This June, the annual Stars of SAFRA competition – formerly known as SAFRA Lil’ Stars – took place at SAFRA Toa Payoh, attracting many children, teenagers and families who were keen to share their singing, dancing and artistic talents and hopefully take home a prize.

There were three categories in all – Visual Arts, Dance, and Vocal – and within each one, sub-categories for different age groups.

We spoke to the winners of each category, asking them to share their Stars of SAFRA experience, from performing in front of a crowd to eventually scoring the top prize.

Vocal Category

Rae Nadya, Winner, Vocal Solo Category C (13-16 years old)

Q: How did you feel performing at Stars of SAFRA?

Rae: It was an incredible experience! I was nervous but excited before stepping on the stage, but as soon as the music started and I began singing, my nerves disappeared. When the crowd started cheering and clapping for me, I was so happy!

Q: What song did you perform for the competition and why did you pick it?

Rae: For the final round, I sang a medley of two of my original songs, Separate Worlds and It’s My Turn. Separate Worlds is about finding common ground with people who are different from you. It’s like saying, “Hey, we might be from separate worlds, but we can still understand each other”. And It’s My Turn is an anthem for being yourself and going after your dreams. I chose these songs because I wanted to show different sides of myself as an artiste and take the audience on a musical journey with me.

Q: What do you love most about singing?

Rae: Singing is my superpower. When I sing, I feel free and alive because all my thoughts and emotions are channelled through the music. I love that I can express myself this way. I try my best to practise daily. Some days I focus on hitting the high notes, and other days I try out different styles and techniques. It’s about pushing myself and growing as an artiste.

Q: How old were you when you realised that you loved to sing?

Rae: I was three years old. My family members were the ones who taught me about melodies, harmonies and music techniques. We are quite a musical family and often have jam sessions at home. Music is how we bond. My family members are my biggest supporters and mentors.

Q: What was your family’s reaction when you won in your category at Stars of SAFRA?

Rae: They were over the moon! They’ve always believed in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams.

Q: How did you feel when you won?

Rae: It was such an incredible feeling. I was happy and grateful that my hard work paid off. It also filled me with pride, knowing that others appreciated my music. Winning has inspired me to keep creating and sharing my music with others.

Q: Do you plan to carry on singing as a hobby or even as a career when you’re older?

Rae: Absolutely! Music is my life, and I can’t imagine a future without it. Whether it’s just a hobby or something more, I know that music will always be a part of who I am. I want to keep singing, writing songs, and performing for as long as I can. It’s my way of connecting with people, making them feel something, and hopefully inspiring them. As one of my songs says, “I’m holding the future’s hand, running through wonderland, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes my way!” So yes, I’ll keep chasing my dreams and see where this musical journey takes me.

Dance Category

Ace Family, Winner, Families For Life sub-category

Q: What drew your family to take part in Stars of SAFRA?

Aunt Aminah: Stars of SAFRA was the only competition that allowed us to participate together as a family, despite our different ages. We had several family members take part – Aisha (Mummy), 36, me, 24, Asheeqah (Daughter), 10, Asheeque (Son), 9, Aqeeshah (Daughter), 4, Aqeel (Son), five months, and Nazeera (Second Cousin), 22.

Mummy Aisha: The kids had participated in Stars of SAFRA a couple of times in the past and suggested we join the dance category this year.

Daughter Asheegah: My brother, Asheeque and I just wanted to dance!

Q: Can you tell us about the dance you performed?

Mummy Aisha: We danced to a mash-up of TikTok, hip-hop and Bollywood songs – Cupid, Lose Control, Bounce, Garmi, and 5678. The dance tells the story of what goes on in our house, when the kids are dancing or on TikTok and are told to do their homework. We choreographed the dance steps together.

Aunt Aminah: Parents tend to be strict with their kids at home, especially when it comes to getting them to focus on their schoolwork. The dance is about putting that aside for a while to bond and have fun together as a family.

Q: How long did your family take to rehearse the dance steps?

Daughter Asheeqah: It took us two or three days to get the moves right.

Q: Is dancing together something your family enjoys doing?

Aunt Aminah: Yes, we love to dance when we have extra time to spare.

Mummy Aisha: Definitely, and we especially enjoyed dancing at Stars of SAFRA because the younger kids could get involved and try their own moves.

Q: What was it like to perform in front of others and then take home the big prize?

Aunt Aminah: It was a great experience! We didn’t set out to win; we just wanted to have fun as a family.

Mummy Aisha: I was nervous because I hadn’t performed on stage in a long time. It was exciting to put on a show with my family members, and especially my kids. Winning was not our main goal but we’re thankful we won!

Daughter Asheeqah: We didn’t expect to win, so it was a wonderful surprise.

Visual Arts Category

Calico Chow, Winner, Category A (4-7 years old)

Q: What made you want to join the competition?

Calico: I love to draw and colour. My father told me about this competition and asked my sister and me if we wanted to take part in it, and we said yes.

Q: Can you tell me about the picture you coloured and how you decided on what colours to use?

Calico: It’s a picture about space. I used white and different shades of blue. I blended the colours to make the picture look prettier. My favourite was the astronaut because I added shadows and didn’t know the end result would look so cool. I also liked the big gold star under him.

Q: What do you love most about creating your own artworks?

Calico: I love having the freedom to draw whatever I want. I draw things that I’ve seen before and I can even recreate images from my favourite fairy tales.

Q: What are your favourite colours to use?

Calico: All colours, especially pink, purple, blue and white. I love to blend these to create new and interesting shades. I’m not a fan of grey, brown and black, though.

Q: How did you feel when you won in your category at Stars of SAFRA?

Calico: Excited! I didn’t know I won the top prize. I thought I’d won the third prize because I was the third to go up on stage.

Q: How did your family support you during the competition?

Calico: My parents helped me prepare my drawing materials, water bottle and jacket (because the competition venue was a little cold).

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Stars Of SAFRA – Winners All Round! appeared first on eNSMAN.

There’s no better way to complement your night with some heart pumping night race action than with world-class music entertainment when the 12th edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix hits town. Over the weekend from 20 to 22 Sep, fans can look forward to top-notch performances headlined by international acts such as Gwen Stefani, Fatboy Slim, Swedish House Mafia, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Hans Zimmer and Muse.

Top Acts

The stellar line-up kicks off on 20 Sep with international electronic music act Swedish House Mafia at the Marina Bay Street Circuit stage. Known for their global hits Don’t You Worry Child and Save The World, the trio – comprising Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello – last performed at the Singapore Grand Prix during their worldwide farewell One Last Tour in 2013 before they split.

Their return to the F1 Grand Prix this year is bound to draw dance and electronica fans, who eagerly await the superstar trio’s reunion. Three-time Grammy winner Gwen Stefani takes to the Padang Stage on Saturday, 21 Sep. Having achieved worldwide success as a songwriter and recording artist, she has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide as the frontwoman of No Doubt, as well as a multiplatinum solo artist.

Recently seen as coach on three seasons of the musical competition series The Voice, Stefani is expected to be one of the biggest draws of the line-up. Another top act is English rock band Muse. Formed in 1994 by Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Dominic Howard (drums), they have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, with 2018’s Simulation Theory, their sixth No. 1 album in the UK.

English DJ Fatboy Slim, who is known for his iconic big-beat tracks such as Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat and Right Here, Right Now, will also get audiences grooving at The Wharf Stage in Zone 1. He also spins for a second set on 22 Sep.

Final Countdown

Rounding off the lineup is California rock legends Red Hot Chilli Peppers on 22 Sep at the Padang Stage in Zone 4. The band, known for their trademark confection of rock, funk and punk, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. The foursome – presently made up of vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer – make up one of the most successful rock bands of all time, with three Grammys under their belt. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers also hold the record for the most No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart.

Elsewhere at The Wharf Stage in Zone 1, award-winning German composer Hans Zimmer will be wowing audiences with his unique brand of electronica combined with traditional orchestral arrangements. Serenading fans through an orchestrated musical set, he is best known for his blockbuster movie soundtracks for The Lion King, Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean. Indeed, this year’s entertainment line-up looks to be the best yet.

General tickets to the Grand Prix start from $98 for a single-day ticket and $268 for a three-day ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.singaporegp.sg.

The post Race To The Stage appeared first on eNSMAN.

Aspiring young talents took to the stage in SAFRA’s latest contest for little ones, this year with a new Majulah! Category. SAFRA Lil’ Stars is an annual talent competition that provides a platform for some of Singapore’s brightest to showcase their abilities to a judging panel and adoring audience. The finals of this sixth edition were held on Sunday, 8 July, at SAFRA Toa Payoh.

Open to children between 5 and 12 years old, the event welcomed participants to perform a song or dance item solo or in a group, with support from their family or friends. The six categories for this year’s Lil’ Stars included junior solo (sing/dance) for children aged 5 to 8, solo (sing/dance) for those 9 to 12 years old, group (5 to 12 years old), and the new Majulah! family category, whereby children, together with their parents or other relatives, performed a song or dance that evoked nation building.

Performers dressing in red and white to show off their patriotism was encouraged as well. The top performers in each of the contest categories won cash and attractive prizes, while all participants walked away with a goodie bag each. As part of this year’s finals, there was a special appearance by 2017 SAFRA Lil’ Stars winners Riszuan and Sarah, and a performance by students from Distinct Creative Arts. Apart from the main prizes for the various categories, additional prizes were handed out to best dressed contestants and acts that gained the most votes via SMS from the audience. All in all, the performers went through a fun and invaluable learning experience, performed to their heart’s content, and took home mementos, including plenty of photos and fond memories shared with loved ones.

Injecting positivity into children’s lives, so that they feel happy and self-fulfilled in their development, is something all parents should strive for. A positive sense of self is one of the greatest gifts children can have as they overcome challenges in life.

1. Praise the effort

Focus praise not only on results but on the effort. Confidence comes from doing, trying and knowing that they have done their best, regardless of the outcome. We hope our children put in the effort into all they do and work towards their goals.

2. Give constructive advice

When your children repeat mistakes, it’s easy to use harsh words. Avoid harsh criticisms and demeaning comments. Be specific in areas of improvement and present change as an opportunity.

3. Love is unconditional

Remember to let your children know that you love them even when they fail or make bad decisions. Don’t underestimate the impact of telling them that you love them. Reinforce your pride in them and your appreciation of having them.

The post Bright Talents appeared first on eNSMAN.