Local singer-songwriter Natalie Hiong has been doing the rounds in the music scene, both solo and with her regular band.

But for her recent shows as part of the Singapore HeritageFest 2012, the 26-year-old is bringing three generations of her family together on stage.

Mum Emily Hiong, 55, and grandmother Madam Lao Seng Kam, 77, will join her on stage this weekend to sing local songs like Di Tanjong Katong, Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng and Munnaeru Vaalibaa.

The idea was brought up by the folks behind the HeritageFest, when Hiong approached them earlier this year to be part of the annual event celebrating Singapore's history.

The festival runs until Tuesday, with events at various locations around the island.

The trio made their debut on stage this past weekend at Changi City Point.

Hiong had no problems persuading her mum, who used to be a music teacher, and her grandmother, an avid karaoke singer, to be on stage with her.

After all, music has always been a big family affair.

Hiong was an investment banker in London before she left her job to pursue music full-time in 2010.

She told The New Paper: "I remember when my sister and I and the neighbours would put up musicals at home. There's even a video of me wearing my mum's winter coat, doing On My Own (from stage musical Les Miserables)."

Hiong may have her grandmother to thank for instilling the love of music in the family.

It was Madam Lao who first pushed her seven children into learning how to play the piano.

"I've always loved listening to music," said Madam Lao in a mix of Malay and Mandarin. "But when I was young, I didn't have the chance to learn any instruments, so I wanted my children to learn."

She pursues music in her own way now - singing karaoke for about four hours every Sunday at Queenstown Community Centre with a group of 10 regulars.

Three of her children, including Mrs Hiong, went on to be music teachers.

And now the music bug has passed on to the next generation.

Hiong and her younger sister Beverly, 24, both went to the London School of Economics to study economics before diving into music.

Hiong released her EP, Little Heart, last year, and her sister is now studying at the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

"My husband said my musical gene is too strong," said Mrs Hiong.

Hiong's cousins are also studying music - one is at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, another is at LaSalle College of the Arts, and yet another is a classical pianist in London.

"It was music all the time when I was young, since my mum and aunts play and teach the piano," said Hiong.

Her younger brother, 18-year-old NS man Christopher, was also onstage with her at Changi City Point last weekend, alongside some young people who sent their videos to Hiong earlier this month for a chance to sing on stage with her.

Hiong said she hopes to get her siblings more involved in her singing career.

For instance, Beverly played cello for her at her Esplanade debut last year.

Added Hiong: "I'm trying to get my brother to work more on his guitar and drums so he can join me on stage too."

This article was first published in The New Paper.