Julian Hendriks

Julian Hendriks (born 1999) graduated with a degree in Music Performance from Sunway University’s School of Arts, majoring in classical voice (tenor) under the tutelage of YiLing Chaing. His interest in music started at a young age; he was born into a musically trained family, and classical music was his first love. He began learning the violin at the age of 10 after recovering from a fractured arm and then decided to take drum lessons at 14. He was also taught Malay traditional instruments (caklempong and gamelan) by his father, Ronald Hendriks, during his secondary school years.

A native of Melaka, Malaysia, Julian started singing in a choir at the age of 13 in a secondary school choir led by his father. However, he only began taking private classical voice lessons when he studied for his Foundation in Music at UCSI University’s Institute of Music at 19. At the age of 20, he achieved a distinction in Grade 6 classical singing with Trinity College London, and two years later, he achieved another distinction in his Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL).

His debut in solo classical singing was during the Chopin Society Malaysia Virtual International Music Competition Malaysia 2020, where he won first prize in the open category. In 2021, he was awarded third prize in the Istra Star 2021 International Music Competition (Croatia), and in 2022, he was awarded fourth prize in the London Classical Music Competition (UK).

In 2022, Julian made his public operatic debut in Pro Musica Opera Scenes. That same year, he was cast in the role of “Kaspar” in Menotti’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors under Fiamma Opera Studio, completing the studio recording in early 2022. He reprised the role in a live performance in August 2024 at Elim Gospel Hall, Ipoh. He also earned a major role in Opera Serikandi Nusantara later in 2022. In 2023, he was invited again to sing in the 14th UiTM-KLPAC Malaysian Composers Concert Series. In 2024, he performed as the cantor in Allegri’s Miserere Mei, Deus during Radiant Dawn, a concert held at Holy Rosary Church, Kuala Lumpur, with KL Madrigal Singers, one of the ensembles under VerSeS Music Ensembles.

In 2025, Julian performed as Monostatos in Mozart’s The Magic Flute in Penang and Sitiawan under Fiamma Opera Studio. That same year, he also appeared as a soloist in a salon concert featuring opera excerpts with Fiamma Opera Studio, hosted by Mr. Bernhard Schutte, in the presence of ambassadors from Germany, Singapore, and the United Nations.

Julian is currently a resident singer for Fiamma Opera Studio, which he joined in 2021, and was part of VerSeS Music Ensembles in 2024. He regularly performs in opera and concert settings across Malaysia.

In addition to his performance work, Julian is the current conductor of the Polyphony Choir at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSPX), where he leads the choir in the performance of sacred polyphony and traditional Catholic liturgical music.