Talent takes more than ability to flourish. At an intimate Sunday recital in Kuala Lumpur, three young singers showed how opportunity, mentorship and the freedom to find their own voices can turn potential into confidence on stage.
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 July 2026 — “Talent shouldn’t be hidden.”
For young singer Lucas Law, those four words capture something larger than Sunday’s afternoon recital at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre.
They speak to the importance of giving young people — including neurodivergent talents — the opportunity to be seen, heard and recognised for what they can do.
Lucas, who is on the autism spectrum, was among the young singers featured in Celebrating Music, Mentorship & Friendship, presented by vocal educator Liow Jun Yi and featuring students of Crescendo Music & Dance Studio. The 23-year-old Selangor-born Lucas has already accumulated considerable stage experience, performing at the Unveiling Uniqueness concerts in 2024 and 2025 and taking on a leading role in the local musical production Life Is 2.0 in January this year.
Asked what he would say to neurodivergent talents who have yet to be discovered, Lucas had a simple message.
“Just be yourself, be brave,” he said.
“It might sound very stressful, but the most important thing is just stay true to yourself and just do your best. That’s all that matters.”
And then came the line that perhaps best summed up the afternoon:
“I think talent shouldn’t be hidden. Exposure with this kind of thing is really needed.”
The Chance to Be Seen
Lucas began vocal training at Crescendo Music & Dance Studio in 2024 under Dr Yap Jin Hin before continuing his studies with Jun Yi in 2025.
He performed at Unveiling Uniqueness, in both 2024 and 2025 concerts created to provide a performance platform for persons with disabilities and neurodivergent talents, before taking on a leading role in the local musical production Life Is 2.0 in January 2026.
At Sunday’s recital, however, Lucas was not presented as a special case.
He was one of the singers.
Alongside Gwen Lee and Glenys Lam, and accompanied by collaborative pianist Lau Jo Yee, he performed a varied programme before joining Glenys for A Whole New World.
Asked where he saw himself in the music industry five years from now, Lucas did not offer a grand prediction.
“I would just be happy to take up any performance opportunities because every performance opportunity really offers something different,” he said.
“And I can really learn from the different performances as well.”
That emphasis on learning ran throughout the afternoon.
Finding Their Own Voices
Gwen and Glenys began studying with Jun Yi at six and five respectively, and both spoke about how their relationship with their teacher had evolved as they grew up.
Gwen said techniques taught when she was younger made greater sense as she matured, her voice changed and she gained experience.
She also described Jun Yi as someone who had guided her through childhood and adolescence, offering advice extending beyond vocal technique.
For Glenys, the lesson was individuality.
“He lets me be myself,” she said.
Rather than asking her to sound like another artiste, Jun Yi encouraged her to understand her own voice and selected songs that allowed her strengths to emerge.
Talent Needs Someone Who Believes in It
For Lucas, the most valuable quality in his teacher is belief.
“Sometimes it’s very hard to believe in yourself,” he said, “but he will give you that push that you need.”
Jun Yi’s own route to teaching was hardly conventional.
After years of performing and entering singing competiions, he was challenged by an accompanist to deepen his understanding of music if he wanted to progress.
Already in his 30s, he quit his full-time job and enrolled in music school, eventually completing a diploma and degree and now pursuing his Master’s in Music.
He had begun teaching in 2006, determined to build a sustainable life in music despite the difficulty of earning a living solely as a performer.
Perhaps that explains why he is reluctant to let his students give up.
Talent Is Only the Beginning
His next task, he said, is to keep “pushing them” and encouraging them to continue singing.
And when asked what advice he would give aspiring musicians, Jun Yi’s answer echoed the philosophy Lucas expressed in his own way.
If you love music, keep going.
For Lucas and the other young performers on Sunday’s stage, being given the opportunity to keep going may be every bit as important as talent itself. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
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