As we move further into 2026, May brings another exciting season at Soundskool filled with performances, opportunities, and meaningful collaborations.

From student competitions and scholarship initiatives to cultural partnerships and upcoming summer programs, this month reflects what continues to inspire us most: creating spaces where music, education, and community come together.

School Updates

Soundskool Superstars 2026 Returns

Our annual performance competition, Soundskool Superstars, returns once again, giving young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talent, confidence, and stage presence across three age categories (6–9, 10–13, and 14+).

Open to students across various instruments and musical styles, the competition begins with a video submission round, where selected finalists will advance to perform live at the Grand Finale in June.

The competition celebrates not only musical ability but also creativity, expression, and performance confidence developed through music education.

📅 Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026
📣 Finalists Announcement: 8 June 2026
🎭 Grand Finale: 21 June 2026

We look forward to discovering and celebrating this year’s outstanding young performers.

The Drums Awards 2026 – Finalists Announced

The first round of The Drums Awards 2026 has officially concluded, and we are delighted to announce the finalists advancing to the live Grand Finale.

Students from across our campuses submitted performances showcasing creativity, musicality, timing, and confidence on stage. The selected finalists will now perform live before our panel for the final decision.

📍 Soundskool BKK1 Campus
📅 17 May 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Thank you to all participating students and families for your continued support and dedication.

Meet the Judge – Toma Willen

We are honored to welcome Toma Willen as the judge for The Drums Awards 2026.

A seasoned jazz drummer with over 30 years of experience and more than 2,000 performances across Europe, Asia, and Africa, Toma brings deep musical experience and artistic insight to this year’s competition.

Now based in Siem Reap, he has collaborated with both international musicians and leading Cambodian artists while continuing his dedication to music education through teaching and mentorship at Soundskool.

We are grateful to have his expertise and encouragement supporting our young drummers.

RSL Exams Week – Term II

RSL Exams Week for Term II is approaching soon across our campuses.

Students participating in the examinations will have the opportunity to complete internationally recognized music assessments covering both practical performance and musicianship development.

We encourage all students to continue preparing confidently with the support of their teachers.

Introducing Soundskool Summer Camp

Soundskool’s Summer Camp launches in June 2026, offering an exciting 8-week music and creative learning experience for students to explore and learn.

Programs include both private and group learning opportunities across instruments and creative subjects, including:

• Various instruments such as piano, guitar, violin, vocals, etc.
• Songwriting
• Band Club
• Music Theory Lab
• Art & Crafts Activities

The Soundskool Summer Camp is designed to encourage creativity, confidence, collaboration, and musical discovery throughout the school break.

CSR Highlights

Soundskool Scholarship Program – Soundskool x Scholars

In Term I of 2026, through the Soundskool Scholarship Program Soundskool has supported young musicians through consistent lessons, performance opportunities, and structured musical development.

Through partnerships with sponsors and Soundskool's own commitment, scholars are able to access music education while developing confidence, discipline, and artistic expression.

We remain deeply grateful to every supporter helping make music education more accessible for young learners in Cambodia.

The Piano Shop Cambodia Supports Carnegie in Cambodia

Earlier this April, The Piano Shop Cambodia proudly supported Carnegie in Cambodia, a special evening that brought world-class musical performance experiences closer to Phnom Penh audiences.

The event featured internationally acclaimed pianist Julian Gargiulo alongside Princess Norodom Jenna in an evening that combined music, culture, and charitable purpose.

A Yamaha G5 grand piano provided by The Piano Shop Cambodia was featured on stage during the performances, while guests also experienced a Yamaha C3 at the booth display.

We are proud to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen Cambodia’s growing cultural and musical community.

The Piano Shop Cambodia Supports International Jazz Day 2026

The Piano Shop Cambodia was also proud to support International Jazz Day 2026 at Factory Phnom Penh.

From the jazz workshop sessions to the evening performances, the event created a vibrant atmosphere where audiences, musicians, and communities connected through music.

The evening featured internationally respected jazz pianist Giovanni Mirabassi and brought together music lovers from across Phnom Penh in celebration of jazz and artistic collaboration.

The Piano Shop Cambodia was honored to provide the piano for the performances and contribute to an event that continues supporting the local music scene.

Upcoming Events

Brahms the Progressive - Conclusion to the Spring Series

This May’s Monthly Classical Concert explores the connection between tradition and innovation through the music of Johannes Brahms and Arnold Schoenberg.

While deeply rooted in classical forms, Brahms continuously transformed them from within, developing rich harmonic language and evolving musical ideas that later inspired Schoenberg’s vision of modern music.

The program places Brahms’ 4 Ballades Op. 10 and 3 Intermezzi Op. 117 alongside Schoenberg’s 3 Piano Pieces Op. 11 and 6 Little Piano Pieces Op. 19, revealing a remarkable artistic link between Romanticism and early modernism.

🎭 Performed by Ken Min Lim (Melaka, Malaysia).

📅 17 May | 7:00 PM
📍 Raffles Hotel Le Royal

🎟 Adults: $10 | Students & children under 16: $3

📧 Booking: artplusfoundation@gmail.com

The Reading Bridge 2026: Cambodia × Italy

Soundskool is proud to support The Reading Bridge 2026, an intercultural literacy initiative connecting Cambodia and Italy through reading, reflection, and creativity.

Participants are invited to respond creatively to books, articles, videos, or written works through essays, visual art, storytelling, or spoken expression.

📅 Submission Period: 1–31 May 2026

📩 For more information: camlibrarians@gmail.com

The initiative encourages young people to explore culture, creativity, and global understanding through literacy and artistic reflection.

April Recap

Vienna Mélange – Monthly Classical Concert

April’s monthly classical concert transported audiences to fin-de-siècle Vienna through an evening of emotional depth, elegance, and expressive storytelling.

Featuring soprano Maki Yoshizawa with piano accompaniment by Yi-Chih Lu, the recital explored works by Mahler, Zemlinsky, and the sparkling world of Viennese operetta.

Held at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the concert brought together audiences for another memorable evening celebrating classical music in Phnom Penh.

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