About Cherly
Cherly is an Indonesian composer, arranger, and conductor based in Taipei, Taiwan. Her work focuses on choral music and has been published internationally by Muziksea LLP (Singapore), Tabernacle Women’s Choir (Taiwan), and Padma Music Publishing (Indonesia). She conducts several choirs in Taipei and teaches at the TCS Institute of Choral Arts. A former director of Feixiang Choir (2012–2021), she led the group to international acclaim, including awards at the 2019 Praga Cantat. Cherly holds a Master’s in Music Composition from National Taiwan Normal University and continues to compose for solo, chamber, and orchestral ensembles. She also serves as a jury member in choral and composition competitions in Indonesia and Taiwan.
Blog
- Sing for Love 音為愛 2025Last year, I decided to join a choral composition competition in Taiwan called 音為愛 Sing for Love. It is a biennial competition that emphasizes the importance of choral music in Taiwan through new freshly written love-themed music, and for the first time since its first batch, is no longer exclusive for Taiwanese only. A huge challenge for me though, is one of the rules: it must be written in either Mandarin, Taiwanese Minnan, Hakka, or Taiwan Aboriginal language(s). There were some categories, so I wrote two songs–one for mixed choir category and the other for children choir category–and to my surprise I was awarded with high distinction (特優) –in other words, the first place–for my work for children choir, 《又是美好的一天》 (Another Beautiful Day). That was my first attempt to write a Mandarin song, and with my limited skills in Mandarin and a help from a good friend of mine, Danivu, I was so excited to hear it being premiered! On 15 March 2025, a concert for the winning works was held in Zhongshan Hall, Taipei. I took part as one of the singers in Taipei Chamber Singers. All I can say is I was so happy to hear my works wonderfully performed by Hua Hsin Children Chorus! A bonus, one of my arrangements was performed by 3521 Rotary Choir, and some friends told me how they enjoyed both songs. I’m grateful that I am so blessed! Some articles about the event: Musico | ET Today | CNA PS. I’ll update with the video once it is on air. Most photos by Dada Image
- The 18th Taiwan Outstanding Women in Science Awarding Ceremony 第18屆「台灣傑出女科學家獎」Taipei Chamber Singers was invited to perform in the 18th Taiwan Outstanding Women in Science Awarding Ceremony 第18屆「台灣傑出女科學家獎」 and it was a wonderful experience to see the outstanding awardees and their wonderful projects. We did another one last year, performing a medley of Mo Li Hua and Diu Diu Dang A 茉莉花/丟丟銅仔, which I arranged for SSAATBarB specially for this event. Sadly, it was not recorded, so there has to be another next time to perform the piece. This year, the organizer requested us to sing not in a mixed ensemble format but all female, and this year I was again privileged to perform and arrange another medley of Yue Qin and Mei Gui Mei Gui Wo Ai Ni 月琴/玫瑰玫瑰我愛你, and this time it was recorded! I do hope we will have another chance to perform this piece, it was so much fun!
- Yun-Chen Chang Graduation RecitalEver since I was still studying in NTNU, I always see Yun-Chen as a super smart and talented composer. Never thought that I would be honoured to be part of of her composition recital. Thank you for including me on your wonderful project, it was such a pleasure to conduct your ethereal works! Also thank you for all the singers who have worked hard to prepare the music despite all of limitations (especially time) we encountered. Thank you for giving your best efforts in our performance. Congratulations on your successful concert, Yun-Chen Chang! It was one of the best graduation concerts I’ve ever had chance to experience! Check out the videos below! Photos and videos captured by Yu-Chung Chen