THE TEAM
STELLA ÆTERNA CONSORT is led by a multidisciplinary team of musicians whose experience spans sacred music performance, music education, liturgical ministry, and historically informed performance. Together, they guide the organisation's artistic, educational, and collaborative initiatives within the Western Christian sacred music tradition.
Esther Jong
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | MEZZOSOPRANO
Esther Jong is the Founder and Artistic Director of STELLA ÆTERNA CONSORT, a Singapore-based sacred music collective specialising in sacred choral repertoire, historical performance practice, and cultural engagement through music. Born in Singapore and raised in Perth, Western Australia, Esther’s musical journey began at the age of two, when she received her first musical instrument, the electone organ. She later pursued formal cello lessons through her schooling years, while independently exploring piano, violin, flute, recorder, and composition, amongst other musical pursuits.
Her journey into sacred music began in 2021 after experiencing the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, where she was deeply inspired by the beauty of the liturgy and its purposeful integration of music, community, and worship. She subsequently began serving with the Cathedral Choir, prior to commencing her formal formation (RCIA), and was baptised and initiated into the Roman Catholic faith in December the same year.
Through her involvement in the music ministry within the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, Esther regularly served at St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Basilica, Sacred Heart Church, and Holy Rosary Church, particularly for liturgies, concerts, weddings, and funerals. These experiences immersed her in the rich traditions of sacred repertoire, from Gregorian chant and Renaissance Latin polyphony to contemporary sacred works.
Following a five-year career in diagnostic pathology, Esther returned to Singapore in late-2024 and transitioned towards a professional pursuit of music-making, artistic leadership, and collaboration. She founded STELLA ÆTERNA CONSORT, a sacred music collective, which was conceived through a community-driven Easter concert at the Church of St Teresa in 2025. As Artistic & Managing Director, Esther leads the collective’s artistic vision through themed concert programmes, artistic planning, production, and educational initiatives that foster meaningful collaboration, cultural appreciation, and community engagement through sacred music.
Since its establishment, STELLA ÆTERNA CONSORT has presented multiple themed concert programmes within its first year, centred around significant solemnities within the Catholic liturgical calendar, including Easter, All Saints’ Day, and Epiphany. Beyond musical performance, these projects seek to create immersive experiences through contextual narration, thoughtfully designed programme booklets, and meaningful engagement with the historical, cultural, and spiritual aspects behind each programme.
Esther also performs with the Singapore Symphony Chorus and Singapore Lyric Opera, whilst remaining actively involved in Singapore’s Catholic music community through liturgical music ministry and collaborative projects. She is also developing her musicianship as an organist to further support liturgical practice and ensemble performance.
Samuel Lee
MUSIC DIRECTOR | CONDUCTOR
Samuel Lee has lead STELLA ÆTERNA CONSORT as Music Director and Conductor for their concerts since their official debut.
Currently serving as Conductor of the Ave Maria Choir at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (OLPS), a role he held since 2012. He also sings Bass in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Choir at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street at every Sunday 5pm Mass since 2024.
Samuel began his formal musical journey with the Victoria School Symphonic Band as a clarinettist. Within two years, he auditioned successfully for and joined the Singapore Youth Orchestra (SYO) and came under the tutelage of Ma Yue, Principal Clarinettist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Very rapidly, he was appointed to the position of SYO’s Principal Clarinettist from 1996 to 2001.
During Samuel’s National Service, he served as a Military Musician with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, performing at numerous national and ceremonial events. Upon completion of his service, he continued performing as Solo Clarinettist with the Singapore Lyric Opera Orchestra and other professional ensembles.
As an avid amateur conductor, Samuel received his first formative experiences on the podium of the Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band as Student Conductor, under the mentorship of Dr. Zechariah Goh Toh Chai. His passion for conducting extended to Catholic Church music and liturgy where he became involved in weekly Masses and important liturgical events as Conductor of the Christus Dominus Choir from 2000 to 2010 and the Cantate Domino Choir from 2012 to 2024, both in OLPS.
Guided by several mentors and driven by a deep commitment to musical excellence, Samuel continues to contribute actively to the Singapore Catholic Church. In recent times, he became even more passionate about early Church music, sacred polyphony and Gregorian chants, having come full circle from his early roots in classical music and opera.
