Accidental talent factory: How ChildAid shapes the stars of tomorrow
What started as a small charity concert by two SPH newspapers is now a springboard for young talents destined for global stages
THE first person to ever perform for ChildAid was Nathan Hartono. In 2005, Hartono was 14 years old and dreaming of becoming a jazz singer. Eager to perform on just about any legitimate platform that would have him, he agreed to sing at a small inaugural charity concert organised by The Straits Times to raise funds for socially disadvantaged children.
He sang Pure Imagination, a song from a children’s movie about how creativity can transform reality into something extraordinary. Little did he – or anyone else involved in the concert – realise how very apt the song choice was.
Nearly two decades later, both Hartono and ChildAid have grown in ways that no one could have imagined back then. Hartono has gone on to become one of Singapore’s most recognisable musical talents, carving a name for himself not just locally but on international stages, including his breakout success on Sing! China.
Meanwhile, ChildAid has evolved into SPH Media’s flagship charity event, raising over S$30 million so far to support disadvantaged children and youth through its two charities, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.
In an interview given years later, Hartono said: “I remember waking up to my big ol’ face on the papers, right in The Straits Times Life! section. I was 14 at the time and had only been singing for less than a year. It was absolutely unreal, just looking back. It was the first time I ever thought: Oh wow, is this actually a thing now? Does this mean I’m legit?”
Over the years, ChildAid has featured many young talents for whom the platform was an early brush with the spotlight. They got to work with famous creatives helming the concert, such as Cultural Medallion recipients Iskandar Ismail, Dick Lee and Jeremy Monteiro, and veteran stage director Jeremiah Choy. Inspired by the experience, some of them have gone on to establish thriving careers in the arts.
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Pianist Jessie Meng performed at ChildAid 2013 when she was only six. Now 17, she was earlier this year conferred a Young Steinway Artist title, making her the youngest pianist to be selected by famous piano manufacturer Steinway & Son to perform exclusively on Steinway pianos. She will be making a grand return to this year’s ChildAid 2024, which runs on Nov 29 and 30 at the Esplanade.
There’s also Amni Musfirah who performed in several ChildAid concerts since she was 14 and recently opened the first performance segment of the National Day Parade 2024. This year, she returns to ChildAid as its co-creative director, helping imagine The Dream Emporium where the magical musical takes place.
Other alumni include Nathania Ong, the first Singapore actress to professionally play Eponine in Les Miserables and Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton on West End in London; and Julian Wong, a sought-after conductor-composer-playwright whose musical biography of the late Zubir Said titled Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita is one of the longest-running original musicals on the Singapore stage.
There’s also Bernard Dinata – better known as lullaboy – whose YouTube pop music videos have crossed 10 million views and who’s about to embark on a six-city tour across Asia, from Manila to Jakarta. Other young prodigies-turned-professionals include guitarist Kevin Loh, pianist Abigail Sin and soprano Janani Sridhar.
When The Straits Times and The Business Times started organising the concert – the latter joined forces with the former in 2006, the second year of ChildAid – it was not with the intention of becoming a talent-spotting platform. But, as the years passed, the concert’s legacy became increasingly apparent. Not only does it raise millions to support disadvantaged children, it also cultivates a culture of helping young talent, proving that art and altruism can indeed go hand-in-hand.
Credit must go to the early visionaries, including journalist Braema Mathi who mooted the idea of the ST School Pocket Money Fund after writing a story on children who excelled in school despite having no money for lunch. Meanwhile, Alvin Tay, then editor of The Business Times, and Colin Goh, CEO of not-for-profit TRCL, conceived the BT Budding Artists Fund to help less privileged children find their voice through the arts.
The event also benefited from the generous longtime support of sponsors such as UOB, Citi Singapore, HSBC and Mohamed Abdul Jaleel.
ChildAid’s evolution was guided by one core belief from the beginning: the transformative power of opportunity. “What we’ve always strived to do is give these young people a stage, literally and metaphorically,” says Wong Wei Kong, editor-in-chief of English/Malay/Tamil Media Group, SPH Media. “Some of them come to us with raw talent and big dreams, others just with an eagerness to try. But no matter where they’re starting from, ChildAid is about showing them that they can take that first step.”
Over the years, ChildAid has evolved significantly. It has included collaborations with international artists and original works created by the young performers themselves. It has transformed from a traditional concert into a dynamic musical experience with interactive elements. This year’s edition, one of the most ambitious yet, incorporates Artificial Intelligence interactivity to offer the performers exposure to cutting-edge generative technology.
Diversity and inclusion are central to ChildAid’s mission, with casts drawn from different social backgrounds. This year’s cast include Jemima Liew-Yeo, an eight-year-old performer with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia, and 12-year-old Nur Anisah Daaniys Muhammad Sufian, who is visually disabled.
As ChildAid enters its third decade, its reputation as a springboard for talent has only grown. “What started as a small concert has grown into a massive force for good. It’s amazing to see how many lives have been touched – not just the beneficiaries but also the performers,” says The Business Times’ editor Chen Huifen.
“By merging the performing arts with a mission to uplift the disadvantaged, ChildAid has become a platform for hope and opportunity, inspiring young generations to believe they’re never too young to make a difference,” says The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho.
As it marks its 20th edition this weekend, ChildAid will once again honour its dual legacy: nurturing the stars of tomorrow while championing causes that transform lives today.
ChildAid 2024 - The Dream Emporium runs at the Esplanade Theatre on Nov 29, 7.30 pm, and Nov 30, 2 pm (gala show) and 7.30 pm. Tickets from S$28 available on Sistic (go to str.sg/CA24-show or call 6348-5555). UOB cardholders get a 10 per cent discount for all categories.
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