By Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent

COMPOSER Tan Tuan Hao did not have it all his way when he aimed for a career in music. He wanted to do so after his O levels, but his parents advised him to go to junior college first.

'Their main concern was that if I decided later that I did not like music, I couldn't go back - that door would be closed. But if I was still interested after my A levels, I could go and pursue music,' the 23-year-old recalled yesterday.

He gave in to his parents' wishes, and followed it up by pursuing a Diploma in Music at the Lasalle College of the Arts.

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