Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, 1st February 2024 - Romania emerged the big winner at the 11th International Vocal Open Competition when 3 of their delegates took home first prizes in various vocal categories at the world final which was held at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre in Sentul East from 30th January to 1st February 2024. One of their first prize winners also took home the grand prize of RM 20,000 at the international competition which is organised by the Hong Kong International Musician Association (HK IMA). Founded in 2011, it was the very first time the competition was being held outside of Hong Kong, and Malaysia were fortunate to be given the opportunity to play host.
Malaysia was also fortunate to see 19-year-old Sabahan student Yico Wong Yee Khe from Kota Kinabalu emerging first in the Pop Song Open category and making our nation proud. The Romanians who were declared first prize winners include 20-year-old undergraduate music student Diana Rad Maria (Operatic Open), 24-year-old postgraduate student Bianka Dora Blatniczki (Operatic Aria & Art Song) and 36-year-old professional singer Ana-Maria Zota (World Folk Song). They received RM 3,000 for each first prize achievement. Zota also won the Grand Prize, as well as the fifth prize in both the Art Song & Pop Song categories, taking her grand total to RM 23,000.
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Only those receiving 94 points and above from the judges were eligible to receive the first prize award. The first prize winners from all classes were also selected and given the Rare Echo Award along with a tailored original song.
The HK IMA which was founded in 2010, has been focused on international art communications and artistic level qualification and offers an international stage for all musicians to communicate and develop further through the holding of concerts, masterclasses, lectures and competitions.
“The three-day long International Vocal Open competition this year saw the participation of close to 500 international delegates from all age groups in a variety of vocal categories,” expressed HK IMA’s Executive Chairman Jye Lee.
“Even more importantly the competition is fairly judged by a panel of 23 highly recognised jury members from 9 countries led by internationally renowned soprano Nancy Yuen, who is currently the Head of Vocal Studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The contest this year has been quite intense with so many top quality delegates competing at the highest level making it rather difficult for the jury to find the winners,” added Lee enthusiastically.
The jury members were made up the who’s who in the global music industry. Among them were celebrity musician, singer, teacher and adjudicator Stewart Kempster from Wales, UK, renowned vocal educator and bass singer Hong Luo from China, tenor and US-based music professor Israel Lozano from Spain, Romanian vocal professor Anca-Daniela Mihut, lyricist and well--known music producer Collin Qi from Singapore and Australian mezzo-soprano Melody Lee, among many other notable professionals.
Malaysia was also well represented with coloratura soprano, music producer & music director Syafinaz Selamat, singer, music producer & arranger Lee Nai Kong, music producer & composer Helen Yap, songwriter & educator Chew Paul Wah, songwriter & music producer Abraham Tee and renowned soprano Cecilia Yap.
Apart from judging the two days of competition, members of the jury were also involved in conducting masterclasses, lectures and talks.
Masterclasses were conducted on the second day by Mihut, Hong, Lozano, Chew, Kempster, Nicoleta Ardelean and Ioan Ardelean both from Romania, and supported by most of the other jury members. Yuen’s lecture on “Singers Diction - The Art of Enunciation & Pronunciation” was very well received as was the panel talk entitled “Great Singers On Great Singing” presented by Yap, Melody Lee, mezzo-soprano Cynthia Yim from Hong Kong, soprano Dr Geng Yan from China and vocal art instructor Iulia Sucia from Romania.
The final day of the 3- day event saw an refreshing outdoor garden pop concert presented by some of the delegates. It was followed by the official awards presentation ceremony and a Special Opera Concert presented by some of the operatic judges. The event concluded with an exciting celebratory concert presented by the outstanding performers of the competition which ended with the announcement of the Grand Prize winner as selected by jury members during the concert performance.
The 11th International Vocal Open Competition saw a spectacular range of global delegates showcasing their incredible talents under the scrutiny of the reputable, credible and renowned panel of judges. It also gave them the opportunity to meet and communicate with fellow musicians from all over the world and share their different cultures and musical heritage. It was a great platform for the exchange of ideas and also the building of everlasting friendships. Regardless of the prizes being handed out, everyone came out a winner and will go home with great memories, a wealth of knowledge, and a higher appreciation of the artistic pursuit they are involved in.
The organiser HK IMA and International Musicians Alliance, and co-organisers Kinetic Music Entertainment did an incredible job of putting together the much heralded 11th International Vocal Open Competition in Malaysia. The well received event was supported by HOM Music, Training Qualifications UK, Rindlisbacher, Graceful Piano, UniEffectus, TME Institute of Music, GMTV, Music Hive and Apexstar Academy.
The Judges
Nancy Yuen (Hong Kong) - Chief Judge
Jye Lee (Hong Kong)
Stewart Kempster (Wales, UK)
Willian Lim (Singapore)
Loraine Nawa Jones (Italy)
Israel Lozano (Spain)
Nicoleta Ardelean (Romania)
Ioan Ardelean (Romania)
Cynthia Yim (Hong Kong)
Anca-Daniela Mihut (Romania)
Cecilia Yap (Malaysia)
Dr Geng Yan (China)
Syafinaz Selamat (Malaysia)
Peter Wong (Singapore)
Iulia Sucia (Romania)
Helen Yap (Malaysia)
Chew Paul Wah (Malaysia)
Abraham Tee (Malaysia)
Wang Bei (China)
Hong Luo (China)
Lee Nai Kong (Malaysia)
Melody Lee (Australia)
Collin Qi (Singapore)
Winners List:
Country & Placing | Name | Age | Prize | Classes |
ROMANIA | Rad Maria Diana | 2003.10.03 | First Prize | Operatic Open Class |
ROMANIA | Blatniczki Bianka Dora | 1999.11.18 | First Prize | Donizetti Operatic Aria Prize |
ROMANIA | Blatniczki Bianka Dora | 1999.11.18 | First Prize | Art Songs Open Class |
ROMANIA | ZOTA ANA-MARIA | 1987.2.09 | First Prize | World Folk Songs Class |
MALAYSIA | 2005.01.24 | First Prize | Pop Songs Open Class | |
ROMANIA | Blatniczki Bianka Dora | 1999.11.18 | Second Prize | Operatic Open Class |
CHINA | TANG DIANYI | 2004.01.05 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Operatic Aria) - Youth (Junior)Class B |
ROMANIA | Rad Maria Diana | 2003.10.03 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Operatic Aria) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
ROMANIA | Blatniczki Bianka Dora | 1999.11.18 | Second Prize | Mozart Operatic Aria Prize |
ROMANIA | Blatniczki Bianka Dora | 1999.11.18 | Second Prize | Bizet Operatic Aria Prize |
ROMANIA | Rad Maria Diana | 2003.10.03 | Second Prize | Art Songs Open Class |
CHINA | HUANG RUOXUAN | 2008.12.20 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Art Song)-Youth (Junior) Class A |
CHINA | CHENG JIHAN | 2003.09.20 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Art Song)-Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | LIN WEILUN | 1981.10.18 | Second Prize | Pop Songs Open Class |
MALAYSIA | AMBERLY MAIDON | 2007.12.18 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song)-Youth (Junior) Class A |
MALAYSIA | Ong Zhi Yen | 2005.09.20 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song)-Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | LIU HUIYU | 1987.01.11 | Second Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song)-Adult Class |
CHINA | Lam Sheung Yan Stella | 1990.03.18 | Second Prize | Musical Theater-Youth (Senior) Class B |
MALAYSIA | LI JIAN | 1979.11.03 | Third Prize | Operatic Open Class |
ROMANIA | IAMANDI DENISA | 2002.8.1 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Operatic Aria)- Youth (Senior) Class A |
ROMANIA | IAMANDI DENISA | 2002.8.1 | Third Prize | Mozart Operatic Aria Prize |
ROMANIA | IAMANDI DENISA | 2002.8.1 | Third Prize | Art Songs Open Class |
CHINA | XIANG NINGKE | 2006.02.13 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | XIA SONGSONG | 2001.09.01 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | CHEN YILING | 1989.09.13 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class B |
CHINA | JIN LINQI | 2000.06.01 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Art Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | ZHOU ZIYU | 2003.01.14 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Folk Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | TIAN YANXIN | 2002.06.15 | Third Prize | Pop Songs Open Class |
MALAYSIA | YICO WONG YEE KHE | 2005.01.24 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song) - Youth (Junior) Class B |
SRI LANKA | Rumalki Anne Raveesha Fernando | 2002.07.01 | Third Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | WU RUIQI | 2013.09.15 | Third Prize | Youth Junior Open Class |
CHINA | ZHANG YIKE | 2016.08.22 | Third Prize | Children Class B |
MALAYSIA | CHAI MEI KONG | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | CHAN JHAN FOO | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | CHANG SEOW PING | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | CHENG PENG SIA | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | CHO CHOON LAN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | CHUA BEE LIAN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | GUAN KIM PONG | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | HAN POH BEH | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | HO AH FOOK | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | HONG FOOK YEW | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | LEE CHAI HOON | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | LOO HONG HIN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | LUM SOOK YUE | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | NG POON SEONG | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | OON SIEW KING | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | SEO SONG TUO | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | SEOW LAI CHUN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | TAN CHOOI KIN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | TEA KIM WAH | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | VOONG SIEW LIAN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | WONG VOON YAM | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | WONG YEOK LAN | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
MALAYSIA | YAP AH MOOI | Third Prize | Choral Session - Senior Class | |
CHINA | ZHANG JUNJUN | 2006.06.30 | Third Prize | Musical Theater - Youth (Junior) Class B |
ROMANIA | IAMANDI DENISA | 2002.8.1 | Fourth Prize | Operatic Open Class |
MALAYSIA | Hii Yi Qing | 1996.12.31 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Operatic Aria) - Youth (Senior) Class B |
ROMANIA | Rad Maria Diana | 2003.10.03 | Fourth Prize | Puccini Operatic Aria Prize |
CHINA | QIN SIYING | 1997.06.28 | Fourth Prize | Art Songs Open Class |
CHINA | HAN LELE | 2006.09.15 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | XIAO HAN | 1998.10.19 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | LAN YEYUN | 2004.09.16 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | LI SUYANG | 2002.08.14 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class A |
MALAYSIA | Hii Yi Qing | 1996.12.31 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class B |
ROMANIA | Molagean Iustina | 2000.11.19 | Fourth Prize | World Folk Songs Class |
CHINA | CAO HAIDAN | 1991.07.13 | Fourth Prize | Pop Songs Open Class |
MALAYSIA | SOOREYAA A/P NADESAN | 2004.09.30 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | YANG RUYA | 1986.08.10 | Fourth Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song)- Adult Class |
CHINA | CHEN YARU | 2012.08.30 | Fourth Prize | Youth Junior Open Class |
CHINA | HUANG XUANJIA | 2011.02.02 | Fourth Prize | Classes for the Young - Children Class A |
CHINA | ZHU HANYU | 2014.08.23 | Fourth Prize | Classes for the Young - Children Class B |
CHINA | HE YUHAN | 1995.06.27 | Fourth Prize | Contemporary A Cappella Open Class |
CHINA | LENG XIANGGANG | 1997.04.10 | Fourth Prize | Contemporary A Cappella Open Class |
CHINA | TANG QI | 1992.01.31 | Fourth Prize | Contemporary A Cappella Open Class |
CHINA | XIA WENJIE | 1996.08.13 | Fourth Prize | Contemporary A Cappella Open Class |
CHINA | XIANG XIAO | 1998.06.08 | Fourth Prize | Contemporary A Cappella Open Class |
CHINA | WU SITONG | 2002/2/17 | Fourth Prize | Musical Theater - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | WANG JIAKUAN | 1998.08.17 | Fourth Prize | Musical Theater - Youth (Senior) Class B |
CHINA | Ho Chi Mei | 1983.03.12 | Fifth Prize | Operatic Open Class |
CHINA | QIU XIAOYING | 2003.01.02 | Fifth Prize | Puccini Operatic Aria Prize |
ROMANIA | ZOTA ANA-MARIA | 1987.2.09 | Fifth Prize | Art Songs Open Class |
CHINA | LI CHANGRAN | 2004.10.09 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | HUANG YILIN | 2003.4.13 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | DONG KEXIN | 1997.10.25 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Youth (Senior) Class B |
CHINA | CHEN JIALIN | 1961.04.16 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) - Senior Class |
CHINA | WEI YONGHENG | 2003.8.27 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Art Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
ROMANIA | LORENA BABAȘCU | 2001.3.14 | Fifth Prize | World Folk Songs Class |
CHINA | HE ZIXIN | 2000.11.10 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme - Youth (Senior) Class A |
ROMANIA | ZOTA ANA-MARIA | 1987.2.09 | Fifth Prize | Pop Songs Open Class |
CHINA | Zhang Yvonne | 2006.08.17 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song) - Youth (Junior) Class B |
CHINA | LI JUNHAO | 2000.8.22 | Fifth Prize | Special Theme (Pop Song) - Youth (Senior) Class A |
CHINA | MESA WANG | 2016.05.03 | Fifth Prize | Youth Junior Open Class |
CHINA | LIU MINTONG | 2010.05.12 | Fifth Prize | Youth (Junior) Class |
CHINA | JIN TONGYU | 2013.07.26 | Fifth Prize | Children Class A |
CHINA | WU YUZE | 2014.09.23 | Fifth Prize | Children Class B |
CHINA | SUN YIGE | 2017.06.24 | Fifth Prize | Children Class C |
CHINA | CAI MENGYI | 2012.01.24 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | MA JIAYI | 2012.06.22 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | SUN JUNHAO | 2013.12.04 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | WANG YICHAN | 2012.07.08 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | YAN YIHAN | 2012.01.21 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | YANG ZIXIA | 2012.02.12 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | YU JIAQIAO | 2012.12.25 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | GUO SHUHAN | 2012.10.15 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | TENG HAOYU | 2011.11.26 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | YANG YIMENG | 2013.01.21 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
CHINA | ZHANG SHENGANG | 2015.10.03 | Fifth Prize | Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament) |
MALAYSIA | Priyasha Lakshmi A/P Kumaran | 2008.01.30 | Fifth Prize | Musical Theater - Youth (Junior) Class A |
CHINA | CAO HAIDAN | 1991.07.13 | Fifth Prize | Musical Theater - Youth (Senior) Class B |