Special needs artists to perform at charity dinner to raise S$850,000

SINGAPORE — Two special needs artists will be performing at a charity gala dinner next month to showcase their talents.

Visually-impaired Sophie Soon, 21, and 28-year-old Parvinderjeet Kaur, who was born with a hearing impairment, will be showing off their skills in the violin and piano respectively at The Enabling Fund Gala dinner taking place at Grand Hyatt Singapore on Aug 24.

Held in support of the TODAY Enable Fund and iC2 PrepHouse, the event has 35 tables available for sponsorship, with 19 already sold. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, patron of the TODAY Enable Fund, will be the guest of honour.

Organisers SG Enable and iC2 PrepHouse are looking to raise S$850,000 through donations, table sales, and a live auction. Among the items up for grabs during the charity auction include paintings by beneficiaries of iC2PreHouse, a wire sculpture by special needs artist Joshua Tseng, and a pair of Singapore Airlines business class tickets to New York.

Diners will be serenaded by Ms Soon and Ms Kaur.

Ms Soon was diagnosed at age five with an inherited visual impairment called Cone-Rod Dystrophy. Her condition, which started off with her experiencing difficulties seeing small prints and details, has degenerated to her being unable to identify colours or tell them apart.

But that did not stop her from pursuing a passion for music. The solo violinist, a beneficiary of iC2 PrepHouse, will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in D Minor during the dinner.

Ms Kaur, who is deaf in her right ear and has partial hearing loss in her left ear, did not let that stop her from picking up the piano, after she got interested in the instrument after hearing a recital during her kindergarten years.

Today, she is pursuing a diploma in piano teaching with the help of TODAY Enable Fund, and is expected to graduate at the end of the year. Upon graduation, one of her goals is to teach children with special needs how to play the piano.

“I’m very grateful to SG Enable for giving me an opportunity to perform for the fund raising dinner event. I’m glad that I’m able to use my talent to contribute to the society by giving hope to people around me through my performance,” she said.

During the dinner, she will be performing two pieces: a nostalgic song composed by Miguel Manzano and Sonatina from the Second Movement composed by Arvo Part.

Members of the public interested to take part in the gala dinner or make a cash donation can call 1800 8585 885 or email todayenablefund@sgenable.sg to find out more.

The TODAY Enable Fund is a charitable fund to enhance the education, skills and employment prospects of persons with disabilities, as well as to foster greater empathy and inclusion for persons with disabilities in the wider community. It also helps to fulfil aspirations of persons with disabilities.

iC2 PrepHouse is an organisation that provides support to visually-impaired persons and their families. In helping children with low vision stay in mainstream schools and in teaching them coping skills in everyday living, iC2 PrepHouse aims to prepare them for an independent and fulfilling future.