Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Tay. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Desiree’s foray into the world of music began 16 years ago in 2007 when she felt the call to join her school band’s percussion section. Remaining actively involved over the following nine years, Desiree gathered experience and knowledge she would continue to build upon. Countless performances poised and prepped her to perform with the confidence and enthusiasm she currently exudes. Not only this but the passion to continue learning was fueled all the more.
Since then, the pursuit to master her craft has been buoyed by numerous opportunities presented to Desiree by industry veterans and the privilege of being under the tutelage of Marcelo Woloski (Percussion, Snarky Puppy), Erik Hargrove (Drums, James Brown) and Eguie Castrillo (Percussion, Jennifer Lopez).
In between her unhealthy obsession with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and being a full-time student at Berklee College of Music, Desiree has forged herself quite a fledging career path. She has held roles in various fields of the music industry such as drum technician, live sound, instrument repair for guitar & drums, backline, sessionist and recording work.
In an industry that can at times be volatile, Desiree has managed to endear herself to a number of stalwarts on the live band circuit. She has performed at festivals like the Sing 50 Concert and Singapore Jazz Festival alongside local music icons like JJ Lin and Stefanie Sun, along with overseas assignments in Hongkong and Chengdu and various radio appearances on 987fm and Class 95 in Singapore. Adding to her accolades and achievements, Desiree found herself sessioning with Singapore’s best and securing a position as the percussionist for the eponymous Shirlyn + the UnXpected and more recently opening for Taylor Bennett alongside Niu Raza.
Desiree’s humility and zeal for constant improvement, coupled with her proficiency in public and artiste relations, display a maturity beyond her years. In the quest to lend her talents to help raise others up and leave her mark on the music industry, she is purpose-driven, capable, and set on reaching her goals.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth. I’ve faced my fair share of obstacles over the years, personal and professional. One particular struggle has been trying to convince my parents that music is a worthwhile pursuit and one I truly believe in. It definitely took a bit of convincing: I even had help from my teachers, conductor and family friends to plead my case. Once they came to accept my determination to dedicate myself to music, the joy I felt was extremely rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a drummer and percussionist currently studying at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Business. I specialize in PR in the Music Industry because I’m a people person who loves to create new opportunities for others. I’m most proud of the gigs that I’ve done. I think I can safely say that I’ve a good deal of my life performing, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved at my age. What sets me apart is that although I love being a musician, I’ve never wanted to be in the “limelight.” Instead of stepping in front of others, my focus typically lands on raising others up and this can be seen in the way that I serve the music of my peers.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was to go to Berklee College of Music in the middle of the Pandemic. I was fresh out of my first college, LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore, and going to a second one abroad wasn’t exactly ideal at the moment. But with the support of my family and friends, I took that risk and it’s proven to be my best decision ever. The process of auditioning, finding an apartment and moving in took me 3-4 months and the whole process was the most spontaneous thing I’ve done.
I’ve always been quite cautious about risk taking. I always try to find a way to play my cards well by weighing risk against reward. I’ll often actually write out a list of pros and cons for a decision I’m in the midst of making. I must say 8/10 times, the risks that I take have been fruitful. So while I do believe in caution around risk-taking, some goals cannot be achieved without a roll of the dice.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Xener Gill, Swee Lee Singapore, LASALLE College of the Arts, Myles
