In their own words: BAS families and students

The DSA prep sessions positioned her portfolio more effectively, while the open stage sessions refined her overall presentation beyond just musicianship.

Joining the BAS ensemble enriched Nicole’s performance opportunities, exposing her to more challenging repertoire and strengthening her sight reading skills.

Nicole’s growth in both musicianship and personal presentation is a direct result of BAS’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Thank you BAS!

Please feel free to share this testimony with others. To the parents considering the DSA path for your children, we encourage you to explore BAS!

Thank you BAS for all the guidance and support throughout her DSA journey. The DSA workshop was really helpful. At first, Ashlynn thought her audition pieces were already well prepared, but Clive, Joseph and Adrian went through them with her and pointed out areas she could still improve on. They gave her tips on how to express the music better, where to play softer and how to bring out more emotion. These were things she didn’t realise before and definitely helped her a lot during the actual DSA interview!

The pieces at BAS are also more challenging than what she usually plays in her primary school band, so it really helped improve her sight-reading, technique and confidence. With the regular performances and overseas performance experience, she was actually not nervous at all during her DSA auditions! She told me she was more nervous performing at the Tutti concert.

Most importantly, Ashlynn really enjoys every BAS session and always looks forward to band. Thank you Clive, Adrian, Joseph and the whole BAS team!

The percussion ensemble was equally valuable, giving Josiah the chance to explore a wider range of instruments and broaden his musical exposure. We’re so grateful for the thoughtful, hands-on support Band Academy Singapore gives to young musicians.

Being part of the BAS Ensemble gave him opportunities to perform in public and in different settings, which was a very different experience from performing in school concerts. These experiences allowed him to become more comfortable performing in front of unfamiliar audiences and helped him build confidence as a young musician. I could see him becoming more assured in his playing and learning to manage the nerves that naturally come with performing.

The DSA Workshop was another valuable part of his preparation. The coaches shared practical performance tips and helped him understand how to present himself and his music during an audition. The guidance he received while preparing his music pieces also gave him a clearer idea of what to work on and helped him feel more prepared for the actual DSA audition.

Looking back, I feel that the two experiences complemented each other very well. The BAS Ensemble gave him the real performance exposure, while the DSA Workshop gave him the focused preparation and guidance he needed for the audition. More than just helping him prepare for DSA, these experiences helped him grow in confidence and maturity as a musician. As a parent, it was very encouraging to see him walk into his DSA audition feeling prepared, confident and ready to give his best. I am thankful to BAS for being part of this journey with him.

Since joining in January 2025, the exposure he gained through performing at various local concert venues, and especially the incredible learning journey to Hong Kong, where he got to perform at Ocean Park and Disneyland, did wonders for his confidence and independence.

When he decided to take part in the DSA-Sec exercise, BAS’s targeted support made all the difference. The DSA prep workshop was well-structured, covering a comprehensive portfolio review, an insightful mock interview session, and a clear debrief with us. On top of that, the three weekly open-stage sessions gave him the exact environment he needed to refine his audition pieces in front of his peers and the academy’s music directors.

Seeing him secure a Confirmed Offer is a proud moment for our family, and BAS played a vital role in making it happen. We are so thankful for the heart, expertise, and dedication the team pours into their students!

Thank you, BAS, for believing in him, nurturing his passion, and guiding him through every step of his musical journey. We highly recommend Band Academy Singapore to any parent looking for a supportive space for their child to flourish as both a musician and a leader.

He joined the Academy in May 2025, and we have been amazed by how much he has grown in his clarinet skills and, more importantly, in his confidence. The opportunities to perform in concerts gave him valuable exposure and helped him overcome his nervousness and become a much more confident performer.

When he decided to apply for DSA, the team at BAS went the extra mile to guide and prepare him for both his audition and interview. Their encouragement, patience and expertise gave him the confidence to believe in himself and perform at his best.

We are so happy and proud that he was successful in his DSA application, and we are thankful to BAS for playing such a meaningful role in his achievement.

Thank you, Band Academy of Singapore, for supporting and believing in him throughout this journey. We would wholeheartedly recommend the Academy to any parent looking for a place where their child can grow not just as a musician, but also as a confident young person.

This year, he participated in the DSA workshop conducted by BAS. From interview preparation, song selection to the mock interview and performance assessment; it was a peace of mind for parents as all aspects were taken care of. The plan for each student is also customised based on their progress and ability. I’m glad that I’ve selected BAS and embarked my son on this journey. A big Thank You to Band Academy Singapore.

Secondly, the open stage series in June allowed me to experience how a DSA audition could feel like. This helped me to mentally prepare for my actual DSA auditions by performing in a similar environment repeatedly. The BAS conductors also gave me very insightful feedback on my audition, letting me know that auditions are much more than just the pieces I play, but also how I present myself.