OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHUA SOO PONG

Director, Chinese Opera Institute, Artistic Director, Singapore Chinese Opera Performing Ensemble

Dr Chua is the Founding Director of the Chinese Opera Institute and Artistic Director of the Singapore Chinese Opera Performing Ensemble. He was the President of World Dance Alliance( Singapore), from 2005-2007 and taught at the Nanyang Technological University between 2002 and 2006 and National University of Singapore between 1980 and 1988.

Dr Chua is the Founding Director of the and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts School of Performing Arts (1999-2000) and the first Senior Specialist (Performing Arts) at SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA), (1989-1995). Obtained his Ph.D. from the Queen’s University in Belfast, U.K. in 1979, Dr. Chua is an anthropologist and ethnomusicologist by training. He taught at the National University of Singapore from 1980 to 1988.. Dr. Chua was the editor of “Performing Arts”, the first journal on the arts in Singapore, published by the National Theatre Trust, from 1983 to 1989.

 

JULIANA LIM

Director (Public Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility), Singapore Pools (Private) Limited

Ms Juliana Lim is an arts enthusiast. She frequents art performances and exhibitions, and volunteers with OperaViva and the Tote Board Arts Fund. Juliana’s pet project is the OperaViva Club, which aims to promote an understanding and appreciation of opera in the informal setting of private homes.

Juliana is currently engaged as Director (Public Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility) in Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. She started her career in the Singapore Administrative Service in the 1970s, eventually landing in the arts management positions culminating in her appointment as General Manager, Singapore Arts Centre Company in 1993. Beside spending 12 years on the development of the iconic Esplanade Theatres, she organized arts events including the Chingay Parade, festivals of Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Chinese Instrumental Music and the Singapore International Jazz Festival. She pioneered the Arts Housing Scheme in 1985 under which disused buildings were secured for use as performing arts centres including the Substation and 126 Cairnhill Road. She organized the first Singapore Heritage Week and helped develop the Heritage Trail, securing historical buildings for the eventual housing of the Singapore Arts Museum, Asian Civilizations Museum and Peranakan Museum. She was also the Secretary of the Singapore Cultural Foundation from 1981 to 1990.

 

KAREN KOH

Executive Director of Nutmeg Management

Ms Karen Koh is Executive Director of Nutmeg Management, an Independent Advisory practice and Interim Management service for clients in the healthcare, education and the investment sectors since Jul 2008.

Karen started her career as an Administrative Officer in the Singapore Civil Service in the 80’s, and held different appointments at the Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Department and Monetary Authority of Singapore. In 2001, she was appointed Deputy CEO of Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd (Singhealth) and Deputy CEO of Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and held these positions till 2008, when she retired from the public sector for more entrepreneurial pursuits.

Karen’s previous Board appointments included Audit Committee Chair at Economic Development Board Investments Pte Ltd , Co-Chair of Bao Zhong Tang Pte Ltd, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic joint venture established with the Shanghai Hospital Development Centre. She has also served on the Board of Trustees of Singhealth Foundation, and on the first Governing Board of the Republic Polytechnic. She read Economics at Cambridge University and obtained her Masters at Harvard University. She was conferred a Medal of Commendation Award 2008 by the Singapore National Trades Union Congress.

 

LIEW CHIN CHOY

NAFA Vice-President, Administration

Mr Liew Chin Choy was for many years involved in the promotion of the arts and culture in Singapore, first with the now defunct Ministry of Culture and later the National Arts Council. Mr Liew was involved in the planning and organising of major arts and cultural programmes in the performing, visual and literary arts and helped organise the Singapore Arts Festival in various capacities since 1984. He was its Programme Director from 1990 to 1999 and the concurrent Programme Director of the Festival of Asian Performing Arts that alternated with the Singapore Arts Festival before the two festivals merged in 1999.

Mr Liew Chin Choy was appointed the General Manager of Singapore Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2004 before he moved over to NAFA as its Senior Director (Administration) of NAFA. His appointment was redesignated Vice-President (Administration), responsible for all aspects of administration, including fundraising.

 

OLIVE KAN

Senior Education Officer (Music) in the Co-Curricular Activities Branch, Ministry of Education (MOE)

Olive Kan is a Senior Education fOfficer (Music) in the Co-Curricular Activities Branch, Ministry of Education (MOE). Since 1998, she has been on Management Board of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra which is under the purview of the MOE, and is currently Manager, Public Relations.

In addition to her work with the SNYO, Olive is also the coordinator for Drama CCA at the annual Singapore Youth Festival central judging and presentations. She also facilitates workshops for secondary school drama teachers.

Olive has a BA Arts Management (Hons)

A pianist by training, Olive holds the LRSM and LTCL (Piano Teaching). Her interests lie in reading and cooking.

 

PATHMANABAN SELVADURAI

President, SIFAS

Mr Selvadurai was educated at Raffles Institution, Singapore and University College, London. He was called to the English Bar at Middle Temple in 1960 and to the Singapore Bar in 1961. He is now a senior lawyer in Singapore.

Mr Selvadurai was a Member of Parliament from 1967 – 1984 and has held various other board, management and statutory positions in organisation in Singapore.

Mr Selvadurai comes from a family of musicians and dancers. In keeping with his family’s traditions, he has been actively involved in the Indian music and dance scene in Singapore. He was a member of the MICA steering committee for the establishment of the Singapore Arts School. His contribution to the arts scene in Singapore is as President of the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (“SIFAS”). He has held that position for more than 15 years.