Jazzed up by winning performance
THE lively and free spiritedness of jazz has captured the attention and interest of Melvin Goh.
What makes Goh stand out among other jazz enthusiasts is that his passion for jazz is taking him to the top.
The 23-year-old recently clinched the first prize in the 2nd Malaysian Jazz Piano Competition held in January 2015, which saw the participation of some of the greatest non-professional pianists in Malaysia.
It was Goh’s first attempt at performing competitively.
The third year student of UCSI University’s Institute of Music (UCSI IMus) performed in front of a jury of musicians, including respected Malaysian jazz pianist Michael Veerapan.
“This win was unexpected,” Goh said.
“It was a tough competition. Nevertheless, it was a really good motivation for me. I feel a lot more confident in performing now.”
Performing in front of Veerapan was something Goh treasures and regards as “one of my musical inspirations”.
Two years ago, Goh approached Veerapan for piano lessons and was taught by the maestro for half a year.
Goh also credits his experience at UCSI IMus for giving him the confidence to perform his best on stage.
Having enrolled in UCSI IMus since his Foundation in Music year, he was provided with the fundamentals in music and the conducive environment he needed to mature as a musician by the institute.
Goh reveals that he learned much from theory to the practical aspect of showmanship, crediting the institute’s practice of frequently organ- ising concerts at UCSI University as an invaluable opportunity for students to perform before a live audience.
The experience of learning and performing with equally talented classmates spurred Goh further. He shares that the study environment is one of mutual support.
When the UCSI Chorale made history by becoming the first university choir group to perform with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in March, Goh was one of the first to encourage them.
Goh is also grateful to his lecturers, particularly head of the contemporary music programme Justin Lim Fang Yee, and lecturer Julian Chan Ching Shung.
“My lecturers played an influential role in my winning. They constantly guided and advised me to ensure I performed my best inside and outside of UCSI,” he says.
On what inspired him to focus on jazz music, Goh pointed out that “jazz enables improvisation – coming up with your own take on the existing melody”.
Having taken formal music lessons since he was seven, he decided to focus on jazz at 17.
A year later, he made the decision to pursue music professionally and enrolled at UCSI IMus for his Foundation in Music.
Today, he has almost completed his three-and-a-half-year Bachelor of Contemporary Music (Hons) degree.
The talented pianist has even performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra as part of renowned Malaysian singer and composer Juwita Suwito’s show titled,
Goh has also toured with Suwito while juggling his responsibilities as a student.
To find out more about UCSI University's Institute of Music programmes, call 03-9101 8882 or e-mail
You can also drop by UCSI's Career Forum on April 11 and 12, to find out more.