ADJUDICATORS
RockFest 2026 Live Preliminary
Associate Professor
Dr. Tom Pierard
Associate Professor Dr. Tom Pierard, a Kiwi composer, performer, and educator, is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A former core member of Strike Percussion (2005-2010), Tom has toured internationally, performing in diverse genres such as jazz, heavy metal, rock, and pop. He is currently involved with artists Trips ("Self-titled," 2024) and Desbot ("Pass of Change," 2022). As an educator, he has served as a lecturer, researcher, and department head, and designed the online course The Modern Beat. His compositions include sonic branding, film/TV scores, and festival exhibits. Tom is a regular conference speaker and will deliver guest lectures on Southeast Asian identity at Singaporean institutions in September 2024.
Alex Koh
Alex Koh is a versatile guitarist with expertise across genres such as Classical, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Fusion, Pop, and Evergreen. Since 2010, he has been a prominent session guitarist and performer, making regular appearances at weddings, events, concerts, and in recording studios. With over a decade of experience in music education, Alex works with students of all ages, aiming to facilitate learning and encourage free expression. He believes in respecting and nurturing individual creativity, helping students incorporate their personal experiences into their musical interpretations.
Dr. Poon Chiew Hwa
a native of Malaysia, is a pianist who has performed in the United States, Mexico, Spain, and Malaysia. She has been a guest artist at universities like Valley City State University, Missouri State University, Conservatorio de las Rosas and has presented masterclasses at several institutions. Chiew Hwa won first place at the 2009 Missouri Music Teachers Association state piano competition and the Fifth Annual Lois Trester Piano Competition. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Arizona and earned the Applied Credential in Dalcroze Education from the Longy School of Music, Boston. She is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya, as well as a music examiner for Trinity College London.
Assistant Professor
Justin Lim Fang Yee
Justin Lim is a distinguished pianist known for collaborations with artists like Greg Lyons, Kris Dayanti, and Kang San-Eh. He has contributed to albums by Andy Peterson and Pete Teo. In 2009, he won Malaysia's National Art Award (Young Talent Category) for composition. Since 2014, he's been a key organizer of the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival. Currently an Assistant Professor at UCSI University, Justin holds a Bachelor of Music from Universiti Putra Malaysia and a Master of Music from Pennsylvania State University, combining performance and academic expertise to guide both beginners and advanced musicians.
Edmund Yong
Edmund is a passionate drummer and music educator whose journey began in his youth with a deep love for rhythm. Although he initially studied IT, a breakthrough performance at the Mont Kiara Jazz Festival inspired him to pursue drumming full-time. From there he venture into the drumming world and have the opportunity to trained under few renowned drummer, aiming to mastering various genres including Rock, Jazz, Latin, and Fusion. Edmund holds multiple certifications including Rock School Level 6 Teaching Licentiate and serves as a Yamaha Drum Examiner and Yamaha Product Specialist. He has conducted numerous workshops, and opportunities to performed with some artists from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Edmund remains dedicated to growth, collaboration, and achieving higher recognition as a professional drummer.
Dr Tham Horng Kent
Dr Tham Horng Kent is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, Sultan Idris Education University in Malaysia. Born in Sabah, he holds a BM in music performance (Universiti Putra Malaysia), MMus in music performance (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), and a DMusPerf degree (Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin City University). Dr Tham performs as a soloist and chamber musician and has given concerts in Ireland, UK, Germany, Estonia, New Zealand, Singapore, and much more. He was the recipient of the Emerging Artist Incubation Funding Programme from the Malaysian Cultural Economy Development Agency in 2018. His articles have been published in the Malaysian Music Journal (2016) and Journal of Arts Discourse (2019).
Dr. James Philip Sheng Boyle
Award winning Music Director and the Dean of the Faculty of Music, ASWARA , Dr. James P.S. Boyle, is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and a graduate of Universiti Malaya with a PhD (Musicology) from the Faculty of Creative Arts, and a Master Degree of Art in Performing Arts.
His topics of expertise include contemporary playing styles on the piano, aural and ear training classes, compositional methods, improvisational skills and song writing classes. Dr. James, a pianist and band leader also performs in various Jazz festivals in the Asian region. An active composer in the corporate and theatre world, Dr. James is also a Certified Movie director and a Line Producer from the Hollywood Film Institute.
Assistant Professor
Terrence Ling Hung Shu
Terrence is an Assistant Professor of Music and Head of Programme at UCSI University's Institute of Music. He founded the Malaysian Voices Collective and organizes events like the Borneo International Vocal Arts Festival. He leads two vocal ensembles, Dames of Harmonia and Iridescent Voices, and has adjudicated major competitions. His students have gained prominence in music, with many signing major labels. His choirs have won international awards, and he has received accolades for his conducting. A sought-after session musician, Terrence has performed with numerous international artists and orchestras. He holds degrees in Educational Leadership and Contemporary Music Performance and has been honored as a "30 under 30" by the Southeast Asia Directors of Music Association and Best Art and Creative of the Year by UCSI University in 2023.
Yim Soi Chee
Yim Soi Chee is a violinist, pianist, and passionate music educator. In 2000, she founded the Pastorale Conservatoire of Music, a respected school for piano and strings. Dedicated to nurturing young musicians, she has guided many students to scholarships, awards, and professional success. Additionally, she organizes charity concerts, talks, and seminars on violin playing at various institutions.
Phoebe Tsen
Born & raised in Sabah, Malays ia, Phoebe Tsen is as inger - songwr iter and vocal producer whose ar tis try moves between acoustic intimacy & electronic atmospheres . She has written, performed, and
produced ac rossgenres ranging from acoustic & indiepop to electronic ambient & melodic house, earning recognition as both adistinctive voice & a behind-the- scenesc reative.
As a solo artist, Phoebe is known for her reflectives torytelling & delicate yet powerful vocals . Her voice can be heard on OST soundt racks for short films & shows such as Netflix’ s ‘Carlo & Malik’. As a
collaborator , she brings a sharp ear for vocal production & aninstinct for melodies that connect.
Whether shaping a top line for the dance floor or deliver ingastripped-down ballad, her work reflects a commitment to storytelling & sound that feel s both timeless & contemporary.
RSL EXAMS RESOURCES SDN. BHD.(SSM: 201601023220)