Cover Clarence Kang plays comforting melodies in the lobby of Prince Court Medical Centre (Photo: Fady Younis)
Clarence Kang plays comforting melodies in the lobby of Prince Court Medical Centre (Photo: Fady Younis)
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In conjunction with Autism Awareness Month, Tatler speaks to autistic savant pianist Clarence Kang and his mother Joyce Lim about their journey and a mother’s enduring love
In the lobby of Prince Court Medical Centre, autistic savant pianist Clarence Kang comforts visitors with his music, playing stirring instrumental renditions of contemporary pop hits. “Sometimes, patients come by to wait for his performances with their IV drip bags in hand. Although Clarence has his difficulties, he is living proof that everyone has a purpose in life and can contribute in some way to society,” asserts his mother, Joyce Lim. Kang also performs at Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, rotating between locations every month. As Lim says, “Music heals the soul.”
Diagnosed as a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Kang was 10 years old when he began to play the piano formally. Able to read books and decipher difficult words as an infant, it was little surprise that the young outlier could play challenging musical arrangements without formal instruction. Comfortably reading music and analysing complex chords, Kang has eidetic recollections of the compositions he learns. He has since come under the tutelage of some notable piano instructors, including Juilliard scholar Dr Nicholas Ong.
Above Joyce Lim and her son Clarence Kang in blue, the colour of autism awareness associated with calmness and acceptance
Joyce Lim and her son Clarence Kang in blue, the colour of autism awareness associated with calmness and acceptance
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Although autism awareness has come a long way over the last 20 years, Lim still recalls a time when people would accuse her, the mother of three, of being a “bad parent,” blaming her for Kang’s inability to connect with people in conventional ways. “Clarence’s way of communicating is through his music,” Lim says, proud of her son’s achievements.
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In 2017, Kang became the youngest speaker at TEDxPetaling Street, communicating to audiences not through an oral presentation but through an 18-minute original composition titled Concert Fantasie.
“He loves to compose, and when he was young, I would buy him hundreds of CDs. His mind is full of music, and he can synthesise different sounds into original arrangements,” Lim says proudly, recalling the way Kang would playfully remix the classical sounds of Chopin and Beethoven with Jay Chou. “I like Beethoven’s Opus 53 too,” Kang adds, referring to Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53, also known as the Waldstein—regarded as one of the German composer’s most technically challenging piano sonatas.
Above Kang is a savant, with exceptional aptitude in music despite being differently-abled
Kang is a savant, with exceptional aptitude in music despite being differently-abled
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The 26-year-old savant is a seasoned performer, representing Malaysia in various musical and performance competitions abroad, including Canada, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Shanghai, while earning numerous awards and accolades. In 2015, Kang participated in Asia’s Got Talent and even performed an opening number at the 9th ASEAN Para Games with Yuna in 2017.
In 2023, Kang received the Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM) Diploma from the University of West London, which is equivalent to a final-year undergraduate module. The qualification means the world to his mother, who has devoted her life to preparing Kang for adulthood, defined by independence and fulfilment. Kang is adjusting well to being a working adult, mentioning, “I like working here [in Prince Court] because I need a job, but I also like playing music for others to make them happy.”
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When Kang was three years old, Lim took notice when he started to play by himself, and the early signs began to emerge. “I watched him arrange his toy cars in neat lines, daydreaming and starting to fidget. I took him to a doctor, who directed us to a paediatrician to have his sight and hearing tested,” Lim says. The tests were routine in determining if language delay is caused not by deafness but by autism.
Above Hold My Hand is an original composition by Joyce Lim, inspired by her son's point of view
Hold My Hand is an original composition by Joyce Lim, inspired by her son's point of view
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Fortunately, Lim was wise in heeding medical advice once Kang received a diagnosis, swiftly enrolling him in speech therapy and occupational therapy. “Parents with special needs kids need to take action before their children are six years old. You have a short golden window to engage in early interventions,” Lim warns. Experts agree that early interventions should begin as early as two or three years of age, while a child’s brain is still developing, to allow treatments to have a higher chance of long-term effectiveness.
“I hope for a society that can accept autism and embrace a culture of inclusion,” Lim says. A pianist, former piano teacher, and the owner of two music centres, Lim is no stranger to music herself. Inspired by her son, she composed an original score for Kang titled Hold My Hand. “I had to learn to drive with one hand because Clarence always wanted to hold onto my hand as a child. My son inspired the lyrics of this song. I wrote it to express his inner voice and the insecurity I have felt from him,” Lim explains.
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Part of the lyrics read: “A hug from your arms is what I wish, give me strength to carry on, I’m not alone, you are here to hold my hand, I know that you care.” Lim wants to continue writing music about autism, believing that “music can convey feelings to people more directly than words ever could.”
Above Before formal training, a young Kang would often play with his own 3-fingered technique
Before formal training, a young Kang would often play with his own 3-fingered technique
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To parents coming to terms with the challenges of life with autistic children, Lim advises, “Don’t feel discouraged. It is normal to fall into negative thinking, but you must pick yourself up quickly and start working towards realistic goals. You will see positive developments for you and your children. The most important thing is to accept your kids, nurture them, observe them, and take note of their interests.”
While not every autistic child may be a savant (one who has exceptional skills or talent in a specific area), Lim believes all parents should love their children unconditionally and equip them with the everyday life skills and social skills they need to navigate a world filled with confusing social constructs and unwritten rules.
“Although I love my kids, I want to let go. I don’t want Clarence to hold my hand forever because he’s all grown up. It’s time for him to live his own life, find his destiny, experience all the happiness in this world, and know that he can take care of himself after I am gone.”
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Photography: Fady Younis
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