ENSEMBLES 2023

UWCSEA Wind and Percussion Ensemble

The United World College is a mission-driven organisation with a strong commitment to the education principles of their founder, Kurt Hahn: An enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, and above all, compassion. The UWC movement has a passionate belief in the importance of education as a means for good in the world and makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. The Woodwind and Percussion Ensemble is comprised of 27 enthusiastic musicians between the age of 12 and 17 from the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), Singapore.

Sally Newman

Woodwind Ensemble Conductor

Sally Newman is currently a music teacher at United World College South East Asia in Singapore. She was previously Head of Music at the Bavarian International School and Saint Bernard’s College, Wellington, New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Canterbury University and Honours in Flute Performance from Newcastle University, Australia. She holds a Diploma of Education from Victoria University Wellington. Sally has directed choirs, bands, orchestras, musicals and a raft of other ensembles across all age levels and taught the IB MYP, I/GCSE and IB Diploma music courses. She has led her students on tours around the world and is particularly passionate about engaging in service. Currently she facilitates opportunities for her students to provide music as therapy for neurodiverse people and she spent a year in South America volunteering as a teacher in less developed communities.

José “Zeca” Lacerda

Percussion Ensemble Conductor

José “Zeca” Lacerda is a percussionist and music educator with experience teaching music since 2008 at institutions in the United States, Brazil and Singapore to students of all collegiate levels. In Singapore, Zeca currently teaches at UWCSEA and has taught at the Singapore American School. As an instrumentalist, Zeca has performed and lectured in over 20 cities around the United States, seven states in Brazil, as well as internationally in countries including Canada, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and Argentina. In Singapore, Zeca has been active with music ensembles such as Wicked Aura Batucada and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. He has released two albums through Soundset Recordings and has appeared on recordings from labels such as New World Records. Awards received include Percussive Arts Society and Zildjian scholarships. He earned a Doctoral degree in Contemporary Music from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s in Music from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor’s in Music from the Federal University of Santa Maria. Zeca is a tenured Professor of Music at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Brazil.

Celebration Program

Additional Concerts Program