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.
CYN DEE TOO
Cyn Dee is trained in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Jazz, National Dance, Latin American and Contemporary. She graduated from The College of Royal Academy of Dance (London) with a Licentiate and a Diploma in Dance Teaching Studies in 1996. In 2014 she was awarded the Fellowship status with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in Modern Theatre. Her dance experience includes performing in Korea & Hong Kong; dancing principal roles with Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre and with The Dance Society of Malaysia; choreographing in London, Moscow, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur; winning the Choreography award in 1996 at the RAD; and the Best Overall Production and Audience Choice Award, Short+Sweet Dance Festival in 2013.
She was the Modern Jazz instructor at the ISTD Summer School in Beijing, China in 2015. In July 2018, she was appointed an Examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance
She is a Registered Teacher with the RAD and ISTD with over 25 years of experiences in the industry.
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).
RATHIMALAR GOVINDARAJOO
Rathimalar Govindarajoo is a pioneer in the Performing Arts in Malaysia and abroad.
Rathi was formerly one of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance (SJDC)’s pioneer dancers employed full-time from 2001-2006 in London UK. Upon returning to Malaysia, she worked full-time with several reputable international schools. Fairview International School (2014-2016), HELP International School (2016-2018) and MAHSA International School as a Dance Education Specialist, and PHSE Subject Teacher (2018-2020).
A disciple of Dato Ramli Ibrahim and Rathi has been with Sutra Foundation Sutra Dance Theatre for over 30 years.
Rathi is currently a Homeroom Teacher teaching Performing Arts and Current Affairs at Stella Maris International School, since 2020. During her after-school hours, she is involved with projects by CENDANA, Dance Alliance Malaysia and is a cammies judge, the role she has since 2018.
Rathi is the recipient of innumerable awards including the 13th Debaprasad Prativi Award Orissa India 2019, BOH Cameronian Award – Best Feature Performer in Dance Category 2018, Women of WATSON AWARD 2013 for Extraordinary Woman In The Arts & Play, Great Women of Our Time Awards Malaysian Women’s Weekly Magazine 2011, Women of Style & Substance 2011 Marie Claire Malaysia
STEVE GOH
Steve Goh is a Sabah native Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Teacher. Steve 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, Steve 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, Steve 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.
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.
COLLEEN WONG, DR
Colleen Wong is a senior music educator in the Department of Music and Music Education at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak. She holds a double music degree from the National Arts Academy (previously known as ASK) and the University of Malaya (with distinction) and received her M.A. in Performing Arts from the University of Malaya. Colleen completed her EdD specializing in Instructional Leadership at Nova Southeastern University, Florida. In addition to teaching, she is a senior gamelan player with Rhythm in Bronze (RIB) and has performed with musicians from Malaysia as well as South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. She has facilitated workshops using Malay gamelan with both adults and children. She also adjudicates national and international Malay gamelan festivals. Her passion towards educating school children in music has also led her to undertake significant research in this field.
JANET KAN
Janet graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) with Masters in Music Performance. She studied with the remarkable tutor, Catherine Harper and coached by Angela Livingstone.
She has participated in many singing competitions; emerging as second runner-up in the 2000 Malaysia National Classical Song Singing Competition, Sabah. In 2003, she took the championship. And in 2005, at national level she was second runner-up. At national level in Kuala Lumpur, 2008 she took the second runner-up spot again. She was also a finalist in the Côr Meibion Pontypridd Prize, 2009.
Janet made her opera debut as Une Pastourelle in Ravel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortileges with the RWCMD Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Jones. She also played a role in The Fairy Queen during the RWCMD Opera Scene in 2009.
After she returned to Malaysia in 2013, she had her first solo concert at the Chin Yong Music Festival; “The Songs of Great Britain” in 2014. Two years later, Yin Qi choir and symphony orchestra in Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah, invited her as a soprano soloist. She performed in an Opera Festival (Opera Kul 2017) Verismo Recital with famous International soprano Cecilia Yap and Malaysian tenor Solomon Chong. Her most recent role was as the third lady in The Magic Flute opera showcased by Kuala Lumpur City Opera(KLCO).
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.
MK RIDZUAN
MK Ridzuan is a musician who has been performing since 2009 as the oboist for the National Youth Symphony Orchestra in Istana Budaya, Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Dewan Filharmonik Petronas and other local orchestras before venturing to Malay traditional music. First debut performance as a traditional musician in Middlesex and Cambridge, UK playing Mak Yong and Ghazal.
He is also a member of one of the biggest indie bands in Malaysia, Sekumpulan Orang Gila (SOG). Despite being active touring internationally, SOG has won the local award, the grand prize for Anugerah Juara Lagu 36 and the Best Rock Song for Anugerah Industri Muzik 23.
MK Ridzuan was involved in some local musical and physical theatre productions as musician and music director throughout his career as a performer. He has arranged music for prominent names such as Dr Soo Wincci, Drama Band and Koir Kebangsaan to name a few.
He founded MK Ridzuan Edutainment to share insight of the music scene/industry in Malaysia to the public through education. MK Ridzuan has also been teaching music at various institutions and conducting online classes while at the same time working as an orchestra coach in local schools.
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.
SCOTT WOO
Scott Woo has been an avid choral singer since young. He has taken on multiple roles surrounding music activities, including those of lay clerk, choirmaster, musical director, talent agent and concert producer, both locally and abroad in Australia & Germany. As a conductor, he has had experience coaching community choirs and vocal ensembles for over 25 years now. He is equally adept and experienced at being a chorister, ensemble musician as well as soloist.
Upon returning from Germany in 2017, Scott strives to promote different variety of vocal and choral repertoire to the Malaysian audiences, primarily via VerSeS Music Ensembles (versespj.com), in the form of non-profit outreach initiatives such as “The Singing Balcony”; and lecture recitals delivered mainly with the KL Madrigal Singers in collaboration with local tertiary institutions, art galleries and music schools. Scott enjoys sharing music in no-frills settings and hopes to see music making and music appreciation become a part of everyday life. He is currently the director and vocal coach of VerSeS – KL Madrigal Singers.
TAN E JAN
Tan E-Jan, a creative producer and arts management consultant based in Malaysia. Co-founder of Toccata Studio, a creative incubator in multidisciplinary creation. Her productions travel both local and internationally. She was invited by the Ministry of Culture, France, to represent Malaysia for cultural seminar in Paris in Nantes, received invitation to IETM Satellite meeting in South Korea. E-Jan was awarded global fellowship twice in the ISPA program held in New York City, United States (2016 and 2017). She participated in all Asian Producers’ Platform Camp through 2014-2017 in Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia and now a member of steering committee. She was awarded to participate in Arts Leadership Programme by Australia Council for the Arts (2019-2020). She was the CEO of INXO Arts and Culture Foundation between 2018-2020. E-Jan currently research on International Arts Management for her Masters in Arts and Culture Management with Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany. E-Jan strongly believed the best way to see our future is to create it.
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.
JANET KAN
Janet graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) with Masters in Music Performance. She studied with the remarkable tutor, Catherine Harper and coached by Angela Livingstone.
She has participated in many singing competitions; emerging as second runner-up in the 2000 Malaysia National Classical Song Singing Competition, Sabah. In 2003, she took the championship. And in 2005, at national level she was second runner-up. At national level in Kuala Lumpur, 2008 she took the second runner-up spot again. She was also a finalist in the Côr Meibion Pontypridd Prize, 2009.
Janet made her opera debut as Une Pastourelle in Ravel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortileges with the RWCMD Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Jones. She also played a role in The Fairy Queen during the RWCMD Opera Scene in 2009.
After she returned to Malaysia in 2013, she had her first solo concert at the Chin Yong Music Festival; “The Songs of Great Britain” in 2014. Two years later, Yin Qi choir and symphony orchestra in Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah, invited her as a soprano soloist. She performed in an Opera Festival (Opera Kul 2017) Verismo Recital with famous International soprano Cecilia Yap and Malaysian tenor Solomon Chong. Her most recent role was as the third lady in The Magic Flute opera showcased by Kuala Lumpur City Opera(KLCO)
MK RIDZUAN
MK Ridzuan is a musician who has been performing since 2009 as the oboist for the National Youth Symphony Orchestra in Istana Budaya, Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Dewan Filharmonik Petronas and other local orchestras before venturing to Malay traditional music. First debut performance as a traditional musician in Middlesex and Cambridge, UK playing Mak Yong and Ghazal.
He is also a member of one of the biggest indie bands in Malaysia, Sekumpulan Orang Gila (SOG). Despite being active touring internationally, SOG has won the local award, the grand prize for Anugerah Juara Lagu 36 and the Best Rock Song for Anugerah Industri Muzik 23.
MK Ridzuan was involved in some local musical and physical theatre productions as musician and music director throughout his career as a performer. He has arranged music for prominent names such as Dr Soo Wincci, Drama Band and Koir Kebangsaan to name a few.
He founded MK Ridzuan Edutainment to share insight of the music scene/industry in Malaysia to the public through education. MK Ridzuan has also been teaching music at various institutions and conducting online classes while at the same time working as an orchestra coach in local schools.
STEVE GOH
Steve Goh is a Sabah native Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Teacher. Steve 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, Steve 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, Steve 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).
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.
MURALITHARAN PILLAI, DR
Hailing from the traditions of the Natya Sastra, a former senior dancer/artist/performer of the Temple of Fine Arts International, Murali graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama (Distinction) from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Adapting the approaches of physical theatre, Murali has developed a unique technique of imparting dance, music and drama by using a synthesis of Western and Eastern multi-inter-intra-transcultural formulations, which he has coined as Quantum Theatre.
In professional practice and academia, he is a theatre practitioner, actor, director, playwright, drama, life-skills and wellbeing Educator-Facilitator-Trainer-Coach and has workshopped, performed, choreographed, production managed, stage managed, designed (set, costume, light & sound) and directed productions in Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, Denmark, the US and the UK.
A doctoral graduate from Murdoch University’s English Literature & Creative Arts school in Western Australia, Muralitharan held the positions of Head of Drama Department at University of Malaya’s Cultural Center and Senior Lecturer at University Science Malaysia’s School of The Arts’ Drama & Theatre Department. Currently, Dr. D. Muralitharan Pillai is the Founder & Artistic Director of Sivashant Dream Maker Productions in Malaysia, a production company dealing with professional theatre practice and academia for stage, film and television.
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
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.