We’re shining a spotlight on Annabella, one of our wonderful Year 7 students.
Annabella showcased her extraordinary singing talent during her recent overseas experience. After winning first place in the teenager category at the Music Singapore 2024 International Competition in Melbourne, she was invited to compete in the finals in Singapore. Her impressive second place finish at the Cultures of China Water Cube Cup also earned her a trip to Beijing, where she participated in a music camp and competed in the finals at the prestigious Beijing Water Cube stadium.
In Beijing, Annabella achieved outstanding success, securing 1st place in the 12–17-year-old age group at the 2024 Water Cube Cup International Singing Competition, which included contestants from 52 cities across 32 countries. She followed this with a fantastic 2nd place in the 12-17 vocal group at the 2024 Singapore International Music Competition.
We caught up with Annabella to hear about her experience performing in these international music competitions:
How did it feel to win first place in the Water Cube Cup and second place in the Singapore International Music Competition?I was very happy and proud of myself, and I was also very thankful for my family and my teachers who helped and encouraged me.
What was the most memorable part of your experience in Beijing and Singapore?The most memorable parts of Beijing and Singapore for me were all the famous places (e.g. Great Wall of China, Merlion in Singapore), the amazingly delicious food and the feeling of going up on the stage, taking the next big step.
How did you prepare for these international competitions?I prepared by practicing more, improving my confidence and performing techniques and taking the time to relax and look after my voice.
Were there any challenges you faced during the competitions, and how did you overcome them?Some challenges in the competitions were pressure, as there were lots of great singers, impressing the judges and knowing how to answer the questions they asked. I overcame these challenges by cheering myself on, working on all the details in the song and practicing how I could answer different questions.
What did you enjoy most about performing in front of international audiences?I enjoyed seeing new smiling faces, sharing my voice and feelings with the audience and making people from all over the world happy!
Did you learn anything new from interacting with contestants from other countries?Yes, I learned that my best friend was Nigerian, but her first language was Chinese and lots of people enjoy music and singing in their own country.
How have these experiences shaped your future goals in music?These experiences have helped me have the chance at more opportunities, which helps shape my future of becoming a singer.
What advice would you give to other students aspiring to compete internationally in music?The advice I would give would be to try and participate in more opportunities, like performances and competitions, to build up experience and knowledge of music. And to try not to slack off on practice!
How did your teachers or mentors support you throughout the competitions?Before the competition, the other contestants and I took lessons from some of the teachers there in Beijing, which helped me find the feeling of the song and how to perform it.
What’s next for you in your musical journey?Next in my musical journey is Arts night, when I will perform solo and in the band.