Young musicians from Kuwait top at European competition

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Nigel Savio Do Rosario wins audience award

KUWAIT CITY, April 6: After successes on International Music Competitions in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates as well as renowned already Int’l Chopin Gulf Competition in Kuwait, young, talented musician from Kuwait entered for first time ever European musical stage. And this first step became a great success for those young people, their teachers, their school — Kuwait Music Academy and — at last but not least — for their home, Kuwait.

Kuwait Music Academy was established as the first professional music school in the country. Team of international renowned professional lecturers, mainly from European academies, offers music education for everybody, on every level, age and interest. It comes from more than three decades long traditions of educational and concert programs as Treasure of Talents, Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia, Kuwait and Gulf Int’l Chopin Competition.

Together with British Council was initiated in Kuwait in cooperation with Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London, UK and since that time up to nowadays, so called Royal Exams (Music Practical and Theory) are held twice per year in Kuwait, guaranteeing young musician in Kuwait international recognized certificates. (NB First exams were held on the private piano of Cezary and Anna Owerkowicz at University Campus flat in Jabriya; just it is such historical curiosity.) Many KMA students continued education at the best American and European Universities. Some of them, awarded Ph.D degree (for example: Kuwaiti Magda Boukanan in Montreal, Canada or Donia Jarrar in California, US) are doing successful career there.

During extremely difficult pandemic period Kuwait Music Academy survived and continued its activities. New situation inspired new solutions. Initially there were lessons online. Finally organizing in Kuwait but online, 6th Int’l Chopin Gulf Competition with 140 participants from more than 30 countries, also in cooperation with sisterly music schools in Bahrain, Emirates, Oman, Qatar and — Int’l Chopin Society in Warsaw, Poland.

Spring 2022 brought invitation from Int’l Music Competition in Romania for participation of KMA’s students in event held on March 21-27, 2022 on-line.

Application and records of the obligatory program was send from Kuwait. (There is condition of live video recorded online.) Young musicians with their families and teachers waited anxiously for results: Int’l Jury’s verdict and Audience Award.

Romania is a very musical country with beautiful rich folklore, based on singing and dances up to top level achievements and contemporary musical life. Its national composer is George Enescu (1881-1955), highly appraised in whole Europe and America. He was also an acknowledged violinist, conductor and teacher. Like Polish national composer, Frederic Chopin, Enescu is burried on historical Paris Pere Lachaise Cemetry. G. Enescu Int’l Competition is held since 1958 in Bucharest, Romania’s capital. Also two world legendary pianists of 20th century were Romanian: Dinu Lipatti (1917-1950) and Radu Lupu (1945) as well as also popular all over the world Pan-flute virtuoso, Gheorghe Zamfir (1941).

When Romania competition was announced, KMA and its young Kuwaiti talents took part in the competition. 2nd Festivalul De Arte Jury held under its President, Prof. Dr Corina Ibanescu was participated by 71 candidates representing Romania, Moldova, Kuwait, Germany, Poland, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Czech R, India, Indonesia. The festival awarded all participants. Participants from Kuwait who won top prizes are as follows: Grand Prix in Group I: Lisbeth Tu — KMA Kuwait; Grand Prix in Group III: Shoun Thomas — KMA Kuwait; 1st Prize in Group IV: Nigel Savio Do Rosario — KMA Kuwait; 2nd Prize in Group IV: Teji Wang — KMA Kuwait; 3rd Prize in Group IV: Deema Mouazen — KMA Kuwait; Audience Award’s Winner — Nigel Savio Do Rosario, KMA Kuwait.

Jury congratulated Kuwait Music Academy and participants’ teachers (under guidance of Karol & Kinga Masternak), describing their result as ‘very well deserved’.

Words cannot express how happy young winners were, their dearest and Kuwait Music Academy with all teachers, KMA management including Karol Masternak and KMA’s Co- Founders: Kuwaiti pianist, Mrs Fajer Al Mazidi and Prof. Cezary Owerkowicz.

It is also a reason for Kuwait to be proud of its young talents, Kuwaitis and expatriates as well as for educational chances and — their level, internationally proved.

PS: Last minute news: Small pianist Lisbeth Tu (winner of Group I), and singer Gabrelle Khalaf were awarded Distinction of The Royal Exams 2022, London UK. Lisbeth is eight years old and entered with Distinction Grade 5 (for advanced teenagers! Amazing!)

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