Many sides to Tash Yong

The singer and actress is determined to excel on her own terms, writes Dennis Chua

Tash and music go back a long way. As a pre-teen, she took singing lessons from her father at his studio adjacent to their home in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

“Many artistes used to record songs at my father’s studio and I got to know a few of them. My favourite singer, Asmidar, was a frequent visitor. She encouraged me to come up with an album someday.”

While a student in Sekolah Menengah Cheras and Sekolah Teknik Ekonomi Rumah Tangga in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Tash sang in choirs and performed nasyid and dikir barat.

“Our choir was pretty strong at state level and often finished in the top three!”

She later enrolled in a performing arts diploma course at the Natonal Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara), graduating after three years in 2013.

“Studying in Aswara not only helped improve my singing, it also got me interested in dancing and acting.”

She has stopped dancing as a result of a back injury sustained in a fall at home in2010.

“It happened during a and it was due to my being clumsy. Nevertheless, I can still execute light dance moves.”

Another talent she developed while recuperating is applying make-up on celebrities.

“In 2010, I took a short make-up course from a beautician, and spent a year applying make-up on various artistes. This part-time job came in handy when I subsequently started to act. I applied my own make-up and helped my co-stars with theirs!”

Tash’s current project is a 60-episode drama titled on TV3, scheduled for December.

“It’s a family drama with funny and sad moments. Once again, my character is a supporting one but the story is meaningful.”

Tash’s next project is to record a song written and composed by her father. “I’ve always hesitated but now that I’ve gained a bit more experience, I’m ready for it,” she says.

“He seldom praises me, for fear of making me big-headed,but he supports my career fully and wants to bring out the best in me.”