SINGAPORE – They cut their teeth on performing on stage at previous ChildAid concerts.

This year, pianist Jessie Meng, 17, R&B singer Riszuan Syah, 19, and guitarist Alex Hooi, 22, are back in the spotlight again, with 80 others, at the concert that marks ChildAid’s 20th year milestone.

Joining the trio virtually is singer Ariadna Padron Yassin, 22, who is in Amsterdam pursuing her studies.

Titled The Dream Emporium, this year’s concert – held on Nov 29 and 30 – is set in an enchanting world where children’s dreams come alive through song, dance and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Organised by The Straits Times and Business Times (BT), ChildAid 2024 has raised about $2.1 million through ticket sales and donations from UOB; TTJ Design & Engineering, a structural steel specialist company; and Mr Mohamad Abdul Jaleel, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of MES Group, a property and logistics solutions firm. 

The money goes to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which sponsors the lunch and transport fees of children from low-income families, and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BAF), which supports artistically talented youth from less-privileged households.

For the past two decades, ChildAid has been an inclusive platform for young performers, between ages six and 19 and of diverse backgrounds, to showcase their talent.

Editor-in-chief of the English/Malay/Tamil Media Group, SPH Media and chairman of BT BAF Wong Wei Kong said: “It is heartening...