D'Arte Ensemble Concert on 18 July, Friday at 7.30pm at the Sabah Art Gallery

Hailing from Kota Kinabalu, the Yaps are truly a musical family. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, Yap Ling is a versatile musician who performs, teaches, conducts and arranges music. He is the conductor and founder of the Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), Kian Kok Youth Orchestra (KKYO), Sabah Tshung Tsin School String Ensemble (STTSSE) and assistant conductor of the Permata Seni Muzik (PSM).  The Permata Seni Muzik is a program initiated by Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor to nurture those talented kids under the age of 14. 

As a violinist, Yap Ling not only playing freelance in orchestra but also frequently perform as a chamber musician and as soloist.  He has also given master classes for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Grace Lee is a concert pianist and accompanist. She has accompanied many choirs, instrumentalist and vocalists include Phoon Sook Peng, David Ngim, Armando Chin, Angela Chok, Janet Kan, Foo Say Mind, Fintan Murphy, Jamie Sales and Yap Ling.  She also conducts the Song En Methodist Church Children Choir with 55 memebers.

They are members of MP3rio, the Malaysian Arts Nova Ensemble, the L’espressivo Trio, the Jesselton Trio, “Duos”, Re:mix and Grajenda Trio.

Their daughter, Yap Qin is 15 years old and she is the concertmaster of the JPO, the KKYO and the PSM.  She also plays the harp and the piano. Her brother, 13 years old Yap Yi has performed alongside his sister on the cello for many events include festivals, launchings, opening ceremonies, weddings, dinners and concerts abroad. He is also the cello section leader for JPO, KKYO and PSM.  Both of them also sang in the church choir.

The family members have performed in many places across Asia, Europe, Russia and America.

The D’arte Ensemble was invited by award-winning resort, Sipadan Pom Pom Resort to perform for their New Year Eve’s Gala Extravaganza every year.  They were also invited to showcase different genres of music, including classical, romantic, dance, pop, jazz, rag, and folk; as well as modern music with different combinations, such as quartets, trios, duets and solos for the Johor Bahru Arts Festival in 2011& 2012.  They will be performing in Hong Kong on the 24th August for the fund-raising of Music For Our Young Foundation's Annual Ball.

The D'Arte Ensemble will be performing on the 18 July, Friday at 7.30pm at the Sabah Art Gallery, Jalan Penampang.  Tickets are priced at RM30 each and a special ticket for both concerts are at RM50 which is available at the Sabah Art Gallery. (Tel:+60 88-268748)