An 11-year-old of Singaporean descent continues to amaze members of the online community, from his musical accomplishment to his ability to solve questions on the Oxford University Maths Admissions Test (MAT).
“My suggestion to you is to look at Singapore talent and bring them up when they are young before they are famous,” said an Independent Singapore reader who wished to be called OJ.
Mr OJ highlighted music prodigy Nathanael Koh’s talents. Nathanael is the youngest person n the world to obtain the Licentiate Diploma in Music Composition (Honours), Trinity College Diploma in Music Theory (AMusTCL), ABRSM Grade 8 in Music Theory, St Cecilia Grade 8 Musicianship and two distinctions in O level A and E Math at the age of 9, according to the Composers Society of Singapore.
Nathanael had already composed his first full orchestra piece, Tea Party, when he was eight. He is also a St John Youth Cadet and MENSA member of Singapore and New Zealand, where he is based. Tea Party was performed at the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore.
When he was 10, he wrote short musical pieces to lift the spirits of people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. That was when he was stuck in Singapore while visiting his grandparents, and New Zealand had closed its borders.
In 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden thanked Nathanael in a letter for his music and initiative in instilling solidarity through music.
Nathaneal’s composition, Mutation, was a finalist in the UK Commonwealth Composition Challenge 2020. He’s also written Friday Night Out, a jazz composition which was performed by musicians in the UK last year.
When he isn’t composing his own music, Nathanael is tackling Mathematics, Chemistry, German and crafting.
Mr OJ said that Nathanael is trending in a couple of United Kingdom and Singapore exams Reddit threads.
A quick look at his YouTube channel shows Nathanael solving MAT questions on a whiteboard. “Using his own methods and providing lots of concepts too!” said Mr OJ, adding that Nathanael doesn’t seem to be guided, nor does the video look rehearsed.
According to NZHerald, Nathanael aspires to be a doctor. “I am going to use my medical and music skills when I’m older to heal people physically and mentally,” he said.
Apart from Nathanael, Singapore appears to excel in producing prodigies. For example, Ainan Cawley passed GCE O-level Chemistry at the age of seven. He moved to Kuala Lumpur when he was 11 and entered Taylor’s University in Malaysia.
Muhammad Haikal Abdullah Zain aced his A-level equivalent papers for Physics, Maths, Biology and Chemistry when he was 12 years old.
Featuring young talents such as Nathanael is “the correct way of supporting your own talent and not cover it up. Do it properly, and your talent will shine,” said Mr OJ, noting this is what is done in South Korea, where he is from.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to Nathanael. We hope to share with readers how this young prodigy is progressing. /TISG