30/05/2026
Intruducing our three esteemed juries at HIMAC KL round 30/5/26.
1, Yuka Matsumoto
Yuka Matsumoto is a Japanese violinist with over twenty years of experience performing alongside distinguished musicians across Europe and Japan.
Born in Japan, she pursued her musical education at the highest level in the United Kingdom and Germany, earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Royal College of Music in London, and Meisterklasse — widely regarded as the highest performing degree in Germany. Over thirteen years spent in Europe as a student and professional musician gave Matsumoto a rare depth of international experience, one that continues to underpin every aspect of her artistry.
In 2022, she launched her own project together with a pianist colleague in her local community in Japan — an initiative that reflects her deep commitment to music as a public and social good. The project invites children under the age of fifteen to attend concerts free of charge, and brings live performance and workshops directly into after-school houses, ensuring that the transformative power of music reaches young people who might not otherwise encounter it. It stands as a natural expression of the values she has carried throughout her career: generosity, artistic integrity, and a belief in music's capacity to shape the way we think and feel about the world.
2, Dr. Chan Zhong Xin
Dr. Chan Zhong Xin is a Malaysian pianist who holds a Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from the University of Alabama. He teaches piano to students of various levels from beginner to Diploma and has given masterclasses to young pianists, helping them achieve good results in competitions.
In addition to teaching, he collaborates with musicians like vocalists, violinists, harmonica players, and accompanies various choir groups, including children’s, high school, and alumni choir.
Recently he has been arranging for choir, which includes patriotic songs like Malaysia Madani and Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta.
Dr. Chan is a member of the Selangor Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Choir (SKOC), which is a community-led musical organization based in Puchong, where he mainly serves as a keyboardist.
3, Dr. Khoo Wu Ji is a versatile performer on both recital and operatic stages. Before pursuing graduate studies, he studied with Dr. Yap Jin Hin in Malaysia for five years, establishing a strong foundation for his vocal development. He later trained at Louisiana State University under distinguished vocal pedagogue Professor Robert Grayson, acclaimed tenor Paul Groves, and baritone Dr. Brandon Hendrickson, earning both his Doctor of Musical Arts (2023) and Master of Music (2020) degrees. His studies were supported by a full scholarship, a graduate assistantship, and a tuition award. Wu Ji has performed several roles with the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera at Louisiana State University, including Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi, L’Aumônier du Carmel and the 1st Commissaire in Dialogues des Carmélites, Lacouf and Le Journalist in Les Mamelles de Tirésias, and Little Victor Farrell in the collegiate premiere of Kevin Puts’s Elizabeth Cree. Beyond the Turner-Fischer Center for Opera, he sang the role of Camille de Rosillon in Lehár’s The Merry Widow in Hua Hin, Thailand. As a recitalist, Wu Ji has performed in Louisiana, Thailand, and several states in Malaysia, including Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Wu Ji’s research interest is centered on Asian composers at the intersection of Western and nonWestern musical traditions. He seeks to enrich and diversify the Western song repertoire with works by composers little known outside their cultural orbit but deserving of wider recognition. His doctoral dissertation highlights two song cycles by the Malaysian composer Wong Chee Yean: Mementos of Innocence and Three Yeats Songs, both of which Mr. Wong expressly composed for Wu Ji’s doctoral project. In 2023, Wu Ji won first place in the “Art, Music, Dramatic Arts & Performance/Reading” category for his dissertation presentation at the inaugural Louisiana State University Graduate Research Conference.With over a decade of experience as a voice teacher, Wu Ji has had the privilege of guiding students from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds.
He currently serves as a full-time lecturer at Sunway University, mentoring the next generation of musicians. ........................................
At HIMAC, we continues to maintain a high standard in music and arts education.
For every competition location, our jury panel will consist of a minimum of Master’s degree holders, established musicians and educators (for Contemporary Music categories), or lecturers from our partner universities.
We believe every participant deserves professional guidance, fair evaluation, and valuable learning experiences from qualified and respected industry professionals.
At HIMAC, it is not just about competition — it is about growth, exposure, inspiration, and raising the standard of music and arts education together.
