the music ensemble program and conducted successful performances during the school music concerts and events. 

During my early school years, I was educated in the highly regarded music specialist boarding school, Wells Cathedral School, UK. Subsequently, I graduated from one of the top music colleges in the United States, Indiana University (Bloomington). Before joining Epsom College, I was a professional violinist at a highly regarded world-renowned orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra for more than a decade. My active role in the orchestra’s educational program includes being a founding coach for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s string section and instructor for its educational community outreach projects. 

During my previous role as Head of Strings at Epsom College of Malaysia, I was responsible for designing exciting and enriching strings and instrumental music curriculum for students at Epsom College. In addition to that, I created several new concerts and competition series for the Epsom College Music Department. During my time at Epsom, I coordinated the first Epsom College’s Symphony Orchestra Concert held on February 3rd 2017. During the time that I held the position as Head of Strings at Epsom College, I had the privilege of contributing to Key Stage 3 and 4 classroom teaching through collaborative teaching practice used in the music department. Besides teaching responsibilities, I have helped streamline the music department administrative and communication procedures to ensure the delivery of a world-class music program and enhance communication between teachers, students and parents. As the Head of Strings, I was a leader of a team of eight instrumental teachers and two music department staff members. I bring with me invaluable experience in teaching, leadership and management skills that will further enhance the music program at your school. 

After completing my role at Epsom College, I have gained valuable experience at St Joseph’s Institution International School of Malaysia as the Secondary Music Teacher. At St. Joseph, I was given the role to teach Year 7-9 classroom music as part of the preparation for GCSE music curriculum. During my time at St. Joseph, I have helped introduced and implemented music online learning tools to allow particularly the Year 7 students in particular in accessing learning and record keeping throughout the band music program through the use of online interactive learning tools. Students were able to access learning easily through the help of online tools and have made promising progress. During my role as Secondary Music Teacher, I helped organized and coached students in successfully performing in the premier of the first high school’s musical- Shrek Musical. In addition, during my role at St Joseph, I was actively involved in the after school CCA program both in coaching and organizing concerts for junior strings ensembles and high school orchestral ensembles.

I had the privilege of working closely with the amazing SAIS music department team since I joined the faculty in 2021. I enjoyed working closely and collaborating with the middle and high school music team. During my role as the long-term music substitute teacher, I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the school reporting system, involved in communications with colleagues, parents and students and last but not least the ability to help implement and support the music curriculum at SAIS. In addition, I was also given the role as an advisor during my role as a long-term cover teacher for a Grade 7 class which allowed me to work closely and provide pastoral care to Grade 7 students. In addition to the long-term cover position, I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to hold the position of Music Director of the Stamford Orchestra at SAIS. As the music director of the Stamford High School Orchestra, I have designed exciting music program for the music ensemble program and conducted successful performances during the school music concerts and events. 

During my early school years, I was educated in the highly regarded music specialist boarding school, Wells Cathedral School, UK. Subsequently, I graduated from one of the top music colleges in the United States, Indiana University (Bloomington). Before joining Epsom College, I was a professional violinist at a highly regarded world-renowned orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra for more than a decade. My active role in the orchestra’s educational program includes being a founding coach for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s string section and instructor for its educational community outreach projects. 

Education:

2014-2015 : Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from University of Melbourne, Australia.

● Specializing in the PYP program of International Baccalaureate.

1999-2003 : Bachelor of Music Performance, School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.

● Studied under the world-famous Professor Ilya Kaler, Professor Kowalski and Professor Nelli Skolnikova.

● Trained under the world-renowned string pedagogy program by Professor Mimi Zweig which expands on key ideas and materials from the Suzuki Method.

1996-1999 : Wells Cathedral School, United Kingdom.

● A-LEVELS and GCSE O-LEVELS from Wells Cathedral School, Music Specialist School, United Kingdom.

● Awarded merit scholarship at Wells Cathedral School to study as a music specialist student.