Mapletree and UAS Conclude SG60 with Inaugural Young Composers Initiative 2025 – Press Release
Front left: Dr Timothy O'Dwyer, LASALLE; Wan Kwong Weng, Mapletree; William Teo, UAS; Dr Nellie Seng, NAFA
Back left: Dr Venka Purushothaman, LASALLE; Mr Edmund Cheng, Mapletree; Lito Camacho, UAS; Prof Kwok Kian Woon, UAS; Tan-Soh Wai Lan, UAS & NAFA
Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) is pleased to announce the six awardees of the Mapletree Young Composers Initiative 2025, with each receiving a cash award of S$2,500. The initiative caps off the Group’s programme of SG60-related celebrations this year and was conducted in collaboration with the University of the Arts Singapore (“UAS”), bringing together emerging musical talents from LASALLE College of the Arts (“LASALLE”) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (“NAFA”)..
In July 2025, Mapletree and UAS announced two new arts initiatives – Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative 2025 and Mapletree Young Composers Initiative 2025 to support students in filmmaking and music composition. Centred on the theme “Essence of Singapore”, these initiatives offer LASALLE and NAFA students meaningful opportunities to explore national identity, heritage and community through original artistic projects. The initiatives align with Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) Framework, under the Arts and Education pillars, underscoring Mapletree’s commitment to nurturing individuals.
Throughout the year, the Group curated a series of festive events, beginning with its flagship performance series, Mapletree Arts in the City, performed by Singapore Chinese Orchestra in March 2025. In total, Mapletree organised over 20 initiatives in 2025, ranging from concerts and exhibitions to workshops. Each initiative reflects the Group’s CSR pillars of the Arts, Education, Environment and Healthcare and strengthens its bond with the community.
Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree, said, “Mapletree is delighted to present the works of emerging artists in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday. We extend our appreciation to UAS, LASALLE and NAFA for this partnership to empower creative individuals as they pursue their artistic passions. Mapletree will continue to seek opportunities to nurture young talents and contribute to Singapore’s vibrant arts community.”
Mr Jose Isidro "Lito" Camacho, Chairman, University of the Arts Singapore, said, “This initiative highlights the value of a meaningful partnership between Mapletree and the UAS in creating learning experiences that are both rigorous and grounded in practice. By learning beyond the classroom through mentorship and public presentation, students are encouraged to reflect deeply on national identity while developing their artistic and professional competencies.”
A total of 20 submissions were received from LASALLE and NAFA via the Mapletree Young Composers Initiative 2025. After a rigorous judging process conducted by Mr Felix Phang, Founder and Managing Director of Pasat Merdu, LASALLE Adjunct Lecture, Mr Americ Goh, Programme Leader (Continuing Education and Training), NAFA Faculty of Performing Arts and a Mapletree representative, six compositions were selected – three from each institution. (For more information on the winners and their compositions, please refer to Annex A.)
Industry veterans Ms Belinda Foo, a composer, arranger and orchestrator with over 35 years of experience and Dr Zechariah Goh, recipient of the National Arts Council Young Artist Award in 2003 will be mentoring the winners from LASALLE and NAFA. The winning pieces will be showcased at a performance and prize-giving ceremony in May 2026.
Separately, Mapletree hosted a private premiere on 4 November 2025 for the top three short films of the Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative 2025 – Hotpot Mayhem, Kecantikan and Portrait. The premiere was attended by over 100 students, faculty members and film contributors at Golden Village VivoCity. This initiative provided students from LASALLE's Puttnam School of Film & Animation with an opportunity to develop original works from their unique perspectives, centred on the “Essence of Singapore” theme..
Portrait by Director, Daniel Tan Wen Long (Year 2) and team received further recognition with a nomination as a semi-finalist at the Tianjin International Academic Film Festival 2025. The short film is also shortlisted for the BAKUNAWA FEST 12’s Maligpot Fantastika – Fantastic Competition Shorts. Following a six-month premiership period from September 2025 to February 2026, the three short films will be released for public viewing on the Mapletree Arts in the City YouTube Channel, from March 2026.
