Talented young soloists of premier music academy Soul Sounds won gold medals at the 3rd World Virtual Choir Festival 2021 hosted by the Bandung Choral Society. In the children’s category, 9-year-old Rakhitha Widyapathige won a Gold Medal and a Special Jury Award for sharing cultural heritage through song and dance, and Kimaya Wijesuriya was also awarded a Gold Medal in the same category.

Additionally, Charvi Vaidyakularatne was awarded a Gold Medal in the youth category, while Ruhani Vaidyakularatne bagged the Gold in the adults’ category amid stiff competition. A panel of 10 internationally acclaimed jury members adjudicated the performances.

“Beyond music education, Soul Sounds Academy believes in giving children the opportunities to perform, interact, and work with experts in music, as well as develop a passion to perform through international events of this nature. I’m thrilled that they’re being recognized at this level by a world-renowned panel of judges!” commented Soul Sounds Academy Founder and award-winning musician, Soundarie David. The festival, which concluded earlier this month, featured participants from 18 countries including the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Wales, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Securing a stellar reputation for global excellence, the Soul Sounds Academy’s Intermediate Choir also won a Gold Medal under the youth choir category at the 2nd World Virtual Choir Festival held last year.

“Our virtual festival was intended to provide a platform for choir singers to continue singing and performing despite the pandemic. We’re delighted that our singers can showcase their talent on a global stage and find their voice among a supportive international community of musicians,” stated Artistic Director of the Festival, Tommyanto Kandisaputra.

Celebrating cultural diversity, Sri Lanka’s Soul Sounds Academy and Indonesia’s Bandung Choral Society have fostered a relationship for many years built on the vibrant exchange of each country’s music and art.