KUCHING: She competed in the World Championship of Performing Arts (Wcopa) and was Junior Grand Champion Instrumentalist of 2011, winning three gold and a silver, at the tender age of 14.
Violinist Nisa Addina Md Taufik, now 15, recalled being speechless when she was announced the winner.
“When the host called out my name, I was like, ‘Is this real or fantasy?’” she told The Borneo Post.
While the idea of Hollywood is enough to sweep anyone off their feet, Nisa had both of hers firmly planted on the ground. When asked how she prepared for the international stage, she imagined herself in the audience.
“Imagine yourself on stage, in front of millions of people. What should you do? What would you feel if you were in the audience? What does the audience want?” she said.
“The competition isn’t mainly based on skill or talent. It’s how you entertain the crowd. If you’re entertaining, they’ll picked you.”
The experience resulted in a more confident Nisa.
“The number of ‘likes’ on my Facebook page increased dramatically.
“I’ve been receiving quite a few interviews since then,” she said, adding that her friends don’t look at her the same way as before.
The competition taught her never to give up but keep moving forward.
“All I need is to believe, pray and work hard.” she said.
She had been busy since getting back.
“I’m currently working on my first album with Syafiee Obe.
“I’ve been performing quite often these few weeks,” she said, adding that she is still taking violin lessons with Marcus Leong and violin master classes with Idris Sardi in Jakarta.
“I’m in the Orkestra Simfoni Remaja (OSR) in Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur.
“I’ve been selected to represent Malaysia in the fourth Marketplace of Creative Arts, organised by World Islamic Economic Forum, to be held from April 14-15 in Bandung, Indonesia. Around 40 creative artists in music, film, dance, graphic design and fine art mostly from the Southeast Asian region will be brought together.”
To those auditioning next weekend, Nisa gave this piece of advice.
“Do your best, move your best, and think of what the audiences and judges want,” she said.
World Championships of Performing Arts (Wcopa), which takes place annually in Hollywood, is often cited as the one and only Olympics for performing arts.
Matme (Malaysian Alliance of Talents, Models and Entertainers) Sdn Bhd organises the Malaysian auditions under the name ‘WorldStars — Road to Hollywood’.
The Kuching auditions will be held at Hock Lee Centre from March 23 to 25.
They will be auditioning professional and amateur performers under the categories of vocals, dance, instrumental, models and acting.
The registration fee is RM90 per person. A group must not have more than eight members. Contestants may enter in as many categories as they like at no additional fee.
The age groups are divided into Junior (10-15 years) and Senior (16-29 years).
Those entering the vocal category must bring their own CDs, preferably minus-1.
They must prepare at least two songs in any language of their choice.
Those entering the dance category must come in costume, prepare at least two routines and bring their own music.
Musicians entering the instrumental category must bring all their own equipment, including amplifiers, as only microphones will be provided.
Models must have a minimum height of 5’8” for females and 6’ for males.
They must bring their own clothing (casual and formal) and do their own make-up.
For the acting category, actors must prepare their own one-minute monologue.
Results will be announced on March 25 at 7pm.
There will also be auditions at 1Borneo Hypermall, Kota Kinabalu on April 7-8, and Maju Junction, Kuala Lumpur on April 14-15.
This article was published at The Borneo Post website on 16th March 2012.
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