“Are you an aspiring songwriter?” – these were the first words that caught my attention when my friend, Wei Meng, presented the Song Maker program to me. Being an amateur songwriter for more than 20 years, this course stirred up my passion again, especially after being ‘silent’ for quite some time. I prayed and wrote a simple song entitled ‘The Truth That Sets Us Free’ just for this program but gave up the idea of participating thinking that the song was too simple and would not be shortlisted. However, God indeed works in an amazing way! 

My housemate, Nicholas, who is not a Christian, overheard me singing this song during my personal worship time and encouraged me to submit a demo as he commented, “This song can make it!” So, with his encouragement, I submitted the song demo by faith and was shortlisted! My journey with the Song Maker program started the moment our lovely sister, Gina Yap Lai Yoong, rang me up to break the good news to me!

Sister Juwita Suwito is one of my admired local Christian songbirds who achieved international fame. She sets the example of humility through her willingness to train local worship leaders like me to sing well for God. I attended her vocal workshops twice and have always been praying that one day I could have a closer connection with her in the Christian music scene even though I am just an amateur. Finding out that the Song Maker program was organized by her company was already a testimony of an answered prayer from God. Knowing the hand of God was leading, every fortnight lesson was like riding on the boat of the Holy Spirit to me – full of excitement!

It is truly an eye-opener and ear-opener, at the same time, a humbling experience for me throughout this 5-month long program. I have always hoped to know and learn more from professional musicians, especially from the English songwriting arm, and this program fulfilled my desire for that. Before joining this program, I have tried to study online music production courses on my own such as those provided on the Coursera platform, but couldn’t continue my endeavor due to various factors that occupied my schedule. And this program provided more than just song composition, but also music production knowledge, which although not in-depth but had opened up a new world for me.

One great testimony is God’s provision of Echo, my ex-student, as my vocal recording engineer. Echo became my student in a polytechnic in Singapore more than two years ago in the area of IT. Even though the module was computer programming, I got to know that he was working as a music producer for a Taiwanese recording label in Singapore. I just felt a spiritual connection with him and sensed that one day I might collaborate with him in the realm of music even though at that time I was only guessing that he is a Christian. When the time for vocal recording came for my song, I felt prompted again to contact Echo despite knowing that he was supposed to be in national service. But to my amazement, Echo was delayed in his enrollment due to having slight hand injuries and therefore he kindly agreed to help me with the vocal recording session. Praise God that He has already prepared the provision two years ago and without Echo, the remote vocal recording session could not have been completed so smoothly!

In closing, I would like to thank all the coaches in the Song Maker program who have offered their knowledge generously and effort relentlessly to make our song a success and useful in the Kingdom of God. I believe all eight songs will be used mightily by God to bless the body of Christ, both locally and internationally. Amen.