About ITC & Juries
International Music Theory Competition
Building Better Musicians Through Knowledge & International Music Theory Competition
The International Theory Competition was established with a simple yet powerful vision:
To elevate the appreciation of music theory and inspire students to become well-rounded musicians.
While performance often takes centre stage, theory is the invisible framework that gives music its meaning, structure, and expression. ITC celebrates the intellectual side of music by providing students with a prestigious platform to demonstrate their understanding in a competitive yet encouraging environment. Originating from Malaysia, the competition welcomes participants from across the globe, bringing together young musicians who share a passion for learning and excellence. Unlike traditional examinations, ITC transforms theory into an exciting live challenge where candidates compete through accuracy, efficiency, and musical understanding. Every participant is recognised for their efforts, reinforcing our belief that learning is a journey and every achievement deserves celebration.
Our Mission
To promote music theory as an essential component of musical development and encourage students to cultivate deeper understanding alongside practical performance.
Our Vision
To become one of the world's leading international music theory competitions, inspiring generations of musicians to build strong intellectual foundations and lifelong appreciation for music.
Our Core Values
01
Excellence
Pursuing the highest standards in music education.
02
Knowledge
Celebrating understanding as the key to artistic growth.
03
Integrity
Maintaining fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
04
International Friendship
Connecting students and educators through the universal language of music.
05
Lifelong Learning
Encouraging curiosity, continuous improvement, and passion for music.
Panel of Juries
Caeleb Tee
Tammy Lim
Datin Dr. Kathryn Ang
Mrs Lim (Tay Tai Leng)
A Malaysian conductor, composer and educator whose work brings together music theory, composition, conducting and performance.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Liberty University. Currently Acting Director of the Sunway Conservatoire of Music and a Teaching Fellow at Sunway University, he applies a strong understanding of musical structure, harmony and composition across his educational and artistic work. His compositions have been featured by leading Malaysian ensembles and arts organisations, while his conducting repertoire includes major works by Mozart, Handel, Beethoven and Prokofiev. A recipient of the 20th BOH Cameronian Arts Award for Best Original Composition (Music), he continues to advance musical understanding through composition, conducting and education.
A passionate Malaysian pianist and educator dedicated to developing young musicians through performance and teaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music).
Her work extends beyond performance to music education, teacher training and adjudication. She received the Malaysia Influential Educator Award 2022.
Her students have achieved outstanding results, including Malaysia’s Top Scorer for the LTCL Piano Performance Diploma in 2022.
An international competition prizewinner herself, she continues to nurture disciplined, knowledgeable and expressive musicians while promoting a deeper appreciation and understanding of classical music.
A distinguished music educator, pianist, researcher and adjudicator with over four decades of experience in music education. She holds a Doctorate in Music from North-West University, a Master’s in Music (Piano Didactics) from the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Edinburgh.
Her work in music pedagogy emphasises strong musicianship through both practical training and a sound understanding of music theory.
She has guided generations of students and teachers, developing analytical understanding alongside performance skills.
An active researcher and published author in music education, she is regularly invited to adjudicate competitions and contribute to international conferences and symposia, advancing high standards in music learning and education.
Mrs Lim is a respected music theory educator, author and teacher trainer with over 40 years of teaching experience. She has trained and mentored many music teachers, equipping them with effective methods to guide students towards excellent results, including Distinction in music theory examinations.
She is the author of the Mrs Lim Music Theory Guide Books Series, a comprehensive collection of 10 books covering Grades 1 to 8, developed from decades of practical teaching experience. Her structured and progressive approach helps make music theory clearer and easier to understand for both students and teachers.
Mrs Lim is regularly invited to conduct music theory teacher training in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and cities throughout Malaysia, sharing her knowledge, experience and proven teaching methods with music educators across the region.