We
had a chat with child prodigy Dhirren about how he started playing the piano, his parents role and much more.
Dhirren
We
had a chat with child prodigy Dhirren about how he started playing the piano, his parents role and much more.
ELABORATE ON DHIRREN ' S START IN THE MUSIC FIELD.
His first memories of music were when his parents sang to him every night. As a baby, his lullabies were songs sung by them and listening to Western Classical music, such as Mozart and Beethoven pieces.
He started playing the piano when he received a child-friendly keyboard for his 5 years old birthday from his paternal grandmother. He figured out the notes and played songs based on hearing, without any formal piano lessons.
As there were very limited options available for Dhirren then aged 5, to develop further in his piano interest in Singapore, and talent spotting their son’ s passion, his parents decided to pull him out of school( kindergarten in Singapore) and send him to Chennai, India to learn piano in the renowned KM Music Conservatory( aka AR Rahman Music School). After an audition, Dhirren was accepted into the Russian Piano Studio in KM Music Conservatory. Under Dr Surojeet Chatterjit’ s guidance, Dhirren’ s music journey started.
The little boy then at 6 years old, travelled a lesser treaded path and went to Chennai, India to pursue the Russian Piano at KM Music Conservatory where he studied the piano for 2 years. He skipped 2 grades and at 7 years old, sat for the Grade 3 exams held by Trinity College of London and scored Distinction and Merit. For studies, he was home-schooled the Singapore syllabus by his mother in Chennai, while he continued learning the piano.
HOW WAS THIS TALENT DISCOVERED BY HIS PARENTS AND HOW DID THEY HELP IN PAVING A DIRECTION FOR DHIRREN?
Observing his passion in music after receiving a keyboard for his 5th year birthday, his parents arranged for formal piano lessons for him and rented an acoustic piano for him to play on. Purchasing a piano was a huge investment and without knowing if Dhirren had his interest in it, they didn’ t want to commit. Wanting to both encourage their child in music and also to be mindful if the interest is short-lived, Dhirren’ s parents started off by renting a piano. This opened up an avenue for Dhirren. After school, Dhirren will come home to play the piano on his own.
To further encourage their son, his parents decided to bring him to Chennai, India to learn the piano at KM Music Conservatory. This set his foundation as it gave him ample of exposure and he learned the art of performance and showmanship from his teacher, Dr Surojeet Chatterjit, in Chennai.
The Score Magazine
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