Mei Nee Lee

Datin Julia Chong's lasting legacy

This saying rings especially true when it comes to the late Datin Julia Chong nee Wu Nga Chee – by all accounts, a staunch friend and teacher; a formidable woman, mother and wife; and a prolific pioneer of the local music scene in Sarawak.

In the run-up to “An Evening With The Stars of Tomorrow” (a charity concert which will be held in her memory) this August 6, thesundaypost caught up with Chong Pek Lin, Datin Julia’s daughter and now a senior music lecturer at Batu Lintang Teachers College, and Lai Mei Kuen, principal of The Talent Makers Music Academy in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for a closer look at the rich legacy Datin Julia left behind.

Generosity embodied

Pek Lin’s memories of growing up are filled with fun, music and a seemingly endless assortment of visitors and friends streaming in and out of their home.

Datin Julia was very active in the local music scene and the Sarawak Music Society. Together with the support of her husband Datuk Dr Chong Chun Hian who also loved to sing, their home became a gathering point of sorts for the local music community.

“We used to have parties, musical gatherings and get-togethers, where people would come and sing, and get together and perform, and eat food. Those were the days before TV,” recalled Pek Lin.

“Every Christmas, my parents would invite 60 to 80 people to the house to sing carols. We would have live music – no such things as CDs then. We would do lots of charity concerts, raise funds for churches, Rotary Club and so on.”

She also remembers her mother as someone who was very generous with her time, knowledge and support – giving free music lessons, accompanying students and musicians on her piano, encouraging others to give their best and giving her best to help them perform well.

Pek Lin described her mother’s passion for music and sincere generosity as something which “runs in her blood”, influenced by her early childhood.

Datin Julia was born in China but her family was not well off. She was taught how to play the piano for free by missionaries and later by British expatriates’ wives when her family moved to Penang.

When Julia was aged 12 or 13, her father lost his job. Together with her sister who had also learnt how to play the piano, Julia went door to door – sometimes on bicycle – to give piano lessons.In this way, they both helped to support the family.

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