Nisa presents a signed CD to Taib. Also seen are Ragad (second left) and Ng (second right).
KUCHING: Homegrown international violin virtuoso Nisa Addina Taufik has launched her specially commissioned album of vintage Tan Sri P Ramlee composition.
‘Tan Sri P Ramlee’ represents Nisa’s second album following her debut album ‘Yakin’ (Faith) launched in June last year, featuring her unique blend of classical, pop, jazz and electronic dance music.
The main atrium of Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall filled up as Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launched the new album yesterday.
Nisa impressed the crowd with her favourite Tan Sri P Ramlee timeless classics ‘Dengarlah Gemala Hati’, ‘Tunggu Sekejap’ and ‘Manusia’ at the launch.
Among those present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Dato Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Assistant Minister for Youth Development (Urban) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Plaza Merdeka Holdings Sdn Bhd Dato’ Steve Ng, Nisa’s parents Mohd Taufik Abdul Ghani and Hadiah Rahman Hamzah.
Ng, in his welcoming address, said he had grabbed the opportunity to secure Nisa as one of the key artistes to be featured in the corporation’s new waterfront hotel, An Artrageous Hotel.
“We will be working with many local talents like her to promote them and Nisa has graciously agreed to help us in our vision. We will be naming a suite after her, the Nisa Addina Suite that will feature pictures of her performing and include a biography of her and her works.”
He said the Kuching-born violinist had won three golds and a silver and was crowned Junior Grand Champion Instrumentalist at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Log Angeles, California in 2011.
“I take this opportunity to thank our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for his support of Nisa through the Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship.
“With this scholarship, Nisa together with her parents are heading off to Berklee College of Music, Boston Massachusetts Campus tomorrow. Believe it or not, her reputation already precedes her and they have already named her the Berklee Asian Student awardee.”
Nisa has performed at various forums including the Fourth Marketplace of Creative Arts (Mocafest) in Bandung, the Fifth Mocafest in Johor in 2012, the launch of Asean International Film Festival Awards (Aiffa)
2012 and the launch of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2013.
She has also staged solo with the South Norfolk Youth on their visit to Malaysia. In June 2013, Nisa was invited to showcase her talent in front of Her Royal Highness, Queen of Malaysia at the Women Global Summit.
In October 2013, she performed before prime minister of Malaysia and president of China during the latter’s official visit to Malaysia.
Last year, her performance took her to Paris, France for the Malaysian Batik Fashion Show and Global Women Summit.
Nisa has performed in Anugerah Juara Lagu 2015 and Reality Program Mentor Legend 2015.
A sample of her music can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/ritziagalz and her social media addresses are https://www.facebook.com/nisaaddina and http://twitter.com/nisa_addina.
Nisa performs before the guests. — Photos by Jeffrey Mostapa