Romanian contestants bags multiple wins at 11th International Vocal Open Competition World Finals in Malaysia

Three Romanian contestants took home first prizes in various vocal categories at 11th International Vocal Open Competition World Finals in Malaysia. The event took place at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre in Sentul East from 30^th January to 1^st February 2024. One of their first prize winners also took home the grand prize of RM 20,000 at the international competition which is organised by the Hong Kong International Musician Association (HK IMA). Founded in 2011, it was the very first time the competition was being held outside of Hong Kong, and Malaysia were fortunate to be given the opportunity to play host.

Representing Malaysia, 19-year-old Sabahan student Yico Wong Yee Khe from Kota Kinabalu managed to secure the top awards for Pop Song Open category. The Romanians who were declared first prize winners include 20-year-old undergraduate music student Diana Rad Maria (Operatic Open), 24-year-old postgraduate student Bianka Dora Blatniczki (Operatic Aria & Art Song) and 36-year-old professional singer Ana-Maria Zota (World Folk Song). They received RM 3,000 for each first prize achievement. Zota also won the Grand Prize, as well as the fifth prize in both the Art Song & Pop Song categories, taking her grand total to RM 23,000. 

Only those receiving 94 points and above from the judges were eligible to receive the first prize award. The first prize winners from all classes were also selected and given the Rare Echo Award along with a tailored original song.

The HK IMA which was founded in 2010, has been focused on international art communications and artistic level qualification and offers an international stage for all musicians to communicate and develop further through the holding of concerts, masterclasses, lectures and competitions. 

“The three-day long International Vocal Open competition this year saw the participation of close to 500 international delegates from all age groups in a variety of vocal categories,” expressed HK IMA’s Executive Chairman Jye Lee.

“Even more importantly the competition is fairly judged by a panel of 23 highly recognised jury members from 9 countries led by internationally renowned soprano Nancy Yuen, who is currently the Head of Vocal Studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The contest this year has been quite intense with so many top quality delegates competing at the highest level making it rather difficult for the jury to find the winners,” added Lee enthusiastically.

The jury members includes celebrity musician, singer, teacher and adjudicator Stewart Kempster from Wales, UK, renowned vocal educator and bass singer Hong Luo from China, tenor and US-based music professor Israel Lozano from Spain, Romanian vocal professor Anca-Daniela Mihut, lyricist and well–known music producer Collin Qi from Singapore and Australian mezzo-soprano Melody Lee, among many other notable professionals. 

Malaysia was also well represented with coloratura soprano, music producer & music director Syafinaz Selamat, singer, music producer & arranger Lee Nai Kong, music producer & composer Helen Yap, songwriter & educator Chew Paul Wah, songwriter & music producer Abraham Tee and renowned soprano Cecilia Yap.

Apart from judging the two days of competition, members of the jury were also involved in conducting masterclasses, lectures and talks. 

Masterclasses were conducted on the second day by Mihut, Hong, Lozano, Chew, Kempster, Nicoleta Ardelean and Ioan Ardelean both from Romania, and supported by most of the other jury members. Yuen’s lecture on “Singers Diction – The Art of Enunciation & Pronunciation” was very well received as was the panel talk entitled “Great Singers On Great Singing” presented by Yap, Melody Lee, mezzo-soprano Cynthia Yim from Hong Kong, soprano Dr Geng Yan from China and vocal art instructor Iulia Sucia from Romania.

The final day of the 3- day event saw an refreshing outdoor garden pop concert presented by some of the delegates. It was followed by the official awards presentation ceremony and a Special Opera Concert presented by some of the operatic judges. The event concluded with an exciting celebratory concert presented by the outstanding performers of the competition which ended with the announcement of the Grand Prize winner as selected by jury members during the concert performance.

The 11^th International Vocal Open Competition saw a spectacular range of global delegates showcasing their incredible talents under the scrutiny of the reputable, credible and renowned panel of judges. It also gave them the opportunity to meet and communicate with fellow musicians from all over the world and share their different cultures and musical heritage. It was a great platform for the exchange of ideas and also the building of everlasting friendships. Regardless of the prizes being handed out, everyone came out a winner and will go home with great memories, a wealth of knowledge, and a higher appreciation of the artistic pursuit they are involved in.

The organiser HK IMA and International Musicians Alliance, and co-organisers Kinetic Music Entertainment did an incredible job of putting together the much heralded  11^th International Vocal Open Competition in Malaysia. The well received event was supported by HOM Music, Training Qualifications UK, Rindlisbacher, Graceful Piano, UniEffectus, TME Institute of Music, GMTV, Music Hive and Apexstar Academy. 

The Judges

Nancy Yuen (Hong Kong) – Chief Judge

Jye Lee (Hong Kong)

Stewart Kempster (Wales, UK)

Willian Lim (Singapore)

Loraine Nawa Jones (Italy)

Israel Lozano (Spain)

Nicoleta Ardelean (Romania)

Ioan Ardelean (Romania)

Cynthia Yim (Hong Kong)

Anca-Daniela Mihut (Romania)

Cecilia Yap (Malaysia)

Dr Geng Yan (China)

Syafinaz Selamat (Malaysia)

Peter Wong (Singapore)

Iulia Sucia (Romania)

Helen Yap (Malaysia)

Chew Paul Wah (Malaysia)

Abraham Tee (Malaysia)

Wang Bei (China)

Hong Luo (China)

Lee Nai Kong (Malaysia)

Melody Lee (Australia)

Collin Qi (Singapore)

Winners List:

Country & Placing	Name	Age	Prize	Classes
ROMANIA	Rad Maria Diana	2003.10.03	First Prize	Operatic Open Class
ROMANIA	Blatniczki Bianka Dora	1999.11.18	First Prize	Donizetti Operatic Aria Prize
ROMANIA	Blatniczki Bianka Dora	1999.11.18	First Prize	Art Songs Open Class
ROMANIA	ZOTA ANA-MARIA	1987.2.09	First Prize	World Folk Songs Class
MALAYSIA		2005.01.24	First Prize	Pop Songs Open Class
ROMANIA	Blatniczki Bianka Dora	1999.11.18	Second Prize	Operatic Open Class
CHINA	TANG DIANYI	2004.01.05	Second Prize	Special Theme (Operatic Aria) – Youth (Junior)Class B
ROMANIA	Rad Maria Diana	2003.10.03	Second Prize	Special Theme (Operatic Aria) – Youth (Senior) Class A
ROMANIA	Blatniczki Bianka Dora	1999.11.18	Second Prize	Mozart Operatic Aria Prize
ROMANIA	Blatniczki Bianka Dora	1999.11.18	Second Prize	Bizet Operatic Aria Prize
ROMANIA	Rad Maria Diana	2003.10.03	Second Prize	Art Songs Open Class
CHINA	HUANG RUOXUAN	2008.12.20	Second Prize	Special Theme (Art Song)-Youth (Junior) Class A
CHINA	CHENG JIHAN	2003.09.20	Second Prize	Special Theme (Art Song)-Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	LIN WEILUN	1981.10.18	Second Prize	Pop Songs Open Class
MALAYSIA	AMBERLY MAIDON	2007.12.18	Second Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song)-Youth (Junior) Class A
MALAYSIA	Ong Zhi Yen	2005.09.20	Second Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song)-Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	LIU HUIYU	1987.01.11	Second Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song)-Adult Class
CHINA	Lam Sheung Yan Stella	1990.03.18	Second Prize	Musical Theater-Youth (Senior) Class B
MALAYSIA	LI JIAN	1979.11.03	Third Prize	Operatic Open Class
ROMANIA	IAMANDI DENISA	2002.8.1	Third Prize	Special Theme (Operatic Aria)- Youth (Senior) Class A
ROMANIA	IAMANDI DENISA	2002.8.1	Third Prize	Mozart Operatic Aria Prize
ROMANIA	IAMANDI DENISA	2002.8.1	Third Prize	Art Songs Open Class
CHINA	XIANG NINGKE	2006.02.13	Third Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	XIA SONGSONG	2001.09.01	Third Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	CHEN YILING	1989.09.13	Third Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class B
CHINA	JIN LINQI	2000.06.01	Third Prize	Special Theme (Art Song) – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	ZHOU ZIYU	2003.01.14	Third Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Folk Song) – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	TIAN YANXIN	2002.06.15	Third Prize	Pop Songs Open Class
MALAYSIA	YICO WONG YEE KHE	2005.01.24	Third Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song) – Youth (Junior) Class B
SRI LANKA	Rumalki Anne Raveesha Fernando	2002.07.01	Third Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song) – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	WU RUIQI	2013.09.15	Third Prize	Youth Junior Open Class
CHINA	ZHANG YIKE	2016.08.22	Third Prize	Children Class B
MALAYSIA	CHAI MEI KONG		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	CHAN JHAN FOO		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	CHANG SEOW PING		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	CHENG PENG SIA		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	CHO CHOON LAN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	CHUA BEE LIAN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	GUAN KIM PONG		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	HAN POH BEH		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	HO AH FOOK		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	HONG FOOK YEW		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	LEE CHAI HOON		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	LOO HONG HIN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	LUM SOOK YUE		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	NG POON SEONG		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	OON SIEW KING		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	SEO SONG TUO		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	SEOW LAI CHUN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	TAN CHOOI KIN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	TEA KIM WAH		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	VOONG SIEW LIAN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	WONG VOON YAM		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	WONG YEOK LAN		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
MALAYSIA	YAP AH MOOI		Third Prize	Choral Session – Senior Class
CHINA	ZHANG JUNJUN	2006.06.30	Third Prize	Musical Theater – Youth (Junior) Class B
ROMANIA	IAMANDI DENISA	2002.8.1	Fourth Prize	Operatic Open Class
MALAYSIA	Hii Yi Qing	1996.12.31	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Operatic Aria)  – Youth (Senior) Class B
ROMANIA	Rad Maria Diana	2003.10.03	Fourth Prize	Puccini Operatic Aria Prize
CHINA	QIN SIYING	1997.06.28	Fourth Prize	Art Songs Open Class
CHINA	HAN LELE	2006.09.15	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) – Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	XIAO HAN	1998.10.19	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song) – Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	LAN YEYUN	2004.09.16	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	LI SUYANG	2002.08.14	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class A
MALAYSIA	Hii Yi Qing	1996.12.31	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Art Song)- Youth (Senior) Class B
ROMANIA	Molagean Iustina	2000.11.19	Fourth Prize	World Folk Songs Class
CHINA	CAO HAIDAN	1991.07.13	Fourth Prize	Pop Songs Open Class
MALAYSIA	SOOREYAA A/P NADESAN	2004.09.30	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song)- Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	YANG RUYA	1986.08.10	Fourth Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song)- Adult Class
CHINA	CHEN YARU	2012.08.30	Fourth Prize	Youth Junior Open Class
CHINA	HUANG XUANJIA	2011.02.02	Fourth Prize	Classes for the Young – Children Class A
CHINA	ZHU HANYU	2014.08.23	Fourth Prize	Classes for the Young – Children Class B
CHINA	HE YUHAN	1995.06.27	Fourth Prize	Contemporary A Cappella Open Class
CHINA	LENG XIANGGANG	1997.04.10	Fourth Prize	Contemporary A Cappella Open Class
CHINA	TANG QI	1992.01.31	Fourth Prize	Contemporary A Cappella Open Class
CHINA	XIA WENJIE	1996.08.13	Fourth Prize	Contemporary A Cappella Open Class
CHINA	XIANG XIAO	1998.06.08	Fourth Prize	Contemporary A Cappella Open Class
CHINA	WU SITONG	2002/2/17	Fourth Prize	Musical Theater – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	WANG JIAKUAN	1998.08.17	Fourth Prize	Musical Theater – Youth (Senior) Class B
CHINA	Ho Chi Mei	1983.03.12	Fifth Prize	Operatic Open Class
CHINA	QIU XIAOYING	2003.01.02	Fifth Prize	Puccini Operatic Aria Prize
ROMANIA	ZOTA ANA-MARIA	1987.2.09	Fifth Prize	Art Songs Open Class
CHINA	LI CHANGRAN	2004.10.09	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)  – Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	HUANG YILIN	2003.4.13	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)  – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	DONG KEXIN	1997.10.25	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)  – Youth (Senior) Class B
CHINA	CHEN JIALIN	1961.04.16	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Chinese Art Song)  – Senior Class
CHINA	WEI YONGHENG	2003.8.27	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Art Song) – Youth (Senior) Class A
ROMANIA	LORENA BABAȘCU	2001.3.14	Fifth Prize	World Folk Songs Class
CHINA	HE ZIXIN	2000.11.10	Fifth Prize	Special Theme – Youth (Senior) Class A
ROMANIA	ZOTA ANA-MARIA	1987.2.09	Fifth Prize	Pop Songs Open Class
CHINA	Zhang Yvonne	2006.08.17	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song) – Youth (Junior) Class B
CHINA	LI JUNHAO	2000.8.22	Fifth Prize	Special Theme (Pop Song) – Youth (Senior) Class A
CHINA	MESA WANG	2016.05.03	Fifth Prize	Youth Junior Open Class
CHINA	LIU MINTONG	2010.05.12	Fifth Prize	Youth (Junior) Class
CHINA	JIN TONGYU	2013.07.26	Fifth Prize	Children Class A
CHINA	WU YUZE	2014.09.23	Fifth Prize	Children Class B
CHINA	SUN YIGE	2017.06.24	Fifth Prize	Children Class C
CHINA	CAI MENGYI	2012.01.24	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	MA JIAYI	2012.06.22	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	SUN JUNHAO	2013.12.04	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	WANG YICHAN	2012.07.08	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	YAN YIHAN	2012.01.21	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	YANG ZIXIA	2012.02.12	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	YU JIAQIAO	2012.12.25	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	GUO SHUHAN	2012.10.15	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	TENG HAOYU	2011.11.26	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	YANG YIMENG	2013.01.21	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
CHINA	ZHANG SHENGANG	2015.10.03	Fifth Prize	Choral Ensemble (with Accompanament)
MALAYSIA	Priyasha Lakshmi A/P Kumaran	2008.01.30	Fifth Prize	Musical Theater – Youth (Junior) Class A
CHINA	CAO HAIDAN	1991.07.13	Fifth Prize	Musical Theater – Youth (Senior) Class B