unseen emotions - heard
Original music, art and stories brought together.
Our Story
The soft resonance of a single note, the subtle breath of a melody, the echoes of strings - they speak the language of the heart.
notesforest was born from a deep appreciation for the power of music to reach places beyond words. In moments when the mind feels restless and the heart overwhelmed, music offers a space where unseen emotions can be heard - a place to slow down and hear what the noise of life often hides.
notesforest is a listening space where music, art and intimate stories come together - inviting us to pause, feel and find something of ourselves in the stories of others.
About
Angela Chee 雲
composer & musician
Music and Inspiration
Music is deeply personal to me - it steadies me through struggle and helps me find my footing.
Beyond my work in technology, including founding a digital engagement company, I created notesforest - an evolving listening space where original music meets visual storytelling, bringing together my love of music, art and human stories.
What began with music has gradually grown into a wider creative practice, shaped by the people I meet, the stories they share, and collaborations with other artists - a space where music, image and story unfold together in a shared natural rhythm.
My Musical Journey
This journey began after the passing of my father, when I found myself turning more deeply to composing as a way of expressing what I could not always put into words.
Drawing from my classical training (Piano - Licentiate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK; Music Wellness Techniques, Berklee College of Music), and the restorative rhythms of nature, I compose mostly instrumental pieces that gently accompany life's stories, transitions and moments of reflection. I also explore the harp, violin, flute and singing bowl, weaving their textures into my compositions.
My music breathes best in stillness and attentive listening.
Find some of my music on socials: Youtube Music, Spotify, Apple Music
One Breath - The Album
My first album, One Breath, was born from an intuitive process, shaped by lived experience, the stories of people I encountered, and serendipitous meetings with kindred collaborators. Each of its nine pieces carries a story - of someone, a moment, or an experience that stayed with me.
From quiet devotion and cherished memories to unexpected encounters, wonder and renewal, One Breath traces different moments of being human: through hope, loss, longing, resilience, peace and presence.
Ascent
Dusk
Hello, Dad
Starlight
Flow
Breathe
Firefly (...)
Wood (...)
Resonance (...)
Nine pieces, nine stories... held together in one breath.
Ascent
This piece was inspired by the quiet, spiritual journey up the stone steps of Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine in the foothills of Mount Aso, Japan. Surrounded by towering trees and filtered light, each of the 300 spiritual steps becomes an invitation to slow down, breathe and listen inward.
The music reflects the hearts of those who make this ascent - not in haste, but with reverence, often carrying a silent wish or prayer for someone dear. With every step in the quiet ascent, the mind softens, the body steadies, and a gentle stillness begins to unfold.
By the time the shrine is reached, the journey through the sacred forest has already become a form of prayer.
Composed & Performed by: Angela Chee
Dusk
A quiet reflection on ending and transitions, Dusk captures the gentle sadness of disappearing light (or farewell), as day turns to night. At dusk, when the sun whispers its final goodbye, it's a beautiful moment that is suspended between what was and what will come, as the day lingers, reluctant to leave. When night falls, the forest breathes again, carrying the magical promise of new hope and renewal.
Composer, Keys & Sound Design: Angela Chee
Recorded with Ashley Tay (violin), Liu Meng Ru (cello)
Hello, Dad
"Hello, Dad" is a heartfelt reflection on love, memory and the quiet ways someone remains with us even after they are gone.
"Hello, Dad" is my letter to my dad - remembering his quiet strength and feeling his gentle guidance as I step into a new chapter with notesforest. A music lover who played the piano by ear, his resilience, generosity and deep love for the family inspired me in ways I never had the chance to tell him. Through this song, I wanted to express both the longing of his absence and the comfort of knowing he is still with me in spirit.
Composed & Performed by: Angela Chee
Starlight
This piece was inspired by the picture book, "Our Wings As One", by Singaporean author, Aw Siyuan, a gentle and thoughtful story about a little boy coping with the departure of his life-long companion (an eagle) and learning to let go. This music was written for the poignant scene in the story where the stars come together, forming the shape of an eagle as it gently takes its leave of the little boy.
Composed & performed by: Angela Chee
Flow
The gentle movement of emotions within us, where the heart learns to move with the flow. What we carry softens, and begins to release, like a stream carrying everything forward.
This piece was inspired by the resilient women I have met - women who rarely have time for themselves, yet continue to carry so much with quiet strength. I hope it offers a quiet space to pause, breathe and do their own quiet dance - to let emotions soften, release what has been held, and allow the heart to move gently forward toward what it longs for. And flow - like the stream.
Composed & Performed by: Angela Chee
Breathe
Breathe is a gentle reflection on noticing the quiet signs of life around us - light, movement, stillness, and the delicate beauty of flowers.
Inspired by the flower photography of a young boy named Jordan, the piece grew from the way he notices the small wonders of nature.
A flower awakening with the morning light.
A drop of new life.
A fragile stem, yet standing tall.
Leaves stirring softly in the breeze.
In these small moments, perhaps we are reminded to slow down, notice, and simply breathe. And the world breathes with you.
Flower photographs by Jordan Tan
Original music and visual direction by Angela Chee
Philip Tng, Conductor / Musician
"Thank you for sharing you music with the community and for touching our lives. Sometimes, we just need that moment to feel that we are not alone. Your music speaks from the heart and is beautifully written with such passion and sincerity. Truly inspiring!
Suzanne Hanser, Chair Emerita and Professor, Music Therapy, Berklee College of Music
"Your music is deep, Angela. I found Ascent particularly ethereal, and Hello, Dad, deeply authentic and emotional. The music for "One with Your Wings" follows the gentle terrain of the story line beautifully."
Aw Siyuan, Author / Artist
"I’m realising that through music, you’re carving out a rare kind of space; one that was unguarded, intimate, and quietly transcendent."
Yenn Ang, Senior Therapist, Children's Cancer Foundation
“Thanks for putting together a heartfelt project for the children and caregivers, the music is beautifully accompanying the story, drawing out its emotions"
Jean Garten, Public Radio Station, New York
"I've listened to countless music, but Hello, Dad resonated deeply and left me emotional. And all your music is so beautiful!"
Linda Calvanico, Musician / Caregiver
"You have a special gift to create music that touches the heart! And you have a way of painting a picture with your music!"
Stories We Carry
notesforest story sessions bring together live original music, imagery and storytelling in an intimate listening setting. Shaped in part by my exploration of music and wellbeing at Berklee College of Music, the sessions are evolving through collaborations with visual and digital artists, use of large-scale imagery and projection to create a new way of listening, seeing and connecting. Each session invites us to slow down, listen and reflect - and perhaps find a sense of connection as we recognise something of ourselves in the experiences and stories of others.
Look out for updates on upcoming session.
Giving Back
Collaborating with care and wellbeing practitioners, notesforest integrate music into broader creative projects to bring moments of joy and grounding to the community. Our past projects include beneficiaries from senior care homes, children's cancer foundation and hospitals.
We welcome individuals/musicians to join us on such initiatives.
