Held in Anaheim, California from July 28 to Aug 5, the annual competition is dubbed the “official Talent Olympics” for aspiring performers and entertainers. Contestants come from all over the globe.
To his delight, Imran won gold and “champion of the world” in the classical category, silver in the contemporary and original works categories and bronze in the jazz and open categories.
In an online interview with FMT Lifestyle, the still-jet-lagged violinist said he was overjoyed at winning multiple awards in the first stage of the competition. Now he’s qualified for the semi-finals and hopefully he’ll become a finalist, too.
Earlier this year, Imran participated in the Malaysia Championships of Performing Arts (MCOPA) to determine if he would be part of the Malaysian contingent to WCOPA.
During the MCOPA finals, he performed a song titled “Yakina” by award-winning violinist Nisa Addina. “I was really nervous,” he said because he badly wanted to make it to the WCOPA. And make it he did!
Next, came what he described as “the most challenging part” – preparing for both the competition and his SPM examination.
“I felt like giving up so many times. But I kept telling myself: this is your future. You really want to go to the United States,” he said.
He said the competition was tough, especially as he was only given one minute to perform in each category before having to quickly change his attire to play in the next.
His favourite moment, he added, was playing a song titled “Goin’ Far” in the “original works” category, where contestants are required to perform an original composition.
Being able to showcase one’s original composition on a global stage is a dream come true for any composer, but it is particularly remarkable for someone his age.
“I just feel really blessed. All my prayers have been answered. That’s all I can say.”
Imran shared that he worked with his musician father, Iskandar Bujang, on the song. His father also owns a recording studio, iMuzik Studio in Sibu. And here’s a fun fact: Imran is a third-generation musician. His late grandfather played the ukulele, among others.
Besides his own composition, Imran also performed “Tico-Tico No Fubá” (classical); “Lathi” (contemporary); “Take Five” (jazz) and “Satellite of Zapin” (open).
He said he chose “Satellite of Zapin” because “it shows our cultural roots, and we really need to show our culture in the western world”. He even wore traditional Malay attire for the performance!
Another memorable moment was when he spontaneously draped the Malaysian flag across his shoulders when receiving his award. “I wanted to get the Malaysian flag on camera, so that the whole world sees my Malaysian identity.”
Love at first sound
Asked about when he first played the violin, Imran was specific – Dec 15, 2016. He said he will always remember this day as he wrote it down in his first violin book.
He had earlier attended the Borneo Cultural Festival, where he saw – and heard – an orchestra performance. The violin in particular, left him intrigued. So, he asked his parents for one and was beside himself with joy when he received a violin as a birthday gift.
And that was not all. His parents enrolled him in Thomas Music Studio, where he’s been studying since. Imran will sit for his Grade Six exams this year.
Besides the violin, Imran also plays the piano, saxophone and a little guitar, and said he hopes to learn as many instruments as possible.
The young boy who was first mesmerised with the violin years ago has certainly come far. So, what’s next for him?
“I want to get a degree in music. I am planning to go to International College of Music in Kuala Lumpur before continuing at Berklee College of Music in Boston,” he said.
And someday, he added, he hopes to become a music director for any entertainment organisation in Malaysia or in the US.
For aspiring young musicians, he shared: “Keep doing what you love. Make your parents, family, friends, community and the country proud.”
Follow Imran Azim Iskandar on his YouTube Channel, Facebook, and Instagram.