M.A.D. Talent Night

Themed “Music, Arts and Dance”, M.A.D. Talent Night attracted a thousand-strong audience at the multi-purpose hall in the Sungai Long Campus to watch student performances on 4 July 2015.

The event was one of the university’s initiatives for a holistic education by providing students with a platform to showcase their talents. It was aimed to welcome new UTARians in conjunction with the May 2015 orientation programme.

VIP guests present were UTAR Vice President (R&D and Commercialisation) Prof Ir Lee Sze Wei, Head of Department of Students Affairs (DSA) Loh Nyuk Leung, DSA Manager Choong Yee Chin, and representatives of sponsors from Shun Yue Motor Sdn Bhd and Primos’s Café Mahkota Cheras.

Prof Lee (centre) accompanied by the organising committee members and representatives of DSA at the opening ceremony

“It is our pleasure to hold the first grand event in this hall and we thank the guests for gracing us with your presence tonight,” said the organising chairman Lee Zi Yang in his welcoming speech. “I hope everyone will enjoy the performances by the eight different acts selected,” the Year Two Civil Engineering student enthused.

Banana Jams, a five-member band kicked off the performances for the night with three songs: ‘She Looks So Perfect’, ‘Animals’ and ‘I Won’t Give Up’.The second spot was a duet by Armand Soriano and Koi Ee Ling singing ‘Little Do You Know’ and ‘Say Something’, paired with guitar.

Banana Jams performing live

This was followed by the mesmerising contemporary dance by Koo Jia Shin and Ng Vei Shen. Their spectacular choreography drew thunderous applause from the crowd. A piano solo by Karen Ho came fourth, which comprised of three songs. Then, Cheng Chun Qian and Lee Wei Tang inspired the audience’s tears with the synchronised melodies of violin and organ. Their collaboration powered to a flawless and emotional crescendo, stirring the audience to request for an encore.

Clockwise from top: Contemporary Dance, Piano,Organ and Violin performance

Gifted songstress Lim Wen Suen stole the spotlight with her sensuous and electrifying recital on Jessie J’s ‘Flashlight’. Meanwhile, beat-boxer Soh Yao Sheng besotted the crowd with his nimble prowess. His rendition of a classical Cantonese song and ‘Gangnam Style’ left the audience in awe. The Diabolo trio, Yeow Peng Fu, Kevin Tan and Ryan Oon showcased their extravagant skills by performing tricky passes and manoeuvres using traditional and LED diabolos.

Clockwise from top: Performances of ‘Flashlight’, diabolo juggling and beatboxing

The event also featured specially invited acts including Precious, HyperActive, Double F & Fuxion, and Double Cheese Burger Band. There was also a lucky draw where the grand prize winner walked away with a motorcycle sponsored by Shun Yue Motor Sdn Bhd. At the end of the night, The Diabolo trio garnered the title of “The Most Popular Performance” as voted by the audience.

The talents, emcees and two organising committee members

Lee Zi Yang delivering the “Most Popular Performance” trophy to the Diabolo team