Nabillah’s desire to give back through music was ignited by her involvement in RCM Sparks, a community outreach programme that provides inclusive and accessible music education to children and youth from underserved communities. “The sense of fulfilment was different,” she recalls, noting how it inspired her to launch ArtSee’s pilot programme in Singapore. Shortly after, the staff at MWH approached Nabillah to see if she would be interested to teach the boys music using donated pianos during her summer break.

What began as a simple outreach initiative in 2017 evolved into a structured programme that integrated western classical music, ethnic Malay music and ensemble play. During this process, Nabillah conducted a programme report with the welfare home and discovered the participants’ enthusiasm for ethnic Malay music. This revelation inspired her to reach out to the Djoko Mangkrengg Performing Arts (DMPA) group which blends traditional Indonesian gamelan with western instruments to create contemporary sounds.

DMPA became ArtSee’s partner, enriching its curriculum with distinctive cultural elements. “Western classical music was my first love, but there’s a gap in the scene for ethnic Malay music. Right now, we want something rooted in culture, and to give ethnic Malay music a platform it deserves,” she says, emphasising that it is also about proving ethnic music is as vibrant and complex as western music, which often takes precedence.

A cornerstone of this approach is the chromatic gamelan used in ArtSee’s classes, which allows for a full range of notes similar to that of a piano. This versatility enables participants to explore a wider repertoire, from traditional gamelan music to modern pop songs, offering a powerful tool for cultural education and creative expression.

Today, ArtSee uses music as a conduit to teach soft skills, resilience and self-expression. Its holistic approach goes beyond teaching music to fostering essential life skills, such as confidence, teamwork and creative problem‑solving. “We want to open doors. We want to tell the boys that if we don’t have a table, we will give you the skills to build a table.”

The programme also integrates community mentoring, pairing youth with everyday role models from organisations such as DBS Bank, and activities such as sneakers art jamming to impart life skills such as planning. This hands-on approach has led to high retention rates and meaningful engagement, with participants often describing ArtSee as the most consistent programme during their time at MWH.

The mentees range between the ages of 8 and 18. “You can see how the training has developed their soft skills. Some of them may not be the most musical. But [we teach them the] recipe for success: it’s resilience and hard work. Sometimes we have to broaden the idea of competency to encompass soft skills and not just the ability to play well.”

Nabillah hopes to include other art forms such as visual arts and theatre, and for ArtSee to serve as a model to inspire grassroots initiatives. Her strategy includes fostering partnerships with more welfare homes and expanding the curriculum to a broader range of cultural and vocational training.

ArtSee’s success stems from its grassroots approach. To ensure sustainability, Nabillah stresses the importance of strong networks and collaborative efforts. “This programme has been going on for [almost] two years. That sense of continuity is important, but it’s not just because of the people, it’s also the funding involved.” Key partnerships, such as with the President’s Challenge, along with Nabillah’s connections to social services, have been crucial for funding and growth. “If you go in point-blank, it’s very easy to get burnt out. You’ll be constantly trying to find unique selling points so that you can get corporate sponsors to jump on board as well.”

Nabillah’s efforts with ArtSee reflect her belief in ground-up solutions that address broader societal needs. “There’s only so much the government can do. The rest is up to us.”

Looking ahead, Nabillah envisions ArtSee evolving into a charity with IPC status, enabling it to secure vital funding and partnerships that will help amplify its impact. “The IPC status is crucial for us, as it will allow us to collaborate more effectively with like-minded organisations and individuals who share our passion for making a difference through art.”

“The youth are the future,” Nabillah concludes. “When given the right opportunities, place, time, and guidance, they will flourish even more.

This article is part of Business of Good, a series that spotlights global leaders and how they meet the challenges of the modern world through innovation and impactful action. Find new stories every Wednesday on TatlerAsia.com.

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