Some journeys begin with a single step, while others start with a longing for home strong enough to reach across continents. For internationally acclaimed pianist Foo Mei Yi, the Nine Arts Festival is both a return to the place where her artistic journey began and a bold step to nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of artists.
From Seremban to the Global Stage
In 1996, Mei Yi moved to the United Kingdom (UK) to pursue her studies in piano performance, eventually earning international recognition as an innovative pianist. Her work blends classical repertoire with Malaysian cultural elements from rainforest-inspired soundscapes to the spirit of Wayang Kulit, earning accolades such as BBC Music Magazine’s Best Newcomer in 2013. She describes the inspiration as part of her DNA as a Malaysian, almost as though her culture calls out to her through her brilliant ideas.
Despite decades abroad, Malaysia remains her emotional anchor. As a MyHeart member and Malaysian diaspora, she stays connected with fellow Malaysians abroad, sharing her expertise with the next generation of artists. “I find a lot of freedom when I’m in Malaysia,” she says, reflecting on why she returns each summer to teach masterclasses, coach young pianists and contribute to arts education.
She also shares her artistic flair and in-depth knowledge of classical music through her role as a piano teacher at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Her teaching is a way of passing on the beauty of art, inspiring others and creating opportunities for the youth.
Mei Yi notes that there is always a healthy number of Malaysian students who study with her, be it one-on-one lessons or in group settings where she coaches them on performing publicly, providing a little “dose of home” while she works abroad.
A Festival Rooted in Culture
Building on her experience abroad and her passion for nurturing talent, Mei Yi brought her vision to life through the Nine Arts Festival. Held in the heart of Negeri Sembilan, the festival is more than a showcase. It is a multi-disciplinary platform designed to celebrate Malaysian creativity.
Built on four core goals, Mei Yi says the festival aims to showcase Malaysian talent across a wide range of artistic disciplines, encourage interdisciplinary innovation, strengthen communal bonds via cultural exchange and lastly, nurture the next generation of creators through educational outreach.
Although the festival was held in a quiet location away from the city bustle, it carried a significance deeper than geography. For Mei Yi, choosing Negeri Sembilan was an act of returning to the source that sparked her creativity.
“It’s home,” she shares. “It’s where I first stepped onto a stage as a child, where I won my first drawing competition and where I played my first theatrical role. It’s my artistic muse, the place where my creative journey began. Now, it’s time to create many more ‘firsts’ for the younger generation in my hometown.”
Mei Yi also stays in touch with Malaysians near or far who want to contribute to the arts through networks like MyHeart. This connection is a way to bring home the knowledge, skills and global perspective she has gained over decades.
A Platform for the Future
The Nine Arts Festival is designed not only to celebrate artistic talent but also to lay the groundwork for the future of Malaysian arts. Mei Yi believes that while Malaysia’s creative scene is still young compared to other countries, it is deeply rooted in rich traditions such as collWayang Kulit, Gamelan and local storytelling practices. By bringing together multiple art forms under one platform, the festival provides a space for preserving heritage and encouraging contemporary reinterpretation.
Through educational outreach and mentorship, the festival opens opportunities for young Malaysians, especially those outside major urban centres, to explore, learn and express themselves creatively.
Courage, Creativity and Continuing the Journey
Mei Yi shares her belief that creativity blossoms when it is nurtured collectively. Her work, both as a performer and educator, demonstrates that artistic success is not just personal but grows through collaboration, mentorship and community engagement.
Reflecting on her journey and the festival’s mission, Mei Yi shares that, “art is a conversation between the past and the present, between creators and their communities. The festival is my way of keeping that conversation alive and of inviting the next generation to join in.”
As a Malaysian diaspora, Mei Yi embodies the spirit of giving back. Her journey shows that distance is no barrier to nurturing creativity at home and her story inspires Malaysians abroad to contribute to the arts in their own communities.
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