Champions Behind the Scenes - Sky Shen

Singer-Songwriter Sky Shen’s rallying call to support our Team Singapore Paralympians in Paris!

Profile Photo of Sky Shen and his personal piano. Photo Credit : Sky Shen

Despite being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at five and bound to a wheelchair by age twelve, Shen Yu Xiang, known on stage as "Sky," has soared to become a prominent figure in Singapore's music scene. At 30, Sky's resilience shines through his music, especially in his anthem "March On," crafted to uplift and support Team Singapore's athletes for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Growing up, Sky's condition barred him from many childhood activities, confining his days to school and hospital visits. However, his passion for music ignited during countless hours spent playing role-playing games (RPGs), like the Final Fantasy series, renowned for their enchanting soundtracks. The musical layers woven into these games not only enhanced their fantastical worlds but also revealed to Sky the profound narrative power of music. He recalls, "I realised that part of the reason why I enjoyed the stories and the magical worlds so much was due to the music. I understood then that music is a powerful medium of communication and storytelling."

By secondary school, Sky was composing lyrics to game instrumentals, collaborating with friends he met on YouTube to produce covers. Today, his journey continues to inspire, demonstrating how adversity can be transformed into artistry, and limitations into triumphs.

Sky Shen performing at his own EP Launch event in December 2022. Photo Credit : The Wicked Light

Sky took his first steps towards a musical career at Temasek Polytechnic where he bravely joined TPChorale, singing as a Soprano 1 in various choir groups despite having gone through puberty. His journey continued at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he received the SPD Youth Aspiration Award. This recognition enabled him to enhance his skills at the Lee Wei Song Music Academy. Sky shares, “There, I took some lessons on pop vocal performance. That’s where they taught me to sing in my lower register, and also songwriting, where they taught me basic keyboarding skills (playing chords) and improvising melodies to form song compositions.”

Sky’s musical inspirations include video game developer and composer Laura Shigihara, who noticed his talent early on. She praised his YouTube cover of her song "Everything's Alright," and they later connected on Twitch. Shigihara encouraged him to persist in his musical pursuits, deeply resonating with Sky’s philosophy of music as a storytelling tool. “She uses simple words and her songs are meant to create a shared emotional experience between musician and listener,” Sky reflects, appreciating this approach to music that mirrors his own belief in the communicative power of melodies.

Recording session for “March On” with Evan Low (Left) and Snakeweed Studios in 2024. Photo Credit : Sky Shen

In 2021, the journey of "March On" began when Sky performed at an online charity concert and caught the attention of Peter Sau, the head of performing arts at ARTDIS Singapore. Sau invited Sky to audition for the Beyond Display Programme, a two-year performing arts training initiative. Under the mentorship of Dr. Philip Tan, Sky was inspired to elevate his aspirations and share his compositions publicly as his graduation project.

After Sky recorded his debut EP, "Wheel You Love Me?", he was approached to create an anthem for the Singapore Paralympic team. Sky confessed, “To be honest, I was terrified! Until recently, I was just a music enthusiast improvising tunes in my bedroom and live-streaming singing and games to an online audience. To write a song that would be recognized as a national theme song for our Paralympic team seemed way beyond my abilities. However, ARTDIS encouraged me to believe in myself. I also felt that it was an extremely precious opportunity for me to be able to create a song, as a person with disabilities, for persons with disabilities, about our lives as persons with disabilities. I decided to take a leap of faith and take on the project.”

Sky Shen’s performance of “March On” at Team Singapore’s Flag Presentation event at Our Tampines Hub in May 2024. Photo Credit : Juliana Chia

While working on the project, Sky delved into the stories of Singapore's Paralympians, watching past videos and reading articles about their journeys. "I truly found our para-athletes inspiring," Sky reflected, moved by the extraordinary determination and resilience they display in pursuing their dreams. This insight shaped his song "March On," crafted not just to celebrate their spirit but to mirror it. "They are inspiring because of their choices and actions, not just who they were. It's how hard they work to live their dreams, and we can all learn from them," he noted. The song became a rallying call to not only admire from afar but to march alongside the Paralympians, to be inspired to live with the same vigor, support them actively, and create the change we wish to see in the world.

(From L to R) TeamSG para-swimmer Sophie Soon with her guide dog Orinda, Sky Shen and retired world champion Theresa Goh in May 2024. Photo Credit : Juliana Chia

Sky passionately advocates for greater inclusion and understanding towards people with disabilities. He emphasizes, "Often, people shy away from us or exclude us from social settings, or even for work. There is a lot of fear – people are afraid to ask questions or talk to us about our disabilities because they do not want to offend or hurt us. But dialogue and discussions are so important to build understanding and relationships! So, I hope that everyone will 'march on' with and alongside persons with disabilities, 'cast aside all our fear', and go forth to create a more inclusive society for all."

Musically, Sky captures the essence of a marathon in his anthem "March On." The song begins slowly, mirroring a runner's initial preparation with lyrics that encourage resilience and unity: "Deep breath, take a step. Cast aside all our fear. Chin up, look around, let’s draw strength from their cheer." As the melody builds into a steady, strong rhythm, it mirrors the peak of a race, designed to evoke the emotions and camaraderie typical of sports events, forging a deep connection through shared experiences.

Sports is highly emotive, and when we watch and support teams, we feel involved and a sense of camaraderie. A sports anthem should strive to do the same – to create a bond, a connection, and be part of a shared lived experience.

Poster of Sky Shen’s sports anthem, “March On”.

Sky underscores the parallels between musicians and athletes, highlighting that both pursue their passions with total commitment, whether on the race track or the stage. He argues that while sports offer a visual thrill, music enhances these moments, providing an emotional depth that allows even those outside the athletic community to connect with the spirit of competition and camaraderie.

Moreover, Sky advocates for a broader appreciation of diverse talents within Singapore, stressing that just as athletes deserve acclaim, so too should artists. He challenges the traditional emphasis on academics over arts or athletics, hoping for a cultural shift that celebrates and supports all aspirations.

Discussing disability, Sky shares his conflicted feelings about being labelled "inspirational." He acknowledges the positive intentions but expresses concern that such labels may inadvertently highlight differences rather than contributions, striving instead for recognition of persons with disabilities as integral members of the community. His perspective invites us to rethink how we support and recognize all individuals, celebrating their endeavours without casting them as outliers.

Sky Shen and Toh Wei Soong (2-time Asian Para Games Gold medallist) at the Team Singapore Flag Presentation Ceremony in Maty 2024 at Our Tampines Hub. Photo Credit : Juliana Chia