Such is the confidence of Singapore's very own drummer-boy.

But it's no idle ambition - the talented youngster has performed at Singapore's annual ChildAid charity concerts since 2006. The concert, now into its fourth year, showcases young artistic talent.

And Ethan has made his mark in China, too. He and his family moved to Guangzhou last year and he has already scored wins in competitions. He has even been endorsed by premier global percussion label, Zildjian.

He will be back in Singapore to perform at this year's ChildAid concert, older and more experienced and with his six-year-old brother Noah joining him on drums. Both will be part of the concert's finale, which will feature six drum sets performing in tandem.

The boys' father, 35-year-old Exxon manager Bernard Ong, who was posted to China last year, said: 'The drum set finale is a great idea. Both Ethan and Noah are very thrilled.'

Proceeds from the concert, to be held at the University Cultural Centre on Dec 3 and 4, benefit The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund which provides needy students with money for recess; and The Business Times Budding Artist Fund which gives funding to nurture the artistic talent of underprivileged children.

Donors for this year's ChildAid include global hard drive manufacturer Seagate Technology, which chipped in over $26,000.

Others comprise previous donors global banking group Citibank, regional food and health supplements enterprise Cerebos Pacific, cranes and heavy equipment specialist Tat Hong, OCBC financial group, and newcomers New Creation Church, French jewellery and watch label Cartier and car distributor Stuttgart Auto.

The editor of The Straits Times, Mr Han Fook Kwang, says: 'ChildAid is one of our favourite projects because it's about two of the things dearest to our hearts: helping needy students do better, and showcasing our best young talent.'

Children helping children

Ethan's next ambition is to play at the 2010 Youth Olympics here. He says: 'It would be a dream come true to represent Singapore and perform at the opening ceremony.'

He is not the only rising star to have wowed audiences in the ChildAid concert series. Other young stars include opera singer Janani Sridhar, who took part in 2005 and 2006. She also sang the national anthem at the start of the F1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix last month.

The 2005 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Musical Excellence recipient is now on a scholarship course at Oberlin College in the United States.

ChildAid organising chairman Peter Khoo says: 'The fact that many ChildAid performers go on to perform on a bigger stage is a great testimony.

'More importantly, we have been raising more money each year to help the disadvantaged, the people who need the most help during these testing economic times.'

Last year, ChildAid raised a record $450,000 for its two charities, taking the total figure raised since its launch in 2005 to $1.17 million.

Pianist Azariah Tan, 17, who performed at last year's event, says: 'It was a fulfilling experience to be able to play a part in contributing to other children in need.'

Azariah, who was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at the age of four, and loses 5 to 10 per cent of his hearing every year, is studying at the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory.

Prodigies to play too

Asked if he worries about losing the ability to hear music one day, he replies in an e-mail: 'I try not to dwell too much on it. But I am always prepared should that ever happen. I focus on the important things that I can do right now and not let myself be discouraged.'

Another musician who is passionate about his craft is 2005 ChildAid alumnus, 11-year-old harpist Lee Yun Chai. Over the past three years, he has played for Britain's Queen Elizabeth and was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Lily Laskine International Harp Competition in Paris last month.

What advice does he have for first-timers? He says: 'Take deep breaths, just focus on the music and occasionally glance at the audience, but don't stare into the crowd.'

The organisers say there will be 16 acts this year, ranging from vocal to piano, violin, guitar and dance performances.

Special invites have gone to singers Julia Abueva, 12, who studies at the Singapore American School, and former Singapore Idol contestant Meryl Joan Lee, 19, now a National University of Singapore undergraduate.

Opening the show will be a 30-strong troupe of ballet-trained girls from dance school Crestar. They will be performing a Broadway number set to Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon.

Other guests include Japan's Taiga Onitsuka, nine, one of the youngest professional jazz percussionists in the world, and award-winning piano prodigy Aristo Sham from Hong Kong.

ChildAid music director, composer and Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail, says: 'The standard gets better every year. We have had to turn down so many talented artists.'

Also going on stage are father-and-son duo, Marcus and Kevin Loh, who will be playing a guitar duet.

Ten-year-old Kevin competed in the solo category against adults in the third Singapore International Guitar Competition last year. He says: 'I was very nervous since they were all grown-ups. But at least I made it to the semi-finals.'

An even younger talent is rocker Zidann Zalizan, seven, who plays a mean set of drums.

The aspiring rocker goes for lessons once a week at music school Pro Musique and has opened for professional acts like popular Malaysian rock band Search in August, garnering rave reviews.

He is also a complete natural when it comes to posing for photographs, sticking out his tongue and flashing rocker hand signals. A sign of that elusive star quality, perhaps?

Not if his parents can help it. Dad Zalizan Ishak, 39, a project manager, chuckles: 'That's where we come in, to make sure his head does not get too big!'

tanyihui@sph.com.sg