Whimsical MuzikAAAle

Ruwini Jayawardana

The time was right. Her students were ever ready. There is heaps of demand. So she took the plunge.

Ruvini Hapugalle. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

These words basically sum up renowned piano teacher Ruvini Hapugalle's quest to showcase her student's talent via MuzikAAAle, concert of song and music from Disney productions and Broadway from the presented by the Little Kindermunks and Kinder-Singers. The event will take place at the British School Auditorium on June 5 at 5.30 pm. Ladies' College Principal Nirmali Wickremasinghe will be the Chief Guest.

With 19 years of teaching experience to her credit Hapugalle had been organizing concerts for her students for years. They were mostly held at the Russian Cultural Centre and had comprised a variety of themes: from stories incorporated into music in last year's Musik Fantasie to a variety of classical musical styles in the bygone era as well as modern times.

"I focus mainly on classical music. My teaching style emphasizes on developing a love for music through activities such as singing, rhythmic movement and encouraging students to make music by making use of their second instruments. Most of my students range between three to seven years," she said adding that though the children are of a young age they have a lot of experience staging concerts. , For instance the kinder-singers were the All Island winners in the musical choir category in their age group for two consecutive years at the Sri Lanka Festival of Music which is affiliated to the British Federation of Festivals.

Speaking about her upcoming concert Hapugalle said that this year's theme derived from the realization that more students are up for the challenge of exploring popular music styles. Armed with tremendous creativity and the ability to take on advanced music skills it was time these budding musicians made themselves heard among the public.

She explained, "I have always encouraged the freedom to interpret music among my students. They are given the opportunity to arrange lighter pieces for ensemble playing. Team work and leadership qualities are essential while performing duets. The Little Kindermunks and the Kinder-Singers together with the rest of my piano students will perform some vocal medleys in MuzikAAAle."

Songs from Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and Snow White will be sung at the concert. Hapugalle's junior and intermediate piano students will perform some popular songs from Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera. Well loved numbers like 'I've got a friend' from Toy Story and 'Under The Sea' from Little Mermaid are items to watch out for.

Some of her senior students will also play solo piano items. Pieces from My Fair Lady and Porgy and Bess by Gershwin is on their list. They will be presenting songs from Lion King in a-capella form and the finale will be an Andrew Lloyd Webber instrumental and vocal medley. The piano, violin, guitar and drums will be the instruments performed on stage.

"Dilini Perera who won The Yes FM Radio Superstar will perform an item. She also helped me choreograph some of the items," Hapugalle said.

Coming from a musical family it is no surprise that Hapugalle took to music like duck to water. Her mother is Indranee Hapugalle has taught the piano for over 50 years. Her sister, Sujeeva Hapugalle, is now a world renowned Steinway concert pianist residing in USA.

"They are the pillars of my success," she added with a smile.

Kinder-Singers	Little Kindermunks

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