2014 - Junior Associates Conference

It was indeed a fulfilling, tiring and yet wonderful six-days-three-sessions of Junior Associates Conference (“JAC”) from 9th to 15th June 2014 for 300 teenagers aspiring to be a performing artist. JAC opened the door for the teenagers to have a sneak peek at the performing industry and helped inspire and prepare them for the challenges ahead. The organisers, led by Perak Society of Performing Arts (“PSPA”), were overwhelmed and impressed by the multi-faceted raw talent of the participants, even though many are not fully aware of what they have signed up for at the beginning!

They were met and tutored by various professionals - from renowned deejay, musical performing artist to beat boxer and even film producer - who shared their experience, knowledge, passion and stories with the youngsters.

Susanna Saw, Tracy Wong and KT Pillai explored many vocal games and projection and this was ended with an excellent live beat-box demonstration by Cherie Chai.

Michael Xavier Voon, the choreographer and judge for Malaysia’s own “You Think You Can Dance” series, also of Kakiseni and Cameronian Awards adjudicator, taught the participants to look within and be conscious of self and fellow performers. He also advocated creative experiment dance movements even by observing and learning from non-dancers.

Sylvia Wong explored spatial awareness with our participants teaching them the importance of space in performance. On the other hand Bea Tanaka, a film producer told the students about the development of film industry and the processes that needs to go through for producing a film before we see it on the big screen.

Kerry Ann Khoo, Joshua Gui and Dennis Yeap took the students to their paces rehearsing songs from the movie “Frozen” and in the process learning about vocal control and exploring patterning in a group.

The participants also got a first-hand experience from esteemed photographers CP Lo and the master himself, Foo Kok Kin, on how to take their own head shot. The session allows them to receive direct and immediate feedback from the instructors with their own pictures being taken on the spot.

Pak Peter, a hospitality consultant, also advised and helped them to prepare their personal profile as a way to promote themselves, by penning down their qualities and experience. All these antics only helped the participants to take a hard look at themselves, analysing their strengths and looking on areas for improvements.

The session was filled with nothing but fun and laughter as the young participants threw themselves to the various challenges tasked to them by the instructors. Towards the end when they were required to attend an audition, it was heart warming to see how these instructors-turned-facilitators encouraged them and advised them not to fear failing and losing as it is the best learning experience. The session was not short of emotions too as we all watched the animated auditions especially those with moving story lines.

PSPA would like to thank the various venue hosts - Sunway College, PORT and Tenby International School Ipoh - for their generosity and other sponsors who helped make this event a reality and a success. We would like to express our gratitude to all the volunteers, helpers and members who sacrifice their time to grace the event.

Bravo again to all the youngsters for bringing themselves into the conference and demonstrate their eagerness to learn. We hope to see you again.