Young Voice met with this handsome youngster while at a practice session for Different Voices 2. James is as cool as a cucumber and is extremely passionate about singing and playing the guitar. I’ve heard him sing a few times now and I wish he would never! He’s got a smooth, and quiet yet powerful voice. Soothing, in a way. I know you don’t really call a guy’s voice beautiful, but his, is. It is the promise of tomorrow. It is an absolutely amazing voice!
Knowing a person is like music, what attracts us to them is their melody, and as we get to know who they are, we learn their lyrics. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your singing voice out of the shower and joining the world of professional singers, you should be prepared for what it takes to succeed in the field. In most cases, more than practice and perseverance are needed.
Q: Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shalitha James Jayawardene and I am 22. I studied at St.Joseph’s college Colombo 10. Soon after my school carrier I enrolled myself at The Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management and completed my advance diploma in hospitality management.
I was awarded the best student in sales and marketing. But music is my first love, I like to sing and listen to any song that has a meaning.
Q: When did you start singing, and who is your inspirations?
I started singing when I was about 9. I remember singing Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson songs when I was still at school. Even today they are my favourites and my inspiration.
Q: What instruments do you play?
I play the guitar, the piano and the ukulele.
Q: When did you start playing these instruments?
Soon after my school career I started learning the guitar. I was tutored by an amazing teacher called Lesley Bernard who taught me the guitar with a lot of dedication. I was not only quick in learning the guitar I simply loved playing it. Later, I learned to play the piano and ukulele too.
Q: How did you get involved in singing?
Well, I knew I had a good voice for singing and my friends and family encouraged me to sing. Eventually I decided to improve on my vocal range, so, I joined The Voice by Ishan de Lanerolle and trained under uncle Ishan.
He is simply an amazing teacher and I improved a lot because of him.
Q: Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions?
I was fortunate to be a part of TNL on stage 2016 and I made it to the top 9. I was also a part of Different Voices last year which was held at the Lionel Wednt Theatre.
This year I took part. Different voices 2 which was held at the Bishops College auditorium. These have been incredible breakthrough experiences, but I know this is just the beginning of a long, exciting road. To keep the momentum going, I know I need to put in the passion and time.
Thanks to Uncle Ishan for making every possibility possible for me.
Q: Tell us something about your dreams and your plans.
One of my biggest dreams is to start a band of my own. Like to take up singing as my career.
Q: Do you get nervous before a performance?
I would have, if I wasn’t a student of Ishan De Lanerolle. Nervousness or stage fright is something that not only happens to beginners; it can and does happen to some of the most experienced performers as well.
There are several techniques that can be used to combat nervousness or stage fright. Thankfully with proper training and guidance under Uncle Ishan, I’ve got over it.
Q: What advice would you give someone who would be singing on stage for the first time?
When you’re singing on stage, you’re not only combining language and music - you’ve also got to deal with spatial awareness and be aware of the people around you and ensure that the energy of a song is conveyed in your singing and not just in your dancing. There’s a lot going on, so watch the conductor if there is one. Enjoy the feeling of being on stage.
Q: People are sometimes frightened of overpreparing because they think the material will somehow get stale what do you feel?
That shouldn’t be a worry. Every time you perform, it changes; the atmosphere in the room is different and the people watching you aren’t the same.
By preparing as much as possible, you’ll have the ability to deal with anything that happens, you’ll have more confidence and you’ll enjoy it more.
Being in a show is an exhilarating experience but it’s also a big responsibility
Q: Is there something that you’d like to tell our young readers who love singing?
The most important thing I can tell them is, have confidence and belief in what you’re doing, because if you don’t believe in what you’re doing and saying, no one else will.
You must work hard every day. Harder than you did the day before. Life is a song. Sing it! That’s my advice to myself as well.