Keningau students wow judges at national level singing contest

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 28): Three students from Keningau Vocational College (KVC) have collectively won four awards at a national level singing contest for vocational college students, TVET KPM Terukir di Bintang, hosted by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Department of Education Ministry on October 24 and 25 at Shaftsbury, Putrajaya.

Out of approximately 40 contestants from vocational colleges nationwide competing in all three categories, Noel Blane, Joye Elvanika and Lara Leolanda won first place in the duet category, second places in the men’s and women’s solo category and the duet winners were also awarded with best vocal award.

Joye Elvanika and Lara Leoranda won the duet category with their rendition of the power ballad “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey and their performance was subsequently awarded with the best vocal award.

They won a RM500 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate as the winner of the duet category.
This duo previously won the state level singing contest among vocational colleges in August 2024.

Noel Blane clinched second place in the men’s solo category with his performance on the popular local song “Gemuruh” (roaring) by the pop artiste Faizal Tahir while Joye Elvanika also bagged second place in the women’s solo category with her take on a song titled “Memori Tercipta” (memory in creation) by Malaysian chanteuse Shila Amzah. They both won a RM400 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate as the first runners-up in the respective categories.

Noel Blane previously won the third place at the state level singing contest for vocational college students in Kudat which took place two months prior to this event.

Their vocal coaches and managers were Syuaib Samijan and Bibiana Paulus who are also teachers at the college.

The college director, Nordin bin Akup who was also present at the concert, was amazed by the commitment and dedication shown by the team including the coaches and managers who have been so consistent in every performance that they did.

He congratulated the singers and the management team for the incredible achievement and he expressed his continuous support in the college’s active participation in performing arts contests and programmes which include singing, dancing, playing music and theatre.