She's got the spot but not the cash

SHE did not study music at the A levels, having learnt to play the piano through private lessons. But despite her lack of an academic track record in music, Nabillah Jalal, a former Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) student managed to score a place at one of the most prestigious music schools in the world - the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London.

The school counts composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Singapore-born violinist Vanessa-Mae among its alumni.

Nabillah achieved this after her music teacher asked a RCM professor to grant her an audition, which he did earlier this year when the school conducted the Singapore leg of its auditions.

Nabillah captivated RCM director Professor Colin Lawson so much, he practically offered her a place on the spot.

"When the director (of RCM) gave me the acceptance letter, it was so surreal that I cried on the spot," said the 19-year-old, who graduated from NYJC in 2010.

But the doors to RCM may close on her after barely having been opened.

Nabillah's family cannot afford to send her to the college, where the tuition fee comes up to £19,200 (S$38,000) each year. This excludes travelling and accommodation costs.

She has written to various MPs and approached the National Arts Council and Mendaki for funding options, but has yet to receive concrete financial support.

In the meantime, the teenager gives tuition and vocal lessons to help her family financially.

Nabillah's father, Mr Jalal Jamil, is the sole breadwinner of the family. The 62-year-old, who works in the maritime industry, takes home less than $3,000 a month.

In 2003, he suffered a heart attack. He has since recovered, but he and his wife, Madam Rahimah Mohamad Noor, spend close to $500 a month on medication for their high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Nabillah's $500 income is barely enough to fund her London dream.

She spends most of her money on music classes and music books, and contributes $300 every month for groceries and bills.

"There were some months when I had to delay payment for my music class because I didn't have enough money.

"That's because my dad either used the money to pay for the house or my parents were sick and had to see the doctor," said Nabillah, who was also in her school choir.

Nabillah, who took geography, mathematics, economics and literature at the A levels, is not taking the conventional route to the RCM.

Most music colleges in the UK require candidates to have studied music at the A levels or have a diploma from a musical institute.

Miracle

"It's a miracle I was accepted. Most RCM students come from boarding schools like Chetham's and Purcell - music schools for gifted kids," she said.

Nabillah, who has been playing the piano since she was four, said she and her parents got into frequent arguments when she first announced she wanted to become a professional musician, but her dedication gradually moved them.

Her mother, Madam Rahimah, said: "I've never seen her want something so badly before."

If Nabillah cannot find the funds to study in London, she will have to settle for the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa)-RCM degree programme in Singapore.

Just last year, RCM - where Singapore-born pianist Melvyn Tan and the T'ang Quartet viola player Lionel Tanalso trained - started a tie-in programme with Nafa, extending students with a music diploma the chance to get a Bachelor of Music degree from RCM.

The Education Ministry will subsidise the tuition fees for this programme, which will set Singaporean students back less than $10,000 a year.

But Nabillah said the experience at the London campus will be worlds apart.

"I believe that RCM will stretch my potential, help me network with important people in the music industry and will guarantee me a future not only in Singapore's music industry, but all over the world," said Nabillah.

Her piano teacher, Mrs Rosy Tan, who had helped set up the audition when she visited a student of hers at RCM last September, agrees.

She said: "Her talent needs to be nurtured abroad, to be taught by artist-teachers and to access concerts by top musicians."

Mr Lionel Tan from the T'ang Quartet said: "As an alumnus of RCM, I'm proud that a Singaporean has been accepted into this grand dame of music colleges."

"This goes to show that there are other avenues to higher education in music other than the standard routes ofMusic Elective Programme schools, School of the Arts or Nafa. This is positive that there are Singaporeans who have talent who are lying beneath the radar.

"Let it be encouragement to others who might have the same hidden talents not to stay hidden."

This article was first published in The New Paper.