JOIN USCome December 21 and Carnegie Hall, New York will witness two Indian voices performing the hopeful, dreamy ‘If I were a rich man’ and the catchy song, ‘Defying gravity’.
Alex Koshy and Anezka Kurian, two talented singers from the City, are geared up to take stage and perform songs from the popular musicals, ‘Fiddler on the roof’ and ‘Wicked’. The duo is learning vocals from Harmony Music School, Koramangala.
It all started when the director of Harmony and their teacher, Sandra Oberoi, told her students about the American Protégé International Voice Competition. Bagging the second place in the Musical Theatre category, after competing against vocalists from the world, Alex and Anezka both say that they were “speechless” once they heard the results.
About the exciting process, Alex adds, “I took permission from my parents, filled up the application online and sent them a YouTube link of my performance. I was shocked when I heard that I had won,” while Anezka laughs, “I thought I wouldn’t hear back from them once I sent them my link.” The two talented voices look at this opportunity as a stepping stone and are taking off from the City with mixed feelings.
“I am nervous, excited and scared at the same time. I can’t describe it,” Alex, the ninth grader from Bethany High school quips. Excited about his first trip to New York, he adds that this chance is big thing for him as he knows that many great people have sung in Carnegie before and it would bring in him immense confidence to pursue his dream of getting into Western Classical and gospel music in the future.
Anezka, who is currently dabbling between studying for her board exams and practising music says, “It was a big moment when I first heard the results and it’s a great boost for me too because I want to pursue music later. My dream is to sing in Broadway,” she says.
However, the duo agree that flying high wouldn’t have been possible without the right kind of training they have received from their teacher, Sandra at Harmony school.
Alex was first introduced to the song by Sandra and says, “I received the right kind of training from her when my voice cracked, as otherwise my voice would have turned out very rough. Sandra aunty has always encouraged me to go forward with my music. She has always been telling me that the ‘music’ and ‘rockstar’ within me exists. Harmony has given me a lot of confidence, in terms of music, dance and acting.”
Anezka recalls the first time she joined the music school and how much it has helped her grow, be it in terms of learning techniques, imbibing confidence, sharpening her singing
skills and overcoming stage fright.
Proud and excited for her students, Sandra happily says, “This is a big motivation for them and the kids who want to sing and go forward with their music. They know the songs and they have practised it a lot of times. I just want them to go there, have fun and enjoy themselves.”
DHNS