Sentire [sen-tee-ray] Ensemble, originally the Soundpainting Ensemble Singapore, is an avant-garde ensemble formed by Amos Chiya in early 2013 as part of an effort to unite the hearing impaired through music and allow them to express themselves through performing. Elements of improvisation and soundpainting are incorporated in the direction of the ensemble.

Soundpainting is a live conducted improvisation and composition technique utilized in the form of sign language by the composer or director, also known as the soundpainter. There is no required list of instruments and anyone who can play an instrument or sing can be part of a soundpainting ensemble. This ensemble is ideal as it would allow the participants to use their creativity to improvise and make music, and also allow participants to assume the leadership role of the soundpainter themselves and lead the ensemble, making music in their own unique ways. Every performer is also given the opportunity to be the soundpainter and create their own unique performances.

The Sentire Ensemble first performed at the inaugural Singapore Association for the Deaf gala dinner at the Marina Bay Sands, with two very talented students from the Singapore School for the Deaf sharing the podium with Amos Chia and Kongmeng Liew.

The ensemble now consists of students performing on pitched and non-pitched instruments, and we have plans to incorporate electro-acoustic instruments into the ensemble.