Many young kids fall in love with the instrument they see and choose at first sight. And it is safe to assume they usually continue on the same instrument for the rest of their life. That assumption doesn't quite apply to 15 year old Myla Naomi Ng.
Myla is one of Singapore's young rising violinists, having recently clinched 1st Prize in her category in the Music Singapore Competition held in July 2025. Born into a family that absolutely loves music, it is safe to say that same love was passed down to Myla. Her grandfather is an ardent lover of classical music while her mother has learnt the piano.
Outside of playing violin solo, Myla is also an adept orchestral musician, holding memberships in Kids Philharmonic and the Singapore Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also performed alongside Re:Sound Collective as part of the ‘Prodigious’ concert series, where the collective performs alongside some of Singapore’s finest young talents. Today, we interview the sweet and down-to-Earth girl with a virtuosic performing persona.
(Myla at SOTA before the finals of the Music Singapore Competition)
The Interview
Wei Ken: Hello Myla! We wish to ask: when and how did you start learning the violin?
Myla: I started when I was 6 years old. At that time, I saw the UWC school orchestra performing on stage and was mesmerised by the sound of the ensemble. But my attention especially gravitated towards the double bass. So the next day, I pestered my mum to start me on bass lessons! Unfortunately, Cristofori did not offer bass lessons to young kids as they did not have a bass that was small enough for a kid of my age, so I had to choose either violin or viola. And so I chose the violin as the next best option available.
Wei Ken: Please give us one of your most favourite composers and your favourite piece to play on the violin or listen to.
Myla: I absolutely adore Mozart’s music, especially the 5th violin concerto! When I was younger, I would keep looping Hilary Hahn’s recording of her performing Mozart’s Violin Sonata KV 301. Currently, I like the Spanish Dances by Pablo de Sarasate, especially the Zapateado. Midori has my favourite rendition of the dance and I absolutely get starstruck watching her perform it.
I don't think a lot of people say this but I love Bach’s fugues! The Fugue in G minor has a memorable melody which I like playing very much, even if it's the most challenging out of all 4 movements in the G minor Sonata. I certainly hope to attempt the more challenging ones in A minor and C Major in the future.
(Myla performing solo with orchestra at Esplanade Concourse)
Wei Ken: So, who are your favourite violinists?
Myla: I love Hilary Hahn, especially when she performs Mozart’s music for violin. Midori has unmatched interpretations of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. When it comes to the 10 Beethoven violin sonatas, Anne-Sophie Mutter is the only violinist I listen to!
Wei Ken: Myla, what do you aspire to do with the violin in the future?
Myla: I want to play in an orchestra more than I want to make a career as a soloist. I feel that playing with other people gives me more space to be creative than being a soloist.
(Myla playing as an orchestral member)
Wei Ken: It is normal for all musicians to have some performance anxiety or stage fright. How do you tackle such a common obstacle?
Myla: Oh I get performance anxiety all the time! But it also depends on the situation, I would add. I get major nerves in front of a camera, especially if it is recording for a competition or audition tape. Conversely, I didn't feel as much pressure when playing Massenet’s Meditation (from Thais) with my school orchestra.
The audience also affects my anxiety levels! I feel very excited performing for my family and friends all the time, but that turns into worry and stress when I am in front of my teacher or a panel of judges!
Wei Ken: What kinds of classical music do you enjoy playing?
Myla: I am completely in love with orchestral music. I would prefer to play happier, brighter music. I say that also because sad, darker music requires more thought on my part. When playing solo, I prefer more technical pieces like showpieces,
(Myla performing alongside Re:Sound Collective in the ‘Prodigious II’ Concert, Victoria Concert Hall)
Wei Ken: Give us one of your best memories in your musical journey so far.
Myla: I won the 1st prize of my Category in the recent Music Singapore competition. I felt the other competitors were also of a very high level so it made me feel some pressure to perform quite well.
(Myla placing 1st in her category)
Wei Ken: What instruments and strings do you use?
Myla: I have a bow from the Bazin dynasty, and my violin is by Jean-Francois Aldric. Both are French! I currently use Peter Infeld Strings for my G-A strings, and I opt for an Evah Pirazzi Gold E.
Wei Ken: I can imagine practicing as a kid vs practicing now is something very different. You're grown up now and have more schoolwork to juggle on top of practice. How do you view your practice time and how much do you still practice nowadays?
Myla: I don’t really count my practice time, so I just stop when I feel I am done. My normal routine is always in this order: schoolwork, dinner and ending the day with violin. I felt like I was better when I was younger, like I made the most progress when I was younger. I also had more motivation and passion to practice when I was younger, maybe because I had less things to do so I could focus more on the violin.
(Myla with Mr Ng Yu-Ying, T’ang Quartet 1st Violin and Artist Faculty of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory)
Wei Ken: Would you ever consider pursuing music professionally?
Myla: I am still considering it as one of my options for a potential career. Currently I am looking around, as my school allows Secondary 3 students to apply for an internship. I might consider doing a double major in music and something else even!
Wei Ken: If you never picked up the violin, do you think you would be happy with your life if it went in a different direction?
Myla: Yes I believe I might have gravitated naturally towards classical music even if I never picked up the violin. My family loves classical music. My grandfather puts on an album of music every night to listen to, and my mother learnt the piano when she was younger. It does indeed run in the family.
Myla is currently a student at United World College. She is under the teaching studio of Luo Wei.