Singapore, Singapore
As a composer, he embraces - harmonic washes, sonic composition and extended techniques, indeterminate improvisatory composition, electroacoustic works, to name a few! Xavier firmly believes in the concept of “collaborative composition”, seeing his performers and non-musical partners as equal collaborators in creating music. He also believes strongly in interdisciplinary collaborations - among his current and next endeavours, include film, art, poetry, and performance art. As a Merit Scholarship holder in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Xavier studies competition under Prof. Peter Edwards, Dr Adeline Wong, and Dr Chen Zhangyi. This interest in collaborative composition, also sparks his interest in improvisation. He has led several improvisation projects, from realisations of Cardew and Stockhausen with his experimental ensemble what the FORTE in the early days, to more recent projects including an upcoming interdisciplinary project with poetry and performance art. Xavier currently studies improvisation under Prof. Karst De Jong, and piano with Ms Yoon Joon A at the conservatory. Conducting has also played a significant part in Xavier's musical life. Among his projects include forming the youth wind ensemble Re;Cinta Wind Symphony, attending several conducting masterclasses organised by groups such as the Singapore Wind Symphony, and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. Xavier currently studies conducting (and orchestration) under Dr Robert Casteels, and is actively planning more conducting collaborations in the later half of 2026, including concerts of new music.