International Storytelling Festival Singapore 2021
Syed Ibrahim

Syed Ibrahim

Singapore

Syed attained his Master’s degree in Arts Pedagogy & Practices from the Goldsmith’s University of London at the age of 64. Well-known in his field for revolutionising Percussion music and integrated arts programmes, he was the founder of OneHeartBeat Percussions and collaborated with multiple partners to provide arts education programmes for everyone from children to the elderly.

His notable partnerships include running Arts Education programmes for mainstream and special needs schools and at-risk children in collaboration with the National Arts Council (NAC); the elderly at nursing homes and day care centres with Agency for Integrated Care (AIC); community building programmes with People’s Association (PA) where they worked together to form the HeartBeat Percussion band; setting up and heading the Performing Arts department at Anthony’s Convent Primary and Secondary School.

As an Arts Practitioner (Performing, Artistic and Program Directions), Syed has performed at arts and music festivals, written and presented papers at Educational and Healthcare conferences locally and internationally. He led the research team that ran the pilot program Rhythm Wellness for Elders, which was later commissioned by AIC and supported by NAC.

Syed is a decorated professional with international awards including the Citation of Excellence in Percussion Education by the Percussive Arts Society (USA) and has been honoured in Singapore with Enhanced Arts Educator status by NAC and received the Spirit of Enterprise award.

His personal educational journey has elevated Syed’s skills, attributes and commitment to the arts. He serves the arts community as a mentor to arts educators through developing training programs for healthcare professionals with AIC, educational programs with NAC-AEP and community building initiatives with NAC and PA. He firmly believes that respecting the younger generation’s opinions and offering them advice, not criticism, is the key to driving holistic education.

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