On May 13, 2026, 12-year-old composer and pianist Carey Tan returned to his former school, Shrewsbury House School, for a special sharing session with more than 300 teachers and students.
During the session, Carey spoke about his musical journey, his experiences and future plans for international performances, and how he balances music with academics. He also shared how music has played a significant role in shaping his personal growth, worldview, and decision-making.
After the talk, Carey performed his first original piano piece, Explorer, and answered questions from the students. The session concluded with a two-minute round of applause from the audience.
Following the event, Carey took photos with his former classmates from Shrewsbury House School and reposted the school’s Instagram article about the sharing session. The event was highly praised, and many students expressed their gratitude to Carey for inspiring and encouraging every child who loves music.
The following is from SHS’s Instagram:
Today, we welcomed Shrewsbury House Old Boy Carey Tan back to SHS for a very special visit!
At just 12 years old, Carey is already an internationally recognised composer and performer, with twelve international prizes, four symphonic works and a piano concerto to his name.
Reflecting on his time at SHS, Carey shared:
“The supportive teachers and inspiring environment helped me to grow. I want to say a sincere thank you to SHS for shaping my musical journey.”
The boys watched in complete awe as Carey performed and gave him a standing ovation. It was wonderful to see so many inspired by someone who once sat where they sit today, and there is no doubt Carey’s visit will stay with many of our young musicians for years to come! ❤️
