Shameestha De Silva
Nineteen year old Shameestha is no stranger to the spotlight; she’s already well known, both at home and abroad for her outstanding performances.
An award winning cellist, she is also a singer known for her collaborations with other artistes such as the The Rebels, Five Minutes Apart, Harsha Makalanda, Bathiya and Santhush and she has also performed with the Merry Anne Singers.
You may remember Shameestha’s stand out performance when she sang alto in Verdi’s ‘Requiem,’ conducted by the internationally renowned conductor Gregory Rose, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.
A dedicated member of her school choir, she has been a conductor and leader since 2006. She is also a member of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, a former member of the National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka - heading the Cello section since 2007, a frequent performer at Jazz Unlimited at CR & FC and ‘Jazz Sundays’ at Loon Tao, all while managing straight As!
On the most inspirational musician she knows:
“The person who I look up to the most, not only as a musician but also as a person, would have to be our very own Eshantha Joseph Pieris, pianist extraordinaire! I’ve been hearing him play since I was a very little girl. After I turned 15
I was fortunate to play and perform with him in the Orchestra and at many jazz gigs!”
Schamali Jayaratne
Schamali learnt she could sing at the age of 10, when she was asked to join the school choir, where she was trained by Sureka Amerasinghe till she graduated from high school. As a school girl she took part and won prizes in inter-house solo singing competitions.
These competitions allowed her an opportunity to perform in front of and be trained by performers such as Rohan de Lanerolle.
She continues her training under Peshali Yapa and is a chorister with the choir- Coro CantAmici and the lead female vocalist for the band ‘The Castaways.’
On the greatest Diva she knows:
“ Paris Hilton. I know she’s
probably not the role model type to many, but she’s
someone who always does what she wants, when she wants, in spite of what critics may say. She’s the
epitome of fearless girl power and she also has a great sense of fashion... to
me that’s hot!”
Niamh Evans
Niamh has loved music ever since she can remember and now at 14 she is living the dream as a well-recognised singer, guitarist and a somewhat reluctant, pianist. Trained by Sureka Amerasinghe in Colombo, Niamh had an early introduction to jazz.
She has spent the last four years as a student of Denham Pereira, Director of music ‘Voice of Praise’ choir, St Andrew’s Church and more recently studied at ‘Music Matters’ with Maxie Rosario. Lately, she has developed a ‘Joan Baez meets Adele’ style as a solo singer guitarist.
Her short career has included appearances at CR&FC , Hilton, Cinnamon Lakeside and the Barefoot Gallery in Colombo, as well as a charity concert at The British School and performances in the Maldives.
She says her influences are contemporary singers like Adele, Amy Winehouse and Michael Buble and all-time greats Ella Fitzgerald, Eydie Gorme, Chaka Khan and Chet Baker.
On the greatest Divas ever:
“There are really too many… classical perhaps Maria Callas with her unbelievably beautiful, passionate soaring voice. From the genre of jazz, near impossible to choose between the brilliance of Ella Fitzgerald and the pain and suffering and story-telling of Billie Holiday. Surprisingly, I believe one of the most technically perfect singers was Eydie Gorme and her version of ‘Come in from the Rain’ is a really beautiful love song.”
Thilinee Silva
Thilinee Silva is a popular young artist who is rapidly making a name for herself in the local music scene.
Her colourful personality and rich vocals have enlivened pop, rock and soul these past few years.
A past pupil of Good Shepherd Convent, Thilinee was voted through to the Top 12 of the Yes Super Star competition in 2009 and she gained national recognition with her soulful song “Something Right,” which was included in the Yes Super Star album released later that year.
Catch ‘Divas Live’ on March 10 at Silk from 8pm onwards. The event is presented by Channel Media (Pvt) Ltd. Tickets are available at the gate. |
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