A Steinway Artist. Poom’s research explores pedagogical approaches for young Southeast Asian musicians, with a focus on nurturing artistic identity through culturally informed methodologies.
He is currently Head of Junior Music at the School of Young Talents, and a member of the Piano Faculty at the School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore.
Poom earned his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as an Artist Diploma, from the Royal College of Music, London. There, he was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal by King Charles III, the institution’s highest honour and the Concerto Prize for his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor. He also studied at the Moscow Conservatory and completed his Doctor of Music at the University of Montreal, where he won the Grand Prize, Orford Music Award and was named to the Rector’s List of Honour as the most outstanding graduate of his cohort.
His international career was launched with a Gold Medal at the 5th Isidor Bajić International Piano Competition in 2010, leading to performances with orchestras including the Kazakhstan Philharmonic, Montevideo Philharmonic, Timișoara Philharmonic, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Worthing Symphony Orchestra, Thailand Philharmonic, and Hong Kong Philharmonic, among others. His debut album on Champs Hill Records, featuring works by Medtner, Liszt, and Scriabin, was praised by American Record Guide for its “refined artistry and poetic insight.”
A passionate advocate of Carl Vine’s music, Poom premiered Three Fantasias with support from UOB and was praised by the composer for his ’unique passion and intensity’, ’formidable technical mastery’, and ‘sonorous serenity’ in his interpretation of Piano Sonata No. 1. His recordings of works by Medtner, Scriabin, and Rachmaninoff for Champs Hill Records have received wide international acclaim. Most recently, a live recording of Carl Vine’s Three Fantasias, made at HKMUSE, was released by Faber Music, London.
Poom has given masterclasses and research presentations at institutions including the Kazakhstan National Conservatory, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the University of Hong Kong. He is a former Elite Fellow at the University of Malaya, Senior Lecturer and Program Leader of Sunway University, Malaysia, and the first Asian piano professor appointed to the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA), Denmark.
Most recently, Poom was awarded the 2026 Christine Ip International Faculty Award by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, in recognition of his artistic excellence and international contribution to music education.
Doctor of Music,
University of Montreal
Master of Performance with Distinction,
Royal College of Music
Bachelor of Music with Honours,
Royal College of Music
Artist Diploma in Performance,
Royal College of Music