The music director of Hallelujah Chamber Orchestra, Zhang Tong, John, had been performing and teaching cello since graduation. He had been the guest principal cellist with the Singapore National Orchestra and performed freelance with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 2011. From 2013-2018, he was the conductor of the Kids’ Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides playing the cello, Zhang Tong also studied choral conducting with Lee Chong Min and trains under Solomon Chong for singing.

 

Born in China, Zhang Tong began cello lessons at the age of 6 under the tutelage of his father. In 2001, he was accepted by the Music Middle School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music on scholarship. In 2006, he was invited by the University of Kansas (USA) to participate at a cello festival in Kansas City and was offered a scholarship to study at the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music with Professor Qin Li-Wei. Subsequently, he attended master-classes and had lessons with Aldo Parisot (Professor of Music at Yale University and former member of the Juilliard School) and world-renown soloist Jian Wang.

 

Currently, Zhang Tong is studying for his Master of Church Music in Choral Conducting at Singapore Bible College, School of Church Music. Besides being the choir conductor of Abundant Grace Presbyterian Church, he is also an active choir member of Hallelujah Oratorio Society and the International Christian Festival Singers.