Thai Phuong Nguyen
I’ve been playing the violin for nearly a year. My decision to pick up the violin came when I finally realized how stupid I was for telling myself that I would never be good at it because I was too old to learn. After announcing that I was going to become an amazing violin player and stand on stage to perform- I bought myself a second hand violin, found myself a teacher and it all started from there. Although I’m not a particularly awesome player now, I’m willing to work on it. Unlike before, I can actually see the possibilities I can create from nothing. Being a shy girl most of my life, I know the feeling of stage fright very well. I started the event “Stage Fright” as a bit of a project for me and others like me to gain confidence and be able to express themselves freely.
Jaymen Mak
Age: 24
Occupation: Music Director for “Stage Fright”. In the past I’ve completed a B.PharmSci degree and more recently an M.Bus (Sci + Tech) degree at Monash. Technically I’m job hunting at the moment, but in no rush to enter full-time work. Ideally I’d like to find something which ties together my passion for music, business and science.
Instrument/Art-form: I’d say I’m an amateur musician at best! I like to sing, so I play piano and guitar to accompany my vocals. I also enjoy percussion in the various forms (beatboxing, cajoning, or smashing on the drums).
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: Learning these various music forms allows me to “jam” and connect with other musician; it’s so much fun playing in a live atmosphere with others!
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT: I got trapped! Haha, nah just kidding. Basically I was invited by a friend (Xandra Yuwono – talented creative team member) to perform for Stage-Fright. Phuong asked me if I’d like to join the performance team as they needed help at the time. Somehow I got promoted to be music-director - I still don’t know what I’m doing to this day haha.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Tooooo many artists to name, but if I have to name a few: 王力宏 (Wang-Lee-Hom), Lifehouse, CN Blue, Coldplay, The Fray, The Beatles, Rahzel and many many MANY more (including close friends).
Jaymen@gmail.com
Steven Le
Age: 18
Occupation: Undergraduate Student, Active member of Stage-Fright Performance team
Instrument/Art-form: I Dance, sing and play the ukulele
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: I try to have as much new experiences as I can. I haven’t been performing/singing/dancing for long but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT: A good friend of mine recommended our dance “crew” to Phuong! We are very fortunate to be a part of STAGE FRIGHT!
Where do you draw your inspiration from? I think I like things simple, that might be why I picked up the ukulele; it had less strings than a guitar.
Can we preview some of your music/art-form? Yes! http://www.youtube.com/user/stevenly8/videos
steven.tony.le@gmail.com
David Fong
Age: 23
Occupation: Chiropractor, Stage-Fright Performance Team
Instrument/Art-form: I’ve been playing the guitar for about 9 years now. I play both acoustic and electric.
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: I picked up the guitar in high school and haven’t put it down since. I love performing, writing music, and especially jamming with other musos. I am currently a guitarist for the band, Puppet Society.
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT: I had heard a lot about it from Li Chen, and finally got roped in by Jaymen. So far it has been quite fun, meeting lots of new people, and jamming with some pretty talented musos! (Not to mention the regular Rick-Rolling of many, many people.)
Where do you draw your inspiration from? I listen to a wide variety of music from J-rock, pop, funk, pop-punk, metal etc. or even dance from the radio. Some artists which come to mind, the GazettE, Devin Townsend, Red Hot Chili Peppers, DELUHI, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Rob Thomas, and many more.
Can we preview some of your music/art-form? http://www.puppetsocietymusic.com,
http://www.youtube.com/user/daveguitarontoast
davidfongdc@gmail.com
Kenneth Cheng
Age: 22
Occupation: Pharmacist
Instrument: Violin, Piano. I began playing piano at a young age, but stopped when I was 10 years old because my teacher retired. Deciding to move onto the Violin, I continued playing it all throughout high school until my University years. With my real passion being the piano, I occasionally found time during my years as a University student to improvise on the piano, which I eventually developed as a skill, as time slowly went by. I loved being able to improvise on the piano, as it allowed me the creative freedom to create instant music, without having to invest long hours that I did not have, into learning pieces.
Now that I have graduated University, I’m looking to develop my skills as a musician in any way I can. Watching all the other amazing talented musicians at Stage Fright so far has been the greatest inspiration I’ve had in a long time.
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: Love of music.
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT: I was involved in a music group with Phuong, so naturally I jumped onto the chance to perform at an event like Stage Fright. I love having the chance to improvise on the piano in front of anyone, so I thought I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Jimmy Wong, David Choi, Paul Dateh, Jon Schmidt, Wang Lee Hom, Wong Fu Productions, to name but a few. Anyone who creates great music (or art, as with WFP), really.
Can we preview some of your music/art-form? Not yet. :(
facebook.com/cheng.k
Carl Lee
Age: 18
Occupation: Undergraduate Student
Instrument/Art-form: It all started at our year 12 assembly where I joined ‘UN’ Crew to dance, now I dance for fun/leisure.
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: Try out different things in life, didn’t really expect to be a ‘dancer’ but I have heaps of fun and it’s a great work out!
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Mostly from the people around me, yeh they inspire me everyday!
Shi Ann Mayus
Age: 23
Occupation: Secondary School Art Teacher
Instrument/Art-form: Guitar & Voice
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form? I begged my mum to teach me the piano from the age of four, she turned me down initially, but then she gave up on saying no and put her effort into making me practice. THANKS MUM! :)
I built off what I knew of music (thanks to those years of piano) and learned the flute and French horn at school, a little bit of drums, and now I’m learning the guitar. I’ve been teaching myself bits and pieces and getting lots of hints and tips from friends along the way.
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT? I went to high school with Phuong and she called me and asked me to perform a piece on the piano, so here I am playing guitar :D haha
Where do you draw your inspiration from? It varies. It could be a story I’m trying to tell or a meaning I’m trying to convey or sometimes It is a feeling I want to express. I often find myself singing when I’m alone; making up melodies and verbalizing my thoughts. Sometimes I’ll just sit at the piano or guitar and play/strum out some sounds and start singing along, other times I’ll be driving the car, belting out a tune because I know that no one else can hear me.
Can we preview some of your music/art-form? (I haven’t uploaded much yet lol) facebook.com/singandsketch, youtube.com/singandsketch
singandsketch@gmail.com
Aaron Arcilla
Age: 17 years old
Occupation: Undergraduate student and tennis coach
Instrument/Art-form: I love playing any instrument I started with the piano but ive played guitar the longest, though ive started playing the ukulele! I also love sing and dance (hip-hop) and dougie :D jokes.
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: I guess I have just grown to love many different types of ‘arts’ they are such amazing ways of expressing feelings and just to have fun.
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT: Our dance crew (U.N crew) performed at some school events then a good friend told my friend Steven Le, who told us it would be a great opportunity to raise some money for charity and have some fun.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? I draw inspiration definitely from my Filipino heritage to sing! I was born with a karaoke machine playing haha. But all my friends and family truly inspire me to keep doing what I love to do. Which is to dance and sing!
Can we preview some of your music/art-form? http://www.youtube.com/user/AuLomaniIko?feature=guide
azza716@hotmail.com
Reservation at Dorsia
Hailing from the north western suburbs, we, Mat (guitar), Ken (vox-keys), Boon (bass) and Jimmy (beats) make up ‘Reservation at Dorsia’ (or RAD as it commonly abbreviated to). The catalyst behind the formation of the group spawned from the urge to play/write music that was inspired by all their favourite singers and bands. With a wide variety of musical influences within the quartet ranging from hiphop to metal and screamo, making music is always an interesting and fun proposition for all of us. Having all played music in highschool, the band provides all of us with a way to stay creative and have fun at the same time. After our somewhat dull beginnings jamming in the living room, we have gone on to do the whole bar/pubs gigcrawl and hope to record some of our original work very soon. Due to our busy lives as students, fulltime work slaves as well as extended travels from various members, we have not been able to do this as often as we would like. However, when we get together (albeit very sporadically nowadays) it is always enjoyable and we hold it close to our hearts.
How would we describe our sound? We like to think (and hope) our music is a funky, fun blend of hiphop/alternative/pop. We are excited about helping out many of our friends at Stage Fright and will be doing something we aren’t used to… Playing acoustic! So look forward to seeing everyone there. Keep it real.
Judy Ly
Age: 24
Occupation: Student(Bachelor of Science-Chemistry Major)/Laboratory Technician
Instrument/Art-form: My instrument is my voice, I sing recreationally and still very new to it.
Reasons for Instrument/Art-form: I have always loved to sing but I have always been too shy to do it and let people hear my voice. I like singing because it can allow you to express your emotions and It makes me feel happy =)
How did you get involved in STAGE-FRIGHT:
Truccie (A very talented artist) introduce me to stage fright and after much persuasion and support I agreed to do a duet with Cecilia Tran (A very talented singer!)
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from those I surround myself with. I also love music from 70s, 80s and 90s just because the music during those eras was full of meaning and soul.
Can we preview some of your music?
Maybe in the near future =)
How can we contact you?
Judy_ly88@hotmail.com
Others who will be performing on the day:
Musician: Steph McQualter
Steph masquerades as a 17-year-old Law/Arts student at Monash by day and is a wicked singer, guitarist and pianist at all other times. She’s sung since her throat muscles first developed and uses music to vent frustrations and sadness, celebrate happiness and peace.
Steph believes everybody deserves the opportunity to perform, to collect butterflies in their chest and experience the massive high of doing a good job. To her, this is why Stage Fright is awesome!
Dancer: Stefanie Tanuwidjaja
Who said accountants can’t dance? Meet Stefanie, who assures everyone that she doesn’t do creative accounting. A seasoned dancer, she will be debuting her choreographing skills with a lyrical dance group. Stephanie encourages everyone to dance as it is fun, social and healthy!
Musician: Kenneth Cheng
22-year-old pharmacist Kenneth will be showing off his mad violin and piano skills for Stage Fright. He loves to perform in front of people and is always looking to better his craft. Kenneth is proud to be a part of Stage Fright and feels honoured to be performing alongside so many talented musicians. Music for life!
Musician: Biya Sun
23-year-old Biya (she gets called beer) loves pop music and things that are pretty and melodic. She plays piano to relieve stress and to relax on her own. A commerce/law graduate, she was drawn to Stage Fright by its mantra of empowering people to overcome their fears.
Musician and Dancer: Steven Le
Put a ukulele in Steven’s hands and he turns into an Asian Jason Mraz – except better because he also dances hip hop! 18-year-old Steven just graduated high school and fights nerves by practicing before every performance and thinking positively.
Musician: Keerththana Jeyakandan
Coldplay and RnB reign supreme for Keerththana, a 23-year-old first year postgraduate law student. Trained in Classical Indian singing as a child, Stage Fright has helped her rediscover her passion for music.
Musician: Shi Ann Mayus
This 23-year-old high school art teacher will be serenading the crowd with two original songs, supporting her vocals with guitar. ‘Maldives’ was written in 2010 when she was living on the tropical island teaching English to underprivileged kids. ‘On This Day’ is about making the most of today, an inspiring song that Shi Ann wrote in honour of Stage Fright.
Musician: David Fong
Guitarist for rock band The Puppet Society (formally known as Visual Asperity), David says the business side of playing with a band means music can lose its charm. Stage Fright has helped him get back in touch with playing music for fun, rather than just practicing for gigs.
Musician and Dancer: Nabila Maryam
Self-taught RnB singer and hip-hop (popping and house) dancer Nabila moved from Perth to Melbourne in 2005 at the age of 17 in the hopes of getting her talent noticed. She’s in a different world when she sings and dances, her passion picks her up when she’s down. Nabila is grateful that Stage Fright has given her somewhere to start, that she’s met so many people and that it’s been immense fun.
