Thai pianist Santi Saengthong is from Phitsanulok. He began his music studies on the electronic organ at the age of 13 but switched to piano at age 17. Mr. Saengthong came to Chiang Mai to study linguistics at Payap University but also studied piano there with Jamie Shaak. Later he studied piano with Bernard Sumner and Dr. Bennett Lerner. Mr. Saengthong also studied organ at Manchester University, England, and was an accompanist at the Loei Winter Music Retreat; he has also accompanied the Chiang Mai Voices chorus and tenor Antoine Garth. Concerts in which he has participated include the Alexander Tcherepnin concert in 2000, the Debussy Festival 6 in 2007, the Piano Club of Chiang Mai’s Mozart Festival in 2007, and the concert in Honor of the Birthday of Mr. Bernard Sumner in 2008. His accompaniment performances include:
- Antoine Garth – A Classical Song Recital in 2005
- Antoine Garth – A Song Festival in 2008
- Ong-ard Kanchaisak’s recital in 2008
- Krit Mekara and Namfon Srisomboon’s violin recital in 2008
- Ong-ard Kanchaisak’s recital in 2009
- Antoine Garth – song recital in Mysore, India in 2010
- Noppadol Chatchakul’s Baritone Recital in 2012
- An Evening of Puccini by You-ree Rho in 2012
- Concert Tour of You-ree Rho and Suranutyod Pitchayapornpan in Bangkok and Phuket in January 2013
In May 2011, Santi was awarded a licentiate diploma in piano recital with distinction from the Trinity College London’s examination board. He also received the 2012 Trinity Award Thailand for achieving the second highest score for the licentiate diploma in the year 2012.
Santi Saengthong has also appeared twice at recitals organized by the Friends of Music Making in Chiang Mai where he appeared both as soloist and accompanist to Ong-ard Kanchaisak. In February 2013, Santi appeared with You-ree Rho as guest performers in the gala opera concert organized by the Grand Opera Thailand Company and Prem Tinsulanonda International School.
Santi has also made many guest appearances during seminars and recitals given by the Friends of Music making in Chiang Mai, playing music by Schubert and Dvorak, for example as well as accompanying guest artists.