Spotlight on YAFies: Christopher Chung

Christopher Chung
RAW Assistant vocal coach, RAW A Cappella team

When did you first find yourself falling in love with beatbox?
When I was twelve, I discovered beatboxer Tom Thum on YouTube and thought what he did was amazing and cool. Then I started to teach myself by watching YouTube videos.

What’s the trick to mastering beatbox?
Everyone’s oral cavity is unique. If you try using different parts of your mouth to make the same sound you’ll find that some work better than others. Plus, if you practise over and over again you can hear your sounds improve really quickly. The advantage of beatbox is that you can practise anytime, anywhere. So don’t get discouraged when you start out. It takes time to make great beats.

What made you want to join the RAW A Cappella team?
I had already sung with another a cappella team and I wanted to add to my skills and get to know other music lovers.

This year you’re the assistant vocal coach of the RAW A Cappella team. What are your duties?
My main focus is to help the vocal percussionist perfect their beatbox technique and help the low harmony team sing with expression.

RAW A Cappella is performing “Home To You” and “My Dreamy Christmas” at Standard Chartered Arts in the Park 2022. What should the audience pay attention to?
I think the lyrics and backstory of Home To You are interesting. It’s quite different from most popular songs and worth listening to. My Dreamy Christmas is a Christmas medley. Listen out for the way that RAW’s singing instructor Astrid Liu seamlessly merges the tempos, genres and pitches of different songs into one.

What’s the most unforgettable experience you’ve had with RAW A Cappella?
Last year, as well as doing beatbox, I also took care of the bass part and dance steps. Being responsible for three things at the same time I improvised quite a lot during the performance. That kind of excitement on stage is unforgettable.

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Which singer or musician would you most like to collaborate with? 
Multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier. As an all-around musician, his arrangements are constantly pushing pop songs to new heights. I’d definitely learn a lot working with him.

Do you have any advice for young people who are passionate about singing?
Singing techniques are important, but it’s also important to take the initiative and get to know other musicians. That way you can learn different singing skills, enhance your musical abilities and learn how to create music with other people.

What’s your Christmas wish?
That there can be an end to pain in the world. After the pressures of the pandemic these past years, it’s time to resume normal life.