Creative Hearts @ Pandan Valley

Creative Hearts is a Performing Arts School focused on developing talent and creativity from an early age. We believe that the performing arts are integral in the development of an all-rounded individual. Whether they are taking their first steps into the world of performing arts or preparing for the global stage, we aim to provide a nurturing and safe environment for people of all ages to grow and excel in their music and performing arts education.

Creative Hearts’ vision and curriculum is shaped by the core values that define us: that every student develops the ability to express, create and perform.

We aim to develop confident, passionate and expressive individuals who will achieve their full potential, while experiencing the joy that the arts brings; nurturing a lifelong love for the performing arts.

Our programmes include music and movement, vocal and instrumental coaching, songwriting, dance and drama. Under the guidance of our dedicated and qualified instructors, our students will hone their skills in the various performing arts forms, growing into well-rounded performing artists with the confidence to perform and showcase their talents.

Creative Hearts is the brainchild of established musician and music educator, Natalie Hiong.

Our founder and music director, Natalie Hiong, is an avid music educator and award-winning singer-songwriter and composer.

As an educator, Natalie was a piano instructor at Stamford American International School and toddler music and movement teacher with Our Music Classroom in Singapore. In Hong Kong, she instructed piano and vocal classes at Aspire Music, and conducted the show choir at the established Red Vocal Academy, as well as running her home studio.

Natalie is a highly qualified music educator who continually seeks to upgrade and improve herself, believing in her students’ benefit as she gains proficiency. Natalie was the first Asian to receive a Masters in Songwriting, the only Masters program in Songwriting in the world, from Bath Spa University. She holds diplomas in Early Childhood Music Education, Music Teaching and Music Performance from the London College of Music. Natalie is an IVA certified vocal coach (find out more about the program here), and is certified in Dalcroze and Orff-Schulwerk, music pedagogies both held at high esteem.

As a performer, Natalie has a long list of achievements. She won the UK Songwriting Contest with her song ‘Unravelling’ and the Homesongs Contest with her Singapore song, ‘Coming Home’. She has performed at festivals around the world such as Spring Scream Festival in Taiwan, MEOWCON in America and Singapore Night Festival and Music Matters in Singapore. She was Starbucks featured artists twice and also opened for artists such as Lenka, Marie Digby and Tiffany Alvord.

Natalie’s love for music extends to her active involvement in musical theatre. Natalie was the lyricist for the multi-million dollar magic spectacular, Incanto, held at Resorts World Sentosa, as well as the lyricist and co-writer for the Hollywood Dreams Parade Theme Song at Universal Studios Singapore. She also writes children’s music and has written over a hundred songs for drama schools and kindergartens in Singapore, including Helen O Grady and Maplebear.

A graduate of the London School of Economics, Natalie left her banking job in currency sales at JPMorgan to pursue a career in music. Natalie is passionate about inspiring others to pursue their dreams, speaking at conferences such at ‘National Young Leaders’ Day’ and ‘TEDx Singapore’ and performing for students on the ‘School Invasion Tour’ and ‘Built from Skratch’ school tours. Natalie was also selected as a mentor for the Singapore Kindness Movement Melody of Hope Songwriting Contest, and has been featured on the Straits Times, The New Paper, I-S Magazine and radio stations KISS92FM, 938Live and Power98. She was also nominated for Cosmopolitan Singapore’s Fun Fearless Female Award 2013 and the M:idea Youth Choice Award.

Natalie attributes her love of the arts to her very musical upbringing. Growing up in a musical family where her mum and aunts are music educators, Natalie started learning piano and violin at the age of 3. She was part of the school choir, and took part in numerous musicals which she has many fond memories of. She won her first national songwriting competition at the age of 15, with her song about Crime Prevention in Singapore! She truly believes that developing a child’s love for the performing arts starts from a young age and is excited to play a part in developing the next generation of performing artists.