YeoMama Club:
Chen Yi
Meet Chen Yi, a mother of two, talented singer-songwriter and passionate choir conductor.
Like the notes that shape a melody, music has always been her heartbeat — until everything changed in 2023, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. With a family history of cancer, the diagnosis was a difficult one, but Chen Yi faced it with remarkable courage and optimism. Even after a recurrence, her strength and positivity continue to shine through as she embraces each day with purpose.
Today, she channels her energy into inspiring the next generation and celebrating the beauty in life's imperfections.
Read on to discover how Chen Yi finds her rhythm through resilience, hope and harmony.
Chen Yi is wearing Yura Dress - Pink Fleur
Tell us a little about yourself!
I'm Huimin, though many know me as Chen Yi on stage. I grew up singing in my church children’s choir, started classical voice training at 13, and was already conducting choirs by 15.
Over the years, I’ve performed internationally, written award-winning songs and led school choirs to Gold and Distinction awards. One highlight was conducting the Ministry of Education’s combined choir for Singapore’s 2023 National Day Parade.
I perform regularly with my bilingual band Uber Duber, write and record my own music and continue to teach and mentor young singers.
Music has always been my heartbeat, but my life took a sharp turn in 2023 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. After a double mastectomy, reconstruction and chemotherapy, I see every ordinary day as extraordinary. I no longer postpone dreams, whether it’s a family trip, writing a song, or enjoying a quiet night with my two boys.
Today, my work is as much about people as it is about music. I want to inspire the younger generation, help them find strength through singing, and remind everyone to care for their health. To me, beauty and honesty are found in imperfections, and music is a companion that carries us through every stage of life.
Chen Yi is wearing Aria Maxi Cheongsam Dress - Dreamland
How would you describe your personal style?
I generally like to wear many things! It can be anything from bareback and low-cut pieces to formal wear or sporty outfits. Anything!! On stage, I usually wear gown when conducting. (Btw I wore a dress from YeoMama Batik this year when I conducted my choir for Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and they got a Certification of Distinction!)
When im with my band, my outfit can range from formal to super casual. In real life, I stick to comfort, like Dri-Fit polos with pants, shorts, or breezy dresses. When I feel like dressing up, I’ll add some makeup. In terms of colours, I tend to steer clear of browns and 土色 (earthy shades), though I love wearing just about every other colour.
How has your treatment journey been like?
When the cancer came back, it honestly felt like the ground shifted under me. Here’s how the journey has unfolded:
End Oct 2023: First diagnosis — breast cancer in both breasts.
Nov 2023: Double mastectomy and reconstruction.
Jan – May 2024: 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
Jun 2024: Declared cancer-free.
End Apr 2025: Recurrence detected.
May 2025: Radiotherapy and start of targeted therapy.
May 2025 onwards: Daily Ribociclib and hormone-suppression therapy with regular scans.
Jul 2025: Declared in remission, though lifelong or at least five more years of treatment are needed.
The side effects — sudden mood swings, mouth sores, and ulcers can hit me out of nowhere, so I’ve learned to live each day as it comes. Bones will ache and reminds me of battles I never asked to fight. Mirror shows time running faster, yet I know the rush of years is the cure’s design. I stay close to music and faith, begin each day quietly with my family and give myself permission to rest when my body says stop. I don’t rush back to 'normal’ anymore. Instead, I focus on balance: nurturing my health, creating music, and being fully present with my loved ones. I remind myself to hold on to faith and trust that I will be healed — knowing that grace and strength will always see me through.
How did you overcome moments of doubt or fear during your journey?
When I look back, I see how I was being prepared for this long before I even knew it. Getting insurance in my early 20s and placing the best doctors around me. I never planned; I just took everything with a pinch of salt and dealt with each step as it came, often using humour to uplift myself.
My strength is the ability to make decisions quickly, to be brave and decisive when it matters—whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, or every treatment along the way. I just wanted to survive. I did feel anxiety before each treatment, but I forced myself to go ahead and faced the side effects as they came. It has been a long battle to truly understand my body, to anticipate what’s next and to be prepared for it. By the time I finally sat down to feel all the emotions, I had already finished treatment. Through it all, singing remained my greatest therapy— each song a quiet prayer and a way to heal.
Is there a small ritual, habit, or practice that has helped you feel stronger or more hopeful?
Singing is my biggest ritual and therapy. Each time I step on stage with my band, it releases my worries and lifts my spirit. I end each night with a short prayer, declaring that I am healed and will be healed. These moments keep me grounded and remind me that life is still beautiful. Even on treatment days, when anxiety creeps in, humming a melody calms my heart and gives me strength to face whatever comes next.
What advice or encouragement would you like to share with others facing similar challenges or those who may be hesitant about getting regular check-ups?
I always knew cancer might come for me because of my family history. It felt like a time bomb but I still asked, why now?
My advice is simple: go for genetic testing. It can help you zoom in on areas to watch and guide you on what to check regularly. And please remember: early detection saves lives. Especially for women, check your “breast friends” with a mammogram and ultrasound paired together. Continue living and celebrate small wins.
I always tell my students in singing class, “Beauty is honesty in imperfection.” This truth carries into life and into my own body after cancer. Don’t be afraid of the scars, they are reminders that I am a warrior, and I wear them proudly. Don’t let fear hold you back; each test and each scan is a step toward protecting your life and giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind.
Now, if you were to describe your life as a batik print, what would it look like and why?
If my life were a batik print, it would be deep indigo and sunrise gold, threaded with radiant pink and bold red. Indigo carries the quiet strength of night; gold shines with faith and hope; pink holds the softness of love and family; red speaks of courage, passion and the fight that runs through my journey.
The patterns would be sweeping waves and blooming flowers, with fine cracks and unexpected swirls that reveal both scars and surprises. Together they form a cloth that is vibrant, imperfect, and alive—each colour and line a story of resilience, joy and grace.
