My student Karl Schembri has just returned from St Petersburg where, between 20-24 February 2014, he participated in the VIII International Pop Vocal Competition “The Magic World of Coulisses”.   Karl, who is a 14-year old boy soprano, competed with over 300 participants from various regions in Russia and other neighbouring countries.  He managed to garner top votes and won the Grand Prix title for the best solo performance.

The jury consisted of famous artists, professors of creative universities as well as popular musicians, actors, composers and producers. The Head of Jury was Mr. Igor Alekseevich Bogdanov, a professor of the St Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy, and the Chairman of the Department of pop and musical theatre. The festival organiser “Triumph” commented: ‟Karl’s performance was so wonderful that there was no point in comparing him with others – he was the best.″