Boo Chin Kiah started learning Dizi under Chen Qun Nan and Phoon Yew Tian at the age of nine. During his secondary school days, he was very active in Chinese Orchestra. He was once a member of the Red Cross Association between 1977 to 1979.
In 1979, he joined the National Theatre Club Chinese Orchestra. Later in 1980, he joined the People’s Association Chinese Orchestra (which is now Singapore Chinese Orchestra) as a part-time member. He won the first prize in the Dizi open category at the National Music Competition in 1981 and 1982. In 1983 he had became a full-time member in People’s Association Chinese Orchestra. At the same time, he was also the first professional musician to master Ci Zhong Yin Suona.
In 1988, he went to China to study under the acknowledged master, Zhao Songting. Under his training, he fully mastered Dizi techniques and had good command of styles of both the Southern and Northern schools. Zhao Songting also gave him a gift of hand-made Dizi.
In 1991, Boo Chin Kiah presented a “Dizi and Erhu” solo concert together with Mrs. Ann Hong Mui, under the sponsorship of Teochew Clan Association. During the concert, he also performed Hulusi, Yudi and Paidi. The concert was greatly admired by the audiences
