Founder
THONG YOONG HOW
He began his musical journey at the age of 10, starting with a brass band, and by 13, he had joined the 24 Festive Drums team at Seremban Chung Hua High School under the mentorship of Master Ng Seng Hiong, founder of Hands Percussion Group. This marked the beginning of his deep engagement with percussion. In 2003, he became a member of Hands Percussion, performing in over 500 shows across Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Later, as Director of Education and Outreach for the group, he took on key responsibilities such as designing educational programs, training 24 Festive Drums coaches, and spearheading initiatives to promote the local drumming culture.
In addition to his expertise in percussion, Thong Yoong How has also trained in modern dance, ballet, Tai Chi, and yoga. In 2009, he began studying tabla under the guidance of Malaysian Indian drum master Prakash Kandasamy, a practice he continues today. He has also participated in various short-term percussion courses, including the Ju Percussion Group program in Taiwan. Thong further expanded his skills by learning African hand drumming from Oliviar Tarpaga and Western percussion techniques from Suyin. In 2016, he began self-teaching handpan (HANDPAN) techniques.
That same year, after leaving Hands Percussion, he founded the Awakening Rhythm Percussion Ensemble, embarking on a musical journey combining 24 Festive Drums and handpan. He also formed a duo named “HABA” with musician Kent Lee, blending handpan and bass to explore new musical expressions.
In 2019, Thong officially founded the Awakening Rhythm Handpan Ensemble, Malaysia’s first handpan group. The ensemble’s mission is to promote a structured handpan percussion teaching system, expand the handpan community, and explore handpan-based music therapy for body and mind wellness.
Recent Performances by Thong Yoong How
2012
He collaborated with four renowned Chinese percussion masters, the "Eight Hammers," to perform "Ming" in Malaysia. This piece was the first to blend Chinese percussion with Malaysian Gamelan, creating a unique fusion of musical traditions.
2013
Umesh Shetty's dance piece, "< SUM >," features a drummer who also received an invitation to perform in Perth, Australia, for the Diwali celebrations.
2015
Participated in the music composition for DPAC Artistic Director Wong Chi Wing's dance piece . This work also earned the Best Music and Sound Design award at the 13th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2016.
2015
Thong Yoong How was responsible for the percussion music design for a segment of Li Qinsong's Wuyi Workshop dance production.
2016
Invited by Soul Vibration to perform as a guest musician for the piece "Mountain and Sea" in the "Carpe Diem" concert.
2017
Organized the inaugural percussion concert of Jue Zou Gan titled, which was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience.
2018
Participated in Umesh Shetty's dance production, which was performed in India and South Korea.
2019
Participated in the Northern Percussion Ensemble's China tour, with performances in Guangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chaozhou.
2020
In 2020, he was the percussionist of Malaysian singer Lin Yuzhong's concert and played the handpan.
2023
Thong Yoong How authored Malaysia's first book on the basics of handpans, "(Handpan Beginner's Guide)," which gained recognition from the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in July of the same year, leading to his appointment as a DPAC Performing Arts Ambassador. In the realm of 24 Festive Drums, under Thong Yoong How's guidance, schools have consistently achieved remarkable results. Sandakan Yu Yuan Independent High School won the Borneo Regional Championship in 2013 and 2015, while Seremban Chung Hua High School claimed the Central Malaysia Regional Championship in 2016. Nationally, Seremban Chung Hua High School achieved second place in 2014 and third place in 2016.
Additionally, Sunway University, under his direction, won the championship at the 2019 National University Elite Competition. Thong Yoong How has frequently served as a judge for national elite competitions and currently holds the position of Deputy President of the Malaysia Drummers Association. To this day, Thong Yoong How is passionately promoting drumming culture and currently mentors teams at Seremban Chung Hua High School, Kota Kinabalu Kian Kok Middle School, SMK Tanjong Sepat, and La Salle Primary School in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
