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The Founder

Chong Ah Kow (Malaysian Harmonicist)

Mr. Chong won the championship at the 2nd World Harmonica Contest held in Germany. He has been frequently invited to perform overseas in countries and regions such as China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore, and was also invited to perform at North Korea’s Art Festival. In 1990, Mr. Chong founded My Harmonica World Sdn Bhd and organized six National Harmonica Contests from 1990 onwards. In 1998, he organized the 2nd Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival & Contest. He has also served as a judge and guest performer at several Asia Pacific Harmonica Festivals and Contests. In 2003, he led the largest harmonica ensemble performance with 460 participants in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day celebration. This event was recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Biography

  • 1971
    Won the Champion at the Hong Kong Broadcasting International Talent Contest.
  • 1989

    Won the Championship at the 2nd World Tremolo Harmonica Contest in Germany.

  • 1990
    Founded My Harmonica World Sdn Bhd and currently serves as the Managing Director.

  • 1990
    Initiated a Cultural Charity Performance Program and conducted a nationwide tour with a total of 30 performances.
  • 1990
    Awarded by the Japan Harmonica Art Association for harmonica artistry (Saku-kai) and was appointed President of the Saku-kai Malaysia Branch.
  • 1990 – 2006
    Organized National Harmonica Contests and Friendship Competitions between Malaysia and Singapore.
  • Since 1996
    Served as Honorary Judge, Lecturer, and Guest Performer at the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival & Contest (APHF).
  • 1997
    Contributed articles to a professional harmonica magazine.
  • 1998
    Served as Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2nd Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival, held in Kuala Lumpur.
  • 1998
    Received the Outstanding Contribution Award for Harmonica Promotion presented by Yasuharu Mano, President of the Japan Harmonica Federation. Performed internationally as a Guest Harmonica Artist in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, and Germany. Performed as a Guest Artist at the Cultural Night of the 7th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention.
  • 2004

    Organizer of the Malaysia–China Harmonica Contest.Invited to perform at Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan.

     Performed as a Harmonica Artist at the 8th Anniversary Gala of Phoenix Television.

    31 August
     Organized a 460-member Harmonica Ensemble performing patriotic songs in celebration of Malaysia’s 46th National Day. Appointed as a columnist

     for the weekly edition of Nanyang Siang Pau, writing 54 consecutive columns.

  • 2005

    Invited by Malaysian Minister of Culture Rais Yatim to perform at Istana Budaya.
    Also participated as a Guest Harmonica Artist in more than 1,000 events organized Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, schools, communities, and cultural festivals.

    24 July

    Organized over 7,000 audience members to play the world’s smallest harmonica together, successfully setting a world record.

  • 2006

    Began producing local Malaysian films.Invited by the Ministry of Culture to perform at Universiti Malaysia Sabah during the Kadazan Cultural Night, which was broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia.

    Organized the International Harmonica Carnival at Resorts World Genting International Convention Hall, attracting more than 500 overseas participants.

  • 2007

    Organized the International Harmonica Carnival at Resorts World Genting International Convention Hall, attracting more than 500 overseas participants.

  • 2012

    Awarded the Gold Prize at the North Korea Art Festival.

  • 2015

    Invited by Perfect (China) Co., Ltd. to perform for 4,500 audiences in the Netherlands and 6,000 audiences in Kuala Lumpur.

    Invention

    • Invented the Pentatonic Tremolo Harmonica.