RuanAtWorkz Musical Arts (R.A.W.) will premiere A Sound Not Yet 一聲未至, an immersive sound performance by artistic director and ruan musician Neil Chua, on 13 and 14 November 2026 at the Blackbox at 42 Waterloo Street in Singapore.
Running for 45 minutes, the intimate performance combines live ruan music, lighting, sound and audience presence to create an experience that goes beyond a conventional concert. With just 40 guests per session, the production removes the usual separation between performer and audience, inviting attendees to experience the work from within the performance space.
Described as a shared ritual of listening, A Sound Not Yet explores the idea of a sound that has yet to arrive and a room waiting for it. The performance unfolds through three movements: calling, presence and dissolving. As the ruan is played, the performer, instrument and audience gradually become part of a shared listening experience.
The production places as much emphasis on silence and atmosphere as it does on music. Each sound is given time to emerge, while lighting by Alberta Wileo and sound design by Aw Wei Zheng help shape the environment around Chua’s live performance.
Rather than relying on spectacle, the work focuses on creating space for reflection and attentive listening. The relationship between performer and audience is deliberately left open, allowing each guest to experience the performance in their own way.
Chua brings extensive experience in traditional Chinese music and cross-cultural collaboration to the project. He was the first musician from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music to earn a Master’s Degree in Music specialising in the ruan, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument. Through performances and collaborations, he has introduced the instrument to international audiences while exploring ways to connect traditional sounds with different musical styles.
In 2018, Chua became Singapore’s first traditional arts artist-in-residence at Stamford Arts Centre, where he explored innovative approaches to community engagement through music. He is also the founder of RuanAtWorkz Musical Arts, a registered charity that promotes traditional music, education and cultural exchange.
Chua has also been commissioned to create new works for the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Cultural Extravaganza, contributing to the exploration of the ruan’s expressive possibilities. As a certified singing bowl practitioner, he brings together performance, wellness and cultural preservation in his artistic practice.
With A Sound Not Yet 一聲未至, R.A.W. invites audiences to experience music through a quieter and more intimate format, where the interplay of sound, silence, light and shared presence becomes central to the performance.
The premiere takes place on 13 and 14 November 2026 at the Blackbox, 42 Waterloo Street, with each session limited to 40 guests.
