Three 16-year-olds prove that natural talent and a dash of creativity are a winning combination at the Impresario 2012 singing competition.
By Ng Jiaqi
(From left) Abigail Yeo, Zann Foo and Teo Siang Joo dazzle the crowd. PHOTOS: Andrew Yeo.
“Your stage. Your moment.”
This tagline of Impresario 2012 reflects the experience three teenage girls had when they made a last minute decision to take part in Impresario 2012.
A long-running talent search competition organized by the Cultural Activities Club of Nanyang Technological University, Impresario is in its 20th year this year. Offering diverse categories and a platform for anyone who dreams of taking the stage by storm—be it through singing, dancing or song-writing—Impresario also dazzles with its rewards: up to S$10,000 in cash and prizes were up for grabs.
For good friends Abigail Yeo, Zann Foo and Teo Siang Joo, all 16, Impresario 2012 was a chance for them to showcase their talent. Egged on by teachers and friends, the girls only decided to participate the week the competition was held. Yet, they emerged the big winner of the night on Mar. 18 at NTU, with Yeo crowned Champion in the Vocal Solo category while their group “豆芽” won first runner-up in the Vocal Duet/Group category.
The three girls, who bonded over singing classes, would often gather to sing for fun. When asked to describe each other, the three secondary school friends burst out in youthful laughter and started teasing one another in a manner only good friends do. Yeo is the resident diva, the “ring-leader” who likes Chinese singer Ah Mei.
Pyjama party performance inspired by Bruno Mars’ “Lazy Song”.
Foo is the “smallest of the group”, loves the ’60s and, like most teenagers now, is a fan of K-pop.
Despite her denying it, Teo has been acknowledged as the pretty face who gets the most attention wherever they go. She is also nicknamed “the radio” for her eclectic taste in music, and for her knowledge about music—she has the ability to name almost every song that is being played.
Given their last minute decision to enter the competition, the girls did not waste the time they had to prepare. They prepared a medley of songs with a storyline, starting out by dressing in pyjamas for “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars, acting out a love relationship for “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift, acting out a break-up for “Someone Like You” by Adele and ended with Katy Perry’s teen power anthem, “Firework”.
Taking care to showcase each member’s vocal abilities while giving ample opportunity to shine as a group, the trio’s performance left both the judges and audiences impressed. Yeo also won in the solo category singing “煎熬” by Li Jia Wei.
The talented ones cited their choir instructor as their inspiration and remained grounded even after their victory. At the moment, they have no other aspiration other than to focus on their ‘O’ Levels examination this year. One thing is for sure, bigger things are in store for these girls.
