Songwriter Elaine Chan is one woman who follows her heart. Over the past 15 years, there hasn't been a single day or hour where she is not singing, performing, teaching, writing or arranging music.  Even weekends and nights are spent composing and arranging music. Being a mum of two young children however, means proper time management is key to balancing the demands of her career and family. The 42-year-old has relied on her family’s constant support and understanding to continue pursuing greater heights in her songwriting career. Last year, the award-winning composer and music director for popular theatre productions such as Dim Sim Dolly, Wild Rice’s Aladdin and Toy Factory’s Morning People directed the music at our National Day Parade (she was also music director for NDP 2005).

What is music to you and why do you enjoy it?

Music, particularly composing music, has always been my passion. It gives me great joy when I feel and see others being moved by it. One example of this was during the 2013 National Day Parade at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. It started with the slower, more emotive rendition of the national anthem by Rani Singam then during the Ramesh Mayeppan segment, the music soars as he pursues greater aspirations. The way everything comes together and the way the crowd emotes with the whole experience is what stirs up emotions within me and it is ultimately satisfying. 

How did you get your start in music?
I must have been four when my mother heard me tinkling Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on my own. That prompted her to enroll me for lessons at Yamaha music school. Back in the early 1970s, there were not many places in the school. Out of a group of only 10 children in the beginner's class, I was selected to join the elite Junior Original Music Course at the school’s main branch in Plaza Singapura. It was during this course that I learned about arrangements and composition and had ear training since the age of seven.  

Who or what inspires you?
As a professional composer, I write as the project requires me to, so it's more about time discipline than about the frequently-touted inspiration. Personally, I glean my inspiration from the script. I need to understand the scene, and the character's thoughts as expressed through the lyrics.  So sometimes, hearing how the story develops from the playwright/director's point of view helps. I sometimes also listen to other music soundtracks. 

Local reality TV shows have done a lot to expose budding musicians in Singapore, yet many music talents still choose to move overseas for better career prospects. How can we retain our nation's music talent?
The increasing number of performance places, such as the re-opening of Capitol Theatre and Victoria Theatre, will create more performance opportunities for theatre companies and artistes. Technically, more musicians should look upon this as a good opportunity to stay in Singapore and continue performing. Sadly, our local population market is small, even when compared to our larger neighbour across the border, hence most would go abroad to seek other pastures. I don't necessarily think it's bad. It's great to experience the world (even I enjoy soaking up the artistic ambience of music-making in different cultures) but we should return home to contribute and share our experiences. 

In order to retain our music talent, we have to and should continue encouraging schools to allow children and teenagers to perform so that they will "groom" and "home" the hidden talent within. We should also continue to create more vibrant performance hubs besides the Esplanade so that families can witness and support their children in their performances. With strong family ties and familial support, musicians will be more inclined to return or stay at home. 

What's your greatest aspiration?
To continue growing artistically. I hope I haven't stopped. 

To continue composing for film, opera, stage and every other genre imaginable and also to help mentor and groom the next generation of performers-composers.