Karena Tam Hiu Ching is going to study her third year of the Bachelor of Music, at the Royal Academy of Music, specializing in Double Bass Performance. She is studying under the tutelage of esteemed instructors Mr. Tom Goodman, Mr. Graham Mitchell, and Mr. Dominic Seldis.
Karena’s passion for the double bass began at the age of 6 when she was captivated by its ability to produce vibrant melodies across a wide range of pitches. She embarked on her musical journey under the guidance of Mr. Edmond Cheng. Over the years, she has had the privilege of participating in various masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Ms. Fung Yung, Mr. Gottfried Engels, Mr. Artem Chirkov ,and Mr. Henry Chen.
For 9 years, Karena has dedicated herself to honing her skills at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She actively participated in symphony orchestra performances and musicianship classes. Throughout her musical journey, Karena has found great joy in being a part of String Orchestras and Symphony Orchestras, especially in Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, Karena achieved the LTCL Diploma with Distinction in Double Bass, marking a significant milestone in her musical accomplishments.
Karena’s pursuit of musical excellence has taken her to various cities around the world through numerous music tours. She has gained valuable experiences performing in prestigious venues in Tokyo, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Prague and Pisa.
In the summer of 2022, Karena’s talent and hard work paid off when she achieved 2nd place on ‘Hong Kong Music Talent Award 2022’. She is also the 3rd Prize Winner of ‘1st Caneres, International Music Competition Vienna’ in Double Bass. Alongside her instrumental achievements, Karena has cultivated a passion for composition. It was her orchestral composition titled “The Sneak Attack” that garnered her first place at the ‘Hastings Musical Festival’ in March 2023. She was honoured with the esteemed “Caroline Pudney Salver for Sixth Form Music” Prize, an achievement that holds a special place in her heart.
In addition to her performance achievements, Karena is passionate about composition. Her orchestral piece “The Sneak Attack” won first place at the ‘Hastings Musical Festival’ in March 2023, earning her the “Caroline Pudney Salver for Sixth Form Music” Prize.
As a seasoned performer, Karena has been invited to showcase her talents in solo recitals and chapel performances throughout high school. She drew inspiration from her bass teacher, Mrs. Susan Denyer, and served as Principal of Double Bass at Roedean School. She embraced the roles of soloist and conductor in “The Carnival of the Animals.” In February 2023, she performed in the live production of *Les Misérables* and, before graduating, was one of four featured soloists at the ‘Brighton Fringe Festival,’ playing Serge Koussevitzky’s “Concerto for Double Bass, Op. 3.” Most recently, in July 2024, Karena performed in a solo recital titled “String Rhapsodia,” featuring a variety of double bass pieces and a trio with violin and piano, including “Grand Duo Concertante” and several modern works.
Watch Hiu Ching Tam perform Elegy No.1 for Double Bass and Piano by Giovanni Bottesini on the double bass for the 2025 Summer Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.