Nancy Ong

Head of Outreach

Percussionist • Drum Circle Facilitator • Music Educator • Community Champion 

With nearly three decades of experience as a classically trained percussionist, Nancy Ong’s journey in Chinese orchestra music resonates deeply across generations and communities. 

Hailing from the tutelage of Chinese music luminaries Li Min Xiong and Quek Ling Kiong, she has performed both locally and internationally with esteemed ensembles such as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), Dong An Opera, and the Singapore Guzheng Association. Her choreographed pieces have graced significant events like the 2015 ASEAN Para Games and Singapore's inclusive concert “An ExtraOrdinary Celebration 2023”. 

Beyond the stage, Ong dedicates herself to educating the younger generation about traditional Chinese orchestra music and percussion. As an MOE-registered music instructor, she has led multiple local primary and secondary schools to orchestral triumphs, earning over 20 distinctions and accomplishment awards at the annual Singapore Youth Festival. Her coordination of local schools in the SCO 2014 Guinness World Record-breaking mega orchestra event "Our People, Our Music" stands as a crowning achievement in her career. 

Currently the Head of Outreach at The TENG Company, Ong oversees programmes such as TENG Gives Back, Maple-TENG scholarship, and Music for Mindfulness. She manages TENG’s specialised programme for at-risk youths and special needs individuals and personally serves as the programme’s drumming instructor. She is also a skilled artiste facilitator at OneHeartBeat, an organisation specialised in delivering tailored music-making programmes for underserved communities. 

Ong has contributed to multiple acclaimed music productions, including Nen’s NAC-funded music video series “The World is in Our Hands”, Cellokidz 2022 concert, and RuanAtWorkz’s “Present Past”, which served as the kick-off event for the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s 2023 Cultural Extravaganza. 

She is also a council member of the Percussion Association of Singapore, committee advisor of the Singapore Foochow Association Chinese Orchestra, and committee member of the Singapore Guzheng Association. 

Guided by her mantra of sincerity, Ong infuses every beat with passion and purpose, envisioning a future where traditional Chinese orchestra music resonates with all. She continues to challenge herself in various creative ways to use music to engage, educate, include, and evoke social impact.