Meet Jayden Chan, the talented winner of STARS 2025! In this interview, Jayden shares his journey in the competition, reflecting on his previous experiences and the preparation he undertook. He discusses the impressive talent of his fellow contestants, his musical influences, and the support he received from teachers. Join us as we explore Jayden's inspiring story and his exciting plans for the future!
What inspired you to participate in STARS this year? Is this your first time performing in STARS, what made you decide to audition?
This actually isn't my first time in STARS. My first time was back three years ago. When I was in Year 8. Friends will remember that I was playing the ukulele on stage. And after that, I really fell in love with the show and I've wanted to be involved in any performance opportunities since then. This is my first year as a finalist since then, so I'm pretty happy about the opportunity to do that.
How did you prepare for your performance?
There was a lot of practising going on. I'd like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Otto and the jazz band for actually putting aside so much time to help to practise with me for a song. I was constantly going over the most challenging parts of the song, even running through them in the shower when I had a moment to spare!
Can you describe your feelings when you were announced the winner?
I was in disbelief! There were so many incredible acts and finalists, and I had prepared myself for the possibility that I might not win. Being in the middle of the show didn’t help my nerves either. But when my name was announced, it was an absolute rush! The first thing I wanted to do was celebrate with everyone around me, because this show is about all of us, not just me.
Were you surprised by the quality of the other contestants this year? What stood out to you?
Absolutely! There were some familiar strong contenders, like MilkB4Cereal, who have always been a fantastic band. I’ve worked with Concord many times, and they consistently deliver great performances. I was also impressed by Asteria, who I hadn’t heard of before but are known for their amazing high notes. There were several newcomers too, like Poison Ivy, whose performance was fantastic and had such a great vibe. The Lovedollz also stood out with their rendition of "Still Into You." It's one of my favorite songs, and I know how challenging it is to sing and keep in time, so I was in awe of how well they nailed it!
Having participated in other singing performances, such as school production, assemblies, End of Year Awards, how does STARS compare to those experiences, especially competing alongside your schoolmates?
Most recently, I was in the school production "Chicago," where I played Amos Hart. Before that, I performed at the Winter Fair with the jazz band and Concord. I’ve also sung at various assemblies and school events. STARS is different because of the competitive aspect. While it’s easy to get caught up in the nerves, especially leading up to the event, I focused on just putting myself out there and doing my best, which I really enjoy. The thrill of competition definitely adds to the excitement of the show!
You cover a range of genres, from Hip Hop to Jazz. How do you choose songs for your performances?
It really depends on the context. When I’m performing with bands that have a specific genre preference, I let them take the lead on song choices. In more formal settings, especially with jazz bands, I like to keep it classy with jazz, or I might choose an old Tom Lehrer song.
Who has been your biggest influence in music?
That's a tough question because there are so many influences! Over the past few years, the music department at Island School and its staff have played a significant role in shaping my musical style and perfecting my singing technique. They've also connected me with other musicians I really admire. I hope to continue this journey and build on those influences in the future.
What advice would you give to future contestants?
Have fun with it! When I first participated in Year 8, I was overly focused on the technical aspects—hitting every note and playing the right chords. But on stage, that’s not what really matters. The audience doesn’t notice the small mistakes or voice cracks; what they see is a performer giving their all and enjoying themselves. So, focus on creating a great show and having a lot of fun.
What are your plans for your music career moving forward?
I’m considering taking music as an IB subject, although I'm still deciding. I hope to continue gigging with Concord, ideally at larger events in the future, and we might participate in something like Battle of the Bands. As a solo performer, I want to keep exploring my musical path next year and see where it takes me!
Any teachers that inspired you or helped you?
I want to give a special thanks to Miss Lau, who greatly improved my singing technique and boosted my confidence on stage. Mr. Otto opened my eyes to jazz songs that I wouldn't have discovered otherwise. Shout out to Mr. Travers, who taught me music at GCSE last year; he’s unfortunately no longer at Island School. It's been a pleasure working with Ms. Kwan this year on all the performances, despite her being relatively new. Lastly, I appreciate all the teachers who came to support my performances—it may seem like a small gesture, but it really means a lot.
Click here to watch Jayden perform his finalist song