Classical For Kids: The Ugly Duckling with The klpac Orchestra

After “Music Play Date”, many have asked if there will be more programmes for young audiences. The klpac Orchestra is delighted to present its first in its Classical for Kids series: "The Ugly Duckling"!

With a narrator as a gentle guide to this classic by Hans Christian Andersen, there will be storytelling accompanied by popular classic music such as Johannes Brahms’ Lullaby and Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube, performed in a relaxed setting by The klpac Orchestra under maestro Lee Kok Leong. It also features a guest singer Yiling Chaing.

The concert ends with A Meet The Orchestra where kids (and adults!) can get to know more about the orchestra, its musicians and instruments.

This series is an educational experience and represents an invaluable chance to acquaint young audiences with classical music as well as to see and hear an orchestra performing live!

Age Limit: Recommended for 3-6 years old. Children above and below this age range are welcomed including the young at heart and neurodivergent audiences who will enjoy a more relaxed concert environment. 

Important Note: At least one parent or guardian must accompany a maximum of two children for safety purposes as well as to ensure they get the most out of the experience.  

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Ticket Price :

Category	Price
Cat 1 (Floor Seats): Little Ducks Zone (Bundle for 1 Adult + 1 Child below 12yo)	RM 80
Cat 2 (Chair Seats): Swan Zone – Adults	RM 50
Cat 3 (Chair Seats): Swan Zone – Children 12 yo & below and Disabled	RM 30

Remark: Free seating within respective zones (Duckling / Swan).
Please WhatsApp us at +6018 227 7212 to discuss the availability of accessible theatre seats and to book.

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Buy Tickets 
Online Purchase: https://www.cloudjoi.com/
No phone sales and over the counter sales. E-tickets only.

Enquiry
WhatsApp +6018 227 7212

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a relaxed performance?
The typical theatre rules are more relaxed. Audiences are not required to sit still or stay quiet. The lights of the theatre will not dim completely and the volume of the music will be toned down. 

Who is it for?
While this particular concert is targeted for children aged 3 to 6, we warmly welcome families with younger or older children as well as neurodivergents who may benefit from this relaxed setting. 

What is the seating like?
There are two types for this concert. The Duckling Zone features floor seating on stage on kids play-mats in front of the orchestra. These seats are available in a bundle of 2 for a parent and child (for safety reasons). The Swan Zone features your typical theatre seats which can be purchased individually.

Will the concert be interactive?
"Classical for Kids: The Ugly Duckling" will be performed as a show. The interaction takes place after the show during the Meet The Orchestra session. 

Are food and drinks allowed?
Water bottles are allowed but other food and drinks are not allowed. The main lobby is a short distance away if you need a snack or break.

What amenities does klpac have?
Each washroom has a diaper changing table. For the concert, a Calm Room / Nursing Room will be set up on Level 2. You may borrow an ear defender or booster seat from the Front-of-House team (subject to availability). There is also wheelchair-accessible parking, seats and washroom (with no steps). For our full visitor guide, please visit https://www.klpac.org/about-us/your-visit/

Parental Advice: If your child is restless / crying, please bring them out of the hall. After they’ve calmed down, you can re-enter with the assistance of our ushers.

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About klpac Connect
klpac Connect is an access and development initiative supported by Yayasan Sime Darby aimed at improving access to the arts through various amenities and programmes for families with young children, students / schools, persons with disabilities, talents and the general public. Find out more at bit.ly/klpacconnect.

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About The klpac Orchestra
The notion of a community orchestra is very much in keeping with the vision of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), which is to foster creative excellence and develop and nurture performing arts culture in Malaysia.
 
Driven by the obvious need for a community orchestra to cater for the growing number of classically trained musicians, it established its first orchestra in 2006. Following the first auditions in October, The klpac Orchestra debuted in December with “Candelight Christmas” under the baton of the late Mr. Brian Tan, its Founder as well as first Music Director and Resident Conductor.
 
In setting up the orchestra, klpac hopes to provide enriching and engaging musical experiences for people with varying musical backgrounds, in an environment that promotes fellowship and respect. The founding of The klpac Orchestra provides more opportunities for aspiring musicians, amateur or professional, while helping to promote orchestral music. 
 
Under its Founder’s passionate leadership, hundreds of musicians have been trained and had the chance to perform on a professional stage. After his passing, Dr. Takahisa Ota took over the baton for a short period in 2012 before Lee Kok Leong took on the role in 2015. A few days before Mr. Brian Tan’s passing, the orchestra staged “A Concert for Brian” (October 2011) to a full house to honour their Founder and his life’s work.
 
The orchestra performs a wide variety of music all year round ranging from classical concerts such as “Czech Impressions” (2023), “Tchaikovsky – The Great Romantic Master” (2022) and “Baroque Elegance” (2022) to popular music like “Magical Movie Moments” series (2017, 2019, 2023), “Unforgettable: Lagenda Malaysia” (2023), “Tunes from the East” (2019) and Sudirman tribute “One Thousand Million Smiles” (2017). It joined hands with klpac’s other music ensembles – The klpac Symphonic Band and The klpac String Orchestra – to perform in “Christmas Extravaganza” (2022) to mark a major comeback after the pandemic closures. 
 
Over the years, the orchestra has had the honour of collaborating with many ensembles and soloists such as pianist Dr. Poom Prommachart, pianist Dr. Elaine Yap Sin Yee, pianist Albert Tiu, violinist Fung Chern Hwei, cellist Valerie Aimard, Wicked Music People and NSO Wind Ensemble.
 
Outside of klpac, The klpac Orchestra has performed at Claviera Music Studio and UPM Music Department’s “Debonair Malaysia Concert” (2018), “Putra International Piano Competition – Winner’s Gala Concert” (2019) at UPM, “Gemilang Cemerlang Concert” by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (2023) and Claviera Music Studio’s “Gold Star Competition – Winner’s Gala Concert” (2024).

Resident Music Directors:
Mr. Brian Tan (2006 – 2011)
Dr. Takahisa Ota (2012-2014)
Mr. Lee Kok Leong (2015 – Present)

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Lee Kok Leong: Music Director & Resident Conductor
Kok Leong has over two decades of experience in the local orchestral scene as a violist, conductor and music educator. 
 
As an in-demand violist, he has performed at the  Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s Inaugural Concert in 2007 as well as with the Friends of Strings Chamber, National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), Galaxy Chamber Orchestra, The klpac Orchestra, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), Kuala Lumpur City Hall Orchestra, RTM Orchestra and, more recently, with Malaysia’s first baroque music ensemble, Wicked Music People.
 
In 2005, he debuted as a conductor with the Galaxy Orchestra and went on to become its Resident Conductor from 2007 to 2011. From 2010 onwards, he was mentored by the late Brian Tan, The klpac Orchestra’s Founder, and later received conducting masterclasses from renowned pianist and conductor Elaine Pao. In 2015, Kok Leong shouldered the responsibility to carry on the legacy and vision of his mentor and assumed the role of Resident Conductor & Music Director of The klpac Orchestra.  
 
Outside of klpac, he also lends his conducting expertise and has participated as a conductor in the Klang Music Festival, the biannual Soundbridge Contemporary Music Festival as well as productions such as Euphrasia The Musical which toured to Ipoh and Kota Kinabalu after its KL premiere. He has also been conducting the Friends of Strings Chamber Ensemble since 2014. 
 
A passionate music educator, Kok Leong founded Ottava Music in 2019. He has been leading the string ensembles at Chong Hwa Independent High School, Tsun Jin Independent High School and Pin Hwa Independent High School since 2021. Occasionally, he also adjudicates for music competitions such as the Pay Fong Middle School Western Instrument Competition (2023), He Yue International Arts Festival (2023), Red Sonata Fiesta International Arts Festival (2023) and MIA Young Musician Competition (2020).
 
In 2016, he was nominated for Best Music Direction / Conductor for "Symphonic Swing" at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. In 2007, he was awarded the Best Music Participant (Male) – Level II at the Kursus Jurulatih Seni Budaya Negara Zon Selatan and the Runner-Up for the Chamber Classical Music category, Malaysia Young Talent Music Competition.

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Creative & Production Team

Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
Music Director & Resident Conductor: Lee Kok Leong 
Producers: Lee Hai Lin, U-En Ng 
Storytellers: U-En Ng, Yiling Chaing
Mezzo Soprano: Yiling Chaing
Production Stage Manager: Soo Choy Wah

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre & The Actors Studio Team List 
Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican 
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM 
Associate Artistic Director: Christopher Ling
Group General Manager: Ian Chow 
General Manager (Marketing Communications): Ang Yue May 
Assistant General Manager (Theatre & Technical Management): Lawrence Selvaraj 
Assistant General Manager (Admin, Finance & Production): Easee Gan
Assistant General Manager (Publicity & Marketing): Maggie Ong
Assistant Technical Manager: Mathanakumar Murthi
Senior Technicians: Mohd Helmi Md Khairi, Mohd Faridzuan Bin Abd Rahim 
Junior Technician: Yogeshwaraan A/L Shandre Sakran
Assistant Manager (Front of House & Theatre): Muhammad Hazim Bin Mansur
Production Stage Manager: Desmond Ngooi
Assistant Production Stage Managers: Chia Jing Sheng, Hafiza Husna, Jech Wong
Orchestra Manager: Soo Choy Wah
Publicist: Wong Kar Yee
Senior Art Director: Joel Wong
Multimedia Content Creator / Videographer: Jeremy Loo
Project Executive: Alice Tan
Assistant Box Office Supervisors: Jennifer John, Vaideggy Vijayasagaran 
Account Manager: Esther Kuan 
Assistant Manager (Accounts & Admin), Personal Assistant to Executive Producer & Group General Manager: Amanda Chan
Personal Assistant to Artistic Director, Executive Producer & Group General Manager: Farah Nadia
Head of Academy: Kimmy Kiew
Academy Administrator: Harsvini Loganathan
Resident Choreographer: Zhafir Muzani
TUTAS Coordinator: Xavier Chen
MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Instructor: Toh Wei Keith
Assistant Maintenance Manager: Selva Rajoo
Security Manager: Balasubramaniam Ganapathy
Assistant Security Manager: Mahendra Karuppiah
Senior Security Officer: Shandre Sakran Kumaravale
Security Officers: Balasivasubramaniam Arunasalam, Nadarajan Maruthamuthu, Parameshvaran Perumal