The Mat Salleh

Dominic began studying music at age 3 when he joined Yamaha’s Junior Music Course. He began learning the keyboard and then moved on to learning the Electone until he was 18. Growing up, Dominic also took up several other instruments like the piano, classical guitar, saxophone, and harmonica. Dominic also holds a Diploma in Computer Studies, majoring in e-Commerce and Computer Programming.

Dominic has studied voice under several very well known Malaysian and international singers. These include Mr Leonard Yap, Ms Anikatsu, internationally renowned soprano Ms Phoon Suk Peng, Mr Lim Shieh Yih, and renowned tenor Mr Ian Lim Kean Seng. Dominic previously studied classical music and voice at the UCSI School of Music in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before furthering his studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore, where he studied voice under Mr Ralph McDonald and pedagogy under Ms Mona Lim.

Dominic is a baritone, and has a profound interest in musical theater, oratorios, and German art songs. He is also very much involved in choral activities, having been a church choir master and musician since he was 13 years old. He won the award for Best Choral Conductor by the Rotary Club of Sabah in 2000. He also was the conductor of the Sunflower Choir of Sabah for several years, allowing him to tour Malaysia as a conductor and singer. Dominic was also a member of the famous Dithyrambic Singers from 2002 to 2006, and has performed for famous singers like Ning Baizura and Syafinaz.

Dominic’s main passion is in teaching. He has been a teacher in some of KL’s famous music schools, like JJ Pianoforte and The Acoustic Shack, teaching voice and vocal ensembles. He also trains high school choirs. However, Dominic is not only a vocal and choir trainer. His official debut musical performance was in Lyric Opera Malaysia’s La Tosca (Puccini) where he was one of the selected cast. He is also involved in theater, and has performed on many of Malaysia’s famous stages.

Dominic is now pursuing graduate research in Musicology and Gender Studies at Brandeis University in Boston, and continues to study voice under the lovely Pamela Wolfe. He is currently working on a thesis entitled Understanding Masculinity in Handel’s Operas.

“Where words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Andersen.