Edwin Toh Music embodies its namesake's pursuits in music performance, production, and education.
An active freelance musician based in Singapore, Edwin Toh brings to the table a decade's worth of education and experience in the industry. Edwin graduated with top honors from Berklee College of Music (USA), clinching his divisional Award for 'Creativity in Scoring for Advertising' twice while on a Dean's Award scholarship. Back home, he topped the pioneer batch of the Diploma in Music & Audio Technology (Singapore Polytechnic), achieving the Media Development Authority Gold Medal and DBS Bank Award.
Edwin is an avid performer, playing at weddings, corporate settings, lounges, and community events throughout the year. He has accompanied or opened for singers such as Amirah Ali, Ila Damiaa, Joe Flizzow, Bevlyn Khoo, AJ Rafael, and SonaOne — touching crowds with his honest, sensitive delivery of music. Taking on complementary roles as keyboardist/rehearsal pianist/baritone section leader, Edwin was involved in musicals such as Berklee Musical Theater Club's 'Hairspray' (2012) , KLPAC's 'Paper Crane' (2012), Young NTUC's 'A Labour of Love' (2007), and Singapore Polytechnic's 'Superstar: The Pop Musical' (2006). He has appeared in music festivals like Indonesia's Ambon Jazz Plus Festival (2011) and Singapore Street Festival (2009), among others.
While maintaining versatility across the board, music production remains the key focus amid Edwin's holistic freelance pursuits. He was recently involved in the post-production for MediaCorp Radio/SunnyHills' Chinese New Year 2015 song, '收听快乐'; as well as Starhub's local drama, 'Jump Class' (跳班). As a writer, Edwin co-arranged the song 'Kalau Aku Kaya' for Anugerah Juara Lagu (2014), one of Malaysia's most prestigious annual song competitions. His foray into scoring for visuals garnered finalist recognition in Taylor's Short Film Contest (2012), earning praise from the panel of judges including Singaporean director Jack Neo. Edwin worked on the sound design for 'An Inspector Calls', a drama production staged in support of the President's Challenge (2008); and was a finalist in the NTU Music Express 14 National Songwriting Competition that same year. His role as Music Producer/Arranger helped his team clinch the championship in the National Inter-School Artiste & Repertoire Challenge 2007. Meanwhile, he represented Singapore Polytechnic as an Audio Lead in the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab research initiative.
In his view, being a successful musician is more about one's capacity to inspire lives than fame or fortune. Privileged to have undergone a thorough music education himself, imparting knowledge and skills through teaching is one of the ways Edwin gives back to community. While at Boston, he volunteered with the Berklee City Music Mentoring Program, and was a Student Ambassador with the school's Admissions office, continuing in his present role as Alumni Representative. In Singapore, he teaches in private and at government/music schools alike — providing music consultation, private instruction, and group classes/workshops. Developing the passion for music and holistic understanding are priorities in his pedagogical approach.
Edwin continues to freelance on a full-time basis, and is excited for upcoming gigs and projects in the year ahead.
Singaporean keyboardist/composer Edwin Toh’s innate talent can be seen in his honest delivery of music and the meticulous standard of his work. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor's Degree in Contemporary Writing & Production (minoring in Writing for TV & New Media).
Music has always been an integral part of Edwin’s life since the tender age of four, when he enrolled in the Yamaha Music Education System – nurturing his musical sensibilities that have since grown exponentially. He subsequently graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Music & Audio Technology, honing his keyboard skills through performing at numerous corporate and community events. Augmented by educational experiences at the International College of Music (Malaysia) and Berklee College of Music (USA) – his comprehensive, yet receptive worldview places him in prime position to take on today’s challenges. Moreover, polymathic experience and training in video editing, web design, musicals, and video games have given him an added edge.
Edwin’s favourite part of being a musician is advocating the sheer power of music to a live audience. He derives passionate pleasure from marrying the unspoken power of music to visual media, conveying an otherwise unattainable sense of depth and emotion. In his view, being a successful musician is more about one’s capacity to inspire lives than fame or fortune. Privileged to have undergone a thorough music education himself, imparting knowledge and skills through teaching and consultation is one of the ways Edwin gives back to the community.
Truly grateful for all that life and music has bestowed upon him these past years – moments of magical happiness and blessings in disguise – Edwin’s ultimate goal in life is to be a passionate musician surrounded by the three F’s: family, friends, and food. His artistic flame blazes on, as does his hope to touch and uplift many others through his expressive music.
Philosophy
Philosophy
Character: Creative
My vibrant passion for music drives me to make use of every opportunity to explore new facets and approaches to music.
I get the job done wholeheartedly to the best of my abilities.
My diligent, “can-do” attitude presses me on to achieve greater heights in the face of adversity.
I firmly believe that networking is crucial to leverage on one another’s strengths, and thus make constant efforts to cultivate collaborative opportunities.
My staunch belief in organization does not constrain the creative juices from flowing — refining my craft and delivering my service to a meticulous standard of excellence.