
National Day: Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah to perform at free Gardens by the Bay concert
The seventh edition of the free gig will take place at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on Aug 3 from 4.30pm.
Hosted by local personalities Gurmit Singh, Nithiya Rao, Yasminne Cheng and Zhin Sadali, the show will also feature second Singapore Idol winner Hady Mirza, who composed and is set to sing the concert's theme song, Ties That Bloom.
Sisters Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin will perform together for the first time, and other on-stage family affairs will include Cultural Medallion recipient Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter Aly; singer JJ Neo and her mother, host Lucy Chow, as well as married couple Annetha Ayyavoo and Mark Sara.
Other music acts include Love 972 DJ Chua Lee Lian, jazz chanteuse Alemay Fernandez, pop singer Shazza and The Purple Symphony, an orchestra comprising musicians with and without disabilities.
Chan will serenade the crowd with the National Day Parade (NDP) classic Home, as well as Here We Are, her 2025 NDP theme song with Lim.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the event's guest of honour, and his wife Jane Ittogi will lead the audience in reciting the National Pledge.
He says in a statement: "This concert reflects what Singapore is about - people of all backgrounds coming together, each with something to give, something to learn, and each being uplifted. As we mark 60 years of independence, it's a reminder of how we grow stronger as a nation as we respect every contribution, blend our talents, and keep renewing the bonds that make this home."
Attendees can also enjoy local dishes such as laksa and popiah at a food street, play classic games like eraser battles and pick-up sticks, as well take part in activities such as satay keychain workshops.
The concert will air on mewatch, Channel 5 and Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube on Aug 16 at 7.30pm.
Book it/ Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2025
Where: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive When: Aug 3, 4.30pm Admission: Free. For more information, visit http://www.sg60.mediacorp.sg/ndc/
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While Qti could not carry on due to school commitments, she plans to sign up when time permits. Juggling schoolwork and K-pop training Cherise started jazz dance at four years old and switched to Latin dance at seven, and has participated in numerous regional dancesport competitions where she was placed. Though the National Junior College Integrated Programme student discovered K-pop only in 2023, the fan of I-dle, Babymonster, IVE and Aespa has already decided that K-pop is the path for her. Cherise Sim continued with the advanced training programme after completing her intermediate lessons. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH Prior to her lessons at SM Universe (Singapore), Cherise attended several private vocal and dance classes in Seoul in October 2024 after finishing her PSLE. She auditioned for The Black Label when the South Korean agency – which is behind popular artistes like Blackpink's Rose and BigBang's Taeyang – held the Singapore leg of its global try-outs in May. Cherise recalls the experience as nerve-racking but valuable, and says it further spurred her interest in K-pop. 'Over the two weeks, I gained a clearer understanding of how the K-pop industry works behind the scenes and what idols go through on a day-to-day basis,' she says. The Secondary 1 student admits juggling schoolwork, her dance co-curricular activity and K-pop training can be tiring, but is still manageable. She plans to continue her training, be it after school hours or during the school holidays, depending on the programme schedules at SM Universe (Singapore). If there is an opportunity, she also hopes to take up K-pop classes in Seoul. She is also brushing up on her Korean to understand and communicate better during training and auditions. 'I know some basic words and phrases. I'm not fluent, but I can read Hangul (the Korean alphabet).' Cherise's mother Kelly Ong, an entrepreneur in her 40s, encourages her only child to pursue her ambitions. 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The 15-year-old has been training at SM Universe in Seoul since February, after it scouted her in January based on her dance videos on social media. Noting her drive and high potential for growth, SM Universe (Singapore) offered Cassa a six-month scholarship programme to train at the main academy. The scholarship covers training academy fees and partial support for her living expenses in Seoul. Singaporean teen Cassa Tan is pursuing her K-pop dreams at SM Universe training academy in Seoul. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CASSA TAN As a pre-trainee – one who has yet to be officially accepted by SM Entertainment – Cassa is expected to keep up with the demanding K-pop training as well as her studies at a South Korean performing arts high school. 'On weekdays, I attend school until the afternoon, followed by vocal and dance training, practice sessions and Korean lessons,' she says. 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His advice to those who are serious about pursuing a K-pop career is to consistently refine their technical skills through specialised training, and to take advantage of 'Singapore's multilingualism to give them an edge in today's increasingly globalised K-pop industry'. K-pop agencies look for star potential, individuals who show promise to grow artistically and carry themselves with authenticity and confidence, says Mr Ang. He adds that as the K-pop industry is highly competitive, versatility has become key. It is no longer sufficient to specialise in one area, such as dance or vocals. Qti getting pointers and feedback from an industry expert. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH 'SM Universe (Singapore) is committed to creating tangible pathways for our students, connecting high-potential talent with the right industry opportunities, and equipping them with the skills and attitude needed to thrive in the entertainment industry,' says Mr Ang. The academy is designing its flagship 21-week training programme, which is likely to commence in early 2026. It will culminate in a one-week enrichment trip to the SM Universe campus in Seoul, where top students have the opportunity to audition with South Korean entertainment agencies. Says Mr Ang: 'The journey towards becoming a K-pop idol requires commitment and perseverance, and a strong foundation must first be built.' Cherise says: 'I know I still have a long way to go, but my goal is to become the best version of myself.' Qti adds: 'Being consistent and hardworking is super important – you can't just rely on talent. Having an understanding of the K-pop industry is also helpful. 'If I can't become an idol, I will pursue a behind-the-scenes role in the K-pop world, like being a stylist for the idols.'