I, together with Joshua Alamu, once again organised our annual Artist Development Showcase on 7 December 2013.  This concert is always held to showcase our students’ talents and to be a platform for them to gain experience on stage. Music accompaniment was live and directed by Heathcliffe Balzan.  Backing vocals were done as usual by me and Joshua, but this time we were joined by upcoming artists Maxine Pace and Jasmine Abela.

This is not a competition, however there was judge hailing from the UK, the great Emi Green, in attendance to provide her feedback on the performance as a whole. This is for the students to know how well they are doing and what they have to work on in the future.

The Timeless Tale of a fight for love, brought back to life in 21st Century New York. This is a very very short synopsis of our original musical Carmen.

Based on George Bizet’s Opera – this musical tells the story of how Carmen (Tezara Camilleri) finds herself in between two lovers. Ryder (Samuel Mamo) and Pierce (Andrew Barberi) battle it out to try and win over Carmen’s heart. Who gets the girl? Who succumbs to the madness of true love? Who gets caught in the fire of emotions?

This same fire, will burn on through song, dance, and LIVE rock music, with a strong all-singing, all-dancing cast of 30 people who will be belting out tunes from Queen, U2, Pink Floyd and Guns ‘n’ Roses amongst others.

Carmen will be held at the Catholic Institute, Floriana on 22-24 November at 8pm.                                                           Tickets are priced at EUR 18.

Bookings and information: www.dlsdrama.com; tickets@dlsdrama.com; 79848788.

Original Scriptwriter and Director: Lucienne Camilleri

Producer: Stefania Grech

Logistics: Nigel Vella

Choreographers: Samantha Corrieri Dela, Lucienne Camilleri

Vocal Arrangements: Pamela Bezzina

Vocal Coach: Claire McCartin

Vocal Arrangements: Pamela Bezzina

Visual Designer: James Camilleri

Band Leader: Edward Grech

Carmen | The Rock Musical is sponsored by FIMBANK plc, Mediterranean Bank, Corrieri Cilia Legal, RVC Event Services, C. Camilleri and Sons and Besteam Audio, together with Hydrolectric, DanielM Photography, General Soft Drinks and Continental Cars.

Claire has recently joined an exciting new organisation called IVA – Institute for Vocal Advancement – which is focused on quality teacher training for singing instructors worldwide, and has been appointed a Level II status!

To learn more about IVA, please visit their website www.vocaladvancement.com.

On 27 June 2013, one of my very talented students Karl Schembri participated in the Island of Dreams festival where he competed against 45 international competitors.  Without a doubt, he was the favourite to win amongst the Maltese competitors and achieved 1st place and was awarded Diploma Laureate 1st.  The Russian organisers Triumph commented on his unique vocal qualities and awarded him a free trip to a future festival to be held in St Petersburg in February 2014.

For the fifth year running, I have been asked by DLS Productions to be the vocal coach for their two future productions planned for this year – Dazzle aimed for the younger generation – and Carmen, a rock musical based on the famous opera by Bizet. Rehearsals are already underway and the De La Salle corridors are once again buzzing with energy and life.