Ooi (in black) posing for a group photo with the winners and their parents at 1-Stop Midlands in George Town. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
PENANGITES stole the spotlight at KSD (Kids Singing Dream) Most Beautiful Children’s Voice Global Competition televised live in Shandong, China, with all seven participants from the state bringing home awards.
Leading the accolades were Constance Loi Yun Xuan, nine, and Goh Jing Wen, 13, who clinched the championship titles in the seven to nine and 13 to 16 age groups, respectively.
In the seven to nine age group, Lucas Yeoh Rui Kai, also nine, achieved third place, while Jovin Tan Min Han received the Most Outstanding Young Singer Award.
The 10 to 12 age group saw Kang Jia En, 12, honoured with the Best On-Camera Award while 11-year-old Lee Wei Yan took home the Best Poise Award.
In the 13 to 16 age category, Lee Wei Xuan, 16, was recognised with the Most Promising Singer Award.
Their achievements were shown live on television to millions in China during the competition organised by Shandong Radio and Television.
Their success was celebrated by Penang Chinese Town Hall Wanita chief Datuk Ooi Siew Kim during the Xi Ping Music annual Christmas Gala held at 1-Stop Midlands in George Town, which was attended by the children’s parents and well-wishers.
Rui Kai, third-place winner in the seven to nine age group, belting out a number during the gala in Penang.
The champions also performed their winning songs for guests.
Yun Xuan, who won with her rendition of Julie Su Rui’s hit Any Empty Wine Bottles For Sale, the soundtrack to the Taiwanese film Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing?, said she had never won a competition despite participating in several over the past 18 months.
“The 100-plus participants, mostly from China, were all very good and I would have been happy with any award,” she said when met after her performance.
“This has given me the confidence to take part in other singing competitions and I hope to become a famous singer (one day).”
She added that she also likes to play piano and is presently taking up ballet and attending street dance classes.
Rui Kai, the third-place winner, said he had always liked singing and was glad to be chosen as a participant by his vocal coach Tan Aik Guan.
“I am happy with my placing and hope to do better if I have the chance to join other such competitions.
“I also like modelling. Just last month I was the first runner-up at the Glitz and Glam 2024 competition,” he added.
Yun Xuan posing with her awards in the seven to nine age group category in the KSD (Kids Singing Dream) Most Beautiful Children’s Voice Global Competition.
They had earned their spots in the competition through their teachers’ recommendation and stellar performance at the Sing Borneo Singing Challenge held in Miri, Sarawak, earlier this year.
Tan who is also Musicode Academy founder, said a total of 10 participants including three from Miri went to the competition.
“All seven participants from Penang placed in the global Top 10 of their respective categories, earning multiple awards across the children’s and youth divisions.
“With average scores exceeding 90 points, these young singers made both Penang and Malaysia proud.”
A special video message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim further boosted the morale of participants, said Tan.
He was also the vocal coach of Jeryl Lee Pei Ling, the 2016 Sing! China finalist and champion of China’s reality TV singing competition show, The Next 2023.
Ooi said it was important to nurture young talent in the country and added that they were proud of the singers’ achievements.
