She was awaiting her turn to perform at the Kammermusiksaal – the prestigious chamber music hall within Berlin’s Philharmonie, home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Earlier in February, Kimberly had emerged as a first prize winner at the 2026 International Music Competition Berlin “Grand Prize Virtuoso”. The event drew participants of all ages and nationalities, competing across categories such as vocal, strings, and piano.
A select group of winners were invited to perform and receive their awards at the prestigious Kammermusiksaal on April 1 and 2 in Berlin, and Kimberly was among them.
She sang “Part of Your World” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. She knew this song well, having performed it two years earlier as Ariel in a Cempaka Performing Arts Company (CPAC) production.
But this time was different. She was far from home and stepping onto a stage in Germany for the first time.
She was the sole Malaysian representative that day, taking her place among performers from the US, Norway, France, Spain and Turkey, among others.
Then came her cue. As she sang, her voice rang across the hall – clear, assured and filled with emotion.
It was a moment years in the making, shaped by hours of practice, performances and determination. When the final note faded, she took a bow as applause filled the hall.
“I felt so happy to represent Malaysia,” Kimberly told FMT Lifestyle.
But Berlin was just one chapter in what has already been a remarkable journey. This year alone, in the span of about two months, she amassed 14 other international vocal awards.
Among her most memorable achievements, Kimberly shared, was the New York Music Award 2026 (Season 1), where she clinched the platinum prize in the youth category (ages 11-13), a gold prize in the musical theatre category and the “Distinctive Interpretation Award”, given in recognition of her exceptional artistry or originality.
And there is more to come.
In early May, Kimberly, a Year 7 student in Cempaka International School, will take on the role of Wednesday Addams in a production of The Addams Family. She is also set to compete in the grand finals of Kids Got Talent Malaysia.
Come May 3, Kimberly will learn if she has won “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” at the 21st Boh Cameronian Arts Awards (BCAA) 2026.
She earned the nomination for her role as Summer Hathaway in “School of Rock, The Musical”. According to the BCAA team, Kimberly is the youngest nominee since the ninth edition of the awards, for which no earlier records are available.
Yet beyond the growing list of accolades, there are other changes that matter just as much.
“I’ve learnt to manage my time better, so I can balance my studies and extracurricular activities,” she said.
This often involves mapping out her days and staying disciplined enough to follow through. With each performance, she added, she has grown more confident. She’s no longer nervous before performing too.
Kimberly’s love for singing began when she was seven years old. Together with her father, Andrew Chan, who has a musical background himself, she performs as part of a father-daughter duo. They sing duets, practise regularly and create music videos for YouTube.
Over time, her father has noticed her transformation – not just her voice, but her confidence and ability to express herself.
For Andrew, the goal was never only about winning awards, but about letting her explore her interests and develop life skills along the way.
“I want to encourage her to work towards a goal and to experience what it feels like to achieve it,” said Andrew, 46, who is CPAC’s CEO.
Looking ahead, Kimberly dreams of performing on bigger stages.
“I want to perform on Broadway or at West End, maybe when I’m older,” she concluded, flashing a big smile.
But for now, she is taking each step as it comes – one note and one stage at a time.