Tracing invisible maps across ivory keys; each glissando a flight path and each arpeggio a winding river; an apt description of Clarisse Lim’s musical and writing journey.

Just 11 years old, this Year 7 Sunsuria Foundation Concord Merit Award recipient has been charting her course with seamless grace.

After securing the Gold Prize at the 5th Annual Rising Stars International Art Festival & Competition (Malaysia Regional Selection), Clarisse qualified to compete at the Grand Finals held at the Concert Hall, Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi, Vietnam on 18 July 2025 of which she was awarded the Gold Prize as well.

Clarisse went on to compete in the RockFest Malaysia specifically the Classical Piano Open 2 category and took home the coveted Rock Award after competing against 10 finalists. Her winning piece was an expressive rendition of Frédéric Chopin’s Polonaise No. 11 in G minor, Op. posth. KKIIa Nr.1.

Most recently, this talented pianist garnered the finalist award at the International Grand Final of EuroAsia Piano Competition 2025 for age group 11-12 (Advance Division).

Away from the beautiful world of classical music, Clarisse is also a rising star in essay competitions having competed at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC), an internationally recognised writing competition receiving a record breaking 53,434 entries across 56 Commonwealth countries. She received a Silver Award in the Junior category for her essay entitled “An Interesting Journey”. The essay took readers on a journey across Commonwealth states ranging from small island nations like Nauru to larger countries like India.

“We are incredibly grateful for the platform CCIS provides, which encourages students to pursue their interests while ensuring they engage with global issues, and develop their critical thinking and writing skills. We hope to recognise and appreciate the school’s excellence in humanities and literature,” said Ms Chin, Clarisse’s proud mother.

Dr Phil Outram, Executive Principal expressed his pride in her achievement. “Clarisse is one of the outstanding scholars to join Concord this year through the Sunsuria Foundation Concord Scholarship Programme. From the very beginning, she has embraced the Concord ethos wholeheartedly, and as a true all-rounder, she has made a significant impact both academically and musically. We are delighted to have her as such a valued member of the Concord community.”

Photos and videos courtesy of Clarisse’s family.
Among Clarisse’s Performances:
• https://youtu.be/das9NI4QlPk |Grand Final Hanoi Vietnam, Rising Stars International Art Festival & Competition Vietnam 2025 Lim Chen Xuan
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tDwDB9wbrY | Young Artiste Junior Malaysia Piano Competition 2025 KL2 Prelim
• https://youtu.be/JDP-CbGI24I?si=i1-Iw768rO2cPM2K  | [Ages 11-12 ], Malaysia Piano Competition 2025