Dennis Lau
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
2007–2009: 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 making appearances at high-profile events as a performer,[9] notably for Dato' Sri Khalid bin Mohamed Jiwa and Dato' Siti Nurhaliza's first wedding anniversary. Demonstrating his later inclination to pursue unlikely collaborations, Lau teamed up with local jazz band James Boyle and the Ragged Tigers, for both the Penang Island Jazz Festival and the Genting International Jazz festival.[10]
In the same year, he founded entertainment company Mosaic Music Entertainment and production company Mosaic Movie Productions.[5] In 2008, Lau performed twice in the presence of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah, dedicating a melody for the Sultan's mother on her birthday.[11]
Debut
In November 2009, Lau released his maiden album "DiversiFy", featuring classical music fused with elements of jazz, hip-hop and R&B.[8] The album was recorded over a period of two years, with Lau preferring to compose and record track by track. "I wanted it to be based on my experiences and the people I've met."[11] As a result, the album was recorded all over the region, in Beijing, Guangzhou, studios in Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.[8][11] Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia signed Lau and acted as distributors of DiversiFy, making Lau the first instrumental artist signed with Sony in Malaysia. DiversiFy won the award for Best Producer at the Voice Independent Music Awards (VIMA) 2009.[10]
Lau began performing internationally, giving a mesmerizing performance to Star World's Asia Uncut Programme hosted by Jon Niermann in Shanghai. His initiated his first international collaboration in 2009, with David Tao during his "Love Can" concert.[10]
2010–2015: A Budding Star
Following the success of his first album, Lau released DiversiFy Limited Edition in November 2010, which included two trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, an exclusive soundtrack[7] and three bonus tracks. This featured collaborations for "Syukur" with Altimet, and "Reflection" with saxophonist Jimmy Sax. Lau produced his first short film with award nominated director Adrian Lai, titled "Prelude in F Minor", after one of the songs in the album, starring television personality Daphne Iking and drama regular Steve Yap Lau. His alma mater, USCI University, screened the film in conjunction with the limited edition release.[12]
Lau began a collaboration with shaunleebeatbox in 2010
2011 film debut namewee nasi lemak 2.0
Lau gave several notable performances in this period. He was asked to open for Adam Lambert at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur during his Asia tour in 2010. In 2011, he collaborated with Malaysian hardstyle duo DJ Bass Agents at Crown Casino Melbourne for the Merdeka celebrations in Australia. He was a guest artist at the prestigious Islamic Fashion Festival held in London, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and gave a Special Performance by Invitation for Her Majesty, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah in Istana Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur.[10]
In 2012, Lau recommenced his spree of performing in the presence of royalty, playing at the Installation Ceremony of the King at Istana Negara, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the monarch of Malaysia. He performed during the royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton.[10]
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) - ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b "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 c d Teh, Jo (6 December 2009). "Nimble fingers at work" (PDF). The Star.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Dennis Lau". Deezer. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ a b c d e Yumpu.com. "Front Page - Dennis Lau". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ a b c "Dennis Lau: Interview". Myfavenewscollection's Blog. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ^ Chua, D (3 October 2010). "From violin prodigy to filmmaker" (PDF). New Sunday Times. p. 24.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)