University News Last updated 13 December
On 18 November, Head of Piano at Birmingham Royal Ballet and RBC alumna Jeanette Chuin-Chieh Wong was presented with Honorary Fellowship of RBC, in recognition of her work in enhancing the Conservatoire’s reputation.
Jeanette Chuin-Chieh Wong joined the Conservatoire as an undergraduate student in the late 1990s, studying piano performance with Malcom Wilson. After graduating with a First-Class Honour’s degree, she progressed on to Master’s, which she achieved with Distinction in 2001.
She won the prestigious Joseph Weingarten Scholarship, and studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest with András Kemenes.
After completing her studies, Jeanette stayed in Birmingham and developed a career as a full-time pianist, first at the Elmhurst Ballet School and then at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, where she is now Head of Piano. In 2009, she was awarded a Birmingham Conservatoire Honorary Membership (HonRBC) for her outstanding contribution to her profession.
Jeannette has remained connected to RBC, supporting the senior leadership team to develop the Conservatoire’s profile in Southeast Asia. Between 2008 and 2023 Jeanette served as RBC’s official representative in the region, helping hundreds of young musicians to realise their dream of studying in the UK and at RBC.
She was also behind the development of the RBC Alumni Gala Concerts series to raise funds for RBC students from Singapore and Malaysia facing financial hardship during their studies, organising a concert in Kuala Lumpur involving friends and alumni.
The fellowship was presented to Jeannette by Professor of Music and Technology Lamberto Coccioli at RBC.
Reflecting on working with Jeannette during her time with RBC, Lamberto said: “I have very fond memories of my trips to Malaysia and Singapore with Jeanette, where I met her lovely family, and where we shared lots of great moments. Jeanette has played an invaluable role for our Conservatoire in developing a strong presence in Southeast Asia.”
Principal Stephen Maddock commented on the award: “Jeanette is a great example of a musician who came to Birmingham for her studies then stayed to build a career. She has made a huge contribution to Birmingham’s musical life, and we are delighted to welcome her as an Honorary Fellow.”
Pictured: (l-r) Lamberto, Jeanette and Stephen.