The Avant Garde Team
Michael Gaspar
Director and Founder/Guitar Ensemble Educator and Conductor
Master of Arts in Music Education and Performance, MA (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London) 2019 with Merit
Fellowship in Music Education, FTCL (Trinity College, London)) 2017
Licentiate in Classical Guitar Teaching, LTCL (Trinity College of Music, London) 1991
Diploma in Music (LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore) 1991
Teacher's Certificate Grade 5 (Yamaha Music Foundation, Singapore) 1990
Director and Founder/Guitar Ensemble Educator and Conductor
Master of Arts in Music Education and Performance, MA (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London) 2019 with Merit
Fellowship in Music Education, FTCL (Trinity College, London)) 2017
Licentiate in Classical Guitar Teaching, LTCL (Trinity College of Music, London) 1991
Diploma in Music (LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore) 1991
Teacher's Certificate Grade 5 (Yamaha Music Foundation, Singapore) 1990
Mr. Michael Gaspar graduated from LaSalle College of the Arts with a Diploma in Music in 1991. He also attained the Licentiate Teaching Diploma (LTCL Classical Guitar) from Trinity College of Music, London in the same year. Mr. Gaspar taught the classical guitar in commercial music schools like Gramercy Music School and Yamaha Music School from 1986 to 1997 before he focussed his teaching career with the Ministry of Education as a guitar instructor.
In June 2017, Mr. Gaspar attained the Fellowship, Trinity College London (FTCL) in Music Education. His research dissertation, "Perspectives in Guitar Ensemble Education in Singapore: The Role of Guitar Music Educators in Raising National Standards in Guitar Ensemble Music An Inset Training Programme for Guitar Ensemble Instructors" received an outstanding report from Trinity College London examiners
In September 2017, Mr. Gaspar left Singapore for London to pursue the Masters of Arts (Music Education and Performance) at the famed Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He attained a merit for his masters and scored a distinction for his dissertation which received rave reviews. The dissertation continues his passion for instrumental guitar education for implementation in both the United Kingdom and Singapore: A commentary: Professional development of Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) guitar ensemble instructors on effective facilitation of guitar ensemble methodology books Volume 1 and 2. Under the tutelage of Mr. Graham Anthony Devine, Mr. Gaspar enhanced and broadened his classical guitar performance and repertoire whilst at Trinity Laban.
Mr. Gaspar won the Grand Prix awards in the Singapore Guitar Festival 1985 and 1986 (Ensemble Section) and the Distinguished award in the Singapore
Guitar Festival 1992 (Solo Classical Section) As a songwriter, he won the 1st Prize at the 1993 2nd Watabashi National Song-writing Competition, thereafter representing Singapore at the 1993 2nd Asian Watabashi Music Festival held in Seoul, South Korea. An accomplished and versatile classical guitarist, Mr. Gaspar has performed professionally as a soloist in concert recitals and with various musical groups in the local music and entertainment scene over the years.
Since 1997, Mr. Gaspar has been renowned for the successes of many guitar ensembles under his charge, particularly with acclaimed standards in the Singapore Youth Festivals Central Judging of Guitar Ensembles. To date, a total of 22 Gold and Gold with Honours has been garnered by guitar ensembles under his musical direction and baton. Under the current SYF Arts Presentation since 2013, he continues to bring the guitar ensembles under his charge to impeccable standards with 16 distinctions attained by these guitar ensembles. The guitar ensembles are from:
Victoria Junior College - 1987 to 2018
Raffles Institution (Year 3 and 4) - 1997 to 2018
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls Secondary School - 2002 to 2018
Raffles institution (Year 5 and 6) - 2004 to 2018
Anglo Chinese School (Independent) - 2004 to 2018
St. Joseph’s Institution - 2006 to 2018
St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School - 2000 - 2004
Chung Cheng High School (Main) - 2004 - 2006
With his passion for music and the arts, the National Arts Council gave his pedagogical methods an endorsement under the Arts Education Programmes. In active partnership with the National Arts Council-Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP) since 2002, Mr Gaspar continues to develop various music programmes which have contributed significantly to music education. These music programmes have received rave reviews from schools, junior colleges and polytechnics that have implemented them.
A Musical Journey Through Guitar Ensemble Playing
Enjoying Latin Music with guitars and percussions
I Love My Ukelele
Hawaii 5-0: Introducing The Beauty of Hawaiian Music
Enjoying popular music with acoustic guitars and cajons
In 2014, Mr. Gaspar completed National Arts Council's programme, “Working and Facilitating the Learning of Children with Special Needs in the Arts” at the Social Services Training Institute, Mr. Gaspar’s guitar and ukulele programmes are now being facilitated in Special Education Schools namelyl Grace Orchard School, Metta School and Chaoyang School.
In 2018, Mr. Gaspar stepped down as their instructor and conductor but continues to serve these schools as an advisor. In his new found passion for professional development of guitar instructors, he continues to mentor and train his team of instructors who has taken over the baton of these schools. These instructors continue to contribute immensely to Singapore’s guitar ensemble community through his leadership.
Since 2019, Mr. Gaspar has been lecturing at Singapore Raffles Music College where he helms modules in the area of performance, pedagogy, management and research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has recently been appointed as the course leader for the Master of Arts in Performance Arts Education awarded by the University of West London. https://srmc.edu.sg/en/about-us/academic/music-production-faculty/
In June 2017, Mr. Gaspar attained the Fellowship, Trinity College London (FTCL) in Music Education. His research dissertation, "Perspectives in Guitar Ensemble Education in Singapore: The Role of Guitar Music Educators in Raising National Standards in Guitar Ensemble Music An Inset Training Programme for Guitar Ensemble Instructors" received an outstanding report from Trinity College London examiners
In September 2017, Mr. Gaspar left Singapore for London to pursue the Masters of Arts (Music Education and Performance) at the famed Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He attained a merit for his masters and scored a distinction for his dissertation which received rave reviews. The dissertation continues his passion for instrumental guitar education for implementation in both the United Kingdom and Singapore: A commentary: Professional development of Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) guitar ensemble instructors on effective facilitation of guitar ensemble methodology books Volume 1 and 2. Under the tutelage of Mr. Graham Anthony Devine, Mr. Gaspar enhanced and broadened his classical guitar performance and repertoire whilst at Trinity Laban.
Mr. Gaspar won the Grand Prix awards in the Singapore Guitar Festival 1985 and 1986 (Ensemble Section) and the Distinguished award in the Singapore
Guitar Festival 1992 (Solo Classical Section) As a songwriter, he won the 1st Prize at the 1993 2nd Watabashi National Song-writing Competition, thereafter representing Singapore at the 1993 2nd Asian Watabashi Music Festival held in Seoul, South Korea. An accomplished and versatile classical guitarist, Mr. Gaspar has performed professionally as a soloist in concert recitals and with various musical groups in the local music and entertainment scene over the years.
Since 1997, Mr. Gaspar has been renowned for the successes of many guitar ensembles under his charge, particularly with acclaimed standards in the Singapore Youth Festivals Central Judging of Guitar Ensembles. To date, a total of 22 Gold and Gold with Honours has been garnered by guitar ensembles under his musical direction and baton. Under the current SYF Arts Presentation since 2013, he continues to bring the guitar ensembles under his charge to impeccable standards with 16 distinctions attained by these guitar ensembles. The guitar ensembles are from:
Victoria Junior College - 1987 to 2018
Raffles Institution (Year 3 and 4) - 1997 to 2018
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls Secondary School - 2002 to 2018
Raffles institution (Year 5 and 6) - 2004 to 2018
Anglo Chinese School (Independent) - 2004 to 2018
St. Joseph’s Institution - 2006 to 2018
St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School - 2000 - 2004
Chung Cheng High School (Main) - 2004 - 2006
With his passion for music and the arts, the National Arts Council gave his pedagogical methods an endorsement under the Arts Education Programmes. In active partnership with the National Arts Council-Arts Education Programme (NAC-AEP) since 2002, Mr Gaspar continues to develop various music programmes which have contributed significantly to music education. These music programmes have received rave reviews from schools, junior colleges and polytechnics that have implemented them.
A Musical Journey Through Guitar Ensemble Playing
Enjoying Latin Music with guitars and percussions
I Love My Ukelele
Hawaii 5-0: Introducing The Beauty of Hawaiian Music
Enjoying popular music with acoustic guitars and cajons
In 2014, Mr. Gaspar completed National Arts Council's programme, “Working and Facilitating the Learning of Children with Special Needs in the Arts” at the Social Services Training Institute, Mr. Gaspar’s guitar and ukulele programmes are now being facilitated in Special Education Schools namelyl Grace Orchard School, Metta School and Chaoyang School.
In 2018, Mr. Gaspar stepped down as their instructor and conductor but continues to serve these schools as an advisor. In his new found passion for professional development of guitar instructors, he continues to mentor and train his team of instructors who has taken over the baton of these schools. These instructors continue to contribute immensely to Singapore’s guitar ensemble community through his leadership.
Since 2019, Mr. Gaspar has been lecturing at Singapore Raffles Music College where he helms modules in the area of performance, pedagogy, management and research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has recently been appointed as the course leader for the Master of Arts in Performance Arts Education awarded by the University of West London. https://srmc.edu.sg/en/about-us/academic/music-production-faculty/
Guitar Ensemble Conductors/Instructors (Classical Guitar)
Darryl Ang
Guitar Ensemble Instructor/Conductor
B.Business, 2nd class Honours, Upper Division (NTU)
LTCL (Piano), ABRSM Grade VIII (Distinctions in Guitar and Music Theory)
Guitar Ensemble Instructor/Conductor
B.Business, 2nd class Honours, Upper Division (NTU)
LTCL (Piano), ABRSM Grade VIII (Distinctions in Guitar and Music Theory)
Daniel Lim
Guitar Ensemble Instructor/ Conductor
Dip. Music (LaSalle College of the Arts)
Guitar Ensemble Instructor/ Conductor
Dip. Music (LaSalle College of the Arts)
Francis Sta Maria
Professional Musician/ Guitar Ensemble Instructor
ABRSM Grade VIII
Professional Musician/ Guitar Ensemble Instructor
ABRSM Grade VIII
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Mohamed Zulkiflee Bin Mohamed Yasin
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Eugene Lee
Guitar Ensemble Instructor
B.Sc Hons in Real Estate (NUS), ABRSM Grade VIII (Guitar, with Merit)
Guitar Ensemble Instructor
B.Sc Hons in Real Estate (NUS), ABRSM Grade VIII (Guitar, with Merit)
Syahidah Bin Abbas
Guitar Ensemble Instructor
BA (Popular Music Performance), 2nd class Hons, 2nd Division (LaSalle College of the Arts)
Guitar Ensemble Instructor
BA (Popular Music Performance), 2nd class Hons, 2nd Division (LaSalle College of the Arts)
Guitar Enrichment Course Trainers (Pop Guitar)
Stephen De Souza
Professional Double Bassist and Guitarist
Guitar Enirchment Instructor
Trinity Grade V in Guitar Performance, ABRSM Grade V in Music Theory
Professional Double Bassist and Guitarist
Guitar Enirchment Instructor
Trinity Grade V in Guitar Performance, ABRSM Grade V in Music Theory
Tomo Timothy Goh
Solo Acoustic Guitarist/Guitar Enrichment Instructor
MSc in Electrical Engineering, Colorado State University
Trinity-Guildhall Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
ABRSM Grade V in Guitar Performance
Trinity-Guildhall Grade V in Music Theory
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/Stomo1709
Solo Acoustic Guitarist/Guitar Enrichment Instructor
MSc in Electrical Engineering, Colorado State University
Trinity-Guildhall Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
ABRSM Grade V in Guitar Performance
Trinity-Guildhall Grade V in Music Theory
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/Stomo1709
Clarence Chan
Professional Musician(Singer, Songwriter, Pop Guitarist)
Guitar Enrichment Instructor
Diploma in Business (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
Trinity Guildhall Grade V in Guitar Performance
Professional Musician(Singer, Songwriter, Pop Guitarist)
Guitar Enrichment Instructor
Diploma in Business (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
Trinity Guildhall Grade V in Guitar Performance
Leslie Danker
Professional Musician(Bassist and acoustic guitarist)
Guitar Enrichment Instructor
Diploma in Business Processes and Systems Engineering (Temasek Polytechnic)
LCM Grade VIII in Bass Guitar
ABRSM Grade V in Music Theory
Trinity Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
Professional Musician(Bassist and acoustic guitarist)
Guitar Enrichment Instructor
Diploma in Business Processes and Systems Engineering (Temasek Polytechnic)
LCM Grade VIII in Bass Guitar
ABRSM Grade V in Music Theory
Trinity Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
Jerry Ong
Singapore Idol Finalist 2006/
Pop Guitar and Song Writing Instructor
Trinity Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
Singapore Idol Finalist 2006/
Pop Guitar and Song Writing Instructor
Trinity Grade VIII in Guitar Performance
