Cherie Chai: Audio Engineer, Percussionist, Vocal Percussionist
Cherie is the first full-time female vocal percussionist (VP) in Singapore, and the music director and resident arranger for award-winning a cappella group, 1023.
Cherie has also worked with fellow Singaporean performers, putting up multi-dimensional shows featuring collaborations between musical instruments and vocal percussion. Regionally, she has also featured as the guest VP with the Young Kuala Lumpur Singers, and Malaysian vocal quartet Caipifruta.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherie conducted virtual workshops both locally and internationally, teaching workshop participants how to best use the sound equipment that they already have, so as to enable them to be clearly understood during online meetings, as well as to be able to continue making music during lockdown situations. Cherie also edited and mixed the audio tracks for several virtual performance video productions, ranging from individual multi-tracked songs, to vocal ensembles and choirs.
As an educator, Cherie is the conductor of several Singapore school choirs, and coaches tertiary a cappella groups SUTD Vocomotives, NTU Harmonix & SIT Just Singers. She frequently conducts a cappella & vocal percussion workshops for schools, sharing her love for the art form with youths.
Favourite local word: kiap, for its efficiency in usage both as a noun and a verb!
Favourite local food: Hainanese chicken rice!