Syafinaz Selamat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Malay name, there is no family name. The name Selamat is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Syafinaz.
Datuk

Syafinaz Selamat

PMW
Syafinaz KL Fashion Week 2013.png
Syafinaz Selamat performing "'O sole mio" in KL Fashion Week 2013
Born (1973-01-11) 11 January 1973 (age 49)
Pontian,[1] Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
NationalityMalaysian
EducationBachelor of Music
Alma materUniversiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam
Occupation
Years active1989–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocal
  • Piano
LabelsP&C (1989, 1999, 2001)
Antarctic Sound Production Sdn Bhd (1989)
EMI (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (1999)
Syafinaz Selamat Productions (2008-present)
Associated acts
Signature
Syafinaz selamat signature.png

Datuk Syafinaz Selamat;[2] (Jawi: صافيناز بنت سلامت; born 11 January 1973)[notes 1] , is a Malaysian singer who sings in Malay, English, Italian, Spanish, and German.[3] She is a reputed soprano soloist; well known as a voice teacher, vocal coach and a lecturer in universities and private classes; a leading voice master in adult and children choir groups; and often appeared as a professional jury or critic in local singing competitions and reality programmes.

Early life[]

Syafinaz Selamat is the youngest child out of 11 siblings, and was born in the Pontian District of Johor in Malaysia. Syafinaz began her singing journey as a child singer at the age of 7 in events around her hometown in the Batu Pahat District.[4]

At the age of 9, Syafinaz was recommended to join a talent search hosted by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) by her sister who worked there. Syafinaz soon became a regular singer alongside her duet partner Eliza in RTM radio segments, and RTM national television's children's programme that was aired during festive seasons.[4]

Syafinaz landed her first record deal at the age of 15, and her first album titled after her own name, Syafinaz was launched in 1989.[4]

Artistry[]

Aside of beginning her singing journey at the age of 7, Syafinaz also enrolled in the electric organ lesson and the piano lesson respectively at the age of 7 and 10. Syafinaz then continued her music education in the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music. She is also a classically trained singer under the tutelage of Siti Chairani Proehoeman (voice), Muzaffar Abdullah (piano), as well as veterans in the Malaysian music education and classical performance scene. Syafinaz also took initiative by completing a short course in Germany with Heidrun Maria Hahn, a German opera singer, before taking on a commitment as a soprano singer.[4]

Syafinaz's operatic soprano voice fach is dramatic coloratura soprano[notes 2], making her suited for repertoire and arias from composers such as Mozart, Puccini, Bellini, Delibes and Verdi. She was chosen to play the role of the soprano solo in Carl Orff's opera Carmina Burana with 100 choir members and the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia, conducted by Roland Peelman.[5]

Career[]

Teaching[]

During her final year as a student in the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Syafinaz was trusted with the responsibility as a lecturer assistant by Siti Chairani Prohoeman. She was then immediately recruited as a lecturer in the UiTM right after her graduation in 1995. Today, Syafinaz does not only lecture in UiTM, but also in The National Arts Academy (ASWARA) as well. In addition, Syafinaz was elected as one of the board of director at ASWARA in 2020.[6] She is also an advisor, vocal master, director, and a conductor for The National Choir of Malaysia,[7] and Genius Seni Koir Group (formerly known as Permata Seni Koir).[8] Syafinaz was also invited to conduct the Vienna Boys' Choir during the group's tour in Malaysia in 2011.[9]

Syafinaz conducting Genius Seni Choir

Moreover, Syafinaz also provides private voice tutoring and known to have tutored several well known local singers including Misha Omar, Khai Bahar, Ernie Zakri, Hael Husaini, and many more.

She was the music advisor for the reality programme Audition II, and a vocal coach in Malaysia national singing competition Bintang RTM 2018. She was also chosen as one of the mentors in the reality show Mentor for the show's 7th season installation, Mentor 7 2018.[10] In Mentor 7, Syafinaz was the only mentor who managed to keep both of her protégés (Lazarul and Ranisha) up to the semi-final until Lazarul was eliminated in the semi-final. Syafinaz also managed to maintain the youngest and only female protégé (Ranisha, 18) from the beginning towards the final of Mentor 7.

Singer[]

Syafinaz performing for Gema 7 Petala Concert in 2016.

Syafinaz officially started off as a child singer with RTM when she was only 9 years old alongside a duet partner, Eliza. Syafinaz continued her singing journey by going solo at the age of 15 and produced her first album, Syafinaz launched in 1989. She then kickstarted her singing career as a pop singer by releasing Bersamamu album in 1999, followed by Syyh in 2001. Her career achievements as a pop singer include a Gold Medal in the R&B/Pop/Rock/Contemporary category during the 1999 World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles. Additionally, she's been nominated twice in Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) for Best Female Vocal for her albums Ingin Bersamamu (1999) and Syyh (2001), a nomination in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian for Popular Female Singer in the year 1998/99, Sri Angkasa Award and Anugerah ERA 2002.[1]

Nowadays, Syafinaz is better known for her lyrical soprano singing in classical numbers.[11] Between 2001 and 2020, Syafinaz colaborated in producing two featured singles respectively with Dennis Lau entitled "Mahkota" (Crown) in 2009, [12] and Frank Scott Hew entitled "Terpesona" (Enchantment) in 2010.[13] She also released a Raya single featuring her former protégés from Mentor 7 (Ranisha and Lazarul) entitled "RahmatNya" (His/God's Grace) in 2019.[14] In 2021, Syafinaz released a new single entitled "Persis Salju" (Like the Snow), which is a ballad song infused with classical elements.[15][16]

Jury/critic[]

Syafinaz as one of the judges for Gegar Vaganza (left) and OIAM with Paul Moss (right) in 2022 and 2007.

Syafinaz has extensive experience as a jury in numerous local singing competitions and reality shows, including Akademi Fantasia Season 3 and 4, Who Will Win, Mentor, One in a Million (OiAM) Season 1, 2 and 3, Pop Krew, The Band, Bintang Kecil RTM, Bintang RTM, AF Megastar 2017, Separuh Akhir Muzik-Muzik (SFMM36), Gegar Vaganza season 6, and 7. Her partnership with her co-jury, Paul Moss in OiAM landed them a nomination for Best On-Screen Chemistry Award in Shout! Awards in 2009.[17] What makes Syafinaz one of Malaysia's celebrated jury and critics in local singing competitions are her motivating encouragements, constructive remarks and pointers from the academic point of views.[9]

Special events and appearances[]

Syafinaz performing in Dubai for Malaysia Expo 2020 in year 2022

Due to her reputation as the region's leading soprano, Syafinaz is often invited as a special celebrity guest to do classical performances in local and international prestigious events, including private functions, fashion shows and product launches. Some of her international shows include the closing ceremony of the 2007 meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, a special appearance in Expo 2008 in Zaragoza, the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, the 2010 Islamic Fashion Week in Monte Carlo performing before Prince Albert, the 2011 World Islamic Economic Forum in Kazakhstan, and in the Malaysia Day Expo 2020 in Dubai.[18] Syafinaz also made a performance alongside Rosnan Rahman, Zainal Abidin and Jaclyn Victor during Barack Obama's official visitation to Malaysia during his USA presidency in 2014.[1]

Personal life[]

Initially strongly disapproved by her late father who wanted her to continue studies in medical education after she obtained excellent SPM examination results, and a scholarship to do English as a Second Language (ESL),[1] Syafinaz was very determined to pursue music as a career. This disagreement has caused a great dispute between them which made Syafinaz ran off to one of her sisters in Johor Bahru.[4]

After that, she decided to move to Kuala Lumpur to live with her other sister. She eventually continued her study in music in the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). She performed consistently well throughout her studies which not only earned her Dean's List awards from the university but also the approval of her late father who later became her proud supporter.[4]

Despite being in the entertainment industry for decades, there has been rarely any controversial tabloids relating to Syafinaz surfaced on the entertainment news or the internet. Though admitting to the importance of social media accounts as one of the means to keep entertainers relevant in the industry, she also firmly stated that she never had any social media accounts due to her daily hectic schedules and routines as a teacher-cum-singer. However, due to her commitment for Mentor 7, she announced her decision in creating an Instagram account as a purpose in promoting her protégés; Lazarul and Ranisha.[1] Since then, Syafinaz has been actively utilizing her social media accounts not only for brand building and interacting with fans, but also as a platform in sharing her knowledge on voice art in short video segments titled Kata Syasel.

Syafinaz is among the fighters for the country's art industry. She argues that art is not just a mere hobby and interest, but also a respectable profession. She strongly thinks that knowledge and academic background in music is important for all musicians if they intend to lead the local art industry towards better progress to be more seen and seriously accepted among the society, as well as being one of the contributors to the country's economy.[19]

Syafinaz is never married and have no children.

Awards and honours[]

To honour her contributions in education, entertainment, art and performances for three long decades, Syafinaz was awarded a Panglima Mahkota Wilayah (P.M.W.) medal of honour by Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King), Sultan Muhammad V during the Federal Territory Day in 2018. This honour gives Syafinaz an official Datukship title; Datuk Syafinaz Selamat.[2]

  •  Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
    • MY-FED Darjah Mahkota Wilayah - Knight Commander - PMW.svg| Knight Commander (P.M.W.) - Datuk (2018)

Discography[]

Studio album[]

  • 1989: Syafinaz
  • 1999: Ingin Bersamamu
  • 2002: Syyh

Single[]

  • 2019: "RahmatNya" feat. Ranisha and Lazarul [14]
  • 2021: "Persis Salju" [15]

Featured singles[]

Acting credits[]

Syafinaz Selamat performing in local opera theatrical play titled The Adventures of Sinbad in 2010

Theatre[]

  • 2005: Rubiah
  • 2010: The Adventures of Sinbad [20]
  • 2015: Opera Puteri Saadong [21]

Film[]

  • 2014: Kami Histeria (voice effects for Cik Lang, portrayed by Fazura)

Notes[]

  1. ^ Syafinaz shares the same birthday as another Malaysian singer, Siti Nurhaliza.
  2. ^ As opposed to lyrical coloratura soprano voice that is agile light with bright full timbre, dramatic coloratura soprano is powerful through the emotive voice with a darker timbre. However, both lyrical and dramatic coloratura soprano voices specialize in music that is distinguished by agile runs, leaps and trills.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e D'souza, Kathlyn (1 March 2019). "Follow Datuk Syafinaz Selamat's Melodic Journey From A Teen Sensation To Super Stardom". Malaysia Tatler. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Mokhtazar, Syahirah (2 February 2018). "(Showbiz) Singer Syafinaz honoured to receive Datukship". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. ^ Chua, Dennis (23 June 2015). "Syafinaz Selamat is eagerly counting down to the release of her long-awaited second album". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "One direction". The Edge. 17 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  5. ^ Datuk Ooi, Chean See (8 March 2011). "100 Memorable Women Part 8". The Star. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Syafinaz Selamat appointed Aswara board director". Asia News Day. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  7. ^ Chan, Li Leen (10 November 2016). "Nostalgic Journey Down Memory Lane National choir". The Star. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Permata Seni choir wows audience at Vienna fest". Bernama. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Pg. 12: Datuk Syafinaz Selamat Malaysia". KLICC. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Syafinaz Selamat ready to impart knowledge to protégés". Newstakers. 14 November 2018. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Syafinaz Selamat at Alumni Home Coming 2012!". UCSI University. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Violinist Dennis Lau launches debut album at Shook!". ytlcommunity. 10 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  13. ^ a b Low, Jasmine (10 January 2010). "PRESS RELEASE: FRANK SCOTT HEW INFUSES MUSIC AND FASHION IN "TERPESONA"". WordPress. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  14. ^ a b Chua, Dennis (7 June 2019). "#Showbiz: And now, Syafinaz's first Raya single". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  15. ^ a b Chua, Dennis (7 May 2021). "#Showbiz: Syafinaz sets the bar high for new singers". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  16. ^ Chaw, Kenneth (12 April 2021). "'Ingin Bersamamu' singer Syafinaz Selamat releases first song in 20 years". UCSI University. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  17. ^ Tan, Jessica (17 July 2010). "Shout! Awards Tonight". News. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  18. ^ Mu, Paul (8 January 2022). "Malaysia Day celebrated at Expo 2020 Dubai". New Straits Times. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  19. ^ Ahmad, Sam (7 September 2021). "Being a professional musician is a reputable profession". HIPZMY. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  20. ^ Tunku Yusoff, Tunku Shahariah (10 March 2010). "The adventures of Sinbad Bangsawan Style". The Star. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  21. ^ Lin, Rouwen (21 January 2015). "Opera and Mak Yong Remixed for The Staged Story of Kelantan's 'Puteri Saadong'". The Star. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.

External links[]

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