School of Creative
Industries
Cheong Pui Kuan Carolyn

Cheong Pui Kuan Carolyn

MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice
2022 — 2023

Carolyn is a classically trained pianist and pop singer. She has 10 years of teaching experience in various primary schools, teaching a variety of instruments from percussion to ukulele. She was previously the head of music immersion at the Singapore Japanese School (Changi campus) where she oversaw the annual school music concert for four years.

Carolyn is currently teaching AMIS part-time at various MOE primary schools as well as piano at Creative Hearts to preschoolers.

Work

Teaching philosophy and research interests

I believe that learning should be fun and enjoyable. As a music educator to young children, I learned through past experiences that a teacher is essential in fostering a child's interest in a subject. So I keep my lessons informal, interacting with children in ways they find enjoyable to keep them looking forward to having music lessons.

I believe that music is an expression of self. My area of research interest lies in learning more about the emotional and mental healing effects of music.

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Thesis abstract

Dialoguing with music and emotions: An exploratory study using songwriting to process grief

Growing up, I was closer to my granduncle and grandaunt rather than my parents as they were the ones who raised me while my parents were busy working. Losing my granduncle led me to examine songwriting as a tool for coping with grief while retaining positive memories of loved ones. I used autoethnography in my background research and developed and tested an experimental methodology, Memoria Per Musica with participants who lost their loved ones. My findings indicate that songwriting can be an effective coping mechanism while retaining positive memories of our loved ones.

My research also provides adaptions and recommendations, which include personalising existing songs by changing of lyrics and using AI to write lyrics and create music. These approaches help individuals to create songs that are more meaningful and reflective of their personal experiences. Overall, my research highlights the potential benefits of using songwriting as a therapeutic tool for coping with grief and offers valuable insights into how individuals can use music to process emotions and preserve cherished memories.

Work experience

2022 – present
UPTEMPO
Music teacher (AMIS)

2022 – present
Creative Hearts
Piano, music and movement teacher

2017 – 2022
Singapore Japanese School
Head of music immersion

2015 – 2017
Town4Kids
Music teacher (AMIS)

2012 – 2014
Play By Ear
Pop piano instructor