Yong Wee Chan began to play the guitar playing only at the age of 17. Like every other youngsters did, began with chords strumming on pop songs. Later, he gets into serious guitar playing. Yong studied classical guitar under Prof. Ronnie I. Theseira until present.
In 2003, Yong deeply impressed by percussive-fingerstyle (New Age guitar music) after watching video perform by the famous Japanese Fingerstyle Guitarist, Isato Nakagawa. He also influenced by Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and Peter Finger. Above guitarists also being important influences to his compositions in later part.
In Dec 2007, Yong founded “ACPickers”, an online guitar community which gather acoustic guitar players all over Malaysia. Members included some of the top acoustic guitarists in the country who are Roger Wang, Az Samad, Farid Ali, William Kok & Edward Hiew (who is a guitar maker in M’sia).
In Nov 2008, Yong organized the 1st ever Guitar Charity Night in Melaka. The event successfully raised donation for one of the local handicapped house.
Yong who now also a guitar instructor, repairman, instruments distributor & retailer, at the same time fencing coach in one of the local university.
Performances:
Aug 2009 Penang Guitar Festival
Nov 2008 Melaka Guitar Charity Night
Dec 2007 Yamaha Guitar Camp appointed guest performer
Oct 2005 Historical City Toastmasters Club appointed performer
Achievements:
Dec 2007 Finalist of 1st Malaysia International Guitar Festival (MIGFEST)
Aug 2006 Grand Prix Winner at Open Solo category of Yamaha Guitar Festival
Dec 2003 2nd Runner-Up at Open Solo category of Yamaha Guitar Fest
Dec 2010 Finalist of 1st Beijing International Finger-Style Guitar Festival (IFSGF)
Professional Certification:
Fundamental of Music Theory Certificate (SCQF 7 /EQF 5) – University of Edinburgh
Music For Wellness Certificate – Berklee College of Music
Licenti Musica Magister T.M.E.B - Malaysia
Compositions:
Feb 2007 Composed Freeman Guitars official website’s theme song “Debut”
For more information, please visit Yong Wee Chan’s websites at http://www.yongguitar.blogspot.com & http://musicelement.blogspot.com/.
