#RainbowofDreams Beating to the Rhythm of Resilience: Adli Irfan’s Journey in Arts

Adli on the drums
Photo Credits: Thunder Rock School

Adli

Meet the young musician set to perform at Dreamseeds Arts Fest Performing Arts Concert 2025 

At just 17 years old, Adli Irfan is already a familiar face at Dreamseeds Arts Fest (DSAF). A passionate drummer and music enthusiast, Adli will be performing with the Thunder Rock band and cajon ensemble for this year’s DSAF Performing Arts Concert, which will mark his fifth time performing for DSAF since first joining in 2017.  

Adli lives with Crohn’s disease, a chronic illness he has managed since he was five. “The condition affects my ability to absorb nutrients when I eat, so it’s important that I take my medication every day,” he explains. Despite the daily challenges, his condition has never stopped him from pursuing his love for music. 

That love started young and has only grown stronger. “I listen to music almost 24/7,” he shares, “It is something that I cannot live without every day. No matter what I'm feeling, if I'm happy, distraught, angry, or just bored, music will always be my go-to.” 

Adli joined Club Rainbow (Singapore) around 2014, and he credits the organisation for playing a big part in supporting his musical journey. Through Club Rainbow’s Talent Development Fund, Adli has been able to attend drum lessons, purchase musical equipment to further hone his craft, and develop his other musical interests in singing, ukulele, and cajon through lessons provided. 

When asked why he continues to perform for DSAF year after year, Adli shares that performing for DSAF has really helped him to improve his skills on stage and taught him so much about music as a whole. “I always look forward to Dreamseeds. The most memorable part will always be the fun times shared together with my friends when we are rehearsing, and during the show itself. We would always enjoy ourselves together, making mistakes, tweaking parts of the songs, innovating and improvising each piece that we practice.”  

To Adli, DSAF is more than just a performance platform. “It’s an expression of creativity. It’s an avenue for the children of Club Rainbow to express their true feelings through a variety of art forms, not just music, but also visual arts.”  

Now a student in Diploma in Sonic Arts at a local polytechnic, Adli admits that juggling studies and rehearsals can be challenging. “It makes it a little difficult to make time to get together with my band and rehearse.” Still, Adli looks forward to his upcoming performance, and is filled with anticipation. “I'm really excited. I honestly can’t wait for the concert. Especially since there wasn’t Dreamseeds last year, I would want to make this year’s a really meaningful one.”  

And for others like him who are navigating life with chronic conditions while dreaming of pursuing the arts, Adli has this message: 
“Follow your dreams and seize every opportunity—especially if you love music. Club Rainbow has given me countless opportunities to learn and grow through my musical journey and has helped me tremendously in other areas in life, such as my current polytechnic course, Diploma in Sonic Arts. Not everyone has the opportunity to learn music for free, so I am thankful to have had all the opportunities to do so in Club Rainbow.” 

About Dreamseeds Arts Fest (DSAF) 

First launched in 2016, DSAF is dedicated to fostering inclusivity in the arts. The festival provides the children of Club Rainbow (Singapore) a platform to explore and realise their creative potential while connecting with the broader community through artistic expression. These young artists receive resources and opportunities to collaborate with local creative practitioners, helping to nurture their skills and broaden their horizons. This year marks the festival's eighth installment. 

💛 Support Our Young Artists! 
🎨 Support young artists like Adli via #RainbowofDreams Fundraising Campaign. Every donation helps nurture young talents and reminds our children that their passion in the arts and stories matter. 

Together, let’s champion creativity, courage, and compassion — one artwork at a time.