SIFMA 2025 Unveils International Lineup
Celebrating Worldwide Talent and Cultural Exchange at Sarawak’s Premier Music Festival
Celebrating Worldwide Talent and Cultural Exchange at Sarawak’s Premier Music Festival
The Sarawak International Festival of Music and Arts (SIFMA) is tuning up once again — and this time, the notes sound brighter than ever. As it enters its sixth edition, the two-day festival returns on 6–7 December 2025 at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building in Kuching, gathering an impressive constellation of artists from across Asia and beyond.
For a state that has quietly cultivated its cultural identity through rhythm, movement and melody, SIFMA has become far more than a concert series. It is a statement of continuity, a testament to Sarawak’s growing confidence in the arts as both a bridge and an engine for collaboration. Each year’s edition feels larger, more open-hearted — and 2025 is poised to be no exception.
A Lineup That Bridges Borders
The 2025 edition welcomes Harit Chunhanantasap, a rising pianist from Thailand who began his musical studies at just 13. Having earned his Master’s degree in Music Performance with First Class Honours from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, Harit’s debut with SIFMA will mark a significant step in his professional journey — a performance that festival organisers hope will inspire other young musicians across the region.
Audiences can also look forward to the distinct soundscape of Mahaka Music from Indonesia — a group that has carved a name for itself in the realm of Ethnic Pop. Their performances weave the warm, organic timbre of traditional bamboo instruments with contemporary musical sensibilities, creating a sound that feels both rooted and refreshingly current. Mahaka’s mission is simple yet profound: to keep Indonesia’s musical heritage alive while crafting work that resonates with listeners of all ages.
Indonesia’s celebrated soprano Regina Handoko will bring her luminous voice and commanding stage presence to SIFMA 2025, performing at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building this December. Known for her versatility across opera and instrumental performance, Regina trained with renowned vocal pedagogues and holds vocal and harp diplomas from Trinity College London and ABRSM.
Her accolades include top prizes at major international competitions in Vienna, New York and London, underscoring her exceptional artistry. Also an accomplished harpist, she has performed with leading Indonesian orchestras, making her appearance at SIFMA a highlight for classical music enthusiasts.
Maestro Hu Chenyun, the internationally acclaimed conductor and suona virtuoso of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, will also be performing at SIFMA this year. A First-Class National Player of China and recognised Shanghai Leading Talent, Maestro Hu also serves as a board member of the Shanghai Musicians Association and founder of the Hu Chenyun Chinese Music Studio. He has performed across 40 countries with top ensembles and on world-class stages from the Philharmonie de Paris to the Kennedy Center.
Prepare to be moved by the grace and precision of Dancer Interface Performing Arts Studio from Miri, Sarawak. Founded in 2008 by Kelvin Bong, this non-profit ensemble is devoted to preserving and elevating Chinese ethnic and folk dance. Their work extends far beyond performance: through open classes, community outreach, and charity showcases, they bring dance into everyday life. With a training philosophy that fuses rigorous technique with cultural storytelling, Dancer Interface nurtures dancers who embody both mastery and tradition.
The Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra (TBO) brings its signature blend of tradition and innovation to SIFMA 2025, performing on instruments crafted entirely from bamboo. Founded by Golden Melody Award–winning director Luo Cheng-Hun, TBO is Taiwan’s first officially registered bamboo ensemble and is celebrated for reimagining Taiwanese folk and Indigenous melodies with artistic finesse. Having toured internationally across New Zealand, India, and Indonesia, the ensemble now brings its resonant, bamboo-born soundscape to Kuching, showcasing resilience, craftsmanship, and cultural harmony.
Representing Thailand’s cultural diversity is Absolutely Thai, the performing arts group founded by Ms. Paphutsorn Wongratanapitak — affectionately known as Ms. Koong. Famous for her meticulous choreography and deep cultural insight, she and her ensemble will present a sweeping showcase of traditional dances from the four regions of Thailand, performed in collaboration with Kamphaengphet Rajabhat University and Rajprachasamasai Phaimathayom Rachadabhisek School.
For more updated artists lineup, click here.
Music as Invitation
Beyond the stage, SIFMA functions as a platform for exchange — a meeting ground where musicians, educators, and cultural producers come together. The festival’s long-term impact has already been felt through workshops, collaborations, and youth music training led by IMH, nurturing the next generation of Sarawak-born talent.
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For this edition, audiences will once again be invited to experience live performances under the dome of one of Kuching’s most striking landmarks — the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building, perched beside the winding Sarawak River. The architectural grandeur of the venue adds a sense of ceremony to a musical homecoming for everyone who believes in art as connection.
An Invitation to Kuching
If previous editions are any indication, SIFMA 2025 will be another chapter in Sarawak’s growing cultural conversation — one that connects its local artists with audiences and collaborators across continents.
SIFMA is supported by Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak.
Tickets and Complimentary Passes
To register for tickets, please fill in the form here. For details, please visit SIFMA’s official website here. Alternatively, call Ms. Connie at +60109668769, Mdm Surie at 010-6622658, or contact its main office at +6082238918.
