Dennis Lau: Difference between revisions
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== Childhood and Early Life == |
== Childhood and Early Life == |
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Dennis Lau was born on 9 September 1985 in Teluk Intan, Ipoh, Perak as the only son (?) to (?) and Chuah Chai Eng, a pianist. He was three when he first started playing the piano, and at age eight he moved onto his signature instrument, the violin. An instrument, he says, that most resembles the human voice, with it's versatility in diverse genres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-21 |title=From Fire and Ashes, Dennis Lau Rises |url=https://www.augustman.com/my/entertainment/music/from-fire-and-ashes-dennis-lau-rises/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=AugustMan Malaysia |language=en-US}}</ref> |
Dennis Lau was born on 9 September 1985 in Teluk Intan, Ipoh, Perak as the only son (?) to (?), a corporate figure, and Chuah Chai Eng, a pianist. He was three when he first started playing the piano, guided by his mother, and at age eight he moved onto his signature instrument, the violin. An instrument, he says, that most resembles the human voice, with it's versatility in diverse genres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-21 |title=From Fire and Ashes, Dennis Lau Rises |url=https://www.augustman.com/my/entertainment/music/from-fire-and-ashes-dennis-lau-rises/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=AugustMan Malaysia |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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His mother was thrilled at Lau's enthusiasm and talent when approaching the piano and violin, but as his interest waned, hers intensified.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ExpatGo |date=2012-12-18 |title=Dennis Lau, Malaysia's Funkiest Violinist |url=https://www.expatgo.com/my/2012/12/18/dennis-lau-malaysias-funkiest-violinist/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=ExpatGo |language=en-US}}</ref> "She forced me everyday to play the piano and violin," Lau recalls.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MAGANATHAN |first=DINESH KUMAR |title=Violinist Dennis Lau is simply electric |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2016/10/16/violinist-dennis-lau-is-simply-electric |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> "By the age of ten I hated it," Lau admits, "I totally rebelled, but I had no choice." He would return from school to practice scales, while meal times were spent poring over musical theory and committing them to memory.<ref name=":0" /> |
His mother was thrilled at Lau's enthusiasm and talent when approaching the piano and violin, but as his interest waned, hers intensified.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ExpatGo |date=2012-12-18 |title=Dennis Lau, Malaysia's Funkiest Violinist |url=https://www.expatgo.com/my/2012/12/18/dennis-lau-malaysias-funkiest-violinist/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=ExpatGo |language=en-US}}</ref> "She forced me everyday to play the piano and violin," Lau recalls.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MAGANATHAN |first=DINESH KUMAR |title=Violinist Dennis Lau is simply electric |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2016/10/16/violinist-dennis-lau-is-simply-electric |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> "By the age of ten I hated it," Lau admits, "I totally rebelled, but I had no choice." He would return from school to practice scales, while meal times were spent poring over musical theory and committing them to memory.<ref name=":0" /> |
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During this period, Lau performed as a soloist with the Universiti Malaya Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) in the presence of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah. He was also actively involved as a regular secessionist with the RTM Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, while holding the first violin position for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).<ref name=":3" /> |
During this period, Lau performed as a soloist with the Universiti Malaya Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) in the presence of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah. He was also actively involved as a regular secessionist with the RTM Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, while holding the first violin position for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).<ref name=":3" /> |
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Outside of playing with orchestras, Lau began performing at weddings, hotel lounges and corporate events to make ends meet. Lau recalls, "My first gig was at a hotel in KL. I played to an empty crowd every night but that didn't put me off as I was determined to make the extra money."<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Teh |first=Jo |date=6 December 2009 |title=Nimble fingers at work |url=https://ch.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/sites/default/files/06dec2009thestar.pdf |url-status=live |work=The Star}}</ref> |
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== Career == |
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=== '''Pre-Debut''' === |
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In 2007, while in Bangkok for a vacation, the inspiration for Lau's first original song "I Just Wanna" came to him suddenly. "When I returned to KL, I immediately called my friends to find a studio where I could express the tune in my head," Lau reminisces. "It sounded very special to me since it was my original creation and I had not had my own music recorded at that time." From then, Lau began composing more and more songs, which he would later compile into his first album "DiversiFy".<ref name=":4" /> |
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In the years following his graduation, he began performing at high-profile events |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 12:15, 15 March 2024
Dennis Lau | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 9 September 1985 Ipoh, Malaysia |
| Occupation(s) | Violinist, Pianist, Composer, Producer and Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2006 - Present |
| Known for | Collaborations with local artists and stunning, energetic live performances. |
| Website | https://dennislau.thechosen.io/ |
Dennis Lau (born 9 September 1985) is a Malaysian electric violinist, pianist, songwriter and producer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Known for his explosive stage performances with the violin, he released his maiden album "DiversiFy" in 2009, featuring an eclectic mix of musical genres and collaborating with several notable local artists. Lau is regarded as a patron of the arts, grooming young musicians and pursuing a broad range of collaborations. In 2011, Lau made his film debut in Namewee's "Nasi Lemak 2.0" starring as Lan Qiao.
Lau has received multiple accolades...
Childhood and Early Life
Dennis Lau was born on 9 September 1985 in Teluk Intan, Ipoh, Perak as the only son (?) to (?), a corporate figure, and Chuah Chai Eng, a pianist. He was three when he first started playing the piano, guided by his mother, and at age eight he moved onto his signature instrument, the violin. An instrument, he says, that most resembles the human voice, with it's versatility in diverse genres.[1]
His mother was thrilled at Lau's enthusiasm and talent when approaching the piano and violin, but as his interest waned, hers intensified.[2] "She forced me everyday to play the piano and violin," Lau recalls.[3] "By the age of ten I hated it," Lau admits, "I totally rebelled, but I had no choice." He would return from school to practice scales, while meal times were spent poring over musical theory and committing them to memory.[2]
Lau went on to obtain several diplomas in classical piano, including the ATCL (Associate of Trinity College London), AMusA (Associate Diploma in Music, Australia), ABRSM (Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and LGSM (Licentiate of the Guildhall of Music, hons.).[4] Under the tutelage of prominent violin instructors Nora Kim and Andrew Chye, he became one of the youngest pianists to reach Grade 8 at 11 years old.[5] The young protégé was Award Winner for Outstanding Performance in the LTCL and FTCL examinations at the Trinity College of London.[6]
After his secondary studies, he decided to further his music education, saying that he was "very bad" at academics, and music was the only thing he could "pass".[3]
Education
Lau attended UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors in Music under the Newcastle Australian Music Degree Program,[6] having studied violin in the School of Music. The release of his limited edition album DiversiFy in 2010 included a short film screened at the university. Lau says his time at university was "extremely innovative" and provided him "an encouraging environment to try out new ideas". [7]
During this period, Lau performed as a soloist with the Universiti Malaya Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) in the presence of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah. He was also actively involved as a regular secessionist with the RTM Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, while holding the first violin position for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).[4]
Outside of playing with orchestras, Lau began performing at weddings, hotel lounges and corporate events to make ends meet. Lau recalls, "My first gig was at a hotel in KL. I played to an empty crowd every night but that didn't put me off as I was determined to make the extra money."[8]
Career
Pre-Debut
In 2007, while in Bangkok for a vacation, the inspiration for Lau's first original song "I Just Wanna" came to him suddenly. "When I returned to KL, I immediately called my friends to find a studio where I could express the tune in my head," Lau reminisces. "It sounded very special to me since it was my original creation and I had not had my own music recorded at that time." From then, Lau began composing more and more songs, which he would later compile into his first album "DiversiFy".[8]
In the years following his graduation, he began performing at high-profile events
References
Citations
- ^ "From Fire and Ashes, Dennis Lau Rises". AugustMan Malaysia. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b Staff, ExpatGo (2012-12-18). "Dennis Lau, Malaysia's Funkiest Violinist". ExpatGo. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b MAGANATHAN, DINESH KUMAR. "Violinist Dennis Lau is simply electric". The Star. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b "Seasoned violinist to appear on Asia Uncut" (PDF). New Straits Times.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Dennis Lau's "Gotcha Style" Creates Waves - Hype MY". 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b "Dennis Lau". Global Cruise Entertainment | Blackburn International Entertainment Agency. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "NON-STOP CREATIVITY! FORMER UCSI UNIVERSITY STUDENT RE-LAUNCHES MUSIC ALBUM WITH NEW TRACKS, FILM". UCSI University. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ a b Teh, Jo (6 December 2009). "Nimble fingers at work" (PDF). The Star.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)