DANCE
ALLA @ AZURA ABAL
Alla holds a Diploma in Dance from the National Art Academy, and a Bachelor’s degree in dance & master of performing arts from Universiti Malaya. She was a part-time lecturer from 2011 till recent. She has more than 30 years’ experience as a performer, teacher, trainer and choreographer in traditional, modern, and contemporary dance. Alla has also served as a juror and facilitator for dance workshops and competitions organised by the National Department For Culture And Arts (JKKN). She was also a dance activist & she still actively performs in the local dance scene.
AUSTIN GOH
Austin Goh is a Sabah native Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Teacher. Austin Goh studied dance in scholarship at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. An award-winning performer hailed as one of Malaysia’s Best Male Dancers, Austin has won numerous awards at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, including Best Performer, Best Choreographer in a Mixed Bill, Best Choreographer in a Feature-Length Work, and Best Group Ensemble. A creative, passionate, and dedicated Artist who is developing a vision to further explore Dance Industry through private and community dance contexts. As a Performer, Austin has performed with multi local companies and international, as well in Austria, Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Paris, Singapore, and Taiwan
FOO CHIWEI
A graphic designer by profession, Foo Chiwei studied the Graham Technique briefly under Eugenie Knox of The Dance of Life while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication at RMIT in Melbourne. Later back in Malaysia, he studied Odissi under the tutelage of Datuk Ramli Ibrahim at Sutra Dance Theatre from 2002–2012. Foo’s interest in Butoh propelled him to partake in numerous workshops by local and international practitioners. Most notably with Butoh Master Yukio Waguri. Foo had performed in numerous dance and theatre productions for Donna Miranda, Aida Redza, Dr Zulkifli Mohamad, Rithaudin Abdul Kadir, Nibroll Dance Company, Yukio Waguri, Nyoba Kan, Yumiko Yoshioka, Soubi Sha and KL Shakespeare Players. He has served as a dance judge since 2015 and as a Best Of judge for Kakiseni from 2017 to the present.
KENNY SHIM
Kenny Shim, award winning choreographer, was trained in Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as well as London Contemporary Dance School, has performed and choreographed both internationally and locally. Since returning, Shim has founded a dance collective KSDC and is actively creating works, educating and conducting dance workshops. In collaboration with UK based Mobius Dance Company, and KSDC produced a mix bill performance that was nominated 7 times and bagged 2 awards. Pioneering collaboration between since, technology, math and fashion, Kenny presents works that are stylish with a modern edge.
NAIM SYAH
Naim Syahrazad completed his Diploma in Dance in 2010, Bachelor of Dance (Choreography) Honours at ASWARA in 2013 and then Master in Dance at Universiti Malaya in 2021. Has been working with ASK Dance company from 2011 till 2020. He was part of Aswara Dance Company that represented Malaysia at the World Championship of Performing Arts 2010 in Los Angeles, winning five gold medals and the tittle of World Champion for his duet with Suhaili Ahmad Kamil. He won the Best Male dancer at KLPAC’s Short+Sweet Dance in 2009 and 2011. Collaborating with German choreographer-dancer Riki Von Falken in Echo : It’s Just A temporary thing, presented in Germany, Malaysia and Brazil. He was named one of Best New Comer in 2013 by Tanz Magazines (Berlin) by international dance critics. Naim won Best Featured Performer at the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards in 2015. In 2017, He was a Master Choreographer for Opening SEA Games 2017 and Choreographer for Dato Siti Nurhaliza on Tour 2019. Won 3rd place at WAVE Awards 2021 (Dance). Naim is currently a full-time lecturer at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
YUNUS ISMAIL
Mohd Yunus Ismail is a Master of Dance student at the Dance Department, Universiti Malaya. His research interest lies in the cultural diversity in Malaysia, which he is interested to explore through dance choreography. Yunus obtained a bachelor’s degree from the National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage Malaysia (ASWARA) with a specialization in Bharata-natyam, a classical Indian dance form. His establishment in this artistry after his debut recital the Arange-tram in 2011 has earned him numerous awards and invites to dance programmes around the world. He was the recipient of the BOH Cameronian Arts Award, which includes Best Choreographer in Mix Bill and Most Promising Artist. He has participated in the Kennedy Arts Centre exchange program in New York and Philadelphia. In addition to that, he has completed his Arangetram under the guidance The Temple of fine Arts. He was involved in productions such as ‘An Adoration of…Ganga’, ‘The Legend: The Journey Begins’ and Configuration. He is also one of the TOP 6 dancers for ‘So You Think You Can Dance: Malaysia – Season 1′. Currently Yunus works as a full-time lecturer in ASWARA.
MUSIC
MERVYN PETERS
Mervyn’s experience in Music and Theatre is as varied as it is extensive – ranging from Producer, Director, Musical Director, Conductor, Chorus Master, Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Technical Director to Actor in his now 47 years in the arts.
On stage he was in Die Fledermaus in 1975; The Barretts of Wimpole Street and principal roles in Cinderella; The Boyfriend; and Hello, Dolly! His first musical as Musical Director was Camelot in 1977. From 1978 till 1991, he conducted most of the Society’s choral concerts such as Oklahoma!; Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Guys and Dolls; and the World Premiere of Stand and Deliver.
As Technical Director, foreign shows include The Scottish Ballet; The Sadlers Wells Ballet; The Royal Danish Ballet and musicals staged by STAR Publications: My Fair Lady; The Sound of Music; Oliver and Peter Pan.
From 1991 his involvement with The Actors Studio were A Man For All Seasons; Antigone; As Is; A Streetcar Named Desire; Philadelphia, Here I Come! and The Scorpion Orchid. In January 1997, he was appointed General Manager/Technical Director.
There he was Chorusmaster in Broken Bridges; and Musical Director for Tunku – The Musical; Ismail – The Last Days (2008 – Winner of Boh Cameronian Arts Award, Best Musical Direction); Malaysian Girls and Paper Crane.
In 1999 he was Orchestra Personnel Manager with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra until December 2010.
Mervyn currently conducts the Choir of The Philharmonic Society of Selangor.
SAYYID SHAFIEE, DR
Sayyid Shafiee was born in Kuala Lumpur and focuses his music towards contemporary classical composition. His music has been featured in various music festivals including Druskomanija Festival (Lithuania), China-Asean Music Festival (China), Risuonanze Festival (Italy), Asian Composers League (Philippines), Soundbridge Festival (Malaysia), SNU New Music Festival (Korea) and many other music events.
After the awards of BMus from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Selangor, he was awarded a national scholarship to study composition at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He returned to England where he earned a PhD in Composition from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The most influential composition teachers include Howard Skempton, Joe Cutler, Seán Clancy and Tazul Tajuddin.
Currently teaching at UCSI University as Assistant Professor in Music, he provides academic advice to various levels of learners, offers academic consultation and supervision for postgraduate research students, as well as to facilitate the educational framework driven by the university.
Appointed as the Panel of Assessors of Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA) in the field of music, his responsibility includes evaluating academic accreditation and assessing educational programmes across the country. Enthusiastic toward music education and performing arts, his future career also involves cross-media discipline and its contributions towards contemporary music development in Malaysia.
SHARIFAH FAIZAH, DR
Dr Sharifah Faizah has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Indonesia, Korea, Japan and the UK. She became an artist-in-residence in Thailand (2003) and Italy (2005 & 2006) as a beneficiary of the Italian government. Her projects included music cycles and collaborations with Airtime Management and Programming (AMP) Radio Networks, the Malaysian Philharmonic, the National Symphony, the National Archives and the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) for the preservation of heritage and archive. She supports independent music creators, such as the Edinburgh Fringe.
Dr Sharifah has worked for Betarecs to produce music for multinational companies. The solo guitar album, The Tales of Malaysia: Between Two Worlds (2020) by Nathan Fischer, includes her composition, Incantation of Ulek Mayang. She believes understanding music involves converging history, politics, arts, and cultural studies. In 2021, she premiered a book regarding art songs of Indonesia, entitled Musical Nationalism in Indonesia: The Rise and Fall of Lagu Seriosa, published by Springer.
Dr Sharifah has a PhD from Monash University. She pursued piano and composition at Bath University, and City University, with conservatory studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, UK. Upon her return, she founded the bachelor programme in music performance at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). She is currently an Associate Professor and Dean of Research and Innovation at the College of Creative Arts (CCA), UiTM.
THEATRE
CHRISTOPHER LING
Christopher Ling is the co-founder and artistic director of theatrethreesixty. His work as a director of plays, operas and musicals has been seen in Malaysia, Singapore and London, UK. He has served as a BOH Cameronian Arts Award Theatre Category Judge since 2018.Christopher was awarded the BOH Cameronian Arts Award for Best Direction (Musical Theatre) in 2012. He also received the Anugerah Seni Negara (National Arts Awards) Young Talent Award for Theatre Directing in 2009. He trained in Drama and Theatre Arts at Middlesex University, UK and with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.
DOMINIC LUK
Dominic co-founded Monday Show School of Musical Theatre together with Benjamin Lin. He obtained his training from LASALLE College in Singapore, Brandeis University, and Harvard University. Dominic previously lectured at ASWARA, UITM, UPM, and Sunway University, teaching theatre and music. He is also the first and only Malaysian to be a Trinity College London examiner for all their drama exams. Dominic directs, music directs, acts, and produces stage performances. He is also the assistant principal of Asia Pacific International School.
FAZLEENA HISHAMUDDIN
Fazleena Hishamuddin holds a BA (Hons) in Social Science majoring Malay Literature and Masters in Psychology Counselling at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). She is a producer, director, actor and writer. She has won a few awards for short films, such as Best Script for Experimental Category at the Short Film Festival RTM/FiNAS in 2007 and Special Jury Award for her short film ‘Komunikasi Yang Hilang‘ at the Young Artist Award 2009. She has acted in numerous plays such as Hegemoni, Teater Juta-Juta, Satu Plastik Hitam, Kawan-Kawan Yang Kita Suka, Neo-Romantik, Narapidana and many more. Teater Juta-Juta directed by Fasyali Fadzly Won Best Group Performance at Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2013.
Fazleena is nominated for Best Director at Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2016 in Junior Cammies Category for Teater Kota Kelip-Kelip. Kota Kelip-Kelip was her first debut play (full-length) as a director, which acted by marginal (orphan) kids/youth under Teach For The Needs (NGO). As a writer, 4 books have been published and one of them is the winner for My Writers Unleashed 2018 (best manuscript) organized by MyCreative Ventures. 2022, she won a prestigious music award in Malaysia, Anugerah Juara Lagu ke-36, as a lyricist.
KHAIRI ANWAR
Khairi Anwar is a storyteller for the stage and screen. His films and stage plays spark discussion about the socio-economic & socio-political issues in Malaysia, including but not exclusive to the topic of race, religion and freedom of speech. Khairi has been a nominee of, and won a number of awards for the stage and screen, including BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, BMW Shorties, and his first feature film, Mentega Terbang (English title “Flutterby”) has travelled to Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival 2021 and Aceh Film Festival 2022.
For theatre, Khairi is known for his work in IQ.Rock, POHLITHIK, 24 Jam Dalam 37 Tahun, and Teater Bangsa: Anak Kecil Main Api. His script has travelled well within Malaysia, and internationally to Singapore, Indonesia, and recently Hong Kong, where IQ.Rock was translated to full chinese by aspiring translators there in 2021.
Khairi strives to tell more Malaysian contemporary stories, and work across disciplines, languages, and ideas, in hopes to see Malaysia theatre scene to thrive locally and internationally.
KIPLI ABDUL RAHMAN, DR
Dr. Mohd Kipli Bin Abdul Rahman is a Professor of Theatre at the Performing Arts Studies, College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia. He is an academician by profession as well as a theatre and performance activist (as a director, choreographer, actor, dancer, and facilitator). He is actively involved as an academic writer, editor, researcher as well as performer. As a researcher, the main research is the study of trans-disciplinary performing arts. His research outcomes and activities focus on the new-extension-critical body of works. The utility of the contents of his research is debated in various discourses: referring to the quest for Southeast Asian Performances.
He also leads a community program with children with the objective of creating awareness of the importance of cultural performance and identity. This community work does not end with children but is extrapolated to the villagers; educating the villagers on how to sustain and preserve local culture. His writing also reflects the existence and fundamental views of the community towards arts and social-ethnographical study. His teaching and guidance in performance always put the community first before commercialism. His current research is the study of the indigenous ritual performance of the Malay Archipelago.
MICHAEL VOON
Michael Xavier Voon is our longest serving judge, beginning with the inaugural Awards in 2002. Graduated with degrees in Fine, Graphic and Performing Arts from Colorado Mesa University (1983 – 1987), his performance career started as a choreographer for Comscapes Dance Company in 1987. Michael’s works have been featured in Brunei, Sydney, Paris, Singapore, Jakarta, Vietnam and across the US. He received the 2012 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Best Choreographer for Dreamgirls. Stage highlights of his career include Bodyguards, Storyteller, KL KO, Merchant of Venice, HipHopera,and Shout! The Mod Musical. Michael is best known for his performance coaching on TV including Malaysian Idol I & II, One in a Million, So You Think You Can Dance and Realiti with jury duties for various competitions such as Sehati Berdansa and Audition. Michael is an active director, educator and performance coach.
SABRINA HASSAN
Sabrina Hassan is an actor, director and theatre educator with a masters degree in Theatre Studies from UNE, Australia and LTCL Diploma in Teaching Musical Theatre from Trinity College London. She directed the award-winning musical, The Edge which garnered her a nomination for Best Director at the Boh Cameronian Awards, 2014 and has directed many charity musicals withproducer/choreographer, Farah Sulaiman.
Sabrina studied dance at the Sayang Academy of Dancing before completing high school at Penrhos College, Australia. Subsequently, she specialised in theatre and film at Curtin University. In Australia, Sabrina produced the documentary Biding Time, worked backstage in various productions, choreographed for events and performed in short films and theatre performances.
In Malaysia, Sabrina has appeared in films, television shows, commercials, musicals and music videos; choreographed for stage and screen; and hosted events and television programs. She was nominated for Best Actress at Anugerah Skrin, 2009). Most recently, she worked with KL Shakespeare Players on their Crossing Borders series. Sabrina lectures musical theatre at ASWARA and is an advocate for arts education.
SYAHRUL MUSA, DR
Dr. Syahrul Musa (Syahrul Fithri Musa) is a Senior Lecturer in School of Performing Arts, College of Creative Arts, UiTM. He has represented the country at the Future-Oriented Cooperation Project Seoul, in 2005. A doctoral graduate from Universiti Malaya, Syahrul has been actively involved in the theatre world, either as playwright, director or actor in the several productions such as Ronggeng Rokiah, Tunku Kudin, Seribu Peluru Untuk Aku, Obsesi, Rabak X, Jerjak, Mimpi (Midsummer Night’s Dream), 1 Plastik Hitam, Isteriku Tiada Susu, Muzikal Arshad Ayub, Muzikal Destini, Gugurnya Kopiah Putih, Mara! The Musical, and Kopiah Putih dan Straw Bergincu Dibibirnya. Besides doing theatre and writing plays, Syahrul is active in films, TV productions, and advertisements like Wayang, Senario Asam Garam, Gadis Kosmos, and Chowrasta.
In 2011, he produced and directed his first short film Epal Hijau di Luar Pagar, together with FINAS, and his second short film is Parvai (2018) produced and directed by himself. Parvai has been selected for Official Selection in Hong Kong, India, Singapore and Bangladesh
WALID ALI (THEATRE)
Walid Ali is a contemporary performance deviser, performer, and designer. He is a creative director in Luar Kotak Production, a contemporary theatre group in Malaysia. He has worked with many renowned artiste since 2008 – Matthew Cohen, Forest Fringe, Mazlan Tahir, Aminah Rhapor, Zubin Mohd, Syahrul Fithri Musa, Nadia Khan, Hamzah Tahir, Jo Kukathas, Ridhwan Saidi, Karen Christopher, Mirror Huang, Despoina Stournara. He has performed live art at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Handa Noh Theatre (UK) and Chapters Arts Centre (Cardiff).
Besides working as a performing arts practitioner, he is also an author for Selut Press and Peanutzin, and involved in Projek Spektrum performances. He is currently a theatre lecturer in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and is researching on Melanau performing arts; focusing on the ethnic rituals, beliefs and practices in the modern day.
YVES YAP
Yves Yap graduated from Taiwan Chinese Culture University Drama and Cinema Department in 2000. He has served as a part-time lecturer at MSC Drama department and Drama and Visuals Department in New Era College. He has also served as a performance instructor for drama societies in many colleges and high schools, including Chinese Association and Chinese Studies in University Malaya, Central Art College.
In addition to being a playwright and a director, Yves also organises many arts and cultural activities, including the ceremony of HuaZong Literature Award for 5 seasons, twice for Grand Anniversary Performances for Sin Chew Daily, Taiwanese singer Tsai Chin and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Classical Concert in Stadium Bukit Jalil He has also produced several commercial concerts of famous local vocalist like Angela Chock and song writer Chang Sang Teck, many charity performances.
Yves has more than ten years’ experience in media industry, served as head of Culture and Education Department in Sin Chew Daily. He is currently a freelance writer and a part-time lecturer. He is a guest host of You Content Network Radio’s art and literature program. In addition to being a cammies judge, Yves is also a judging panel member of ADA awards for many years.
MUSICAL THEATRE
ALLA @ AZURA ABAL
Alla holds a Diploma in Dance from the National Art Academy, and a Bachelor’s degree in dance & master of performing arts from Universiti Malaya. She was a part-time lecturer from 2011 till recent. She has more than 30 years’ experience as a performer, teacher, trainer and choreographer in traditional, modern, and contemporary dance. Alla has also served as a juror and facilitator for dance workshops and competitions organised by the National Department For Culture And Arts (JKKN). She was also a dance activist & she still actively performs in the local dance scene.
AUSTIN GOH
Austin Goh is a Sabah native Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Teacher. Austin Goh studied dance in scholarship at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. An award-winning performer hailed as one of Malaysia’s Best Male Dancers, Austin has won numerous awards at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, including Best Performer, Best Choreographer in a Mixed Bill, Best Choreographer in a Feature-Length Work, and Best Group Ensemble. A creative, passionate, and dedicated Artist who is developing a vision to further explore Dance Industry through private and community dance contexts. As a Performer, Austin has performed with multi local companies and international, as well in Austria, Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Paris, Singapore, and Taiwan.
SYUKOR IBRAHIM
Syukor Ibrahim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Violin & Audio Engineering) from UiTM and Master of Science in Music (Ethnomusicology) from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and currently serves as Dean of Music Faculty at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA).
Possesses many experience in music performances including being a member of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) as violinist, a recording artist with band “Dominant” in 1998 under Polygram Records label as well as performing for the National Choir in the early years. Syukor’s musical theatre debut was in 2006 for Kesuma, followed by Raja Andak, Raja Laksamana and Tunku – The Musical, directed by Joe Hafsham in 2007. Other key musical theatre involvements were in Sirah Junjungan – Tahajud Cinta, Natrah – directed by Eirma Fatima, Muzikal Tun Razak, Muzikal Uda dan Dara – directed by Datuk Rahim Razali and Patriot and Gamat – musicals which were staged at Istana Budaya.
He had also appeared in several drama series and telemovies between 2007 to 2010. His most recent projects were Mak Yong “Anak Raja Gondang” (2019) and musical theatre Jula Juli Bintang 7 at Istana Budaya (Oct, 2022).
YUNUS ISMAIL
Mohd Yunus Ismail is a Master of Dance student at the Dance Department, Universiti Malaya. His research interest lies in the cultural diversity in Malaysia, which he is interested to explore through dance choreography. Yunus obtained a bachelor’s degree from the National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage Malaysia (ASWARA) with a specialization in Bharata-natyam, a classical Indian dance form. His establishment in this artistry after his debut recital the Arange-tram in 2011 has earned him numerous awards and invites to dance programmes around the world. He was the recipient of the BOH Cameronian Arts Award, which includes Best Choreographer in Mix Bill and Most Promising Artist. He has participated in the Kennedy Arts Centre exchange program in New York and Philadelphia. In addition to that, he has completed his Arangetram under the guidance The Temple of fine Arts. He was involved in productions such as ‘An Adoration of…Ganga’, ‘The Legend: The Journey Begins’ and Configuration. He is also one of the TOP 6 dancers for ‘So You Think You Can Dance: Malaysia – Season 1′. Currently Yunus works as a full-time lecturer in ASWARA.
ZAIFRI HUSIN
Zaifri Husin is one of the expert theatre directors in Malaysia. He is well-versed in theatre directing & acting since the ’90s. Among the theatres directed by him will be Muzikal Jula Juli Bintang 7(2022), Mana Setangginya (2009), Sarah (2006), Uda dan Dara (2001) & Teater Kanak-Kanak Taman Baginda (1997).
He was also the Director and Scriptwriter for Teater Muzikal Kanak-Kanak ’Upin dan Ipin’ (2012), Bangsawan ’Chelorong Cheloreng’ (2012), Muzikal Gamat (2009), Bangsawan Musang Berjanggut (2008), Monodrama ’Angin Mengambang’ (2005), Teater Muzikal Kanak-Kanak Ali Baba (2006), Teater Kanak-Kanak ’Belalang Kenit’ (2006) & Teater Kanak-Kanak Bawang Putih Bawang Merah (1996).
Acting is definitely his forte and he had acted in many stageplays including Nyonya (2007, 2011), Lantai T Pinkie, Anugerah (1997, 2006), Sarah (2006), Rubiah (1999), Mencari Juita (1998), ‘Tiang Seri Tegak Berlima’ (1997), ‘Selendang Umi’ (1998) and Assyura (1997). He has been invited to be the guest actor for famous TV sitcoms such as Pi Mai Tang Tu (1994-1996), Nik & Nina (1994-1996), Tok Moh (1998), and Cam Ni Cam Tu (1998).