Singapore
Er Chow Kiat (b. 1989) is a drummer and music educator with an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2016, he founded Drum Tutor, a leading contemporary drumming school in Singapore with five outlets across the island. Since its inception, the school has taught over 1,000 students and is supported by a dedicated team of 20 staff members. Lionised among his contemporaries as one of the youngest luminaries in his field, the musical maestro has helped put Singapore on the map as an accomplished musician who has toured the world with international bigwigs like Taiwanese songstress Angela Zhang, and played with Instagram rockstar Mateus Asato at major festivals like Japan’s Fuji & Sun Festival, Taipei Jazz Festival and Java Jazz Festival. Chow Kiat exemplifies the Singapore dream, forging his own path despite academic struggles. A self-taught musician since age 14, he pursued his passion and graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts with a diploma in popular music. In 2012, he topped a global competition, earning a full scholarship to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, USA, where he graduated with an associate degree and received the Outstanding Student Award. Now an endorsed artist with TAMA Drums and Zildjian Cymbals, he has carved out a career as a prominent and prolific musician in the local and regional industry. Chow Kiat - who operates with the philosophy that art is meant to unite people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and heritage - speaks regularly about his journey towards pursuing his passion and finding success in a non-traditional career, in the hopes of paving the way and inspiring other young, budding musicians in Singapore to do the same. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music Leadership at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, and is a recipient of the prestigious SkillsFuture Fellowship, awarded by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam In 2026, Chow Kiat made history by setting the Guinness World Record for the Most spin-and-strike drumbeats in one minute, bringing this achievement to Singapore. What began as a dream, built through years of dedication and countless hours behind the drums, has become a landmark achievement in his musical journey.
Highly experienced with start up and management expertise - oversaw a team of 20 staff and 1,000 students. Led company meetings and directed accounts administration. Implemented customised CRM/HRM web applications. Developed and introduced music teaching content and syllabus both offline and online. Produced marketing and branding plans, including product and retail design. Established partnerships with institutions and brands such as Musicians Institute (USA), EVANS Drumheads (USA), Premier Drums (UK), ABRSM (UK), Rockschool (UK) and Trinity College London (UK), including coordination of corporate engagements. Initiated and planned recitals for students. Grew from 1 to 11 studios in Singapore with approximately 12% YoY revenue growth.
Performed in concerts and theatre shows across the Caribbean and Europe.