<![CDATA[NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion]]>Hi, has anyone’s child attended this course before? I am feeling terribly discouraged by them. My son has been admitted to NAFA and is now in G1. He diligently practise the piano at least 2-3hrs daily. Yet we get negative comments from the teacher everytime we go for lesson. …My morale is super low now. Anyone has similar experience?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/5493/nafa-school-of-young-talents-discussionRSS for NodeSun, 10 May 2026 14:38:54 GMTMon, 14 Sep 2009 02:21:51 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sat, 04 Jul 2020 16:19:08 GMT]]>

Helpmissy\" post_id=\"1946447\" time=\"1573715688\" user_id=\"154652:

Hi can i check what brand of violin do u usually get for your kids at nafa
It really depends on what your budget is, and what fractional sized violin you're looking for. The places you could go look for a violin include Synwin, Tong Mingxi, Gramercy, and Johann Strings (walking distance from NAFA). For prep class / grade 1 students, Synwin's range is pretty good. If you're in the market for a larger \"old\" violin (what the teachers would call a \"lao qin\"), I'd recommend Tong Mingxi.
If your child is serious about playing the violin (or if you are serious about your child playing the violin), then be prepared to pay good money for a good violin. The tailpiece, strings, and bow make a difference too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1983869https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1983869Sat, 04 Jul 2020 16:19:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sat, 04 Jul 2020 15:45:53 GMT]]>It really depends on what your budget is, and what fractional sized violin you’re looking for. The places you could go look for a violin include Synwin, Tong Mingxi, Gramercy, and Johann Strings (walking distance from NAFA). For prep class / grade 1 students, Synwin’s range is pretty good. If you’re in the market for a larger "old" violin (what the teachers would call a "lao qin"), I’d recommend Tong Mingxi.

If your child is serious about playing the violin (or if you are serious about your child playing the violin), then be prepared to pay good money for a good violin. I skimped on the first one, and regretted it. The tailpiece, strings, and bow make a difference too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1983867https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1983867Sat, 04 Jul 2020 15:45:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:14:48 GMT]]>Hi can i check what brand of violin do u usually get for your kids at nafa

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1946447https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1946447Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:14:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 27 May 2019 10:34:56 GMT]]>Hello Everyone


Is there anyone here with the kids in NAFA School of young Talents for Violin??

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1912327https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1912327Mon, 27 May 2019 10:34:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 27 May 2019 10:34:47 GMT]]>Hello Everyone


Is there anyone here with the kids in NAFA School of young Talents for Violin??

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1912326https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1912326Mon, 27 May 2019 10:34:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 12 May 2019 14:15:37 GMT]]>just curious. has anyone gone to the nafa violin audition this week? just wondering why the audition is so short (10mins) and they never asked sight reading or clapping… could it be that my kids playing was not good enough to hear more? it ended all too soon for all the practice we put in the whole week lol

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1910028https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1910028Sun, 12 May 2019 14:15:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 12 May 2019 14:15:30 GMT]]>just curious. has anyone gone to the nafa violin audition this week? just wondering why the audition is so short (10mins) and they never asked sight reading or clapping… could it be that my kids playing was not good enough to hear more? it ended all too soon for all the practice we put in the whole week lol

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1910027https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1910027Sun, 12 May 2019 14:15:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 13 Aug 2018 12:53:24 GMT]]>[quote]Pirate wrote:

After 1 year outside SYT, she can now sight read post G8 pieces! Apparently it was more a confidence problem than lack of practice problem. The confidence problem alas takes more than a year to fix and is still a work in progress.[/quote]That's the main reason If I had to start all over again, I might not go to NAFA at all. 🤷

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866706https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866706Mon, 13 Aug 2018 12:53:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 12 Aug 2018 23:57:20 GMT]]>

EmilyJO:
My daughter finished her Gr 8 and left. Since my kids were very musical they still loved playing the piano. So I auditioned them with Mr BL at Bukit Timah Rd and my son got his FTCL and my daughter passed her LTCL with distinction and they still play the piano with so much passion. Some of my children's friends who went to NAFA with them, I heard, do not touch the piano now. That is sad. If I had to start all over again, I might not go to NAFA at all.

While NAFA SYT is good for building basic technique, it also has its weaknesses, especially in areas of independent musical expression. It can also sap a child's musical confidence and interest. My dd is no longer at SYT after G8. She is now happily under VK. She actually enjoys lessons now and I no longer have to sit in.

DD is also very musical. She was able to play by ear even before she started piano lessons, but seemed to have lost the confidence to do that after 6 years of drilling at SYT.

After 1 year outside SYT, she can now sight read post G8 pieces! Apparently it was more a confidence problem than lack of practice problem. The confidence problem alas takes more than a year to fix and is still a work in progress.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866434https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866434Sun, 12 Aug 2018 23:57:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 12 Aug 2018 05:24:42 GMT]]>[quote]pirate wrote:

It's a test of the parents' perseverance more than the kid's. :faint:

I must say that in the 5+ years at SYT, sitting in during lessons and masterclasses has been an education for parents too. I learnt about pulse, tempo, tone, touch, dynamics, texture, shape, voices, character, musicality etc. All these just from pressing little black and white keys and stepping on pedals. Sorry, I still know nuts about music theory.

I also learnt that SYT is not that harsh, unforgiving place for tiger parents that we may get to hear about outside. Our kids do not necessarily have to practice 2+ hours every day. It is ok even if they seem to always have to go poop or drink water the moment the piano cover is open. Heck, it is alright even if they occasionally watch TV and practice at the same time! 😆

And Madam Fang does crack jokes.[/quote]I must say I agree with what pirate wrote. I learnt a lot when my children were at NAFA SYT. My son got his first diploma from NAFA. My son is very musical and when he plays you can feel the music. But the training is simply about using proper technique to perform exam pieces and some concert pieces ( because he was selected to perform in some concerts) but his sight reading was very very weak. He could play by ear and not by sight :stompfeet:

My daughter finished her Gr 8 and left. Since my kids were very musical they still loved playing the piano. So I auditioned them with Mr BL at Bukit Timah Rd and my son got his FTCL and my daughter passed her LTCL with distinction and they still play the piano with so much passion. Some of my children's friends who went to NAFA with them, I heard, do not touch the piano now. That is sad. If I had to start all over again, I might not go to NAFA at all.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866330https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866330Sun, 12 Aug 2018 05:24:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 27 May 2018 03:47:36 GMT]]>

calvarycross:
Hi,

Anyone’s kids went for the recent May 2018 audition for piano/ violin? May I know when we will know the results?
result was out early in the week. did you receive it? via email and snail mail.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849832https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849832Sun, 27 May 2018 03:47:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sun, 27 May 2018 03:47:23 GMT]]>

calvarycross:
Hi,

Anyone’s kids went for the recent May 2018 audition for piano/ violin? May I know when we will know the results?
result was out early in the week. did you receive it? via email and snail mail.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849831https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849831Sun, 27 May 2018 03:47:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Wed, 23 May 2018 06:15:58 GMT]]>Hi,

Anyone’s kids went for the recent May 2018 audition for piano/ violin? May I know when we will know the results?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849232https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1849232Wed, 23 May 2018 06:15:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 11 Dec 2017 07:49:46 GMT]]>Does SYT teachers scold students?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1822672https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1822672Mon, 11 Dec 2017 07:49:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 03 Apr 2017 16:24:01 GMT]]>

pirate:
It's a test of the parents' perseverance more than the kid's. :faint:


I must say that in the 5+ years at SYT, sitting in during lessons and masterclasses has been an education for parents too. I learnt about pulse, tempo, tone, touch, dynamics, texture, shape, voices, character, musicality etc. All these just from pressing little black and white keys and stepping on pedals. Sorry, I still know nuts about music theory.

I also learnt that SYT is not that harsh, unforgiving place for tiger parents that we may get to hear about outside. Our kids do not necessarily have to practice 2+ hours every day. It is ok even if they seem to always have to go poop or drink water the moment the piano cover is open. Heck, it is alright even if they occasionally watch TV and practice at the same time! 😆

And Madam Fang does crack jokes.
Anyone can share about guzheng in SYT? Can do like above too? :razz: Can parents sit in too, for guzheng lessons at SYT?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765369https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765369Mon, 03 Apr 2017 16:24:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:50:09 GMT]]>It's a test of the parents' perseverance more than the kid's. :faint:


I must say that in the 5+ years at SYT, sitting in during lessons and masterclasses has been an education for parents too. I learnt about pulse, tempo, tone, touch, dynamics, texture, shape, voices, character, musicality etc. All these just from pressing little black and white keys and stepping on pedals. Sorry, I still know nuts about music theory.

I also learnt that SYT is not that harsh, unforgiving place for tiger parents that we may get to hear about outside. Our kids do not necessarily have to practice 2+ hours every day. It is ok even if they seem to always have to go poop or drink water the moment the piano cover is open. Heck, it is alright even if they occasionally watch TV and practice at the same time! 😆

And Madam Fang does crack jokes.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765343https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765343Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:50:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 03 Apr 2017 02:14:09 GMT]]>Hope we last that long!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765222https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765222Mon, 03 Apr 2017 02:14:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Mon, 03 Apr 2017 02:07:15 GMT]]>

pirate:
Oh wow! How time flies. This is actually DD's sixth year at NAFA SYT.

Congrats! Wow, six years is a long time. I still remember at the beginning you were posting about waiting to be kicked out, not knowing how long more DD can stay in NAFA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765218https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1765218Mon, 03 Apr 2017 02:07:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sat, 01 Apr 2017 05:17:52 GMT]]>

reddiechan:
waiyean:

[quote=\"limyingxi88\"]She just said the name is just to attract parents to sign their kids up, but otherwise, it's the same as other schools.


Oh my gosh.... that is so far from the truth. How long did your friend studied in NAFA?

Yes, miles away from the truth. Likely a case of sour grapes, or disgruntled student. Those who are in the programmes know the rigorous nature of the training and the high standards upheld by students and teachers alike.[/quote] 😂 😂 :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764995https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764995Sat, 01 Apr 2017 05:17:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Sat, 01 Apr 2017 02:27:24 GMT]]>This kind of "friend of mine" is usually him/herself ba, did not even dare to speak using his own identity, hehe

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764977https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764977Sat, 01 Apr 2017 02:27:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:28:39 GMT]]>

waiyean:
limyingxi88:

She just said the name is just to attract parents to sign their kids up, but otherwise, it's the same as other schools.


Oh my gosh.... that is so far from the truth. How long did your friend studied in NAFA?

Yes, miles away from the truth. Likely a case of sour grapes, or disgruntled student. Those who are in the programmes know the rigorous nature of the training and the high standards upheld by students and teachers alike.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764878https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764878Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:28:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Fri, 31 Mar 2017 06:50:41 GMT]]>

pirate:
waiyean:

[quote=\"limyingxi88\"]She just said the name is just to attract parents to sign their kids up, but otherwise, it's the same as other schools.


Oh my gosh.... that is so far from the truth. How long did your friend studied in NAFA?

I cannot imagine Madam Fang Yuan actually saying anything remotely like that.

Oh wow! How time flies. This is actually DD's sixth year at NAFA SYT.[/quote]
i think she means the parent saying \"the name is just to attract parents...\"

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764824https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764824Fri, 31 Mar 2017 06:50:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Fri, 31 Mar 2017 06:29:03 GMT]]>

waiyean:
limyingxi88:

She just said the name is just to attract parents to sign their kids up, but otherwise, it's the same as other schools.


Oh my gosh.... that is so far from the truth. How long did your friend studied in NAFA?

I cannot imagine Madam Fang Yuan actually saying anything remotely like that.

Oh wow! How time flies. This is actually DD's sixth year at NAFA SYT.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764808https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764808Fri, 31 Mar 2017 06:29:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion on Fri, 31 Mar 2017 02:17:13 GMT]]>

limyingxi88:
She just said the name is just to attract parents to sign their kids up, but otherwise, it's the same as other schools.

Oh my gosh.... that is so far from the truth. How long did your friend studied in NAFA?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764739https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1764739Fri, 31 Mar 2017 02:17:13 GMT